Another Week Past

Days fly by here. Last week we did flower arranging (sado) and went to a high school. I'm getting a bit tired of being paraded around as an American, but apart from that I enjoy the excursions.

This past weekend I had another homestay, this one in Nara. I have to say that I generally did not have a good time. First of all, my host parents (having no children at home) didn't really seem to have an interest in me. Second, and more importantly, another girl from my trip went with me. I was classroom friends with her until we came on this abroad trip, and now she has become one of the most annoyingly idiotic people I have ever met. She wouldn't even attempt to speak Japanese; she treated our host parents like they were stupid; she complained the entire time about everything, including having tonsilitis again. Despite these complaints, upon returning to the kaikan, she refused to go to the doctor because if she takes antibiotics, she won't be able to drink. They last time she thought it would be a clever idea to do so, one our professors had a good scream at her. In essence, she ruined it for me. I think it wasn't -me- that Miwako and Chido had no interest in...but it's impossible for the Japanese to extend an offer of return to one and not the other. We did go to a nice temple and museum. I enjoyed that and the food. They kindly paid for everything.

Upon returning, I was terribly angry after holding it in for three days, so Marissa, Steven, Brian, and I went to the arcade and played with the clas machines. I love those things. We won lots of things... I probably spent 1000yen, which is pretty low for one of those place. That night I was hyperactive from not enjoying myself all weekend, so I took the opportunity to steal Jim's keys... and start a commotion. Naturally it was amusing as more people got involved. Then a lot of people played cards with me. A lot of people that I really enjoy spending time with. It was very fun.

Today was sensei ginko (teacher bank = pay day.) We get $200 (20000yen) every monday.

Class is going well. I should get an A.

I like it very much here. The streets are clean. People are always polite to one another. Everyone respects everything. No one ever steals (people don't lock up there bikes.) It's just a nice atmosphere that everyone should experience.

Today we went to an elementary school. The children were excited. Generally, we were paraded around again, but I didn't mind so much.