On Tuesday, I met with Professor Koike for lunch at a restaurant called Kyara-te , along with my student "supporter" from Hokkaido University, and two other student researchers. My student supporter, Ogura-san, was very nice to meet me at the International House and walk with me. Professor Koike sure can speak quickly! He seems to be such a kind professor. I hope that I will make a good impression on him this year. He is extremely busy, however. This seems to be common for professors at Japanese universities--their time is stretched thin. Because of that, it makes me all the more grateful that he met with me. After that, Ogura-san helped me to do a number of procedural things, such as register my address. First we went to the regional ward office ('kuyakusho') to register my address here in Sapporo, and to have my alien registration card ('zairyu') finally stamped. To explain a little, when you arrive in Japan and go through customs you receive a registration card, I think mostly to show that you've entered the country legally with all the correct paperwork, and that you will be staying for an extended period of time. Anyways, on the back you are required to have your Japanese address stamped at the ward office of your city before you can do anything. Since I was in Tokyo for the first week, I needed to wait until I arrived in Sapporo to have this done--which was really frustrating for me, as the ideal place for me to have opened my Japanese bank account and bought a Japanese cell phone would have been Tokyo. But without a stamp, those procedural steps are impossible. Therefore, it was a huge relief to have this finally taken care of. Ogura-san and I both found the whole process confusing, but I think that we made it through! Next, at the same ward office, I registered for the Japanese National Health Service. Finally, we arrived at a JP Bank near Hokkaido University in order to set up a bank account. This is actually a rather funny story. The JP Bank (Japan Post Bank) that we went to is also a post office. Therefore, almost the entire time we were there, I thought that I was registering my address with the post office, and could not entirely figure out why I would be receiving a card or a bank book. Only after I walked out the door did I realize that we had just opened a bank account. I needed to do this anyways, so that is good, but that was certainly confusing! I was at last able to deposit my first stipend safely into a bank.
I bought a carton of milk at the convenience story nearby, and then Ogura-san showed me the way back to the International House. I went for a short run on the streets near the International House where I had seen runners and bikers. The weather was nice, but it already gets completely dark here at about 6PM. That definitely surprised me, and I'm none to happy about it! In Minnesota, I believe because of daylight savings, we had at least until 7:30PM (even though the days get shorter and shorter--the shortest being on my birthday in December). So to suddenly lose so much sunlight was certainly disconcerting. But I will get used to it. The sun also rises a bit earlier here, so that is good. On Wednesday, I was more or less on my own. In the morning, I attempted to use the shower in my room but could not figure out how to turn on the hot water! I took a freezing cold shower, which was no fun. I tried to explore but the very instant I got a few blocks away from the International House it began to pour! Worse yet, the whole reason I had gone out was to buy an umbrella! I was not quick enough, so I got very wet and waited under a bridge until the rain let up. It has rained the past few days, or has been overcast. Then I tried again to wander around, but crowds are very intimidating to me, even if they are much smaller crowds than in Tokyo. In particular, I think it is just the steady, unyielding stream of traffic and pedestrians who all know exactly where they're going which truly intimidates me. Hopefully I will grow accustomed to my surroundings more. I did not wander too far, knowing well that I get lost easily. For lunch I went to what I thought was a small restaurant near a subway station entrance, but which actually went back quite a ways. You take off your shoes at the step past the register, put them in a cupboard, and then the seats and tables are actually on ground level, and the square leg space is carved down into the floor. Very interesting. I ate udon, which may be one of my only main options at many restaurants that does not contain copious amounts of meat. I think that Ogura-san must have many things to catch up on, and also there was not much more for him to help me with (besides the looming cell phone situation which he admitted to knowing little about). However, I did email Professor Koike on Tuesday evening to ask for what courses he recommend I register while I am here. He responded that he would be discussing these details with another exchange student at 3PM on Wednesday in his office, and so I met with him as well. I very much enjoy hearing all of the stories that Professor Koike tells. Also, he speaks very quick Japanese with me because, like the graduate students, he has good faith in my speaking abilities. I will certainly have to keep working to meet their expectations. When the other exchange student, who is from China, arrived Professor Koike switched to English. His English is extremely good! Definitely better than my Japanese. He also said that he likes chocolates and sweets, which I love, so I will be happy to bring him some chocolates. Professor Koike said that there are two HUSTEP (Hokudai Short-term Exchange Student) courses in forestry/sciences that I should take. One starts already tomorrow afternoon, so I will be attending that, assuming I can locate it!
