Japanese Lessons

Today was my first Japanese Lesson. Unfortunately it was raining so we had to drive, and we ran into traffic. We were running late so okaasan starts taking all the side roads. I was hoping I could try and remember where to go, but the zigzagging made that impossible. I was only a couple minutes late, so it was okay.

I got into the class and sat down, and someone calls my name. It was the other girl from AFS who lives in Kanazawa. I’m glad she’s taking the class with me. Ureshii (happy)! There’s about 10 people in the class, and everyone else is either in university or working in Kanazawa. It made me feel young XD. The teacher is really nice, and she makes sure to get everyone involved. She would ask questions using the verb form we were learning, and then we had to respond. Things like our hobbies and what we were going to do after class. I kept answering anime/manga or something to do with food XD I couldn’t think of anything else >.<. There is a lot to learn, so we’re going to go pretty fast. I think I’m gonna enjoy this class :D!

I start school tomorrow! I’m so excited, but nervous about my speech and being able to communicate with everyone. I have my speech pretty much memorized, so hopefully I don’t blank. I have to introduce myself in front of the teachers and then the entire school at the assembly! Still, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow! (not biking for 30 mins to school in a skirt part tho)


My host sis came back from Yokohama today. She got me an omiyage (souvenir). A cell phone strap with my name and Hello Kitty! Kawaii! I should be getting a phone in the next week or 2… hopefully ^^

Gotta get up early tomorrow for school. I have to be there at 8am instead of 8:30 like everyone else, because I have to introduce myself to the teachers. Wish me luck!

Oyasumi! ^^ (good night)

Buzz Buzz

So when okaasan got back from work, I went up to my room to get my stuff for my japanese lesson. However, when I got to my room… there was a surprise, unwanted guest on my window.

The next minute or 2:
Me: Ahhh!!
Okaasan: Jenny, daijoubu? (are you okay?)
Me: ano… heya ni mushi bzz bzz wa aru. (um... There is a bzz bzz bug in my room. - I didn't know what it was called in japanese XD)
Okaasan(in my room): eh! Hachi. Abunai! (it’s a wasp. Careful/dangerous!)

We were able to catch it between the 2 shoji screens on my window. I guess they got rid of it while I was at IFIE. So if you were paying attention, I had a wasp in my room. Wasps here are like twice the size of the ones in Canada! Kowai (scary)! We still have no idea how it got in there :S.

So I’ve signed up for Japanese Lessons. I’m level 2 (out of 4). When they gave me the application, they said the classes were on Tuesday and Thursday. Then when I got the email for my placement, they said it was Wednesday and Friday. I email them back asking if that was right, and they said no, my lvl 2 class was really on Tuesday and Thursday.

Okaasan and I biked to the building for my classes, and she said she would meet me there after. I got to my supposed classroom, and I was the only one there. After about 5 mins 2 guys came. We started talking while waiting for the teacher, and they said they were in lvl 1 class. I thought: oh crap! I bet my class is actually tomorrow >.< It was weird being in a higher level than them because they were in their mid/late 20s XD. Anyway, the teacher came and told me to go to the office, because this was lvl 1 class.

I went down to the office and they told me my class was tomorrow So confusing >.< Anyway, at least I’m getting lots of practice biking to IFIE. I think I am almost ready to go alone :)

Also, I finally finished my speech for the assembly at school on Thursday. Now I just have to memorize it...

Exploring Kanazawa

Yesterday, my host sister invited me to Kanazawa Station. We got there by bus and met some of her friends. They’re going to a concert in april, and were buying the tickets to Osaka. I didn’t really understand much of what they were talking about, but it was interesting looking around the station. I got my bus card, so now I don’t have to worry about having exact change… just making sure there’s money on it XD.

Since I was finally able to pack the day before, I gave my host family their omiyage (gifts). I gave them maple candy, Canada pens and pins and a book with pics of Alberta. I was kinda embarrassed to I gave it to them before I went for a bath. They seemed to really like them so it made me happy.

Today My host sis took me for a walk around Kenrokuen Garden and our neighbourhood. It’s still cold, so everything looks kinda dead, but I’m sure it will be quite beautiful when the cherry blossoms bloom There were so many little shops and I now know where some of my gifts are coming from XD. There is also ice cream at almost every shop. We stopped for some. I got matcha (green tea), it was actually kinda good… a little bitter but good. She also showed me where to get on the bus for school and the nearest post office ATM for me to withdraw money. I don’t remember how to get to either, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

This evening, I had to go back to city hall, because they needed a picture for my alien registration card. After, I went back to the Ishikawa International Exchange Building to apply for my Japanese lessons. I had a mini interview and then a 60 question test (100 points) afterwards to determine what level class I should take. My speaking ability sucks, but the test went better… although there were some questions I pretty much guessed >.<. I’m looking forward to the lessons twice a week since I will be able to improve that much faster.

Btw, there were tons of tourists at Kenrouken. I was surprised by how many there were when the sakura haven’t even bloomed yet. While we were there I got stared at by both the Japanese and the foreigners XD probably because of my hair (red) or maybe my age… The staring is still quite amusing. I can’t help but smile sometimes ^^. I think it also enforces the fact I’m in Japan! :D