Making my way downtown

Imperial Palace Gate

Yesterday, I went with Brandon and Alyssa to Kiyomizu Temple and the Kyoto Imperial Garden. Shopped for souvenirs for my family and then took pictures. I’m actually not yet done uploading — been too lazy and tired and feeling sickly.

I’ve been trying to rest more — thus, the lack of updates. 

I went to a hike today at Tennozan something with Miggy and the people from his lab. It was sooooooo high up. Uggghhhh. I took comfort in knowing that these guys would PROBABLY be geeks and nerds and that they usually stay cooped up in the laboratory. Boy was I wrong. I did my best not to lag behind — trust me! My feet hurt a lot after :c And then we hit the Suntory Brewery and were given beer to drink (we can drink up to three glasses). 

Pictures later! 

You’re the best around

[Like the entry before this, I made a long and short version just because I had a lot to say. Deal with it.]

Long version:

I couldn’t sleep last night. I was able to back up my files on the HD and, to stop myself from fidgeting, continued reading the book that I borrowed from the library — Love Story by Erich Segal.

Love means never having to say you’re sorry.

I was finally able to sleep at around 2:30 or 3 in the morning. I set the alarm for 7 but didn’t get up until around 7:30. And even then, I was supposed to hit the snooze button again when Wen-Wen, the Chinese exchange student who let me stay in her room (her room mate moved about a month ago to live with her boyfriend’s family), called out to ask if I was awake yet. I was surprised to find out she was still awake since she was still awake when I slept. Apparently, she hasn’t slept at all. She finally did, though — after I left.

Brandon, Alyssa, and I left the seminar house at 8:15-ish and rode the 8:39 train from Hibino station. We reached Nagoya station by 9. We had to wait around 40 minutes for the bus (it was supposed to leave by 9:35 but it was a bit delayed). I took this time to finish Love Story. Meh. Cheesiness, I hate. Which makes me love it so. Hee.

We got to Kyoto at around 12:30 and immediately went to the information booth to get ourselves a city map and the bus map thing.

We then had lunch at this restaurant at the station. I had an ice cream since I wasn’t really hungry. And since, apparently, everyone has to order, Alyssa ordered something to eat too.

We split up after lunch since they had to go to Osaka to check into the hostel they’re staying in. They couldn’t find a really cheap one here and Osaka’s a 500 yen train ride away — it’s all good.

I, on the other hand, made my way to Kyoto University Katsura Campus. Along the way, I was assisted by various people who pointed out where I was supposed to go.

And since Miggy and Ryan can’t really be bothered with me since they both had experiments to do (they’re chem nerds — big chem nerds), I stayed around in a kind of lounge area outside their library and read the book that Eyobe recommended I read (even lending it to me — ありがとうございます！).

Miggy shows up and home we went.

Short version:

Got to Kyoto today. Had lunch at the station with Brandon and Alyssa. Made my way to Kyoto University Katsura Campus and met up with Miggy and Ryan. Came back home to eat and rest.

Check out my Flickr Photostream for pictures.

It cannot wait, I’m yours

[Since this is going to be a long-ish entry, I provided a short version down below.]

Long version:

I was supposed to tutor someone this morning but then cancelled it since I had an exam earlier this morning, and then Kyoto the day after tomorrow. He was nice enough about it — I told him to study more, instead.

Oh! I also applied to this company that teaches English — I hope I get in. I plan on getting a work visa as soon as the holidays end. That, and pay my phone bill (around 3,000 yen since it was the first month).

Mom texted about buying a ticket to Japan. Heehee. Mom here = no need to spend anything. Cross your finger, baby!

This morning was spent packing for my Kyoto trip. It was five days! Plus, I’ll be staying at the Seminar House tonight so that Brandon, Alyssa and I can go together.

I got to the Seminar House at around 2 in the afternoon and hit the konbini to buy an onigiri — I was starving. When people finally got ready, we all grabbed a train to Osu.

We basically took pictures of stuff. I had lunch with Eyobe, Rachel, and Adrian at this ramen place whose name escapes me. The other people had theirs at Osu Brazil, where they sold a whole piece of chicken for 1,300 yen. After that, we walked around and I bought a pair of chucks for 3,970 yen while waiting for the other people to show up (turned out we had to meet them somewhere else).

Arvi, the Canadian who was born in the Phils, came from work and then accompanied me to buy an external HD! We found a 1TB one for 9,980 yen! Yay. Adrian told me about a 500GB one on sale for 7,900+ yen at Kojima but then a 1TB one would be sooooo much better (even though I wouldn’t know what I’d do with a 1TB HD).

Somewhere along, I even bought a Hello Kitty charm.

Arvi and I then met up with Brandon and Alyssa cause the others already headed back. Alyssa and I shopped for clothes while the boys waited outside the stores. We then had some snacks at a cafe — bought a couple of pizza at the place beside it, and ate it in the cafe (which was fine as long as we bought drinks).

The couple headed back though we stayed behind. Arvi was craving for some chicken so we shared one. Home we went and that was that.

Short version:

Shopped yesterday. Bought 1TB external HD, a pair of chucks that are too small to fit my sister (but fits me perfectly), a top, a Hello Kitty charm, and food. I spent close to 19,000 yen yesterday. Yes, I feel guilty. But the HD was around 10,000 yen and I want it. So… shoo!

Check out my Flickr Photostream for pictures. 

So tell me, stealer of words…

Why would I want to be around people who act as though they have to be nice to me? I’m not a kid — I don’t need your sympathy (I wouldn’t know what it’s for and what I’d do with it anyway).

But weirdly enough, I want you to end up being happy. Seriously happy. Because I know that I would be — after all this.

Just keep swimming

When I came to Japan, I told myself that I’d develop better study habits but noooooooooooo! I had an exam today and I spent last night trying to learn the Jaiho dance (key word “trying”) and… sleeping. I kinda feel guilty but oh well!

PLUS, I FINALLY GOT MY SCHOLARSHIP! ALL 160,000 YEN OF IT! Huzzah!
But I lost half of it at once ;( Rent, y’know.

I’m going to be staying at the Seminar House tomorrow cause I’m leaving for Kyoto with Alyssa and Brandon and it would be easier if we’re all coming from the same place, right?

Don’t worry! I won’t be spending my money. I’m gonna be a real scrooge and starve myself instead of spending the moolah. Shopping when I get back! Teeheeheeeeeee.

What are you up to?