ラララ。。。

Well, not quite. I’ve still got an essay and presentation in Japanese, some short essays to write for Archaeology, and one test, but I’m free of the 2 research papers I had to write. I stayed up until 4 to work on my Foreign Relations paper, about the IMF and the World Bank. All the books I used for the paper are still lying around my room… I didn’t even prepare for my classes today b/c I was so wrapped up in trying to finish that paper. That really hurt me when we were analyzing an article I didn’t even read in Japanese class today. I could have gotten my way through it in English, but it’s really hard to B.S. in another language.

Oh, and I’m also going to Chicago to take the Japanese language profiency test and to visit extended family I haven’t seen in years. I’m not sure how I feel about going back, since so many things have changed since I was there my freshman year in high school. My cousins are married and have kids… wow. I do know that I want to go eat at Connie’s pizza. Anyone who’s been to Chicago knows what I’m talking about. ^_^ ^_^ ^_^ And maybe go to Navy Pier, tho it’s going to be realy cold…

Good things that happened this week:
Going to the Japanese Gardens w/Monica + Tony, so far from school (Not this week but I’m adding it anyway). Those gardens are gorgeous! Some of the leaves were turning as well. I’ve got photos if anyone wants any. Hanging out w/Tony + Monica was cool, got to know them a bit better I think. Getting sick was no fun, but overall I had a great time!
Presenting about the Japanese countryside to Japan Club. Talking about my experiences in Ayabe reminded me of one of my best experiences in Japan, and one of my main reasons for going there. Although the conditions there aren’t exactly like what the photograph books would have you to believe, it is just as beautiful. The shrines I visited there capture the essence of Japanese culture, the culture I find so beautiful. However, now I think it’s time to explore somewhere else, perhaps France, or Thailand, I still haven’t decided.
Talking to Anna. It’s been so long since we’ve talked, so I’m really glad I ran into you today! I would have liked to have talked longer, but alas, it could not be so. Hopefully, we’ll talk again soon.
Red Eye. Not such a bad movie after all, and afterwards I talked w/Andreas + Azusa, that was interesting.

I’d like my next post to be a translation of a Mr Children song, so be on the lookout for that post. I haven’t decided which one yet, but Owarinaki Tabi is my fav, so maybe that one?

Ha! Finally, I’m going to get to see Tokyo Eyes, the movie I’ve been wanting to see for months has finally arrived at the rental store. My mom told me when I called her today, and so while I was with her we dropped by and got it. It’s got Shinji Takeda in it, an actor who I first discovered while I was in Japan, surfing through the channels, trying to find something interesting on TV. I started watching this drama about a deaf woman married to a man w/hearing. It’s the story of their life together and trying to raise a girl. And, true to Japanese dramas, they played an 80s song, Stevie Wonder’s “A Just Called” (to say I Love You). I wonder if the creaters knew how old that song was.

Anyway, the premise to Tokyo Eyes is really diff’t. I’ll fill you in after I finishe watching it!