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Hayley- What I do on the weekends

What do I do on the weekends?

This post was written last week; finally got around to posting it.


After a busy week of work, I'm definitely ready for the weekend, but I've noticed that it comes and goes very quickly! Two weeks ago, on Saturday, I went shopping with my host mom. I had a small list of things I wanted to buy, so we went to Kopunbunji. It's a subway station, but it also has an attached 8-story shopping center. It's like a department store, but within each floor there are different, smaller stores. My favorite floors were the two devoted to food and groceries. There was such an international variety: teas from France and Scotland, Market-O (a popular Korean brand), the American yeast brand my mom always uses . . . all of this found in one tiny little shop! I LOVE this international aspect of Tokyo. It's definitely a bonus for anyone of a culinary disposition!

The following day, after church in the morning, I went to a LEX Fellow's workshop. At the workshop, I introduced myself in English, Korean, and (of course!) Japanese. It was the first time I gave a long introduction in Japanese, and I was happy to remember everything.

After the workshop, I walked around Asakusa (it's pronounced ah-sock-sah). There are a lot of small shops selling all sorts of things . . . most of them quite expensive, or "takai". "Takai" is the Japanese word used for expensive, but it also means "tall."

So, that's a summary of my activities two weeks ago. This past weekend was busy too, though in a different way. On Friday afternoon, my host sister Nanami taught me some Japanese calligraphy. I learned the fundamentals of how to hold a brush, and then I drew two characters. I could choose any word I wanted, so I chose "rejoice" and "family".

On Sunday afternoon, we went out shopping. We spent a bit of time at Bic Camera as I looked into getting a portable Wi-Fi device. For an onlooker, the discussion must have been rather interesting. My host mom did most of the talking with the salesman, but then would give me the basic details in English. I would ask a question, in as simple English as possible, but even then it was a bit difficult.  We were all very thankful for a pocket translator. After about 45 minutes of talking, questions, pocket translators, and even some sketched diagrams, I was ready to get "pocket Wi-Fi". It will be arriving in two weeks, and I'm looking forward to having it!

After that, we went out for dinner and then stopped by the grocery store to do a bit of shopping. I have been meaning to take pictures at a grocery store, and I finally did.  I'll be posting them soon.  I hope you like them!

So, that's an update of what I've been up to on the weekends. Staying busy, but certainly having fun!

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Look at the snow!

Two nights ago (that would make it Valentine's Day!) it started to snow as I was heading home from work. This isn't a common occurence in Tokyo, not to mention that the snowflakes were gorgeous, so I took lots of pictures.
 
Ogawa Station

Looking up the platform
  


 
It was really coming down!
 
Right outside the station: look at all the umbrellas!
 
Walking up the street . . . lots of snow!
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