*Later*
Ok, the first day of school... was pretty easy. After the nerve-wracking, speech-giving part.
In the morning, I went to school with my host father, as his work is one stop before my school. To get there, I take the Hankyu line from Ishibashi station to Umeda station, and from there transfer to the JR loop line (which calls the Umeda station Osaka Central Station) and ride that train to Teradacho station. By the way, this is during rush hour. The second train is ok, but the first! Let me say, I have never seen so many people crammed into one space, let alone been a part of it.
At Teradacho, I met up with Ms. Masuda and the other three international students starting this semester. Melinda and Ruth are from America, and Clara is from Poland.
All the Japanese students had exams, so after the international students gave a speech at the opening ceremony (nerve-wracking!), we went to go get our uniforms. This consisted of standing around in various states of uniformedness while the teachers helping us tried to find Summer, Autumn and Winter uniforms, as well as warm and cold weather exercise clothes in each of our respective sizes. At one point, I was wearing exercise shorts, a blouse and a clip-on tie. Lovely, no?
After that, we had a long meeting with Mr. Hijiya and Mr. Alexy discussing host families, school, staying safe and answering any questions we had.
For some reason (I'm not sure exactly) full time classes haven't stated, so we go home at around noon. Going back home, I went most of the way with Nato, an exchange student from Thailand. Miu, Kaede and Hiyori, three other students, helped us buy our train cards. After getting a little lost at Umeda station with Nato, I made it home safe and sound!
Eva-
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing about the school experience. Hopefully the commute is not too far (although I am guessing it can't be closer than CSM). At least you don't have to spend a lot of time deciding what to wear.
Love, Dad
wow! a full day of Japanese school. I'm guessing it will be a lot different than first grade (no crafts & parent helpers), community college classes(no smokers, wandering in late, or controlling your schedule) and nature studies (no going barefoot, full body dunks, or camouflage).
ReplyDeleteBTW, my goal this weekend is to set up Grandma & Aunt Sonja with a google account so they can comment.
Much love,
Mom
I can't wait to hear about it!! I hope it was wonderful and you had a great day!! Every day that you are gone I gain another degree of admiration for your courage! You are so brave, going into another country, where you don't know anyone! I am impressed every time that I imagine myself trying to do the same! You seem to be taking it all in stride, as a new adventure, I'd be so freaked out and homesick, I am so proud of you! You are amazing! I miss you very much indeed!
ReplyDeleteLots of love and so many hugs,
Hailey
I love all the info about what is happening, but it just leads me to more questions....what did you say in your speech? Is Nato a student at Osaka Girls' School (is there a difference between an exchange student and an international student?)
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of you crowded into the train with your eyes growing bigger and bigger the more squisheder and squisheder you get!
Love,
Mom
Wow!! Sounds exciting!! All those trains! How'd you keep them straight? Are the other girls from America enjoyable? I miss you very much!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you seem to be having fun!
Love you,
Hailey
Eva-
ReplyDeleteThe JR loop line make CalTrain look pretty good? How long does it take you to get to school? And the most important question...is the "state of uniformedness" anywhere near the "state of confusion"?
Love, Dad
Mom-- Just my name, where I'm from, how old I am, nice to meet you, please be friends with me. Stuff like that. And, no, no difference. Just my word choice. Here, we're called "ryuugakusee"s.
ReplyDeleteHailey-- Actually, I get lost quite a bit. But I follow signs (Umeda station= HUGE!!!!) and ask people. If you look lost, Japanese won't do anything, but if you ask, they're the most helpful people I've ever met! The other girls are really nice, so are my classmates (who I've now met).
Dad-- I dunno... it's kinda complicated, but seriously, the Japanese train system? Amazing! Uniformedness.... hmmm... Maybe?
hey eva this is uncle dan . .sorry i didnt have the chance to say buon voyage in person . .but i guess this will suffice . .anyway it is really exciting reading your blog and we will be waiting to hear more about your adventures . .. it sounds like you are having quite the experience and that is great that it sounds like you have had minimal culture shock thus far ..anyway . .have a great trip ..i know the time will pass faster then you can imagine . .love uncle dan
ReplyDeleteHi Eva,
ReplyDeleteNice to read about your travels and your first day of school. Your Mom got me connected to google so I can write you. You are in Japan learning and I am in the USA learning how to blog! Love, Grandma
Eva-
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are having a great adventure, so far. I can't wait to here more. I know that Sara was trying to post a comment to your blog earlier today, but blogger was giving her a lot of trouble. I am sure she will post soon.
Have fun,
Suzette, David and Lena
Hey, Eva -- loving the updates. It's fun to picture you there, going through all the newness. Thanks for being so descriptive. I'm hoping you'll post photos soon (you didn't get one on uniform-trying-on-day, did you?). I'm very glad the first day of school "was...pretty easy" (great dramatic build-up with the ...).
ReplyDeleteOh dear, well I am glad you weren't terribly lost! Goodness I miss you so much!! I am glad the other girls are nice!!
ReplyDeleteLove you!! Please write me soon!
Hugs,
Hailey