Day 23

What?  My alarm didn't go off?  This is just getting ridiculous.  I did get up at 8:15 and be in class, after a good shower, but still want more time in the morning.  That'll be fixed, as tonight I probably won't be able to rest easily at all (being neurotic and all about my alarm being set).

For once, I didn't go to Kitsutsuki and get a bento for lunch.  That's because today was Jenny's last day in class.  She's been studying here for 7 weeks, and has gone from complete beginner to fairly competent speaker of Japanese.  Something to be admired.  Getting back on track, she suggested that we have a class "pot luck", where we all bring a dish for lunch.  Really only 3 of us made a dish (Jie made curry chicken, Gustavo made some tasty pancakes, and I made just a large bowl of pasta), and everyone else brought food from the local supermarket.  Oh well, it was good to have that before the test.

Today, that thing I ordered finally came, probably the only thing I'll buy here for fun: R4 for the Nintendo DS, with which you can download (for free) and play any game that anybody has converted to ROM form, which isn't even the correct term, more like WROM form.  It comes with a USB adaptor, a really tiny 2 GB memory card, an SD card adaptor, the DS card adaptor, a micro SD card adaptor, and a wrist strap, which I may begin to use.  So far, I've played a bit of the new Legend of Zelda, and my first impressions are that the graphics are absolutely astounding, but the control leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Surprisingly little homework today, because tomorrow is Friday, so reduced class time (and also an entire hour devoted to feedback on the test).  It's stuff I've done before, but it's been so long and I've used it so little that this "review" has become more of an intense lesson.  You know, like when you've learned something and feel that you don't have to read it that closely the second time through?  Yeah, like that.

Tomorrow, after lunch, there's a session for learning how to properly wear a yukata, or summertime kimono.  I'll be attending that, and then probably get on planning the weekend.  Tomorrow evening will most likely consist of homework, laundry, possibly karaoke with another group, and hopefully composing some of my concerto that has lain dormant for the past few months.  As the Japanese say, "ganbatte!"

As I mentioned earlier, no pictures in my posts this week, except for maybe tomorrow after the yukata class.  Expect a mass of pictures on Sunday evening, most likely of Nagoya.  Until then, cheers mate.