a history of me

After a full week of heat and humidity and a typhoon-threat that never materialized (at least not in this area) it finally rained today. I thought it would bring a relief to the humidity but somehow it is still uncomfortably sticky! I really need the weather to chill the fuck out soon; I think the nasty climate only adds to my discomfort in this new place.



This fountain is at the center of the KG campus. That's the only photo of the day, sorry.

Today I had my first Spoken Japanese class. My teacher is a man which lifts a slight burden from me. In the past, I have always developed a weird little crush on any female Japanese instructors I have had. Indeed, I fear it once became obvious and scared one poor lady half to death. Anyway, this guy is from Sapporo and he showed some pictures from something that looks very cool: the annual Snow Festival held every February. I think I just might have to take a trip out there to see it, although it won't be cheap. Sapporo is over 700 miles from here!

But I digress; the class went pretty smoothly and we seem to pick up about where I left off which is a good thing. He gave us a list of "review" materials and I recognize at least 90% of everything on the list. The rest of the class didn't seem terribly enthused about speaking Japanese but few have my ebullient interest in the subject. Fun fact: the lone KG student from South Africa is in my class.

The school books we have to purchase are mercifully inexpensive. Most of the materials are simple reproductions of other materials bound together. These typically go for 1000 Yen. The texts for my Spoken Japanese class were about 4500 Yen which isn't bad for two new books. They don't go for "used" around here and the occasional student offer to sell old books is quickly met. I still have two more classes to attend but at this rate the total expenditure should come in under 10,000 Yen (about $90). Any U.S. college student will tell you that's a bargain beyond bargains.

Likewise, the school lunches here are pleasantly priced. I typically eat for less than 500 Yen and that always includes a bowl of miso soup. I'm glad to have broken my soda habit or I'd be wasting hundreds of Yen a day on that crap; instead, I usually go for water or tea, depending on what I'm offered for free. I've never had to pay for water but if I can drink free tea, I'll always take it. I certainly got a few stares today when I declined to accept the bowl of rice that accompanied the daily "club lunch" special. My thinking is this: if the meal is something served over rice, then I'll just eat it. When rice is a dish on the side, I should pass.

Naturally, I didn't know how to explain this to the staff. In fact, when I didn't take the rice they tried to offer me a bun instead. I do love the perpetually polite counterpersons and waiters here, especially since tips are not accepted which I think is one of life's great ironies. If anyone should be automatically tipped, it's the service people of Japan.

After lunch I had my second elective, a class about views of Japan in Western film and literature. It's actually taught by the same guy who's teaching my Media class and the subjects are really quite similar. The key difference here is that the media class is focused on Japanese events in Japan as presented to the public while this class is focused on non-Japanese portrayals of Japan. Our first screening was the episode of The Simpsons where they all go to Japan. It contains a very underrated gag (I think only three people laughed at it):

Marge: Homey, you'll like Japan! You loved Rashômon!
Homer: That's not how I remember it.

Anyway, I'm avoiding the point of this story. In discussing how a group of people can be warped by unfair portrayal, the professor mentioned something from his childhood in Salt Lake City. He noted that nobody back home acknowledged any kind of discrimination against women because "we put our women on a pedestal." This is, as he pointed out, just as discriminatory as any other method of separation. When he said this I immediately* thought back to my behavior this summer and my friendship with Hyde. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't been a very good friend by treating her the way I did, even if my motivation was entirely good willed (which it was). Once I decided I was smitten with her I immediately put her on a kind of pedestal of my own design and looked up to her. This made her extremely uncomfortable around me and for good reason. I had no right to do that and I don't think I ever apologized for it in person. So Hyde, if you read this, I'm sorry about that. Honestly, I never realized what I was doing until today.

Other than that epiphany it's been a very quiet day. I bought an umbrella so I could walk home in relative comfort. I haven't gotten to the gym yet because it's only open 9-4 during the "summer break." I suppose I'll grab some dinner soon but I'm not looking forward to going outside again. Perhaps it's time to explore the local delivery services? I won't have to tip the driver, after all!

*You see why I'm such a lousy student? Whenever a teacher mentions anything that applies to me personally, I launch into an introspective no-man's land and tune out the rest of the lecture. Silly Dan, daydreams are for kids!