Today (Thursday) started off somewhat poorly. Probably as a result of my icy shower the day before, I started to feel a little sick. It may also be all of these new experiences finally catching up with my body. I am a little frustrated not to have gotten to run more--I am generally scared of going running in new places all on my own because I always get lost. Trust me, always. So I haven't been straying too far. I also don't want to get in anyone's way, so city running, even on park paths, is still a little nerve-racking for me in a new area. Especially, I've always been a very self-conscious person and so now trying to run fast at my normal pace, and also being a female foreigner ('gaijin') of a rather tall height here in Japan makes me all the more self-conscious. I managed to look up a Jogging Circle (aka club) associated with Hokkaido University and so I hope to meet with them on Saturday. Maybe that will make me more comfortable. Anyways, usually when I am running a lot, my immune system is pretty darn tough. I could feel whatever illness it is coming on Wednesday night, and sure enough on Thursday morning I was not feeling great. My usual remedies are to eat a billion oranges, drink a lot of water, and eat spoonfuls of honey. Not yet knowing just where a grocery store was, I didn't have these things. Around noon, I went to meet Ms. Tashiro from the Student Affairs Office of the Agriculture school to fill out a few more forms and to learn how to apply for classes. She has been so helpful and kind to me. Also, word has apparently spread about a foreigner named 'mozuru' who speaks Japanese. Haha. I find this funny, because I wish that I spoke as well as everyone seems to think! I wandered back to the International House, but took my camera with me to walk around and take some pictures. I am gradually increasing the area that I recognize. As I was wandering around the back of the International House who should come out of the front door but Becca and her student supporter! I was very happy to see them. I was not sure what time she would be arriving in Sapporo. They were both so nice to let me come along with them to find the grocery store, which as it turns out is almost literally right next door. I had gotten within a few blocks of it on my own excursions, but always turned back just to soon. We ate lunch (more udon!) and then I attempted to grocery shop as Becca went to the ward office with her supporter. I had forgotten my grocery list, so I only bought a few things. One unanticipated struggle was choosing brands of products. For example, I bought milk again today but unlike back in the U.S., where I know the associations and qualities of various brands, here in Japan it is all new again. I have always tried to choose things that are more environmentally friendly, or to find things like organic milk or produce, but deciphering all of that may be difficult if at all possible while here. I do hope to find a farmers market to buy vegetables from, though! I suppose I'll finally have to buy pots and pans, though, if I ever want to cook them!
Finally, this evening Becca and I bought some little things off of our lists, like garbage cans, towels, etc. Becca was very kind again to show me some places to go in Sapporo. I want to try to return in the daytime, so I can memorize landmarks. There is a whole city beneath the Sapporo streets, by the way, or stuffed into the various floors of buildings. Very interesting! Oh, and for dinner we had omuraisu, which is really yummy in my opinion. It is a combination of an omellete, with ketchup rice inside. Mine had a sauce and vegetables as well. Yum!
P.S. I finally figured out the shower, thanks to Becca and also thanks to youtube!
