Another week down! Hard to believe we are down to a little over a month before I come back home. I have a midterm coming up this week; all the questions are short answer or essay. Fortunately, the professor is letting us use notes so I'm not too worried about it. Japanese is also going a lot better this quarter. I actually managed to pull a 100 on a quiz and the professor has given me kudos a couple times in class. It was funny because Vanessa and I actually were stopped by some middle schoolers the other day to be interviewed and we were both able to answer the questions in Japanese. The children were super kind and understanding. 

 I've also started reading Memoirs of a Geisha and am about halfway through at this point. The book is so good. The writing techniques the author uses are just exquisite and it makes the story so believable. I HIGHLY recommend the book. I've been watching a couple more films here and there. I was able to sit through the first Harry Potter movie although I will say I was not that impressed. I like the wittiness of the characters but the story is ok (And yes, I have tried a dozen times to read the books and no, I have not been able to get through the first chapter of a single one). 

In the next couple weeks, I have a bit of stuff I want to go see. I'd like to see the Hells of Beppu before I leave as well as visit a couple more onsens. My friends and I are also planning on going to a Kimono Festival later in July. Lots of exciting stuff for sure :). I would like people to know though that I am currently going to counseling to figure some personal stuff out. I don't ask for pity or sympathy but sometimes, you just need a new set of eyes to help clear things up. My hope is that through this, I will become a stronger and better person for myself and for those around me. I ask for your continued support and appreciate all that each and every one of you does for me. :) <3 


PS: If you are planning to send me a package, letter, card, etc, please do it within the next week or so to ensure I get it before I leave. I cannot promise that I will necessarily get it otherwise :D

Today was an absolute blast! If you remember, during Quarter 1, I was named a Floor Leader for the World Festival. Well, World Festival was today and it was an absolute success! For our event, we wrote our names in different languages. I wound up getting my name in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Bengali, Persian, and Thai. It was a truly eye opening experience. It made me realize how much this exchange has to offer and I couldn't be more happy. Thanks again to everyone who helped with the event! 

Ok, so after our event, I got to go sample some food that other floors made. It was sooo delicious! I had squid/shrimp friend rice, blueberry pancakes, a kabob, and a sweet potato tart. Incredibly yummy for sure! After that, there were performances by the RAs and some of the other floors. All of them were really creative and super funny. I love how the people here are willing to put themselves out there without any fear of judgement. It's great to see people let go. :)

Anyway, the clock is winding down fast and this exchange will be up before I know it. I'm coming to realize that this is a bittersweet feeling. I miss so much back home but I wish I could stay here a little longer. Things are not so stressful here and the weather is awesome. I'm anxious about how things will be when I get back home. Lots of changes have happened and I don't know how that will affect me when I get back. For now, I ask for your continued support through the rest of this journey and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in a couple weeks! :) <3 

Update Time!!!! It's a new quarter which means new classes so here is the scoop :)


I'm still taking Japanese. I am really enjoying this class so much at this point. I'm not only learning a lot and becoming a better speaker but I'm just having fun in class. The teacher has let up and jokes around a lot more now and the students are more relaxed and having fun. I'm also not taking as many classes this quarter so I have more time to dedicate to studying and focusing on Japanese as well. 

This quarter, I have two new classes: Strategic Decision Making and Japanese Culture and Society. Both seem like they will be interesting. The first class, Strategic Decision Making, is actually preparing me for my certificate that I will be getting back at Tech. The class is based on diplomacy, foreign policy, and lots of great INTA stuff. We will actually be playing a diplomacy game throughout the quarter which I'm excited for as well. 

Japanese Culture and Society is exactly what it sounds like. What I am looking forward to about this course is that the professor has told us that we will be focusing on the current ideas of Japanese culture while still looking at some past ideas like geisha. This includes the class watching Memoirs of a Geisha which I haven't seen so I'm pretty stoked about that! 

