And so have classes.

Classes for the new semester started yesterday. It wasn't a very good start, since it was raining the whole day. I had to wake up early to finish rewriting my essay for Japanese IV. I started writing it the day before yesterday (yes, I'm still a UP student at heart) and and I finished with 3 pages and half of the 20x20 原稿用紙 (genkouyoushi), that is, 1400 characters on my experiences during the spring vacation. But I'm afraid it's too long again. Last semester, I sort of overdid my presentation for Japanese III, and instead of giving a 15-minute presentation, I ended up giving a 20-30-minute one. My classmates found it interesting, though.^^;

I thought (because the schedule from J3 said so) that we were supposed to have a Kanji review test, too, but it turns out, it's not until next month. Yatta! I wasn't able to study at all so I was worried.^^;;

After our Japanese class, we had to rush to Building 8 for the Summer Semester Orientation. We only had ten minutes in between the J3 class and the orientation so we didn't have enough time for lunch. They gave us the AIKOM Summer Semester booklet, as well as the Todai book and pamphlet for classes, and then Kibata-sensei talked to the ten students taking the Independent Study course, and those include me. They gave us the contact details of our advisers, so that we can talk to them asap about our topics, and then told us about the monthly meetings aka progress report dates.

As soon as the orientation finished, third period started. I went to the second floor (we were on the third) to check the class under Prof. Carter, a visiting professor from Australia. The course was titled Cultures of English-speaking Nations in the AIKOM pamphlet so I was thinking of trying it since it may be related to my degree program, but as it turned out, it was about Multicultural Australia, meaning, the professor will talk about Australia, Australia, Australia, and yes, you guessed it right, Australia. So I decided to go back to the third floor and take the class about Japan's Modernization and its Issues. It's Takada-sensei again, but I guess he's more bearable since I will be learning about Japan, not Australia.;P

Fourth period was literature (again) but this time, our professor's kind of an "otaku." She kept on talking about works that have anything to do with manga, even mentioning Ikebukuro West Gate Park. Well, the course is about contemporary literature, after all, so I guess it can't be helped? But before you go thinking that I will also be jumping on the bandwagon that is IWGP, I am thinking of taking a regular course in English, which is Introduction to Sociolinguistics. This will help me in my undergraduate thesis after all, so I guess I will bid farewell to Otomo-sensei's class. I'm still not sure yet, though, since the course description's written in Japanese, so I will consult with Ellis-sensei first on Monday. It's time to get serious with my studies here. I did come here with the intention of gathering data for my undergrad thesis so I hope I can take at least one subject here in Todai that can help me finish that last requirement. Last semester should be enough goofing around with subjects that aren't related to my major at all.^^;;

By the way, I got all A's in my classes last semester. But take a look at the equivalent. A=100-80. Very motivating, yes? D: Well, at least I didn't get a B. Just imagine how mortifying that would be?XD

Random Thing #1:

There are only three weeks left till the end of fall-winter semester. After January, we have a two-month break (Feb-Mar) and go back to school for the spring-summer semester on April.:3

Three weeks left and I still have to do these things:

• 2nd long test and presentation on Japanese III
• Test on Japanese History
  
• 3 report papers and 1 term paper on Japan External Relations
• 3 report papers on Relay Lectures
• Presentation and term paper on Japanese Literature
• 3 report papers and 1 term paper on History of Science and Technology of Japan

I regularly pass report papers on the Relay Lectures and History of Science and Technology classes so I don't have to worry about those. I just have to read the assigned readings and write a 300-500-word essay. What I'm worried about is the External Relations class because I have not passed anything from the start of semester until now.x__x;; Oh well.:P

Random Thing #2:

I wasn't selected in the Ski Tour organized by Todai, but I applied for MISHOP's Ski Tour, which costs exactly the same as Todai's. This tour's capacity's 50 people, compared to Todai's 30, so I think I have a bigger chance of being able to join this one. Also, when I called MISHOP this morning to confirm whether they've received my e-mail or not, the guy on the phone said that I might be able to come (maybe, there aren't many people who applied for the tour). So this means, SNOW!XD

Random Thing #3:

AIKOM's organizing an overnight trip to Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture on Feb 20th-21st. This means onsen, Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji!\(^-^)/ We'll be staying in this ryokan where there is onsen.:D Yay~

Random Thing #4:

Today, I was able to talk to Ayumi-san, the Japanese student to came to UP last year as an exchange student. Mhel-senpai wanted us three to meet before I left for Japan, but she wasn't able to contact Ayumi-san so I couldn't meet her. It was fun talking with her (her English is really good), especially when I asked her about cockroaches and Ma'am Cory of OIL. She's working part-time as a call center agent now, but I hope she can get to join our field trips.:)

Random Thing #5:

Tomorrow I have an interview in Gaba. This will be my second interview. Wah. Wish me luck.o(>_<;;)o

Random Thing #6:

I received another package from Mama today. And finally!

