First Week in Kansai Gaidai University (Orientation)!

Hey guys~!

Sorry for the late post! I've finally made it to Kansai Gaidai University and the internet has been pretty bad (and when I mean bad, it's HORRIBLE. It's like I went back to the 90s, literally!). But besides that, it has been fun so far. :] I've only been here for a week, but I've been very busy. I've been meeting many people from around the world and I've went to many places! For the first two to three days, I had a lot of paperwork to do, so I went to the campus many times. Because of this, I learned all the important buildings on campus. I also went to the supermarket many times to buy some groceries. During the week, we weren't allowed to cook in the kitchen, so I bought a lot of bentos and cup ramens. Starting today, we can use the kitchen and borrow different cooking utensils. So I will cook a lot more. Also, during the beginning of the week, I bought a bike, which makes it easier to go to the main campus from my dorm. It literally takes about 10 minutes! 

On Friday, I went to Kyoto with a group of friends, which was so much fun! We went around shopping and I bought a manga called 聖おにいさん (seinto oniisan - Saint Young Men). I also bought a facial moisture cream as well from The Body Shop. During shopping, we stumble upon a Buddhist temple. We all washed our hands and prayed. Then, after shopping a bit, we went to a shrine. It was really big and BEAUTIFUL. After Kyoto, I went to Nagoya to stay over at my grandmother's house for a night and I came back on Saturday night. 

Today (September 1st) was a free day, so I went to a festival with a group of friends late at night. It was so much fun! There was a lot of food and game stands. Some of my friends played at some game stands and won some toys. One friend won a balloon hammer and another won a horse balloon. I didn't play any games, but I ate sausage and chijimi (Korean pancakes). Both was very delicious! I also met some local people around the area and they were really nice. One guy even payed for my chijimi! :D

Anyway, I have to go! I'll try to write next week if the internet is not bad. Until then, sayonara~!

Festivals, Chilling, and Cooking in Nagoya

Hey guys~!

This week has been a bit slow, so this post will be a bit shorter than usual. Anyway, early this week, my mother and I went to a family friend's house in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture to meet her newborn daughter. My mother and I went by car with another friend of ours. Anyway, the house we visited was VERY cute and it looked like an American house! Inside the house, we spent a few hours talking and playing with the baby. She was very adorable and she was smiling most of the time! No matter who held her, she never cried, which surprised me. I would love to visit our friend's daughter again!

After the visit, my mother and I went to a restaurant with the friend who drove us to Toyota. Although I been to the restaurant many times, I still don't remember the name of it. :[ However, when we all get together, we always go to the same place. We ordered okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes), monjayaki (Pan-fried batter, kind of similar to okonomiyaki), and other pan fried foods (such as seafood). It was all very good and I was BLOATED.

On Sunday, I went to a a festival near the house with my mom, grandmother, and my grandmother's friend. It took place in an area called Kakuozan in Nagoya. It was awesome! It was similar to the street fairs in NYC, where there were many clothes and food vendors. There were a lot of people as well and some were wearing yukata. Seeing them, I wish I had brought mine with me from NYC. >.< Along the way, I saw some performances including bands and taiko drummers. In general, the festival was very lively and I loved the atmosphere. I hope I can go to another one!

I have been recently been making food for myself as well! In the picture, I made pumpkin wrapped in pork, sour plum rice balls (using brown rice), natto with sour plum, and slice nagaimo with pumpkin, shiso, and sour plum sauce on top. It was really good! I ate all but a rice ball. I am hoping by cooking often at home, I can cook while I am in Kansai Gaidai University. ^.^



Anyway, next week I'll be going to Tokyo and seeing my family and friends. I am SOOO excited!

Sayonara~!