Wimper and Bang
So the last day of school came and went. From some of the schools (mostly the elementary schools, but also one of the JHS) I got a bunch of things from the students, messages and the like. One school even gave me a gift from the teachers (which I now have to ship back home-- a Japanese tea set). Of course, one of the schools did pretty much nothing too. I just kinda went there and left. So that was that.
I also went to South Korea for a week. I met up with one of my friends from Yamanashi in Narita and we stayed the night there, since our flight was early in the morn. We did a bit of sightseeing there and were up bright and early for the trip to the airport and our early flight-- which was delayed when we finally did get to the airport. And then delayed again. And again. It was supposed to board at around eleven, originally. We didn't get to Korea until 9pm. The flight was only 2 hours. So basically, we waited around in the airport for longer than the damn flight took us originally! Never flying Korea Air again. The only explanation given was "late arrival of aircraft." No shit. Well, my friend had plans which he ended up missing that night because of the delay, and when we got there the airport was already mostly closed up for the night. Eventually, we found our way to the hostel.
The first morning we met up with one of the guys he had wanted to meet up with yesterday, a Korean guy, and had breakfast (tech. lunch) with him and his co-workers. Then we went to some palaces in Seoul. We also stopped by some big Korean bookstore, the selection of which shames even the biggest bookstores in Tokyo. I'm talking for English books here. Then we met up with some of those Korean people again who were recording a foreign language podcast (that's what they do, and how my friend knew about them) but I only watched, didn't participate.
We also went to this really big mall which aforementioned bookstore was in. (or near. Can't quite remember.) Anyway, it was okay, but my feet were killing me.) Which seemed to be a running theme on this trip, as they hurt a lot and I kept having to stop to rest. No idea why, but I plan to go to a foot doctor when I get back to the US, even if they haven't been aching that much recently.
Anyway, the next day it rained, so we spent some time in an indoor amusement park that he wanted to check out, along with some folk museum.
We checked out some more palaces and even a temple too. Oh, and my friend lost his wallet in a taxi.
So after he panicked for a bit, and all, he eventually called the credit card co.s to have them canceled, etc.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip to Korea. The food was great (save the Korean curry-- it tasted like weak Japanese curry) and there were many things to see. I never did learn how to say any Korean (save water-- mul) and when I bumped into people and the like I'd always say something in Japanese before realizing that that was wrong. Yeah.
So the trip back, the flight was not delayed, thankfully, though I didn't get bumped to first class like I had been the first time. (Free alcohol!)
So this week, after returning, I've lazed around the apartment, and began packing for the inevitable move back to the US. Some things are already packed and going to be mailed today if I ever get off my lazy ass. Others will have to wait.
I'm going to Singapore on the 12th, for three days, and then I'll be in Japan until the 27th, after which I plan to fly to California and visit Dave for a week in his new digs. Then I'll hop on another plane and head back to NJ. I still have to buy the tickets for my return trip, which I plan to do today, so that could change, but I can't make it any later as the airfare will jump to stupidly high levels because of golden week the first week of May. So yeah.
Oh yeah, Doctor Who. The first episodes of the 5th series aired in the UK on Sat. and it was okay. I didn't think it was a great episodes, but it was fun and I watched it twice. I like Amy, the new companion, already and think some of the humor is pretty good. Overall, I'm glad it's back. Still not sure about the new doctor though. Guess we'll see.
Assassin's Creed 2 is awesome, better than the first one. And I liked the first one. Started playing Dissidia: Final Fantasy. It's okay. Can't say much more than that yet.
Was inspired recently to write a bit from one of the stories I have running around in my head. Now if only I could get inspired again to go and finish writing the chapter...
I also went to South Korea for a week. I met up with one of my friends from Yamanashi in Narita and we stayed the night there, since our flight was early in the morn. We did a bit of sightseeing there and were up bright and early for the trip to the airport and our early flight-- which was delayed when we finally did get to the airport. And then delayed again. And again. It was supposed to board at around eleven, originally. We didn't get to Korea until 9pm. The flight was only 2 hours. So basically, we waited around in the airport for longer than the damn flight took us originally! Never flying Korea Air again. The only explanation given was "late arrival of aircraft." No shit. Well, my friend had plans which he ended up missing that night because of the delay, and when we got there the airport was already mostly closed up for the night. Eventually, we found our way to the hostel.
The first morning we met up with one of the guys he had wanted to meet up with yesterday, a Korean guy, and had breakfast (tech. lunch) with him and his co-workers. Then we went to some palaces in Seoul. We also stopped by some big Korean bookstore, the selection of which shames even the biggest bookstores in Tokyo. I'm talking for English books here. Then we met up with some of those Korean people again who were recording a foreign language podcast (that's what they do, and how my friend knew about them) but I only watched, didn't participate.
We also went to this really big mall which aforementioned bookstore was in. (or near. Can't quite remember.) Anyway, it was okay, but my feet were killing me.) Which seemed to be a running theme on this trip, as they hurt a lot and I kept having to stop to rest. No idea why, but I plan to go to a foot doctor when I get back to the US, even if they haven't been aching that much recently.
Anyway, the next day it rained, so we spent some time in an indoor amusement park that he wanted to check out, along with some folk museum.
We checked out some more palaces and even a temple too. Oh, and my friend lost his wallet in a taxi.
So after he panicked for a bit, and all, he eventually called the credit card co.s to have them canceled, etc.
Overall, I enjoyed my trip to Korea. The food was great (save the Korean curry-- it tasted like weak Japanese curry) and there were many things to see. I never did learn how to say any Korean (save water-- mul) and when I bumped into people and the like I'd always say something in Japanese before realizing that that was wrong. Yeah.
So the trip back, the flight was not delayed, thankfully, though I didn't get bumped to first class like I had been the first time. (Free alcohol!)
So this week, after returning, I've lazed around the apartment, and began packing for the inevitable move back to the US. Some things are already packed and going to be mailed today if I ever get off my lazy ass. Others will have to wait.
I'm going to Singapore on the 12th, for three days, and then I'll be in Japan until the 27th, after which I plan to fly to California and visit Dave for a week in his new digs. Then I'll hop on another plane and head back to NJ. I still have to buy the tickets for my return trip, which I plan to do today, so that could change, but I can't make it any later as the airfare will jump to stupidly high levels because of golden week the first week of May. So yeah.
Oh yeah, Doctor Who. The first episodes of the 5th series aired in the UK on Sat. and it was okay. I didn't think it was a great episodes, but it was fun and I watched it twice. I like Amy, the new companion, already and think some of the humor is pretty good. Overall, I'm glad it's back. Still not sure about the new doctor though. Guess we'll see.
Assassin's Creed 2 is awesome, better than the first one. And I liked the first one. Started playing Dissidia: Final Fantasy. It's okay. Can't say much more than that yet.
Was inspired recently to write a bit from one of the stories I have running around in my head. Now if only I could get inspired again to go and finish writing the chapter...