First off, hello culture shock!!
There are a lot of little things that are completely different, and even in two weeks, my mental and emotional states have been sent on a roller coaster ride. Sometimes I just want to slow down, but I know that not only will that not help me, but this is not the time to slow down. I mean, come on—how often does one get an opportunity to go to Japan?!
I uploaded one photo from Japan on here already—the one of the shrine. There are more to come! Many more! I'm about to head out to another, bigger shrine tomorrow, and then I'll be headed to Kyoto with a friend the day after that.
My classes are fantastic, even though I have to take a lot! I have my language courses (I'm in the intensive track so that means we practice Japanese six times a week) and then I have the following courses on top of that:
—Globalization and East Asian Development
—Contemporary Korean Studies
—The United States and East Asia
—Chinese Culture and History
—Minorities in Japanese Society
—Shintoism
Some of them have field trips!! I know Shintoism does; I forget which other(s). The Shintoism class will eventually go to the Ise Shrines, which I'm really excited about because they are huge!
The class load is high, but I've got this. There's so much stimulation around me, I think I'll be okay 
There is so much. I could go on all day, but I do not have that. Fortunately I do have a blog I can add to and edit on my own time, as well as a Youtube account. 
I will select, edit and upload my best videos on there, then share them here to show you. I will put a link to my blog as well, once I have the third post up. I want to get that one out since it will be the final post about my transition to Japan. There are also a few photos I want to take to add to that post.
I will select, edit and upload my best videos on there, then share them here to show you. I will put a link to my blog as well, once I have the third post up. I want to get that one out since it will be the final post about my transition to Japan. There are also a few photos I want to take to add to that post. I won't wait on one thing, though: I bought some manga 
I was undecided on whether I would buy Bleach or Fairy Tail or something like that. Eventually I settled on a rather special one (for me, anyway). I bought Claymore! I only have three volumes right now. They're dirt cheap here. I got brand new ones for $4 (or that equivalent in yen). Then I found out about this used manga store that a friend told me about which is apparently even cheaper, and I was like—YEP!!!! Gonna check that out for sure!
I was undecided on whether I would buy Bleach or Fairy Tail or something like that. Eventually I settled on a rather special one (for me, anyway). I bought Claymore! I only have three volumes right now. They're dirt cheap here. I got brand new ones for $4 (or that equivalent in yen). Then I found out about this used manga store that a friend told me about which is apparently even cheaper, and I was like—YEP!!!! Gonna check that out for sure! Comments and suggestions are always welcome! Is there anything in particular you would like to see or learn about concerning Japan and Japanese culture? Tell me in the comment section below! I'm in the perfect position to answer your deepest, most pressing questions! Don't be shy 
