Bento, Sushi, and schedule of the rest of time here

Today *Thursday* we saw off students of the acceleration program who were leaving. Thursday every two weeks usually marks the beginning/end of modules. The acceleration program/UJP program is a tad bit different- UJP starts only 2 times, ends 3 times during the summer. The acceleration program- not sure, but they are similar to UJP. Acceleration and UJP are clumped in the same program at this time. I believe UJP is a bit of a new thing and it's a summer program, so hence the oddities. SILAC, what I did last time, works in 2 week modules for sure, constantly switches teachers (with a home room teacher for each level), and you constantly have people going in and out of your class every 2 weeks. It can get annoying because the learning atmopshere changes. Much of the time the students don't take their studies seriously in that program too. I could go into details about UJP and SILAC but I am literally too exhausted to go into it.
Tomorrow we get new students in, supposedly something like 10-15

FRIDAY edit- since I was too tired to finish Thursday

We did get new students in,, and now my class is 4 students, including me, which is not as bad as some of the other classes that grew from 3 to 7 and 2 to 7. And of course there's a damn "that guy" in our class. A friggin know it all who keeps correcting everyone (that's the teacher's job) and keeps showing off his quick reading skills. AND OF COURSE he's a graduate of University of Chicago. Now mind you, I've met a lot of people from U of C who aren't huge (insert bad word here), including my friend now and Helena. But my god, some kids....especially ones that tend to be brave enough to come to Japan and live on their own.......gah.......(further wishes she never went to University of Chicago, a thought constantly on her mind)
Anyway!
Yesterday while the newbies in the program took an entrance test, we had lunch with the teachers in the hall next to ours. This hall wasn't there before (it was just a building) so it was nice to see it all new and shiny (Fuji hall is its name). Cooks would go nuts over the building- huge kitchen with TONS of equipment. I wish I knew what they used it for! There are classes, but they are held in a nearby building. Classes such as tea ceremony, cooking, flower arranging. I'm going to try to see if I can get in on those. Specifically flower arrangement. I'm dying to do that.
Lunch was so nice. There was a chance that I would miss it because sales for EGL started the same day, but I really wanted to eat with everyone so I compromised and ended school 2 periods early to go to Nagoya (and was back by 6pm!) Honestly don't think I missed out on anything as far as EGL sales go- Milky planet was guaranteed to already be gone (or at least I was pretty sure) and so much was still left- including fukubukuros (lucky packs/grab bags)! I got one and will be auctioning it off soon. Let me know if you are interested (10,500 yen- over 30,000 yen worth of stuff, starting price $135. It's not all white, it's not all black-very much sweet. And it's an OP, blouse, and socks. Super super super adorable. But that's all I'm saying!).

Eating lunch with people is always a lot of fun. Usually we go Domy, the new supermarket right nearby to pick up something delicious. This time- free lunch!

In adorable bento boxes! With lotsssssss of snacks!

NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM

We may also have had fun with the pocky box.



It's made that way so that it could peek out of your bag and such. A handy holder for your pocky.


Some of my classmates, including the 3 who are leaving and gave speeches. That would be the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the back who are leaving, and the ones in front who are teachers!

School has been going well though awful fast. I'm hoping I have some solid time to work/study this weekend....despite going on trips both days. This is going to be rather difficult {facepalm}
But I did have fun times with my private teacher today! I switched out semi private culture classes for private classes and am so glad I did. We had a lot of fun and I got in some speaking time. Apparently we watch the same tv programs on JP TV and love the same kind of sushi :P

Speaking of sushi, a few friends and I went out for some kaiten zushi. That's literally conveyer belt sushi. Around 100 yen per plate of yummness. SUPER CHEAP.
I took these pics a few days ago when I went myself, but it's basically still the same thing :D

At the booth. There are tables too

There be a ton of ginger, and a cute box for your hashi (chopsticks).

You make your own tea too. There is a hot water faucet at every table and every few feet at the booth.

So delicious. The one on the left is my favorite, the one on the right is my Friday private sensei's favorite. Both have mayo and onions, the one on the left is salmon, the one on the right is shrimp and avocado.


