おはようございます！

A few days later, and I am now settled in my dorm with my Internet set up! Orientation has been taking up a lot of my time – it sounds boring, but it’s really great to meet new people and get a grip on the area! Although I admit I was, at first, a bit nervous to meet new people, it’s been wonderful: one of the best things about study abroad is that everyone in the program has a similar interest in the area, so making friends is natural.

I’ll be staying in the women’s dormitory – アンペロス (literally: “Anperosu”) – though a majority of my friends are in home stay. If the option is available, I highly recommend choosing to live with a family, especially if a foreign language is being studied; this way, you’re surrounded by it all the time. (Personally, I chose the women’s dormitory because my various allergies and dietary restrictions would inconvenience a family.)

Nagasaki, thus far, is beautiful (this word, honestly, sums up a lot about Japan). It’s very mountainous, so I’m certainly getting my exercise in. Of course, public transportation is readily available; however, saving money and seeing the neighborhoods is more beneficial right now!

Anyway, a group of us are about to go explore some more! I think we’re seeing a shrine – look forward to pictures! Talk to you soon!

<3<3<3 & c(__),

Amina

I’m in Fukuoka, Japan! After a grueling 26 hours – the plane went from New York to Vancouver to Hong Kong to Fukuoka – I am at the hotel, exhausted. I have also discovered two things (of great, vital importance!) to consider when traveling for study abroad: layover times and jet lag.

One: make sure you have enough layover time! I had one hour in Hong Kong… which sounds pretty good, until I realized I had to get from Gate 65 to Gate 19 in approximately thirty minutes (because 1) it takes a while to get off a plane and 2) boarding time was twenty minutes before departure). Needless to say, my memories of Hong Kong International Airport are a tad blurred.

Two: jet lag! Everyone who has traveled across time zones knows it happens… and, when you’re essentially moving thirteen hours ahead, it’s crazy! Although I tried to adjust my sleeping habits, I’m still completely exhausted, and I hear it’s normal for the first few days. To everyone out there who wants to travel: try to adjust your sleeping habits in advance, if possible. Your body will thank you!

Anyway, my first impression of Japan: it’s absolutely beautiful. The sakura (cherry blossom) trees have flowered a bit early this year, which means I didn’t get to see them budding, but still! They’re absolutely breathtaking. And the country is so clean! I’m a bit overwhelmed by it all, so hopefully I’ll later have a more coherent report.

Either way, I’m heading to sleep now. I’ll have another blog post when I’m in Nagasaki, settled down at the school!

<3<3<3 & c(__),

Amina

… I’m planning a trip to visit my friend Mike in South Korea. Mike just graduated from SUNY New Paltz in the Spring, and he went to South Korea to teach English (which is what a philosophy degree prepares you for obviously) in August. He has extended an invitation to visit to the only one of his friends in his general time zone. So now the questioned begged, should I go? I considered the fact that visiting him at this time is going to be a lot cheaper now (while Im in Japan) than in a few months from now (when I return home). I feel confident in being able to book a ferry for under $300 for a weekend trip. Oh yes, and of course I miss Mike. Hahaha.

It makes sense to visit at least one foreign country while I am here. I’m close by, I have enough spare cash, and less than seven weeks left in Japan.

I’ll let everyone know what goes on.

Three or two; I’m not bothering with the semantics at the moments. I stopped by the Int’l House to drop off the agreement form; i was a bit late with that I admit. I meant to do it at the stdy abroad orientation, but things were so busy, and Im just blah blah blahing about that.

Ive got most of my things packed; I keep putting it off since Im scared witless about the entire prospect. My kitten has started to sleeping in my perpetually unzipped luggage case. I’m hoping this means that this trip is blessed or lucky; Japan likes its kitties. Her white and gray fur will remind me of what I have at home.

I received an evil slew of dental and auditory apointments and works in the past few days; nothing says prepared like a package of presciptions “just in case.”

I bought a set of CD and book sets today for the twins of the family with whom I am fostering with; aka, the family I’ll be living with? I’ve never been an older sister (“onne-chan”) before. The Host family opportunity at least affords me that. The girls turn 6 about a week after I get there, so obviously a gift would be nice or appropriate. I only hope that we all get on splendidly, and an international incident does not follow me (no throwing up on the VP going on here!!).