Monday

The start of the week was a little bit miserable to be honest. It was grey and cloudy. We are going into Typhoon season so we are expecting a lot of this week. This was the first day that we had university stuff, and it started with a job interview. Issie was first, followed by Coral and then me.

So we went like an hour early and ended up wandering around the area a bit and exploring. Eventually it became time and we ended to the ECZ. Which turned out to be beside the IAO. It's a room where people can learn English to get a better grasp on conversations etc. The interview itself was only 5 minutes and they only really asked us why we wanted the job and if we would do overtime unpaid. I thought the interview went well, they laughed and seemed happy with my answers.

After we ended back to the I-house to chill and relax for a bit. I did some kanji practise. I'm trying to do at least 2 hours of Japanese a day to get ready for the placement test. Eventually Tom appeared, and hung out as well.

For dinner, we headed out to a burger place called 'Mos Burger'. I had a hot dog, didn't really enjoy it but the chips were good. Tom ordered a huge meal and struggled to finish it all. He also ordered this bright green concoction which was melon soda. It was actually quite nice, but I'm not sure I would want to drink it regularly lol.

I think there was something in it though because we spent the rest of the evening hyper and giggling as Issie and Tom spoke 'Yorkshire' to each other. We also had a giggle when we used 'make my baby generator' to create a picture of Issie's love child. So yep. Still having lots of fun.

Tuesday

Tuesday started at about 8am. Coral, Issie and I were once again together to open the back accounts. Chantelle had done it the day before and make it out to be really hard and that we had to sign our names the exact same way about five times, but nope. It was all really easy. The bank had set up a meeting room to show us how to fill out the forms and it was all done in about half hour.

It also gave us a chance to meet a few more of the international students. On our walk back to the I-house we chatted to a few. Unfortunately after than we had about a four hour wait until our next thing. So I got some more Japanese done and then Issie appeared with Chantelle. Tom appearing not to long after.

Can't say we did much other that sat in Coral's room and chatted about s***. We listened to retro 90 songs while Issie plaited Chantelle's hair. Once we finally got to 4pm, we headed down to the 'meeting room' in the base of the I-house, leaving Tom in our room. The first half was quite fun, we got to go on a earthquake simulation to show what an earthquake is like. Y'know living in a country where they get them all the time. I didn't go on myself but Coral said it was kinda like being on a rocky boat so :P

After we sat through a presentation where they introduced some people to us. The police warned us to stay safe and not leave our windows open when out. Standard stuff really. We got told that this one of the worst areas in Tokyo but apparently there are no murders so yeah, that's good news. We also got told about some events which are in English around the area which was nice.

Once that was all done with, we all headed to Akihabara. Literally all of us, well no not all, but most. Somehow it seemed most of the I-house decided to go in various groups and we all bumped into each other along the way. We headed to an arcade and played some games, including a dance one before taking some more Purikara. Issie, Chantelle and I got separated from Coral and Tom at the arcade but eventually met back up with them at the animate stuff where Chantelle got some stuff.

That night Coral and I made Spaghetti for dinner. Yumyum. To be fair, we are doing better than Issie and Chantelle who are still living off instant food from the convini. We have moved on to pasta sauces.

Wednesday

Wednesday was a long and busy if not slightly boring day. We had orientation sessions all day, which were all informative and full of paperwork and introductions. It was all useful stuff, like how to pay our rent using a really complicated machine. To be honest, it properly would be easier if we could read kanji but maybe we will be able to by the end of the year.

We were also given our student IDs, computer login-ins, and much more. We saw the library. Not that I intend to spend much time there. In Japan, libraries are silent. There is like a room which is sound proofed where you can do group room. I can understand but I prefer having a bit of background news while studying otherwise I can't focus right.

For lunch we went to the cafeteria and had some Japanese food. Umm. In Japan you choose what you want from like a ticket machine and then they take the ticket and make it for you. But as we don't know many meals, we were left guessing. I went for a dish were had beef in it. It was rice, and beef with an egg cracked on top of it. Lovely. It actually tasted quite nice.

I still took a photo of the meal so we can translate it later though. Not sure I want a year of guessing what on earth I am having again. But we've started making friends now. Including some of the guys we went to the arcade with and two Irish girls.

That night we had Tom over and just had a chill evening in as it was Tom's last night in Japan. Going to miss him lots and lots. Also, sadly I failed to get the job, as did Coral. But Issie got it.

Thursday

Raining again. But it was a fun day today. To start off we meet our LEPs. Language Exchange Partners. Coral and I were grouped together with 13 students, though only six turned up. Originally I wondered if they had chickened out, but the some of the American's explained later it is still there holiday at the moment so some may be at home or travelling etc.

So yeah, we had 6 very cute girls. One girl, Maki, spoke very good English. We ask asked a few questions and admittedly didn't speak a lot of Japanese, but hopefully we will be able to arrange some time to be able to practise. We were both a little nervous and didn't really know what to say.

They took us one a tour of the Toyo campus, showing us the medical centre, where the teaching rooms for Japanese were etc. At the end of it we arranged to see them again on morning and had lunch together. It was really nice and I think they enjoyed speaking English with us so they got something out it.

In the afternoon I saw my advisor. Not going to lie, I'm not particular hopeful with the business side of the courses. Issie and Coral pointed out though that this year is meant to be focusing on Japanese though which is making me feel a bit better about them

Courses decided, Coral and I headed to the shops to buy some real food and more importantly, a pillow! Finally we can sleep properly. Once again we spent the evening practising Japanese with Issie and giggling like mad. :P

Friday

A day of many jobs. First we slept in. But once Coral and I were up, we were busy getting various things donw. Including paying for our rent, paying some money into the bank. We tried to work out how to transfer money, which is a bit of a hassle. Annoying I need to have a card reader to do the transfer. I've ordered on now, but it heads home first so.

Then came the most awkward thing I have ever had to do. Coral and I attempted to buy a phone. MASSIVE fail. Phones in Japan are super expensive. Even for a flip phone on pay as you go it is like £280 straight up plus £15 a month. That's the cheapest. After that there are contracts which are 2 year so you have to pay a cancellation fee of £70 and then its £50/60 quid a month.

Eventually after fumbling around with our Japanese. Coral and I forgot how to say 'How much' L. We got it mixed up with which, embarrassingly. But I suppose that's part of the experience. Still we concluded the best thing to do was to go with our LEPS on Monday to try and work out a better deal.

Saddened, we were cheered up when Issie once again appeared.

Saturday.

Not a lot happened on Saturday. We had a lazy day. Saturday over. :P

Sunday.

We woke up on Sunday, intending to go see a shrine festival. But it was hot and humid and I forgot my purse so I had to walk back up the hill to the I-house to get it. Chantelle had a long talk with Coral before heading to Sendai to see her mum. By the time this all had happened it was getting close to the starting time and we didn't know where it was. So we decided to go to Ikeburoko instead.

~ Don't worry we will go to one, there was one on the next Sunday as well at a shrine we sort of knew where it was so.

We wandered around Ikeburoko, went to a few anime shops. Had a long walk, got sunburnt etc. It was actually a really nice day and we had fun. We decided to go to a donut shop for dinner. We were really excited, but it was a bit of a disappointment, but hey! You have to try these things.

So yep. That was my first week living in the I-house J. Still loving Japan but starting to miss people now. Both Coral and Issie have been sent hot chocolate supplies though, so we occasionally have a mug each J