Yopparai

Monday morning a few JCLP students went to Sue's first year English class (a different one then the previous class) to help out. We discussed the differences between Japanese and American cultures. I really was at a loss at describing my own culture, America is such a mix that its hard to trace one definite answer. The first year students have impressive English skills, many of them rival the fourth years, which I don't entirely understand. That's not to say that the senpai are all bad at English, but not as advanced as you'd expect from 4 years of college perhaps. Then, I can't really say how hard the English language is, having grown up with it.

After Sue's class we had Yamada-sensai for the rest of the morning in our typical Japanese language class. I couldn't keep up with her at all and when she called on me to give an example I was at a complete loss. She had to go through all the info again before I was able to answer properly. I felt embarrassed and angry that I couldn't understand but later in the day I found out the rest of the class had felt the same way, they just hadn't been called on.

Lunch lifted my spirits as I sat with Yuu and An. I checked with An to make sure everything was alright with her family (which it was). I told her about my weekend and asked if she was coming to conversation partners. She said she would if I went so we agreed to meet. I was at lunch a little too long so I got to Onuma-sensai's class just in time. I handed in my homework and we went through her typically silly and simple lessons.

Seth, Andrew, and I went to the computer lab after Onuma-sensai's class to kill time. This was my first time logging into the campus network so it was interesting to say the least. While the keyboard has a typical QWERTY layout, many of the commonly used side keys in English (comma, period, etc.) are located elsewhere. The @ symbol is somewhere on the right side in the top row. It makes things fun.

Conversation partners with An and her friends was very productive. I made sure not to just sit around and talk but actually learn, and I think An is a very good teacher. I've been trying to learn different types of sentences while also trying to fill them with useful verbs, nouns, and adjectives. I wish it were as simple as it sounds. The main focus was the use of the "tai" verb. This is used to indicate something is wanted. A very useful thing to know in my opinion.

After school we waited around for everyone to gather for a drinking party some of the Keiwa students had put together. During this time we were told to guess An's age. I guessed 20, other guessed 20 or 21. She told us she is 28(!). Needless to say I'm still floored by this. Once everyone gathered we headed off to the apartments and then the bus stop to head to Shibata City. An couldn't join us, so she said she would do something with us Thursday night.

The drinking party, while filled with great food that completely filled me, was still a drinking party. Pretty much everyone but three of us got completely trashed. The Japanese girls didn't take long at all, usually one drink before they were drunk. The party lasted long into the night before we finally stumbled outside. We split into groups and headed home. Seth, myself, Andrew, and a drunk Brett walked Yuka and her friends home before walking home ourselves. It was 1am by the time I got into my apartment where I promptly passed out.

I don't drink, I don't like alcohol or its effects. I also don't like seeing my friends get stupid drunk. In America it doesn't happen to often, but it does. Seeing my Japanese friends in the same situation, I felt a little sad. While drunk people can be humorous sometimes, they're still drunk, and that's not all that funny. I probably won't be attending any more drinking parties in Japan, unless its to make sure everyone gets home alright.

Matsumi Heights, home.