Eels, Watermelons, Sunflowers and Cicadas

These are the things that make summer in Japan. Apparently, eel is the choice food for getting re-energized, especially in the tortuous heat. We had eel for dinner last night. I know a lot of people think that sounds gross, but really, it's just like fish. Quite tasty (if you like fish). Watermelons are a popular summer dish here too. We had a dorm farewell party a couple weekends ago and the dorm manager's wife treated us to big watermelon slices. Beer is a big deal here during the summer. There's an abundance of beer commercials featuring people on beaches or having a picnic, and they all are super refreshed. I think it's funny because I think beer tastes gross. Oh well. In Eda, the cicadas are very loud. Since there is a variety of cicadas, there is a variety in their cries. Weirdly, I haven't even seen one yet - only heard them. I'm okay with that though.

My classes ended on Wednesday. My friends and I ended the semester with a bang: went to karaoke for a couple hours, some of us ate out at a yakitori place (grilled chicken, but they serve other meats as well, served on a stick), and then went to listen to my friend's show in a bar. A very good day indeed.

Now I'm wrestling with a number of farewell parties and events. I'm finding people who would like to buy my things (refrigerator, table, cooking wear, television) for cheap. I was going to send two boxes of things home today, but I found out the post office is closed on weekends. I felt bad for asking my friend to help me, only to find that we had to lug my stuff right back to the dorm. My arms sort of feel like jelly right now, so even typing this is proving to be a tad difficult.

I have to cancel my cellphone, close my bank account, cancel my health insurance, buy some souvenirs, (maybe schedule in one last hair appointment, I want to say bye to Ikko!), pay off remaining dorm bills, and PACK! I've got a little bit more than a week. Oh, and I'm going to see if I can get my luggage sent to the airport so I won't have to drag around two monster suitcases around. I'm sure I can, just need to figure out how to go about doing it.

Home is so close and everything feels like it's in slow motion. But at the same time, I can't help but feel like time is racing by even faster. I look around my room and can't believe I'll be leaving all this in such a short time. I feel like I'll be leaving a little piece of me behind. I'm not sure why, but I just do. I'm not excited about the saying good-bye part of all of this. Cat left for home yesterday and I had to keep from crying. When I see people and we part ways, it's hard to believe that all these people who have made my year live all over the place. Not just across the country, like Montana, Arizona, California, Oregon but across the world, like Germany, England, Hong Kong, Korea...I'm so happy that Japan has brought us all together but I'm so sad that I'm leaving. Everyone asks whether I'm happy to come home. Of course, I am, but at the same time, I'm not happy at all. I hate to leave all these people. I hate to leave this country that has meant so much to me for years. I want to come back. I don't know when I will, but I want to come back. I have so many more friends to come back to. I love this place.

Pictures Speak Louder than Words

And with that, I shall provide the said pictures:
My "Japan is Beautiful" album. A variety of trips, events, and moments documented here.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037709&id=1230390045&l=88436beb0c

My "Redonkulosity" album. I have come across some ridiculous things.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038860&id=1230390045&l=c202a2f738

I really wanted to update this, because I haven't in a while but don't have the time or energy. Please enjoy the pictures I've taken. This is my last week of school and it's going out with a bang.

Tomorrow (Monday): Paper for Japanology.

Tuesday: Art history test (the thing is, I get it all prepared at home, and bring in my materials to write it down in class for an hour), Japanese (on vocabulary and writing) test, a small presentation on societal problem. I picked drunk driving in America ("Designated driver" in Japanese is "Handle Keeper" - this phrase sounds funnier in spoken Japanese).

When all the chaos is over with and if I manage to keep my head on straight, I'll come back and expand upon my recent adventures. It's getting down to two weeks. I've got two boxes packed and when I get a moment to breath, I'll send them home.

I know I just said I wouldn't talk for long, but I just have to say that we had our official farewell party. It was wonderful. So many friends, so many fun memories. We had an after party as well which was delightful and crazy and it makes me smile just thinking about it. I forgot my camera though but fortunately, everyone else had theirs so I've been just collecting other people's pictures from Facebook. Hah, talk about handy!

Tomorrow is Marine Day, a national holiday, but we still have school. Whomp of all whomps in the world.

~HANABI~

On a lighter note from my last post, the exchange students and our Japanese friends/tutors gathered by our favorite river for a picnic...on the Fourth of July! We had soccer, Frisbee, and FIREWORKS (please note the title of this post - this is what that means :) Just so you know)! Small fireworks are sold in convenience stores (and probably super markets too, just haven't been to one lately to see them) here. In Japan, summer means fireworks!

So, we got our own set of fireworks and we had a ball. It was quite a hilarious scene. Our American pride and enthusiasm was a bit over the top, complete with cheering and screaming, "AMERICA!" Our friends from various countries had fun with it too. One of my Korean friends jokingly wished me happy birthday. I'm sure they thought we were crazy at least once during our shenanigans. But we all like each other, so it's all good.

Oh! And here are more pictures! If you go to page three, the newer ones regarding Independence Day start there. (It just occurred to me that I didn't get to watch the movie "Independence Day" this year, like I always do because it's always on TV. Thanks Will Smith, for being part of my American traditions) http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037709&id=1230390045&l=88436beb0c

Well, it's coming down to the end of my adventure here in Japanland. I can barely believe it. June just raced on by without looking back and July is here. Finishing up the semester here. So far on my plate I have:

* A take home test for Art History (thank goodness! It would be impossible for me to take this in-class. Translating the notes and then figuring it out the material within the context is a mentally exhausting and very time consuming. The more time to work, the better.)

* A paper for Heiwa o Kangaeru (I will always remember this class and grimace...)

* Several tests for Japanese classes. Just had one of them today. It wasn't too bad.

*I'm done with Creative Writing! I handed in two chapters (16 pages) of my...novella? Novelette? It's definitely not going to be long enough to be a novel (it has no title as of yet). Wrote and illustrated a children's book called "Meet Polly: The Girl with Bottomless Pockets."

*One more paper to write for Japanology. The class has gotten more interesting. We've been watching videos about manga, robots and food. Totally cool.

--

My goal is to have as much fun as HUMANLY POSSIBLE (within reason) this last month (and of course, do really well in school. I know you're reading this Mom). I don't want any regrets (although I already do regret not going to Kyoto when I could have during the spring break...) because I don't know when I'll be able to visit my Japan again. I know I'll miss it here the moment I'm back in America. But I love and miss you America. I can't wait to come home.