So...yesterday was pretty craptacular as I mentioned before so my retelling of it will be brief. We had an entrance ceremony that required more formal attire, so I put on the dress I wore during the Blizzard Christmas party and commuted to the meeting place at Meikai. I brought my regular sandals to and from the station to save my feet from the pain of the heels. But nobody mentioned that I had to walk from the meeting place across campus to the other side in the muggy, hot, and humid sun in those shoes to get to the ceremony. Why they didn't just tell us to meet them there, I don't know. Afterwards, we came back to the meeting place to discuss the following day's events. I found myself the favorite target of one of the professors who always managed to catch me off-guard with a question I had not idea how to answer. So much for seven semesters of Japanese study. I had to decline an invitation after it was done to have lunch because I was dumb enough to come in the dress without a change of clothes. I got to the train station and promptly hopped on the wrong train. This is the first it has ever happened. I got off at the next stop, which was underground, empty, and creepy. When I finally made it to the right station, I stopped at my nearby konbini to pick up lunch. The final cherry on top of this day was my total came out to be 666 yen. To recap: Hot sun, blistered feet, antisocial and sucky at Japanese reputation, wrong train, and evil yen total. Not a fun day.
Now let's move on to today, which was longer and more tiring, but way less crappy. I was expected to be at the school at 9 AM, and left for the train station at 8. This is what I have been doing almost every time I go out. And I always make it just before 9. My dorm-mates take platform 12, and I take 11. Both 11 and 12 are opposite each other so we can wait in the same spot. The train arrived and I hurried in to beat the crowds as usual. But no one followed me in. The train was nearly empty. And it usually moves out rather quickly. This one was just sat there for about 10 minutes. At first I thought I must have come right after the Tokyo rush. But I noticed that the platforms on the far side were packed. I had a sudden feeling that something wasn't right. So I left the train. As it left, I noticed that its sign said, "For Fuuchuhommachi" instead of "For Tokyo." At this point it is 8:30 and I suddenly found myself at a loss. Is this the right platform? I called a classmate to ask her to let the teachers know I would be late and wandered around the platform looking for a train attendant. I asked him where the Shin-Urayasu train was and he pointed to the other side. "Juu-ban desu." Platform 10? That's not right. That one goes to Chiba. But I knew I had to try something. And the crowds were all heading in that direction. I got to the other side and looked at the lit sign. "Next train: Tokyo, 9:05." Awesome. I have to wait 25 minutes and it won't arrive til after I am already late. And what are they doing switching platforms on me? >_< After getting to the right station finally, I ran as fast as one could in the Japan heat and got to the building soaked in sweat. One of the coordinators reassured me that everything was ok. The trains were late because someone jumped in front of one this morning and committed suicide. Oh...that's...that's ok? o_O Apparently this is a common occurrence here.
My mind was much less blank today and I even managed to remember the days of the week as if I was fluent when I had to answer the question. After the session was over, many of us had to rush back to the train station to transfer to Kaihin Makuhari, where the IES center is and where the samurai class was to be held.
A classmate (Lindsey) and I then went to the mall together to buy some last minute school supplies. I am not sure how I managed to forget to pack folders and notebooks. Oh well. At 68 yen per notebook, it didn't break the bank. On the way there, she showed me a way across the pedestrian bridges in the area that allows you to skip traffic lights and this hidden gem of a park right in the middle of it. I hope you enjoy the pictures more than I enjoyed taking them. The mosquitoes were relentless once the sun set. Why do they love me so much? :/
Tomorrow, we trek to Akihabara! Yes, be jealous.
PS: The local theater in Kaihin Makuhari is currently showing the new Rurouni Kenshin live action movie. I must watch this! Yes, be even more jealous! >:)
Gah! So jealous :p
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