Japan Blog 59 (April 25, 2009) Tokyo Disneyland and other random stuff

Well, lets see. When I ended my last blog I was going to Tsuchiura on some Rotary trip for 4 days. Tsuchiura isn't anything special before anyone goes thinking, "that's pretty cool". The only thing that I know about the place after going is that it's the 2nd biggest lake in Japan. While there we (me and Pat) stayed at some hotel. At this place we were supposed to meet a whole bunch of other exchange students. 5 were from New Zealand and 7 were from Thailand. But those exchange students were only here for 2 weeks. That's not fun. I say it now, going on an exchange to a foreign country isn't worth it if it's for such a short time. A year or a few months is more worth it for the expense. Not to mention, when you go on such a short exchange the people who set it up (ex: Rotay, AFS, etc.) make sure you get to experience going to such places and stuff. You don't get to experience LIFE. And in my opinion, that's the greatest opportunity, the greatest gift this year long exchange gives you. The friends you make, the laughs you share, right now, within the year. Right now, I can really care less about going to try new and different things, going to historic places, learning more about what makes Japan Japan. Sure, it's fun and all and I like doing it, but if I had to chose which I'd rather do, I'd put being with my friends top priority. To me, THIS is what makes Japan Japan. All these people, this LIFE. So, I feel bad for those people who don't get such an opportunity. Most of the time it is their decision whether to take a year long or not but, still. My reasons for loving Japan so much have changed sooo much from when I first arrived and before. I'm not in it for culture or experience like I was back then. It's all language now, because I want to communicate with everyone. And that's my reason for being here.

So anyway, at Tsuchiura we were experiencing things with the exchange students. They were moving all over Japan to see things and experience things and Tsuchiura was one stop. So, we made mochi, pottery, and soba with them. Then we had like 2-3 days of Rotary related meetings. I had to give 2 speeches. I love how I'm told to do speeches like 30 minutes before giving them. I was sitting in my seat scribbling down words before hand. A really smart school came those days. Well, a few people. They're part of a club and because of that club they do all these random things. I made some friends there and then we were told that for one day we'd be going to their school. I was really excited. So, our last day with this Rotary thing we went to Nihon something something High School. I got to see them again and right now it's pretty clear to them that I'm obsessed with the guys haha. Even my friends here in Hitachi have that engraved in their minds. Every time a group of guys go pass they turn to me asking if there were any good looking ones. At the school we did Shoudou (Calligraphy), and participated in Juudou and Kendou. Juudou is actually A LOT of fun. I was throwing this girl on her back haha. She was jumping up though so she would flip. But if I was that strong to flip her, that would just be so freaking cool. I thought I would have enjoyed kendou better since it's like using a sword and stuff but juudou was just too much fun. I met a girl who like Visual Kei and recently we've been emailing each other. If there's a band that will be performing around us, we're gunna try to go. Leaving them was pretty sad. Even only knowing them for that day we got really close, I was talking with them all day. And I didn't want to leave. I wanted to come back the next day to see them. This was the last picture of them.



We went for karaoke twice with the exchange students. I was amazed at how amazing the Thai exchange students were singing Korean. Since there's no Thai songs at karaoke they were singing Korean groups like Big Bang, Tohoshinki, Wonder Girls, and Super Junior. They can read Korean which was pretty awesome. And that was our time in Tsuchiura.

In gym we've been running like crazy and not actually playing sports yet which sucks. It's a test to see how well shaped we are. The actual test started on Tuesday but I gave up on running. I don't care if I get a bad score, I don't run. And I've officially decided to joining the Badmitting Club again in May. I'll only be there for 2 months and I only plan on going on the weekends after Kyuudou Club. I wouldn't miss Kyuudou for anything. And I think I may quit Sadou. I really do hate it. And I missed sooo many days already (I never want to go), when I went back last week I overheard the one teacher tell the other, "I thought she quit".

And I went to karaoke on the 18th with Nozomi, Kyaserin, and Asami. 6 hours at karaoke. THAT'S fun♥

Wednesday was the last Kyuudou taikai that the entire club could participate in. I made one hit there^^ I was really happy because I did it. And it was the last one I'll be participating in unless I suddenly become really good. In the following taikais only 5 people enter. And I took a picture with a cute guy♥ Everyone was shocked that I asked him to take a picture together. I'm a foreigner, I have the excuse for less embarrassment^^

And I guess it's onto Disney. Yesterday I went on my class trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Even though it says Tokyo, it's not in Tokyo, it's actually in Chiba. That was a lot of fun. I was a little upset that my class didn't chose Disney Sea instead of Land but I think Land was the better choice after yesterday. I walked around with Ayami, Kei, and Mizuki. We were only there from 10-4 which sucked (we were even late getting back to the bus haha). We got on like 4 rides and me and Mizuki went on this one ride called "Space Mountain". It's a rollarcoaster in the dark and it was SOO much fun. Then we rode a Pirates of the Caribbean (sorry for my terrible spelling). It was just like a boat ride around that was telling you a story. And no it wsn't on like a lake or river. Just some attraction that involved sitting in a boat. It was really cool though, all the robots looked just like the people but I was stunned when I was listening to these robots talked. IT WAS ALL IN ENGLISH. Everything. The original English voices were used when these robots spoke. Even at the end when you watch Jack Sparrow sitting on a chair and he talks to the people in the boat, IT'S ENGLISH! Same thing when we went on the Haunted Mansion ride, some parts of it were in English and my friends were like, "what is she saying?" to me. I couldn't translate it on the spot haha. And we rode the Buzz Lightyear lazer shooting ride. That was fun. That's it though. While waiting in line for Space Mountain me and Mizuki saw someone wearing a Tigger tail. We wanted it. We bought one after we got off the ride♥ We looked awesome and everyone after we came back to Hitachi thought they were cute♥



And that was Disney really.
There was a parade, too. And it was really cool, I took a bunch of pictures♥ I'll post an album up eventually. By the way, it would be soooo easy to get a job at Disney for a foreigner. ALL the characters were foreigners (except those who wear masks). I was watching Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and they were talking in English. I saw Jack Sparrow with his arm around some Japanese guy and it seemed like they were talking but I couldn't hear what language. Sooo easy. Maybe that's what I should do. Get a job at Tokyo Disneyland.

My class decided on the class match costumes on Wednesday while I was gone. And I'm glad with the outcome because I would have voted for it. We're doing Yattaman!!! I have some weird love for Yattaman. It's an anime but I hardly watch it, and it seems like a little kid show but it's fun to watch. I used to watch it every Monday after club but the stupid NHK changed the time to Sunday mornings at 7. No one's up then. But whatever. Tomorrow I'm going with Kayo to see the Yattaman movie, not the anime version. There is an anime one that just came out too but I wanna see the other one with PEOPLE. Hey, people who like Arashi, the character for Yattaman is some member of Arashi. I don't listen to them so I don't know who exactly. And then the 29th I'm going to Harajuku and Shibuya with Kayo and Mami. And soon it's Golden Week. I wonder what plans I'll have then.

And I found a new VK group. They're called Girugamesh and they are AMAZING. I love their MUSIC album. But right now, flumpool is what I'm listening to. They aren't VK at all but... it makes you want to smile and cry in a way.