Yesterday was the welcome party organized by the AIKOM office for us AIKOMsei. It started late, mainly because our last class was at fifth period.x_x But it was fun, there were a lot of food, and people, AIKOMsei, Japanese classmates, tutors and teachers. Of course, there was the never-ending self-introduction. And mochiron~ Picture taking. Pictures here.

Today's the most boring day so far. I was falling asleep in my classes all day. But today's lecture on the evolution of the human mind in relation to that of a chimpanzee was quite interesting, especially when Hasegawa-sensei was discussing how conflicts are resolved chimpanzee-style. I don't know which part this is from, but I specifically enjoyed listening to the statement the world of a chimpanzee is limited to its immediate surroundings. It doesn't think about its past, future, other chimpanzees in other places, or any complicated matter. Sounds a bit like how human beings are sometimes.

Tomorrow I shall be going to Nihonbashi to look for the only Western Union branch in Tokyo. I'll be sending my aunt the money we borrowed for the plane ticket. Thanks to Hyperdia, I know how to get around Tokyo using the trains.^^;

Anyway, regarding my hair, no, I didn't cut it and yes, it's still long. As Winston-san pointed out, having your hair cut here costs a lot, around Php3000, I think? That's what I saw in the salon near the dormitory, anyway. So yeah, I won't spend that much money on just trying to get rid of this. I was just bored.XD Having long hair is really helpful, especially when it's autumn here already. It's gotten really cold. I'm having a hard time riding the bicycle to the station.x_x But my hair keeps me warm, sometimes.^^;;

So much for today. I've got much more important things to do than stare at Oto's screen. I'll be meeting Klao tomorrow, too, so "shit!" I guess? This means I'll be spending money again...(-.-;)

I now have proof that I am a registered alien. I got my alien registration card today.(^-^)/

Yesterday I received the package Mama sent me last Monday.XD Now I have a watch again. My watched stopped last Oct 2, so yeah, I didn't have a watch for a week.=_=" And my cds!!! They're here! I can now burn all the stuff I downloaded since last last week. Oto's getting full with 300kpbs download speed.XD Oh yeah, did I say I carried that package weighing 16 kilos up to my room on the third floor all by myself?XO

We had our medical checkup today. Uwah~ Todai's Health Service is soooo *o* /caveman aka Filipino.

I also got my alien registration card. And Wan-san and I went to Tokyo Station to get our money changed to yen. So now I have money to buy Ali's goodies.:D Then off to Akihabara to buy things! Wan-san bought a laptop, and I bought an electronic dictionary (because the denshi jishou AIKOM lent me is useless) and an MP3 player so I won't get bored during the one hour trip to Todai every day.>_<

But but I'm having problems with my passbook. The ATM machine doesn't accept it. Nande?! I just used it yesterday!;A; Uguu~ Now I have to go to the Kichijoji Branch to have it checked. I hope Kanako-san can accompany me.o(>_<)o

Did nothing all day yesterday except sleep. Started doing my Eng 191 at around 6pm. Only one part left.

Had a little accident in the kitchen this morning.x_x I was scared the smoke might activate the smoke alarm.^^;; Anyway, had three classes today. We're still studying keigo in Nihongo class. Second and third periods are Japanese Literature, and History of Science and Technology of Japan. We were given assignments already. Two novels for next Thursday in Lit class and 2 essays in the Science and Tech class. Tsukareta~

Must also start on my research proposal today and finish it tomorrow.

I received my bankbook and cash card today!(^o^)/ We're getting our money on Monday! Squee~

Haaaah~ I'm so tired... But I still have to finish my papers.x_x" *ded*

Almost forgot. My schedule for the autumn-winter semester:

Monday
1-2:30 Japanese III
2:40-4:10 Dynamics of Japanese Cultural History I
4:20-5:50 Aspects of Japanese Society: Japan's Diplomatic Policy

Tuesday
9-10:30 Japanese III
1-2:30 Relay Lectures

Wednesday
NO CLASSES WHEE!

Thursday
10:40-12:10 Japanese III
1-2:30 The Dilemma of the Modern in Japanese Literature
2:40-4:10 The History of Science and Technology in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Society

Friday
9-10:30 Japanese III
10:40-12:10 Japanese III
2:40-4:10 Seminar

Hah! Tsukaretaaaaaaaaaaa~

Woke up very early today because we're meeting at 8am in the Common Hall for some paper signing before we went to Kichijoji by bus. We were joined by Kuya Patrick, another Filipino who is also living in Mitaka Ryou. He's here in Japan because of Mombukagakusho. Sugoi desu ne~

Anyway, opening a bank account took a lot of time, but here you can open a bank account with only 10yen as initial deposit.=P The delivery of the cash card will take 10 days and the direct banking card thingy will be delivered in two weeks.x_x"

Next, we went to Yodobashi Camera-Kichijoji to get our mobile phones. I've decided on the sky blue one, which is a different model from everyone's phones.XD Again, that took a lot of time because after signing forms again, we had to wait for an hour for our phone to get activated I think. Then when we came back, the salesman told me to get a letter of consent from my parents because I'm just nineteen. WTH. I said I am a foreign student, but still, that made me wait for another thirty-forty minutes.

When Carla (the one from Chile) and I got our phones, it was dark and everybody except for me, Carla, Wan (Malaysia), Clara (Indonesia), Shu (France), Lam (UK), and Ben (Canada) left. We didn't know how to get back to Mitaka Ryou, so they asked around. By the time we got to the right road where we were supposed to ride the bus back to Shinkawa, it was already raining so hard. We decided to eat dinner somewhere instead. Spent sen yen for that.T--T

Anyway, so I'm back here in my room. Here is my ketai email address: chibi_risa [at] ezweb [dot] ne [dot] jp

But you can still text me on the same number since the roaming feature's activated. It just costs Php1 anyway.=P