Speaking of movies, I have been watching a TON of movies lately now that I have some more time. Just to name some: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Inglorious Bastards, Django Unchained, Bridesmaids, 21 Jump Street, Crazy Stupid Love, Easy A, Brave, etc. Some have been good while others have not been as good. Anyway, I'm always game to watch something new so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment. :) I'm going to attempt to watch all the Harry Potter movies next weekend. :P <3 

Also: 51 days til I'm back home! <3 :D 

Today was a lot of fun. Vanessa and I went to Oita for the day. We headed out around 1 after eating some lunch. When we got to Oita, we shopped around a bit. We visited the Sanrio store and saw lots of great Hello Kitty stuff. After that, we headed over to Park Place. Unfortunately, I was not nearly as impressed with Park Place as I thought I would be. A lot of the stores were really pricey and all I could really afford was the Daiso (100 Yen store). I did go into a pet store though and see some super super cute puppies. That was a really fun :). Tomorrow, plans have not yet been decided. I don't think I'll be able to make it out to Fukuoka but I hope to find something fun to do around Beppu. :) 

Day 2 of break was awesome! Vanessa and I did a movie day today and it was a blast. The weather was still rainy so we decided it was best to stay inside. 

We started out movie day with Bridesmaids. This movie definitely had some moments I could relate to. Overall, it was a very good movie. I was honestly expecting it to me more like a typical chick flick but it had some great surprise elements that kept it entertaining. 

Next was 21 Jump Street. My love for Channing Tatum is undeniable. I really love the balance of him in this role between serious and funny. Also, the fact that there was AP Chemistry involved made me love it just a little bit more. I could have done without the awkward high school romance but still a very enjoyable movie. 

Followed that up with Black Swan. First, OMG Mila Kunis---my total lady crush. She is so pretty and just words. This movie was so intense. Definitely will mess with your mind. I'm still trying to process exactly what happened in the last 15 minutes of the movie. The movie was very well done and I would like to see it again just to try and process it a little more. 

Ended the night with Crazy Stupid Love. Ryan Gosling. Ryan Gosling. Ryan Gosling. Can I have him please? Besides Ryan Gosling, the movie was funny although parts of it were a tad stretched for me. The complexity of the love triangles were a little exaggerated for my taste but I think the overall message was a very positive one. I could definitely relate to some of the happenings and I enjoy how the ending was unexpected. 

I'm very pleased to have gotten to watch all these great movies. Tomorrow, Vanessa and I are planning to go to Oita and have some fun! :) <3

First day of break was great! Unfortunately, the weather decided not to cooperate but that didn't stop Vanessa and I from having a good time. We started our day out with a delicious breakfast cooked by Vanessa that included pancakes and eggs. After that, we headed out into town to an onsen. For those of you who don't know, an onsen is a public bath that can either consist of a natural hot spring or heated spring water. Essentially, you walk in and get naked and shower. After showering, you can soak in the onsen for as long as you want. I warn you though, the water is SUPER hot! It felt really good though and it makes your skin super soft. After you soak, you wash off again. It was definitely weird at first being naked in front of everyone but you get used to it. (There is a separate bath for males and females :P) 

After the onsen, Vanessa and I headed out to a thrift store. It was awesome! They had so many great deals. I managed to find myself a really cute pair of lace overalls for $7! I can't wait to go back there. Next was lunch at Mos Burger. Something I've realized as I've gone out to restaurants here is that your food is NEVER cold. It is always scorching hot and fresh. I had a delicious fish sandwich and some fries.

 Afterwards, Vanessa and I wanted to find a bakery we had seen a couple times on the bus route. We walked in the rain until we found it and was it worth the walk! They had so many different sweets that I probably could have bought the entire bakery if I wanted. I decided to get a panda cake and some "healthy" pound cake. Both were extremely yummy and satisfying. Next, we were on the search for a store that sells American food products like taco supplies, cheddar cheese, etc. We walked again and managed to find it. I thought about buying supplies to make tacos but ended up not getting them because I couldn't find queso or chips :(. '

We ended the day by going to Mister Donut and each getting a donut. I really enjoy their original donut. It has a crisp edge with a soft inside. Delicious :) Tomorrow, the weather doesn't look to improve so Vanessa and I are likely going to have a movie day inside. Looking forward to it! :) <3