I want to speak Engrish ~!

In Japan there are so many job opportunities for native English speakers. It's actually quite remarkable how easy it is to get a teaching position even if you don't have any kind of degree. In most cases if you are here to improve your Japanese I wouldn't recommend teaching English more than twice a week. 
*Doing language exchanges with fellow students is a great way to make friends and improve your Japanese while helping someone with English. For this, there is an English Speaking Society (ESS) on Tenri University's campus. 

As of late Halloween has become very popular in Japan. Once it is around mid-late September most stores will begin to sell Halloween items in anticipation of the holiday. The week of Halloween it isn't uncommon to see students doing everyday things while dressed up in costumes, especially in big cities. 

 








This year one of the schools I've been teaching at had a Halloween party which doubled as a spelling bee contest. The teachers and children dressed up and we did mock trick-or-treating. Needless to say it was a lot of fun!  

The girls I teach every week!

 
I also had the chance to volunteer with a local middle school! We went to 法隆寺 temple in Nara and the students had prepared before hand how they would explain the meaning of the temple and the statues in the surrounding areas. It was so much fun! At the end my group and I took a photo. I put two peace signs up and they said that was the "Tokyo pose". They asked me what an "American pose" would be and I tried to lean back and look cool--how'd I do?! In the photo I was only too happy  that they all humored me and did the pose by my side that I couldn't help but smile~~

American pose at 法隆寺 Temple!

**留学生ノート: If you want to work in Japan and are native in English, Tenri University's international office will have information about available positions. In most cases the workers there will tell you before you even have to ask because there are so many jobs available. Just make sure to be confident, speak clearly, and teach with purpose! Japanese students are usually very good and reading/writing but their listening/speaking tends to be lacking. 

Ten things you should 忘れないで下さい～！

Okay　留学生 it's time to take notes! 

Here are the things you should definitely have in your suitcase upon travel to Japan: 

1. Bug spray: Without it you will get bitten to oblivion. No matter how strong you claim to be. It will happen. The mosquitoes here are various and tactful. Not to mention the courageous and large spiders that spin mad webs outside our front doors. ***Keep in mind places like Daiso they sell bug catchers as a child's game AKA Japan is the land of mad 虫. 

2. Safety pins: They're one of those useful items you take for granted that simply exist in your household unnoticed... then suddenly you need one and they are all so ない ない ない～！！！ 

3. Omiyage  out the ass~!: Perhaps the most important item in your suitcase other than your underwear... Gift giving is engrained into Japanese culture and is something done out of respect. If you are omiyage-less, well you're going to either look very rude or very ignorant to Japanese customs. Also with the amount that everyone is going to go out of their way to help you upon your arrival, you'll feel almost obligated to give them something--or at least I hope so~

4. Wrapping items: Everything in Japan is about presentation. If you give an awesome omiyage but it's wrapped not so nicely it's going to immediately take from the gift. Remember in most instances no normal 日本人 is going to open the gift in front of you. So the impression the gift has on the outside is just as important as what you put on the inside. Wrapping items are insanely light to pack and if you already have them at home I recommend you bring them. Although they are available at places like Daiso, it adds up after a while and is an easily avoidable expense on your part.  

5. Scissors: Another item used daily not missed until forgotten. They're good for the office, for the kitchen... For 毎日~!!! 

6. Extra passport photos: I was asked by the university for an extra photo upon arrival. Luckily I brought a few just in case, but for those that didn't have any they had to get photos taken on the spot which cost them around 6$ each. Also if you plan to work in Japan a lot of the time when you submit a resume they want a passport size photo to go along with your application. 
***Also printed resumes wouldn't hurt either...!

7. Towels: The towels in Japan never go on sale. They range from 10$ up and the quality is questionable. Also they never seem to be as big as the towels we had in America... I got thin towels from Daiso which shed, yes shed, all over my clothes when I wash them and rub off on my skin when I attempt to dry myself with them.  

8. Family Photos: Having photos of those important to you and supportive of your decisions is absolutely necessary. It's a reminder that someone out there loves you and is thinking of you. Because no matter how much fun you have in Japan, it's that much more fun if you can look up and remember you have people dear to you worldwide. 

