Japan: I have a "Youji"

Obviously, if things kept me from updating my blog, they must have been extremely important. Thus, I had what the Japanese would call a "youji". Business that was so important and personal that they dare not ask what the pressing business actually is.

When I finally did finish the long, laborious process of unpacking I was somewhat mortified to find a pair of friends who decided to tag along without my knowing. Goody. But I did pick up two more friends on a group trip to Akihabara, where Signs and I stopped in my favorite [and really cheap] figure shop. Hopefully, I can get back and get a few more pictures of the place. It's a really great, hidey hole little place.

Eventually, the whole i-house group had to attend a Natsumatsuri, or a "summer festival"--and all that I can recount is that the food was amazing, I was very hot, sweaty, and almost ready to pass out, and it was super awesome to participate in something so inherently Japanese. Overall it was a very good, fun experience. More about that here.

Signs and I went on a trip to Harajuku, where I found some AMAZING deals on some goth loli clothing. A dress and a blouse to be precise, and it was probably the best deal I'll EVER get for something like that too. I am extremely happy~!!! We then continued on to a little cafe just outside of Meiji Shrine, where I had some melon soda and Signs had ice cream. Afterward we continued to the shrine itself and payed our respects. The only thing that made the trip that day terrible was possibly the fact that I wore the most uncomfortable pair of shoes I own. My feet felt like they were going to fall off that day. Ouch. The price women pay for fashion is ridiculous--but seriously ladies, if you are going to buy heels, buy the expensive COMFORTABLE heels. It may seem like a lot at first, but after walking around for a few hours, you learn to appreciate the extra money you spent.

Tuesday had us submitting paperwork for Bank business, where a group of about twelve or thirteen of us waited with several people from the IPO [that is, the"International Programs Office" at Toyo University]. We submitted paperwork, and will be obtaining bank cards by September 25th as projected by the IPO. Japan and paperwork seem to have this incomprehensible love affair.

Wednesday, after a several-hour orientation, I marched to the IPO to explain my unfortunate condition. There was a period of many awkward hand gestures on my part, trying to explain that A: I needed a doctor at some point, but not EMERGENCY treatment, and B: I was NOT contagious, so my breathing on you is not going to make you ill, when suddenly it occurred to me. GOOGLE! Japan has the internet--they must have Google capabilities as well! So, I asked, "Do you have Google?" To which one of the IPO members put their hands to their eyes, slightly confused, and repeated "Goggle?"

And I said, "No, no, the internet? Google?" A flurry of lightbulbs appeared, and we rushed to the computer where we found our information. Thank whatever power above for Google and Wikipedia. Even if they take over the world.