September 30, Shibuya
Black Sesame Ramen

Shibuya
All the girls here wear heels. All the time. (Even while hiking mountains..so intense.)

Shinkjuku
Tokyo at night--it's much more crowded in the alleyways, trust me.

Shinjuku Train Station
I feel so unfashionable, seriously.

I have not been updating recently because I feel reluctant to do so without pictures to accompany the post. Nevertheless, despite not having a picture today, I will write a little something so you can all know what I've been up to.

We had our first day of class today. It's funny because I think I expected class here to be really chill, fun and carefree because you know, I'm IN JAPAN (whoooo--I can't get over that), but they're just like any other class (read: boring). Haha. There's this one class on peace and security issues in Japan that I'm really stoked about taking though. Oh, and Japanese class is funnnn. Okay, so basically, I'm a nerd.

I started missing IV a lot last night all of a sudden. Man, IV! It's awesome that you guys have been having cool large groups and small groups and bonding time and stuff...I wish I could be a part of it! Sometimes I would like to think that it's different without me, but I hope it's not. :) I do miss it though. I miss doing Bible Study!

On a questionnaire (questionaire?) in class today, there was this question:
"War is ______________."
What would you write? My answer was "arrogance". Arrogance and the unwillingness to communicate/understand is the root of a lot of discord.

Whoops, got to go to the bank. Until next time!

Totsuka, September 19th
I happened to wake up and look out the window.

Totsuka, September 17th
Yes, it IS better here. So amazing. :P

I just got back from a weeklong field trip to Hiroshima and Kyoto with my fellow EAP students and bunch of Japanese students from Meigaku. It was really eye-opening, thought-provoking, and really, just a blessing.

Being in Hiroshima was amazing. We were privileged enough to hear the testimonies of two hibakshiya (A-bomb survivors) as well as have guided tours by really knowledgeable people of the Peace Memorial Park, museums, and an island that was once used to manufacture chemical weaponry. It was amazing to me to see how committed the people of Hiroshima are committed to peace; it floored me to see their example of a transformation from hate to love in the name of peace. It makes me wonder if America is capable of being as big-hearted as the people of Hiroshima. Kubo-sensei, a man who gave us a tour of ground zero, left us with this parting thought: that if you love someone (whether it be an individual or a collective), little things that they do (small mistakes) do not bother you and will not lead to hate--you forgive because you love...and in order to love, we must take the time to know the other.

It's so easy to think that as an individual, you make little difference, but that is not true. One can affect so many others--I know that all of you who read this have played a role in shaping who I am today...and who I am today is interacting with people halfway across the world and affecting their lives as well. We all know the world is small and that one can do much good or much harm. That's scary, in a sense, but also just really amazing.

It has been completely awesome getting a chance to talk to Japanese students, interact with them, and really just learn more about their lives and their culture. We're different, but we're the same. (Sorry, my thoughts are half in Japanese now, so I'm a little scattered with my words). I love the people I have been privileged to be in contact with. Seriously, I'm learning so much. :)

Kyoto is beautiful and I will go back once the leaves being to change color. For now, that is all. I shall leave you with some photographs. :P


August 6, 1945, 8:15am--time literally stopped.


Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park


Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima National Park

Totsuka, September 5th
Write me! :)

I am missing home today; it has been exactly a week since I left. It feels like much much longer (not in a bad way). But yeah, it has been a while. I wish I could just hop on home and say hello.

Everything here is cool--well, no, it's actually going to be really really hot today. But haha, yes. I've been walking a lot, karaoking, clubbing, spending a lot of money on groceries. It's not bad though. :)

My headset for Skype doesn't work, so I can't call any of y'all, sorry. I'm going to try to buy one today in Tokyyyyo. Dude, I'm in Japan! Crazy!

I suppose it would be unfair to start a new blog for Japan and expect all of you to check it. Most of you don't check this one regularly anyway, I'm sure, since I update so rarely. I shall try my best to be better about this. :)

Anyway, I am currently abroad in Yokohama, Japan. It has been a blast so far. I thought that I would be homesick like CRAZY, but it has been okay since the people here with me are so amazing. I do miss you all very much, though.

It has only been a mere four days since the 26 of us met, but I feel like I've known them for much much longer. Everyone here is very chill and we have fun together. Walking around in the heat (45 minutes uphill to campus!) is kind of sucky, but other than that, all is good.

I'm not sure what else you guys want to hear from me. You can leave a comment and I'll try to elaborate? I wish you all were here with me because I know you would love it.

Here's a picture of some of us for your enjoyment. :)

Haha, look at Daniel being Daniel. :)

And here is me and my buddy! She kind of looks like Lucy Liu, doesn't she? She doesn't like being compared to her though, because she thinks Lucy Liu isn't very attractive.

Yokohama, September 5th
This was in front of the City Ward's office.