Day 17

The start of a new module, but really, just a review of the same stuff we had done the day before.  Oh well, at least it isn't anything new and difficult on a Friday.  Two new students in the class, only one of whom showed up; one student actually was held back due to not taking the last test of the class, but she's getting another chance later today.  If she does make it back in, though, we're running close to capacity.  In so few words, because you've already heard these so many times before, class went how I expected it to go, and was finished soon enough for the weekend to start.

My first attempt at using Japanese in public was rather successful, as I was exchanging money at the bank from US travelers cheques to Japanese yen, $1000 US to be exact.  Good thing that I got it done too, because the only money in yen that I was currently carrying around with me was a 1 yen coin, which is worth less than 1 cent US.  But then again, I was walking around with the equivalent of $1000 in cash, so I had to get it back home, eventually, after lunch, which was just another inexpensive bento from Kitsutsuki (400 yen, or about $3.90 US).

Afternoon consisted of some relaxation, thought about what I would do over the weekend, and then finally laundry.  It's a good thing that I bought that bicycle, because doing laundry would be so much more difficult, as the laundromat is a good 5-10 minutes walking, but much shorter biking (and it is easier to carry the laundry bag while riding the bike rather than walking).  I once again got my homework done at the laundromat, and also got everything organized in my binder, at least to a reasonable level.

Directly following the return home and putting away of laundry, I visited wikipedia and started reading up about the wards of Tokyo, deciding on whether or not I really wanted to go there over the weekend.  It didn't take long, because no sooner did I get back with laundry, then I was off to the train station to purchase a ticket.  My Japanese has continually gotten better, because I was able to tell the attendant "I am a student studying abroad, and my Japanese isn't so great.  However, I can speak it a little.  I'd like a train ticket from Nagoya to Tokyo for tomorrow, on the shinkansen.  No, I don't want a reserved seat.  How much is that again?  Okay, here's the money.  Oh, one more thing, can I also get my ticket from here to Nagoya so I don't have to buy it tomorrow?  Thanks, have a nice day."

Pizza for dinner, just a reheating of the pizza from earlier this week.  Now, off to do just a little bit more preparing for my trip to Tokyo, and then sleeping so I can get up in the morning, get on the train, and be in Tokyo hopefully by noon.  Don't expect any updates until Sunday evening, but when that comes around, expect some long posts and plenty of pictures.

No picture from today, though, as I didn't really have time to take any.  Again, cheers.