I bought a carton of milk at the convenience story nearby, and then Ogura-san showed me the way back to the International House. I went for a short run on the streets near the International House where I had seen runners and bikers. The weather was nice, but it already gets completely dark here at about 6PM. That definitely surprised me, and I'm none to happy about it! In Minnesota, I believe because of daylight savings, we had at least until 7:30PM (even though the days get shorter and shorter--the shortest being on my birthday in December). So to suddenly lose so much sunlight was certainly disconcerting. But I will get used to it. The sun also rises a bit earlier here, so that is good. On Wednesday, I was more or less on my own. In the morning, I attempted to use the shower in my room but could not figure out how to turn on the hot water! I took a freezing cold shower, which was no fun. I tried to explore but the very instant I got a few blocks away from the International House it began to pour! Worse yet, the whole reason I had gone out was to buy an umbrella! I was not quick enough, so I got very wet and waited under a bridge until the rain let up. It has rained the past few days, or has been overcast. Then I tried again to wander around, but crowds are very intimidating to me, even if they are much smaller crowds than in Tokyo. In particular, I think it is just the steady, unyielding stream of traffic and pedestrians who all know exactly where they're going which truly intimidates me. Hopefully I will grow accustomed to my surroundings more. I did not wander too far, knowing well that I get lost easily. For lunch I went to what I thought was a small restaurant near a subway station entrance, but which actually went back quite a ways. You take off your shoes at the step past the register, put them in a cupboard, and then the seats and tables are actually on ground level, and the square leg space is carved down into the floor. Very interesting. I ate udon, which may be one of my only main options at many restaurants that does not contain copious amounts of meat. I think that Ogura-san must have many things to catch up on, and also there was not much more for him to help me with (besides the looming cell phone situation which he admitted to knowing little about). However, I did email Professor Koike on Tuesday evening to ask for what courses he recommend I register while I am here. He responded that he would be discussing these details with another exchange student at 3PM on Wednesday in his office, and so I met with him as well. I very much enjoy hearing all of the stories that Professor Koike tells. Also, he speaks very quick Japanese with me because, like the graduate students, he has good faith in my speaking abilities. I will certainly have to keep working to meet their expectations. When the other exchange student, who is from China, arrived Professor Koike switched to English. His English is extremely good! Definitely better than my Japanese. He also said that he likes chocolates and sweets, which I love, so I will be happy to bring him some chocolates. Professor Koike said that there are two HUSTEP (Hokudai Short-term Exchange Student) courses in forestry/sciences that I should take. One starts already tomorrow afternoon, so I will be attending that, assuming I can locate it!
Today (Thursday) started off somewhat poorly. Probably as a result of my icy shower the day before, I started to feel a little sick. It may also be all of these new experiences finally catching up with my body. I am a little frustrated not to have gotten to run more--I am generally scared of going running in new places all on my own because I always get lost. Trust me, always. So I haven't been straying too far. I also don't want to get in anyone's way, so city running, even on park paths, is still a little nerve-racking for me in a new area. Especially, I've always been a very self-conscious person and so now trying to run fast at my normal pace, and also being a female foreigner ('gaijin') of a rather tall height here in Japan makes me all the more self-conscious. I managed to look up a Jogging Circle (aka club) associated with Hokkaido University and so I hope to meet with them on Saturday. Maybe that will make me more comfortable. Anyways, usually when I am running a lot, my immune system is pretty darn tough. I could feel whatever illness it is coming on Wednesday night, and sure enough on Thursday morning I was not feeling great. My usual remedies are to eat a billion oranges, drink a lot of water, and eat spoonfuls of honey. Not yet knowing just where a grocery store was, I didn't have these things. Around noon, I went to meet Ms. Tashiro from the Student Affairs Office of the Agriculture school to fill out a few more forms and to learn how to apply for classes. She has been so helpful and kind to me. Also, word has apparently spread about a foreigner named 'mozuru' who speaks Japanese. Haha. I find this funny, because I wish that I spoke as well as everyone seems to think! I wandered back to the International House, but took my camera with me to walk around and take some pictures. I am gradually increasing the area that I recognize. As I was wandering around the back of the International House who should come out of the front door but Becca and her student supporter! I was very happy to see them. I was not sure what time she would be arriving in Sapporo. They were both so nice to let me come along with them to find the grocery store, which as it turns out is almost literally right next door. I had gotten within a few blocks of it on my own excursions, but always turned back just to soon. We ate lunch (more udon!) and then I attempted to grocery shop as Becca went to the ward office with her supporter. I had forgotten my grocery list, so I only bought a few things. One unanticipated struggle was choosing brands of products. For example, I bought milk again today but unlike back in the U.S., where I know the associations and qualities of various brands, here in Japan it is all new again. I have always tried to choose things that are more environmentally friendly, or to find things like organic milk or produce, but deciphering all of that may be difficult if at all possible while here. I do hope to find a farmers market to buy vegetables from, though! I suppose I'll finally have to buy pots and pans, though, if I ever want to cook them!
Finally, this evening Becca and I bought some little things off of our lists, like garbage cans, towels, etc. Becca was very kind again to show me some places to go in Sapporo. I want to try to return in the daytime, so I can memorize landmarks. There is a whole city beneath the Sapporo streets, by the way, or stuffed into the various floors of buildings. Very interesting! Oh, and for dinner we had omuraisu, which is really yummy in my opinion. It is a combination of an omellete, with ketchup rice inside. Mine had a sauce and vegetables as well. Yum!
P.S. I finally figured out the shower, thanks to Becca and also thanks to youtube!
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