You can order by screen, extremely handy at off hours- at peek hours the belt is fullllll of sushi. You just pick what you want, how much you want, and send in your order.


And then it comes whizzing in on a shinkansen (no kid). You take your plates and send the bullet train back to the chefs. SO CUTE.


chocolate dessert YUM YUM YUM

Speaking of dessert...there's a coldstone in AEON mall....


I *may* have a slight obsession with this combo-


Some randomness-


Look closely at the handicap spots- they're GATED OFF. why can't america do this because there are so many **** americans who are huge ***** and constantly park in the ******* handicapped spots.... Also parking lots for malls have police who keep everyone including the bikers safe. Japan, I love you.

My elective reading and listening class is so much fun. I sit there listening to a cd read off a book to me while I read along. Learning a lot through that in itself.

My books that I used last class. Yes, there's one on sushi. It was rather interesting.


So this weekend is OMG. Especially since a test is coming up on Tuesday! Cumulative review!!! OMG kill me now... plus tons of hmwk for Monday. soooooooooo
A little a day... didn't do much today but then again had 2 hours of private lesson where we did review/study so it's not so off. I really needed to blog, don't you agree?

Saturday is a trip to Komagane and the Japanese Alps. I'm super excited about this.
(copy pasted from the weekend trip listing)

We head to the southern alps in Nagano prefecture, deep into the national park to a ropeway, (the 2nd longest in the world) taking us from 1662 meters above sea level to 2612 meters (5450 to 8568 feet) where we enter the pristine environment of the Senjojiki cirque, a glacial caldera high in the alps. There may still be snow even in July. Its could be very cold, so bring warm clothing. If the weather holds, we may be able to see the cone of Mount Fuji (see Yamasa's group on Facebook for photos)
Descending from the caldera, we make a brief visit to historic Kozen-ji temple which has beautiful architecture. If time permits we will head to komagane onsen and enjoy a relaxing soak in natural hot-spring water.

Especially hoping on that last section. And seeing Mt Fuji, though the likelihood of that is slim considering the weather forecast for tomorrow (rain rain rain oh and more rain). Though I can't complain, it hasn't been bad weather wise by far!

Sunday is Asuke! I've been there before and loved it- this time we're actually going to relax in Asuke :D Yay nature. Also Denpark.
Read on-

The weather is getting hot and it's time to head north to Asuke, and have a fourth of July BBQ by a mountain stream. Kourankei is a famous and beautiful valley with cool flowing water, great for soaking your feet or, for the bold, jumping in for a quick swim. The river is still quite cool this time of year.
The village has thatched roof houses, a beautiful temple, and an interesting mountaintop castle which we will visit before heading down to the riverside.

After our meal we head over to visit Europe, Japanese style, at "Denpark". A city owned park built with a "western style" layout modelled after the Japanese idealized image of Denmark. There is also a boutique beer brewery, legoland and other attractions including a secret garden & enchanted forest.

The second half will by far be interesting. I'm hoping the days don't kill me at the end and I have enough stamina to study for a solid 2 hours at least Saturday, more on Sunday. May bring a book with me tomorrow, and am still considering bringing my doll- I want to take pictures of her!! Especially if there's snow and gorgeous scenery. Still can't decide (when can I ever decide?!)



My next month is just crazy. Check it out-

July 7th- Toyota factory and Miso makers
July 13th- Sumo with the gang and sensei in Nagoya
July 16-18th- GION MATSURI IN KYOTO OMG
July 25th- Gamagori Matsuri
July 31st- Iga Ninja Village and Ueno City trip (weekend optional trip just like this weekend)
August 1st- Osaka/Kyoto day trip for the Home Town Dolpa Osaka 6 (doll convention, ultimately)
August 6th- Final day, lunch with teachers, speeches, aaaaaaaaand Okazaki Matsuri
August 7th- THE FIREWORKS

August something one or another- fly out. I actually can't remember if I have to get my butt to Tokyo on the 9th or 10th..... :P

BUT OMG BUSY!!! It will be epic!
And next weekend I may be going with friends to get hair extensions. We shall see on such things :D