(no subject)
Just a short update today. I finally feel like I'm with a normal host family, that has a life and all. I went with my host mom after school today to her oldest daughter's house to visit her and her kids. Then we (my host mom and I) left and went to the supermarket where she bought me some of my favorite snacks. We came home, took the dog for a walk, and then went out to eat. Kimchi okonomiyaki... Mmm. I really like it here. I've felt happier in the past four days than I have in the past four months, possibly.
In other news, today I had my math exam. Rather easy, I imagine I got 100%. Simple calculus. The most surprising thing about exams here is they are very strictly administered. It'd be fair to say that the strictness of Japanese and American high schools' policies on attendance/tardies and exams are almost exact opposites. The papers are passed out beforehand and everyone turns their paper over at the same time when the exam chime sounds. Everyone has to move up a seat from their normal seat in class. Of course no one is allowed to talk, but in addition, you can't take anything other than a pencil/pen, eraser, and extra lead in the room. If anything falls off of your desk, you have to ask the teacher to come pick it up for you.
The new Jack Johnson album continues to absolutely floor me. I recommend it twice as enthusiastically as I did yesterday! I wonder if "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" is already on the radio in America.
In other news, today I had my math exam. Rather easy, I imagine I got 100%. Simple calculus. The most surprising thing about exams here is they are very strictly administered. It'd be fair to say that the strictness of Japanese and American high schools' policies on attendance/tardies and exams are almost exact opposites. The papers are passed out beforehand and everyone turns their paper over at the same time when the exam chime sounds. Everyone has to move up a seat from their normal seat in class. Of course no one is allowed to talk, but in addition, you can't take anything other than a pencil/pen, eraser, and extra lead in the room. If anything falls off of your desk, you have to ask the teacher to come pick it up for you.
The new Jack Johnson album continues to absolutely floor me. I recommend it twice as enthusiastically as I did yesterday! I wonder if "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" is already on the radio in America.