Wowzaz

I just finished uploading the last of my Japan pics.. what an event!

Pictures!

I just uploaded some more pictures from Japan, but there are still quite a bit left. I'll post again when I finish uploading them, probably pretty soon.

After getting my undergraduate degree..

there are decisions to be made! I am considering getting a masters in education here at UCSD or getting ESL teaching credential, or both. I like the idea of teaching English as a second language. I've done it informally, and I enjoy it. It is also a job that would allow me to find work in foreign countries, if I so desired.

I read reviews of 'the house of spirits' on amazon, because I'm supposed to read it for my latin american history class. The reviews made me not want to read it. Apparently it's pretty two dimensional. I tend to read the reviews of people that don't like the books. I find them more informative than the 5 star reviews.

Just 5-6 more weeks until summer. How exciting.

things are good

I'm starting to feel better, stronger, more awake. I still need to get more hours of sleep, but I have been exercising a lot and eating well, and it seems to have positive effects on my overall... condition? (choushi)
There are times that I'm still inclined to use Japanese words or, more accurately, the English counterpart of Japanese words appropriate to the situation. I noticed it in the sentence structure of the essay that I turned in yesterday too. Other than that, life in Japan is a distant memory.
Last night's Jujitsu class was fun. I'm starting to remember kata and the uke tori relationship, but it is a bit strange feeling. I'm used to training with a more practical/sport focus, not working towards the cultivation of greater sensitivity and awareness. I do think that my understanding of throwing techniques is better than when I left for Japan though. I have a better understanding of what it really takes to make throws work, and what is just there for decoration.
It looks like I will continue to have midterms and assignments pretty steadily for the next few weeks. I'm hoping make some time to get away for a weekend or two. I want to visit my grandma in walnut creek, my friends in Santa Cruz before they graduate, and some people and the bank in Los Angeles.

Hot weather

Everyday I'm surprised at how warm it is when I leave my room. I guess the perks of having the coldest room in the house are finally manifesting. Stay hydrated everyone!

Things that strike me as different than Japan

At UCSD the passengers of the shuttle thank the driver as they leave the bus. In Japan the bus driver says thank you as each passenger leaves the bus.

When I was in an elevator a girl almost debated whether she and her friend should get in or wait for the next one, though it seemed to me that there was quite a bit of room left. They ended up getting in, but I think that the girl really didn't want to.

ps. our soccer game last night was epic. we were down 5-2 at half and came back to win 8-7. I contributed one goal, which is exciting because I rarely score.

Oh school!

Just a little longer...

I went to Jujitsu once last week. It was fun, but very far from my home. I'm feeling about sick this week, so I probably won't be going today. I went to soccer on Tuesday too, and the to a small pick-up game on wednesday. Soccer was fun, but I had absolutely no touch on tuesday. When I get my cleats back from bretton, i may improve. Is it the shoes?
we'll see!