From the Midwest and Around the World

   Today was my first full day in Japan. I had a fairly restless sleep the night I got there, probably due to the time difference and jet lag. However, I forced myself to stay in bed until 6 AM. Then, I ate the bean bun I had bought the night before, which was very tasty. I also got some hot chocolate from the vending machine so I had a warm beverage. Then, I watched the sun rise and went for a walk with a bottle of hot green tea (again, from the vending machine). This is the view across the lake from the sidewalk outside the academic building. Here is the sidewalk. To the left is a Japanese-style garden outside the academic building.  <---Another view of the lake <---Here is the view outside my window. If I look to the right, I can see the castle in the distance    I had wanted to bike to the grocery store later that day, but since it is the weekend and tomorrow (Monday) is a national holiday, the person who is in charge of the bi...

   Well, I am finally in Japan! My plane ride was long, but it was fun to meet different people as well as watch movies and the "moving map" that shows what country (or ocean) the plane is flying over. I was in the middle of a three-chair row in economy comfort (so I had a little more foot room). Next to me, in the aisle seat, was someone who (I think) was French (based on his language choices on the screen). He seemed perpetually angry/impatient and was not too friendly...so maybe he was affected by the blizzard at some point as well and was just trying to get to his location, or maybe this attitude is just a French thing...In the window seat, there was a Filipino (who was very friendly and nice...but I suspect a little flirtatious as well). They kept us really well fed! We got three different "meals" (and all three of them were very generously sized). The first was "dinner" which consisted of Miso Yaki Beef, rice, a roll, shrimp cocktail (basically three...

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...

     I promised you all that I would show you my room today. So, below are some pictures! The entrance to my room. This year, the floor's theme is baby animals. So cute! My room looking in from the door. The top bed is my sleeping bed and the one on the bottom is a couch/guest bed. This is my desk area. My "living room" with the "couch" on the left, a little side table on the middle, and a cute chair on the right.      The next post will probably be a report on my first day and my initial reactions to my profs and classes! Have a great Labor Day!