Tokyo post yay~!
I want to make a post about my current life here in Tokyo. I've been here for four and a half months now. Somehow, I regret that I didn't make this post earlier - when I was still in my honeymoon phase here. If I had made this back then, this post will probably have a livelier atmosphere to it. I guess my perspective of Tokyo in general is now different from that of someone who has been here as a tourist for two weeks. The culture shock is already way behind me, and I'm proud to say that I have already grown accustomed to life here...although I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. I'm saying this because there are things here now that have worn off their novelty for me - like going to Shibuya, Shinjuku, and other places here in Tokyo a lot of people dream of going to. There are things a lot of people want to experience here in Tokyo which I'm taking for granted now. Even learning how to commute by train which was exciting at first has now become a limp routine. Becoming aware of this all makes me a tad sad former Tokyo dreamer. But anyway.
First off, I came here September 13 last year. It was perfect timing because I had the chance to celebrate Arashi's 14th year right here in Tokyo, and also go to Kokuritsu on the 23rd to buy goods (and tearfully stay outside the stadium because 1. I didn't have a ticket and 2. Hearing those guys' voices live was more than enough to make me tear up - this deserves a separate post :Db) I didn't think I'd experience culture shock. A bit presumptuous but, a part of me thought that since I've watched a lot of Japanese shows, I wouldn't have a hard time learning at least the basics of daily life here. Of course, I was wrong. Naturally there are things you can only learn while interacting with the people. Assimilating myself into Japanese society wasn't the plan to begin with but, I didn't think I'd feel so...stupid.
I'm an exchange student here in a private university located in Hachiōji (westernmost Tokyo~). I live in the university dorm where the fee is subsidized, so I only pay 10,000 yen per month! :) I have 8 classes - all of which are held in Japanese. I am terribly thankful for that. I'm quite confident to say that I have improved in listening and picking up information. Also, we have, I must say, a very rigorous essay writing teacher. She pushed us to write essays and opinion articles all in Japanese every week, which made me realize how incompetent I am. Most of my classmates are Chinese, so coming from a country that breathes and eats Kanji, they have a huge advantage over me. They're fun to be with though. 8D
I tried looking for part-time jobs around late October to November. The situation's either them rejecting me or me backing out. It's usually the former. Anyway, I'm trying to look for a part-time job again. Aside from self-studying Japanese again, I have to find a way to make this three-month vacation productive.
Whew that's all for now. The past four months have been exciting as well as challenging. I'll have time to write about more exciting things in the upcoming weeks so yep. :Db
If you have any questions, feel free to comment or PM me~! I would love to help in any way I can. :D
First off, I came here September 13 last year. It was perfect timing because I had the chance to celebrate Arashi's 14th year right here in Tokyo, and also go to Kokuritsu on the 23rd to buy goods (and tearfully stay outside the stadium because 1. I didn't have a ticket and 2. Hearing those guys' voices live was more than enough to make me tear up - this deserves a separate post :Db) I didn't think I'd experience culture shock. A bit presumptuous but, a part of me thought that since I've watched a lot of Japanese shows, I wouldn't have a hard time learning at least the basics of daily life here. Of course, I was wrong. Naturally there are things you can only learn while interacting with the people. Assimilating myself into Japanese society wasn't the plan to begin with but, I didn't think I'd feel so...stupid.
I'm an exchange student here in a private university located in Hachiōji (westernmost Tokyo~). I live in the university dorm where the fee is subsidized, so I only pay 10,000 yen per month! :) I have 8 classes - all of which are held in Japanese. I am terribly thankful for that. I'm quite confident to say that I have improved in listening and picking up information. Also, we have, I must say, a very rigorous essay writing teacher. She pushed us to write essays and opinion articles all in Japanese every week, which made me realize how incompetent I am. Most of my classmates are Chinese, so coming from a country that breathes and eats Kanji, they have a huge advantage over me. They're fun to be with though. 8D
I tried looking for part-time jobs around late October to November. The situation's either them rejecting me or me backing out. It's usually the former. Anyway, I'm trying to look for a part-time job again. Aside from self-studying Japanese again, I have to find a way to make this three-month vacation productive.
Whew that's all for now. The past four months have been exciting as well as challenging. I'll have time to write about more exciting things in the upcoming weeks so yep. :Db
If you have any questions, feel free to comment or PM me~! I would love to help in any way I can. :D