Typhoon Party

This week has been going well, I figured I should likely write before the Typhoon sets in. It shouldn't be that bad, but I don't know how delicate the things like internet and whatnot are here.

I think I may change the day of my birthday party to my actual birthday. A lot of people can't make it on Sunday, so I decided that changing it may be for the best. People had a lot of sincere reasons though, I just don't want it to get cancelled all together. Since I didn't have a party really last year, I was looking forward to one this year. Though, on Saturday there's plans to go sight-seeing in Kyoto, so I'm looking forward to that.

I paid my health insurance for the next three months today, so I'm covered. No matter what happens I only have to pay 30% or something like that, upfront. And I don't know if my other insurance will help out too, but I don't plan on getting sick! It's amazing though how serious Japan is about H1N1 Virus. There's this campaign, that everyone follows, that when you get home you wash your hands and gargle and spit. In every building on campus there's tables with hand sanitizers and signs asking you to sanitize your hands when you enter the building, which people also follow. Also, as many people have seen, when you get sick here you wear a face mask out of curtosy for everyone else. It's quite amazing how everything works out.

I also went to City Hall today to pick up my alien registration card. Now I won't be deported if a cop stops me! Yay! Not that it ever happens here, but it's still a good thing to have. It also means I can leave my pasport and drivers licence at home, because neither of those count for as much. It's shiny and very offical looking. It feels so odd to have, since I've never been an "alien" before. (though my sister may argue)

Its getting cold here, though I think it's just a side-effect of Mr. Typhoon. Either way it called for a jacket today. Though the forcast for the weekend after the Typhoon passes is warm again. I have been kind of enjoying the cold weather, it's been the nice kind that isn't too cold but you feel good walking around.

Arisa and I met again today, but only for a half hour, I think we're going to plan to meet every Wednesday at the same time. So that'll be good. Today we spoke mostly in English, next time we're going to go for mostly in Japanese. I helped her with some English homework. This may sound stupid, but I've never actually -thought- about a lot of aspects of English before, or the meanings of a lot of words, I just have always known when to use them, so this experience is really giving me a trial with my native language even! She's reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" for one of her English classes, I was so impressed. I told her that's a high school level book, at least that's when I remember reading it, and even then some kids have trouble with it. She seemed to get a bit of personal satisfaction out of that, she should really... We both apologized for being out of touch for so long and reaffirmed that now that we're more settled into the year we want to meet on a more regular basis.

Dinner tonight was Shabu Shabu, which is apparentally Japanese for fatty pork dipped in boiling water. I really need to start thinking of my protein intake. Some nights it's okay. But the problem is, not only is the meat fatty, but it's normally sliced very very thin. So trimming the fat off is near impossible, and it's all through-out. The meat is literally half fat and half meat like marbled in big chunks. I'm so sick of fatty chunky meat, it's just so gross, it looks gross, it feels gross, and it tastes gross. The other problem is that everyone in my family loves the fat, they think it's delicious, and they're not going to change for me. I've really tried to eat it, but it really triggers my gag reflex, something about the texture is just really disturbing to my mouth. Thankfully, every meal always has some kind of protein, Tofu, beans, fish or something I can get down for protein. I think my Okaasan has started looking out for me when it comes to this. Last time we ate at the grandmothers house (fatty buffet again) and tonight she put out a small plate of raw salmon sashimi. She knows I like salmon, and it gives me something to eat, and normally there's really only enough for one, maybe two people. So, I appreciate that. I think I'm okay, but I've decided it's just something I need to make sure I look out for in my diet.

At the end of this month my family is going to Tokyo for three days. I'm actually kind of looking forward to having a run of the kitchen. Though I hope my Okasan leaves some cash for me, since technically I'm not supposed to be buying meals those days. I think asking would be rude, but I don't want to spend money!

This Friday is my Otosan's birthday, I think my Okasan said we're going to go out to a restraunt and celebrate his birthday and mine together as a family. I kind of wonder where we'll go, house of fatty meats? (Not like I'm bitter about this or anything! :D )

The wind is getting so bad it's shaking my sliding door. I'm thinking of maybe skipping class tomorrow. Technically only if the winds classify as "violent" classes get cancelled, but if it's nasty as all heck but not "violent" we still have class. If I only have studio I can make up the studio hours in the future. I'm not sure though, I always talk big then wuss out. I did get invited to a facebook event for tomorrow. Started by another Floridian (leave it to the Floridian to start a group like this, you'll see why) the event was titled "Typhoon." And it said "Even if classes don't get cancelled, let's have a Typhoon party and skip anyways and drink!" Ah Florida culture...

The whole place is making weird noises, doors are rattling, rain is hitting windows, gusts are going through the house. It's going to be interesting to go to bed to... I don't like being here, I much prefer the very stable house I grew up in. (I even asked my Okasan today what the evacuation procedure was, just in case. I don't think it's that bad, but I don't really know what this building can take) This place doesn't seem unsafe or anything like that, and my family is chill, so I'm not "worried." But, it is still a different setting, and I don't know what's normal and what isn't.

But, speaking of bed, and whatnot it likely is time. I love and miss everyone very much! More soon!