So I guess it's about time I update my dear little bloggy blog that I've been neglecting terribly. :[

I guess I'll start off by saying this... Arashi is everywhere. I'm pretty sure Sho Sakurai is easily the most famous person in the country at the moment. Why? Well, I'm guessing it has little to do with talent & more to do with the fact that the group is comprised of "hot" guys (but I'd really rather not give them that much). In the train station, on the train, in the street, on TV ads, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere... there is Arashi. I thought the hype surrounding the Backstreet Boys in the 90s in the US was terrible, but this is kind of overkill. I guess Japanese girls are just suckers.

I started my adventure off by spending a few nights in a hostel in Asakusa. I've stayed here before & I remember this particular part of Tokyo being beautiful & kind of laid-back compared to the more famously busy parts like Shinjuku & Shibuya. Asakusa is famous for being more traditional; boasting Senso-ji & hosting a number of traditional matsuri throughout the year. Unfortunately, staying in a hostel for me generally equals torture in my mind. Sharing a dorm room with 7 other strangers who are prone to waking up at unholy hours or spending a lot of time scuffling about in the middle of the night is not what I consider to be conducive to an ideal amount of sleep... at least I never really spent a lot of time there.

I spent a lot of time with Nao (who I strangely met at the Asukasa Station while I was lugging an oversized suitcase up numerous flights of stairs... kind of wish someone would've directed me to the elevator sooner). We've spent so much time eating food & then freaking out when the food is delicious (much like a Japanese TV show), but what I've noticed about Japan is that food & the quality of food is much more emphasized than in the United States. You can buy food very cheaply in Japan & expect the quality to be that of a restaurant that may be twice or even three times as expensive, but I wouldn't expect anything less from a neighborhood noodle house. It's the livelihood of the business. If the quality is poor, chances are people won't return. In the US, if the quality is poor, it doesn't matter as long as your filling your belly. :/

We went to 花火大会 on Saturday night. Somehow, we managed to meet up with Josh after he spent the previous day getting Asakusa Station confused with Asakusa-bashi Station. Beers were had, fireworks were watched, soba was eaten, & I don't even remember how many hours we spent walking around Harajuku & Shibuya. My feet are more than a little angry with me, but if this is what I must do to be an honorary Tokyoite... well, then, so be it. I keep finding mysterious bruises all over my arms & legs, too.... Anyhow, I had my first karaoke box ~experience~ the following day. America definitely needs to get on this. Singing drunkenly in front of a bunch of strangers is nothing compared to having your own private box of karaoke joy... possibly filled with beverages other than alcohol & company other than complete strangers. Definitely a good way to break the ice with some strangers. Might I add, Koreatown in Japan is all about worshipping the guises of Korean celebrities... there are entire stores dedicated to selling pictures & posters & whatever else you want of your favorite K-Pop celebrity. Ahhh, Japan once again takes obsession to a whole new level.

There was one particular night where I went to dinner with Nao at this super fancy

exclusive restaurant that you have to have a membership for. Her father happens to be a member & makes a reservation for us. This dining experience was quite possibly one of the BEST ones I've ever had. The chef selected the menu for us, & I really doubt I could've picked anything better myself. Steak = best steak I've ever eaten. Easily. Usually when my mom makes steak I'm like, "oh... steak... yeah...." but when this guy made the steak & I put it into my mouth I was like, "OMG STEAK!!!!" I never get that excited about steak. That's sayin' a lot. & being that this restaurant was in the middle of Roppongi among the skyscrapers & the backdrop of the night sky & the city lights I couldn't help but feel like I might be in a movie...

Eventually, I end up in Hachioji with Nao's family & it's definitely my first time staying in a house with a family that speaks no English. I guess this is good for my Japanese because I'm finally put into a situation where I HAVE to use it in order to communicate. I guess this might have kind of been the point of coming here (since there's no way in hell I'm going to improve by just studying on the ASU campus lololol). We went to 回転寿司 last night after taking a random trip to Kanagawa by car. The whole steering wheel/roads on the opposite side is still kind of tripping me out.

Tomorrow I go to Nagoya & finally get to meet my host family & see the house I will be spending my time in for the next 3 & a half months. :x I still can't decide if I should even attempt to go home for winter break or just grin & bear it & find something to do here... but I suppose that is something to be determined... I find myself feeling homesick more than I'd like, but this is what I chose, right? Not that I regret it. I just wish I could have home & here all at the same time. :[

Also, my hair is crazy here. I give up.