9. Any specialty foods you know you'll immediately miss: While figuring out what everything says in a Japanese market it's reassuring to know you have some familiar foods in your fridge as a back up. Just in case you pick up something strange by accident! For the first few weeks while you adjust it's a good way to ease yourself into Japanese life. 

10. Some kind of Japanese textbook you are comfortable and familiar with: Having the ability to look up words online has made having a printed 辞書 almost irrelevant. But having the ability to review grammar patterns before class or even after class has started in a text you've already studied from helps a lot. You can navigate the book with ease and refresh your mind with useful information you'll be using in daily conversation.

***Things I am absolutely grateful I brought: French Press, Ipod Dock, and Camera~!

I've got a 自転車～ You can ride it if you like...!

The shop I rented from!

There are some things that the staff members at Tenri University are going to attempt to convince you they are absolutely vital to your daily life in Japan. Although I refuse to buy a cellphone, a bike will without a doubt make your life easier. At this time (Fall 2013) Tenri has two bike shops right next to each other that are opened regularly and are fairly close to the train station. If you are one of the first students to arrive in the summer before 秋学期　begins you might have the good luck of purchasing a used bike for around 5,000-7,000￥. But once the first round of 留学生 make there way over to the bike shop, the owner will get wise to the trend and hike up the prices. Because you're a 留学生だから一年間ぐらいだけ自転車が欲しいです... the shop owner will recommend you to rent your bike for a year for about ~7,000￥ which is the equivalent to about 70$.

The shop next door!

Their selection is pretty good, and if it's not at the time you go just ask when their next shipment is coming in. They have a pretty high turnover of bikes around the time that school is starting. Although I didn't want to rent my bike at first, I came to terms with the idea the renting was more convenient than buying a new used bike for around 9,000￥. This way I wouldn't have to find someone to unload my bike onto before leaving Tenri and I was able to rent a new bike. Instead of buying a used one. The wear and tear really matters when you're going to be relying heavily on it for your main mode of transportation.

Property Sticker

This sticker is from the International Office at Tenri University and is very important. Without it your bike will get towed from Amenity. Yes, bikes get towed in Japan frequently when parked in places they shouldn't be. I've heard it's about 7,000￥to get your bike out of the tow yard. 気をつけて下さい！！ At the International Office they'll take down your name and give you a corresponding number.

Shop Owner & Worker out front

行き方：This is directly behind the Tenri train station. If you're coming from the student apartments go towards the Tenrihondai and turn left once you reach it. Cross the street and pass ミスタードーナツ. Go to the end of the block and turn right. You're going to see a dead end, but on the left side is the bike shop and the right side is the train station. You can even cut through the train station if you're more familiar with the area.

Ride safely! And remember move to the left in passing~!!!

パン屋 my sweet 家~!

The service industry in Japan is amazing. It's almost ridiculous that you don't tip with how kind and helpful everyone always is. You know I've already scoped out Tenri for every place baked goods and coffee are sold in tandem. There are two bakeries right next to each other down the street from the train station and they are absolute perfection.

Pan koubou OTO (lit. Bread Studio OTO)

At the end of this are fig pastries YUM <3

Both of these bakeries offer one free cup of coffee when you purchase something. It's considered a part of "service". Isn't that just outstanding? Catch up to Japan's kindness America!!! What the hell~! 
Some of the best 日本らしいthings at these kind of bakeries that I don't typically see at American bakeries are: Melon bread, sweet bread filled with red bean paste, and curry bread. If you're in Japan all of those are a must try because they are everywhere and always delicious!!!

一緒に食べよう～！

{ {Meanwhile... the b a k e r y across the street} }

Bakery Mei~!

Welcome to my Home~!

Maybe I'm reading too much into this... BUT !!!

France and Japan has a relatively good history. France at one point relied heavily on Japan for silk and picked up a lot of influence from Japanese art. While Japan relied on France for development in shipbuilding. I find most times any influence France had on other countries to be somewhat negative as it's a product of colonization. In terms of Japan, I can't help but think it's 全然違います～ 

 

Curry bread = baked dough filled with fresh curry and then lightly fried... Perfection. <3

 When you enter the bakery you grab a tray and a pair of tongs so you can choose exactly what you want~! After you're done you can take the tray up to the counter and the cashier will voice aloud everything you've chosen as they ring it up along with the price of each item.

