From the Midwest and Around the World

   Today, I was originally going to walk to three temples. However, as I was heading towards the first temple, I realized that I was going to be walking all day and my thoughts went back to an article I had read about the Makino Botanical Gardens in Kochi. So, about 1/3 into my journey towards the first temple, I turned around and rode the electric train-trolley back to the main station and asked how I could get to the Botanical Garden. I had to buy a special bus pass (for only about 5-6 dollars), that would take me to all the major sight-seeing areas in Kochi. In the long run, I think this was the best decision that I have ever made. As I was waiting for the bus to pick me up, I heard "Gaijin!" and another "gaijin" approached me. She was an older German woman who now lives in Australia. She had come to Japan once last year and really enjoyed it, so she returned this year. She  was very kind and friendly and recommended a few places as well. Eventually the bus stopp...

Sunday: I woke up early and with my family drove from Indianapolis to Grand Rapids. I got all moved in to my single room and watched "Serenity" with a few friends in their apartment. Overall a nice, relaxing day Monday: Labor Day. Again, just relaxed, and mentally prepared myself for the beginning of classes on Tuesday. Bought a few decorating items for my room and went to Starbucks with a friend. Tuesday: First day of classes. Quite a busy day! I had three classes (two of which are 300-level classes). From 8:35-9:50, I had The President and Congress (POLS-314) which seems like it will be a very entertaining class. From 12:05-1:20, I had International Organizations and Law (POLS-309) which also appears to be interesting. After that, I had Oral Rhetoric (CAS-101) from 1:30-2:45. Seems like it will be a fairly easy, relaxing class. It was really nice being able to bike to and from classes. A lot easier on the feet and definitely faster! Wednesday: I only have two clas...

     Only two classes on the beautiful Wednesday...Religion and Japanese (both classes taught by representatives of the Asian continent). In Religion (Prophets), I found to my dismay that I had to manually copy perhaps 100+ pages (after the tenth copy, they all blur together) of articles that would be supplementary reading in addition to the text. A bit of my heart died with each fallen tree...and I now have a deeper understanding of "The Giving Tree." Despite this paper-wasting, the professor seems demanding (in a good way), funny (in a healthily irreverent way), and easy to understand (wonderful images and metaphors). Hopefully the rest of the semester will represent what the first day showed.      I am in fourth year college Japanese (at Calvin, it is JAPN-311). In comparison to last year, there is more of an emphasis on individual learning. While we learn grammar and vocab as a class, we also have individual "themes" on which we will work through durin...