Food

When it comes to eating, I thought I was not picky. I thought I would have no problem in Japan because I am a big fan of Japanese food and other Asian food. It has been almost 5 months since I first arrived in Japan and I am starting to avoid sweet Japanese fastfood. I am craving for more flavorful food and, of course the spicy ones as well. Here, food can be really cheap or expensive. There are affordable Japanese fastfood restaurants all over, and it is impossible to miss those signs. But don't walk into any restaurant before knowing the price.

ummmm, yummy!!! you can get these in Japan!!! but...$$$

Every morning, I buy a sandwich and a drink at a convenient store on the way to school. For lunch, I eat at a school restaurant which serves great food really cheap. If you were ever dissatisfied with cafeteria food at UH (I have), I can guarantee that you are going to appreciate what they serve here at school. Just under 5 dollars, you will be satisfied. At some point, I began to wonder why food price at UH is so high and quality is always unsatisfactory. Here, they understand students' budget and still make quality food. For dinner, I used to eat out with other friends from my dorm, but I have gotten sick of eating out and started (trying) to cook in the dorm. It is too bad that I started to go to McDonald's more here than in Hawaii. For one day, I think I am spending about an average of $15 dollars. I am sure I can spend less if I tried harder, but I realized that I cannot eat the same Japanese fastfood everyday. Food cost is a big part of my expenses.

recognize this???

School, Exams, and Classes

As many people already know, Japanese school year starts in April and finishes in January.

Spring break lasts from the beginning of February to the end of March. Many students travel during this long break, and I am thinking about one as well.

A month of January has been extremely busy here. It has been like two weeks before finals at UH. All the reports and presentations are due soon and finals are approaching like a bullet train.

I have expected Japanese college to be relatively easier than American one, and it is clearly true in my opinion. Besides my Japanese classes which I have homework and tests weekly, other international courses (classes that are taught in English) here require only one report or a simple exam at the end. It is surprisingly simple. What is more surprising is that professors expect the same. Normally, Japanese college students enjoy their college lives until one or two weeks before their exams, and they are fine with only studying a few hours. Of course I am not complaining it at this point, but I think it is astonishingly different. One thing Japanese professors are strict about is deadline. They won't accept anything late. Usually, Professors are more strict about student's behavior during class. No gum, food, and even no drinks sometimes. Going to a restroom can be difficult as well.

Anybody wants French Fly???

A sign at the cafe at school

nice day!!! from the train

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!

I wish all the best for everyone!!!

After moving into a dorm, I feel mentally and physically relaxed, and it has been great so far.

The month of eventful December seemed endless with "忘年会(bounenkai)”, a year-end party. The word literally means a party to forget that year. Luckily, I was able to survive through all the parties in December without forgetting much, and successfully make it to 2008. I ended up forming a social event every Thursday as well.

But I definitely missed my family and friends in Hawaii. Instead, I visited Korea and spent time with my family there. It was a great way to end a year.

our international social event on every Thursday night! (usually in Shibuya)

Christmas dinner in one of the dorms.

People cooked food from their own country.

sorry... could not cook locomoco or kalua pig.

My father and I climbed up a mountain behind our house in Korea to see the sunrise on January 1st. a snowy road to the mountaintop.

Sunrise from the mountaintop

Past two weeks

Tokyo

First of all, I apologize for no post for the past two weeks. Here goes my excuse.

Besides endless fun parties in December in Japan, I have been riding an emotional rollercoaster. Mainly because of an incomprehensible difference between my host family (former) and me. Problems started to arise between us after living together for a month. Of course, there were troubles that were easily avoidable if we tried harder. But for the most part, the difference was just too big and it became uncontrollable at the end. Instead of understanding the difference, we argued about the difference. As a result, I moved out, and now I am living in a dorm.

I should have known that it is not easy to live in someone else's place, especially in Japan becuase there are so many don't do's. In addition, Japanese people tend to show their emotions and give opinions indirectly, so it was hard to tell what they were trying to tell me. As many students experience when doing a homestay, I went through a same problem.

Now, I suggest people who are planning to study abroad to do a homestay for less than a month. I have heard stories about having a wonderful host family, but horrible and stressful stories tend to be more frequent. It was a great experience, but I learned it hard way.

BUT NO MORE STRESS FROM HERE ON!!!

UH Alumni Reception

UH Alumni Reception at the top of a building that a UH graduate owns! wow!

There was an alumni reception in Tokyo on November 15th. It was great to see UH graduates doing well in Tokyo and to meet our Dean Vance Roley. I felt like I made up for the FISH luncheon that I missed in Hawaii. In addition, I could not explain how much I missed local foods when I saw them!!! It was amazing to notice that UH is doing great internationally as we pursue "International Excellence"

speech by Vance Roley

notice anyone? (Hint: professor)

night view of Shinjuku

goodie bags... I forgot to take them!

Vance Roley, Kristen (another exchange student at Keio from UH), and myself

where are you from?

yes, I miss these...

Today, three of my friends and I were going on a field trip to a place called Odaiba where you can find many attractions and entertainment.

On the way, they asked me why people from Hawaii do not say that they are from America when they are asked. I realized that I never say that I am from America. Always, HAWAII! Why is that? I do feel that Hawaii is much different from the rest of America, but it still is part of it. any good answers???

Looking over the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay from Odaiba

People say it is much better at night.

Can you find Tokyo Tower?

Ferry's wheel at Odaiba, but did not ride it.

Sunset and the Fuji TV headquarters on the right

Tokyo Tower

When I went to Keio University for the first time for the orientation, I was surprised by a spectacular view of Tokyo Tower from school. Everyday, I walk to or leave school enjoying the great view and thinking that I am so glad to be here in Tokyo. Finally, I had a chance to to climb up the most popular tourist spot and enjoy the view from the top of it.
The tower is divided by two different levels of observatories. Unfortunately, I had to pay twice in order to go to the top of the tower. I thought it was quite expensive to pay about $15 all together compared to the free view on the top of Tokyo Metropolitan Government. For your information, the top observatory of Tokyo Tower is 250 meters whereas Tokyo Metropolitan Government is only 202 meters. I guess it is worth to pay to go higher and enjoy a better view. You won't regret it!!!

That is where Keio University is!

Can you find Tokyo Metropolitan Government?


It is too bad that I can't upload videos even after several tries.
I will try it again next time!