Yoshi yoshi! o(^-^)o

I saw my grades today, which pulled me back to reality that even if I am , quoting Klao, or more appropriately, Frederik Schodt, in "dreamland Japan," I am, still a student of the University of the Philippines. I had 3 2.25s this semester, which pulled my GWA down to 1.85, a .1 difference from the "Graduating with Honors" status. My GWA for the sem was a depressing 2.0. Fark, I really did screw up this time. So next year when I come back, I have to study really really hard to pull my grades up.

*sigh* Now, I'm wishing I really am a student of Toudai, where the assignments and term papers are counted by words and not by number of pages. Then again, I wouldn't be able to speak straight English.x__x;; The students in Toudai are intelligent, fine, but when they are asked to speak English now and then, they're all shrinking in their seats. Most of my Japanese classmates are all relying on us to answer the instuctor's questions. They don't even bother reading the assigned readings. Whut.

So yeah, in a temporary state of depression. I hope tomorrow will be worth the 3,000 yen I shall be spending. WE DEFINITELY MUST GO TO UENO ZOOLOGICAL PARK AND TOKYO TOWER. They're (the Filipino exchange students here) are planning to go to Asakusa, so this will be the second time for me. Then off to Ueno Zoo to see some pandas, and then! TOKYO TOWER! Since I'm going out anyway, I should be able to enjoy these tourists spots as much as I can.:3

Uwaaaah~ Tsukareta!!!

Yesterday, we had double Nihongo (like double Potions, yeah XD /dork). It went well for me, I think, because I was able to study the lesson the night before.=P The sakubun (composition) part was sort of embarrassing because I've forgotten most of the kanji I've studied, that's why I had to look at the denshi jishou (electronic dictionary) I borrowed from the AIKOM office. I really want to buy my own, because this one is really just a simple one. You just type in the English or Japanese word and it translates it to Japanese or English. Sore dake da. You can't look for a kanji character's meaning. So yeah, when I get my relocation allowance, after I send the Php40,000 to my aunt, I shall go to Akihabara and buy my own denshi jishou. I prefer one with an IME pad. =D

Next class was in fourth period, the seminar class thingy. I was assigned to lead the discussion next meeting. Actually I was asked to help Hide-san, and since everyone was declining the request, I simply said "ok" to Takada-sensei, and everyone went "eeeh~."^^;;;

Today we went to Asakusa and Ueno. Uguu~ We walked all day.x_x We went to Asakusa from Hinode Pier by boat, and then walked the streets of Asakusa. I got an omikuji and I got the luckiest fortune in our group. Ehehe~ Then took the metro train to Ueno and then walked agaaaaaaaaain to Hongo campus and another jinja. I finally saw the infamous clock tower and akamon of the Hongo campus!(^o^)/ Pictures here.:3

I was also able to meet my tutor, Matsumoto Kanako-san. She's a year younger than me, and gets lost easily.^^;; This morning, she was late because she took the train with the longer route in the Yamanote Line.^^;;;;; She's not that good in English, but that's ok since I'm not that good in Nihongo either. We can teach each other, ehe~ Too bad she's from the province, so she's not used to Tokyo yet (she's a sophomore). But we live in the same dorm so I can always ask for help from her.^.^

Too bad I wasn't able to join everyone in eating dinner in Ueno. I had to take our final exam for our Anthro 170 class, which I haven't received until now. They're all probably drinking right now... ii na~ I wasn't able to join our first night out with the AIKOM teachers, because of this.*sulks*

I'm currently updating this from Toudai's computer center. I'm really having a hard time typing with their keyboard. But their PCs here are all iMacs. (^o^)/

Took the train to Komaba Campus this morning. I wasn't squished nor touched by ちかん if that's what you want to know.XD

Also took the Placement Test a while ago. むずかしかった~ It was easy during the first parts but it got harder and harder.X_x" The last part of the exam was reading a paragraph which was like twenty sentences long, all with kanji I don't recognize. Didn't bother answering it.

Tomorrow's our Interview Test. Uguu~ Most of my classmates don't have a problem when it comes to that, because they're all on Level 3, I think.

がんばります！ Faito, Boom!!!(>o<)/