コーヒー Corner~! <3

Some bakeries will have a machine that gives you the option for "American coffee" which is coffee with cream already added into it.

***留学生ノート：Everyone loves baked goods so if you're unsure of what to do with your tutor why not propose a quick trip to the bakery? Enjoy the baked goods of Japan, learn some new 単語 and get to know each other~! 

行き方:
If you're coming from student apartments, go towards the Tenrihondai but DON'T cross it. Instead turn left once you reach it. Cross the street, pass ミスタードーナツ, and cross the next street ahead (under the train station).  After which on the block ahead on your left is Bakery Mei and on the right just a little further down is Bread Studio OTO. 

Consume with light Hearts~! <3

眉カット。。！

When beauty is considered a noun of importance, it is not only dangerous but expensive. I'm a Middle Eastern woman, meaning my hair grows and grows for days. When I came to the point that the caterpillars above my eyes became a caterpillar I knew I needed someone to trim back the abomination that took over my face.
When researching on my own I couldn't find a single place in Tenri that did eyebrow threading. I was beginning to worry because I wasn't about to travel all the way to Tokyo for eyebrows and I knew I didn't have the patience to do it on my own... I don't even own tweezers...!!! 
 {{ What the H E L L~~~! }}

Masako & the Cashier

In a panic I asked a new friend of mine and she helped me find Obje! It's a small shop very close to the student apartments in Tenri City that does "eyebrow cuts". This shop doesn't wax or thread. Instead Masako (pictured above) brushes out your eyebrow, trims it, and uses a very thin, sharp razor to get a precise shave around the main part of your eyebrow. At first she'll ask if you want a design. Usually in the states I don't shape anyway so I just explained I'd like it if she could just clean it up for me. 

Masako was very gentle and understanding. She was meticulous and continuously showed me what she was doing while asking, "How's that?" Usually when I get my eyebrows threaded I dread the experience but she has a very kind personality which easily translates into her work. I have darker hair so a bit of where she had shaved and didn't get close enough shows a bit, but it's still better than doing it myself. 

Obje also does hair appointments. I didn't have an appointment for anything but I still got my bangs cut and eyebrows done. I'm fairly certain for haircuts you'd have to make an appointment because when I asked the cashier whether or not reservations were necessary he hesitantly asked if I was just getting a trim. 

It's a very small building that's easy to miss. If you're starting from student dorms, cross the Tenrihondai and walk down the length of the train station. On the opposite side of the street is Obje. Right now it's across from an apartment building that's under construction. In the future though? Well, it's tall and white... Very modern looking. 

Nevertheless! If you want waxing or threading good luck if you're coming to Tenri. The only threading I've been able to find is in Tokyo and they charge out the ass. 30$ and up. 

 I paid 52５￥~! A good deal and いい経験でした。 
Here's the link to their website:  http://www.obje.co.jp/obje/shopinfo/style_tenri.php
Happy Hair Removal~!!!  

Take out that ゴミ like a champ~!

Taking out the garbage in Japan is perhaps one of the most ridiculous yet logical things you'll do while here. I've had multiple conversations about how & when to take out certain items followed closely by, "Why didn't anyone ever tell us about this?!" 
Well 留学生 I am telling you now~ 
When you go to city hall to register your address (because yes you do that) they give you multiple pamphlets on how to take your trash out. 
Here's one of them: 

Monday-Wednesday

Wednesday-Saturday

The trash is divided into two sections: Regular trash and the trash that is being picked up on that particular day. For example if it's Monday you take down the plastics and put it on the opposite side of the regular trash. But each special item has it's particular day that it can be brought down. At Amenity these items will only be picked up every first and third week of the month. Try not to miss it because food waste will make your house smell like s@#t~!
All trash MUST be brought down by 8AM~!!!

Downstairs in front of Amenity

Posters taped downstairs on the side of the trash~

What can't be thrown out in the normal trash~

It's like Ikea furniture, if you simply read and repeat the written actions, you'll be okay. ***Don't get creative, or think you can do a better job than what's pictured. Simply follow the directions.*** 

プラ　＝ Plastic

 Anything with "pura" on the back is supposed to be sorted with the plastics.

紙　＝ Paper

 Anything with "paper" on the back is supposed to be sorted with any paper products.
If you package and throw your trash away incorrectly it will never get picked up. You're even liable to get fined. 
So once more: follow the directions!!!

