Shiken!

So, it's about the middle of week 4, and I have my midterm (shiken) on Thursday.

The midterm covers the last half of Genki 1, (and really all of Genki 1 because you would use your basic fundamentals from the first half of the book as well. It's the way languages work.) and the first two chapters of Genki 2. I've gotten 95% participation points, as well as hundreds on my past view vocabulary quizzes.

I've gotten into the system of waking up around six o'clock in the morning, eating a healthy breakfast, (usually yogurt and a piece of bread) and then walking fifteen minutes to the train station.

I can now read most of the kanji- or at least recognize them. I know which trains to get on in which direction, and what people to look out for to make sure I'm on the right train.

I'm used to the twenty minute bike ride, but now I don't bring my laptop, so my bag (which I actually just use my purse) can easily sit in my basket, so my back doesn't get all sweaty. I don't know about this rainy season. It hasn't really rained much. Of course, saying that I bet it's going to be down pouring tomorrow morning.

The classes are starting to become routine, and I make sure to listen distinctly and participate as much as possible. I now know everyone's names and who to partner up with and who to try to stay away from. I also know how each teacher teaches and what I really need to focus on during the ten minute break.

I've really settled in Japan- and I love it. The only thing that is a downer at the moment is the fact that I ran out of peanut butter... again.

So, really not much is new. I'm getting ready for my Tokyo trip on Saturday, with laundry tomorrow and  making sure I'm caught up on all of my schoolwork.

I've also started planning my second trip. The weekend of July 17-19 I'll be doing a little backpacking through Kyoto and Nara, two of the most renowned historical cities in Japan, decorated with many temples and shrines, and inhabited by traditional Japanese people such as Geisha and Maiko. I don't have class on July 19 (Monday) because it is Marine Day, so I'll be out of town for three days. It's sure to be a blast. I think that's going to be my traveling extent though, at least this time around. I already bought my Shinkansen tickets, and let me tell you- plan to pay a lot for them if you are coming to Japan. In fact, it may be cheaper to just take the plane.

But at the same time, I've heard that the Shinkansen is a ride that everyone should experience- I'll get back to you on that next week.

And so- yes, not much going on. Every night I usually have an hour long conversation or so with my host mother, as well as practice with my teachers at JCMU. It's starting to get intensive now, as we are starting new material, (for me anyway) so I'm going to be studying and using my resources a little more.

More soon. I'll probably put something else up before I got to Tokyo- and then you can expect a really long one with pictures attached at the beginning of next week!

Mata Ashita!