留学生 Living~! Oh MY 人生～

Tenri University exchange students from CSULB live in an apartment complex close to the campus. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. Or 7 minutes on a bike. It's even closer to Tenri Train Station which is about a five minute walk. 
The apartment is a long narrow strip that is as follows: doorway, kitchen & bathroom on opposite sides, then through a door is the main room and balcony. The main room is where the bed, closet, and desk area is. 

There are many hooks throughout the room!

Stay organized & keep your life simple~!

The washer machine is ALL IN KANJI so 勉強頑張って下さい～

 

 >>> The way to work it is: 

Press 入/切
Choose the water amount (the equivalent to load size on an American machine)
Press start! 

{{You're w e l c o m e~!!!}}

Included in the room was a water heater, rice cooker, and an AMAZING microwave. It doubles as a toaster for toast and I even baked cake in it!!!  


The bathroom is a small room with the faucet for the sink and bathtub connected. The toilet has the option for a "big flush" & "small flush" according to... well, you know! Just pay attention to the kanji: 大 & 小!!! My toilet didn't have it but I figured out that turning the handle left is small and right is large.

The first time I EVER opened the door to my アパート~!

***留学生ノート: Every room has some lottery items left from previous student residents. My room had a fan, chopsticks, utensils, plates, bowls, knives, and kettle. There were other various things like a lamp on the desk and hangers. Every room has different things depending on the previous resident. Other rooms had a humidifier or small sofa but those items are rare/lucky.

おすすめ：Bring towels!  And photos of close friends & family~~
DON'T FORGET BUG SPRAY!!!

晩ご飯～！Let's Eat!!!

One of my favorite things about Japan is that you don't tip anywhere. For anything. What ever the menu says, is exactly what you'll pay. It's amazing... 
This:

Bought me this:

かつカレうどん(Katsukare-udon)

 This dish had thick noodles in a heavy curry sauce with eggs, naruto, tonkatsu, and green onion. It was a great first dinner in an amazing city.

The chefs in their kitchen!

 It was at a small hole in the wall restaurant close to Tenri train station. This was my first meal at a Japanese restaurant actually in Japan. It was absolutely delicious and definitely a hotspot to remember!

***留学 Note: If you're going North from the Tenrihondai pass the train station and take a left at the next corner. If you walk down for about two minutes the restaurant should be on your immediate left. Happy eating~!! 

日本に来たよ～！

I said goodbye to Los Angeles on August 29 and arrived in Tenri, Japan 30 minutes before August 31. Upon arriving at Itami Airport the five exchange students from CSULB met up with an alumni. The five international students from California State University Long Beach studying abroad at Tenri University for the 2013-2014 academic year are: Ana, Mona, Spencer,　Christina (Not pictured here) and Brianna.

Spencer, Mona, & Brianna at Itami~

Ana & Mona at Itami~

Us five 外人(foreigners) walked into open Japan air for the first time at 8:31 PM August 31, 2013. ほんまにその感じがすごかったよ。After a long bus ride from Itami to Tenri City I was tossed half asleep into a crowd of welcoming Japanese students, awaiting us in the hot, humid night.

Micah McConnaughy was the first American I met in Japan~!

  Everyone paired up with their tutor and was shown into their rooms. My tutor wasn't with us, so one of the staff members from Tenri University helped me instead. 
 Saitou Toshiyuki was the first Japanese person I met in Japan. He works in the international office of Tenri University. He completely shattered any and all illusions I had about Japanese humor. 

スマイル～！

Because of my sense of humor and lack of reverence for American social standards, so many of my sensei's previously warned me against using sarcasm in Japan. They explained in so many words that it wouldn't be readily understood... Maybe Saitou-san is the exception but he's one of the most sarcastic people I've ever met.
The night of my arrival he helped me set up my internet, which is connected by a cord straight from 1996. After which he showed me how to use the TV and hilariously told me about the NHK guy. 
At first I thought it was a lesson in "don't let strangers into your home". However, apparently in Japan people from the local news network NHK will come door to door and ask if you have a television.
If you answer yes, you have to pay a monthly fee of about 1200 yen~ 
But if they can't see the TV, you can easily lie and close the door. The latter is apparently common practice. So for future 留学、気をつけてください～！