First of all, I'm sure a lot of you already noticed, but for the entire month of March, I decided to abstain from using social networking sites (SNS). It was inspired by an interview project I did with one of my Japanese friends on how Japanese people use SNS. We both realized how frequently we use it and, more importantly, how anxious we would feel if we couldn't use it. Including one other friends, the three of us decided to not use SNS for a month. It went a lot better than I thought. The first couple of days made me anxious because I thought I was missing a lot of important stuff. After that, though, I stopped worrying because I didn't know what I was missing. Ignorance is bliss.
Spring break was the end of my second term of classes. After finals, I had about a full month off. From March 6th-15th, I was back in the USA. I went for a few reasons: I missed my family, it was my sister's birthday, my older brother who lives in Oregon was also visiting, and
Before I left for home, I mostly hung around ICU with friends. I also got a few souvenirs for family and friends at home.
I actually ended up spending the night in Haneda Airport. My flight was scheduled for 6:50AM, but since trains and buses don't run that early and a taxi is too expensive, I opted for camping out. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I had bad airport curry and alternately watched a movie and took naps. The plane ride was naturally the longest plane ride in the entire WORLD...but I survived. I still can't fall asleep on planes. I was super tired when I got to Boston around 9am.
My first thought when switching planes at JFK Airport in New York was "Why is everyone talking?" I had forgotten how much Americans talked...or maybe it's that I forgot just how quiet Japanese people were? It's reverse culture shock. I was also confused at how casual the security guards were being, joking with each other. Employees don't really talk in Japan, especially at high-security places like airports.
I also thought it was really funny that when I landed in Boston, even though there was a Starbucks right next to the gate where I got off, there was a sign right next to it that said, "Dunkin Donuts Around the Corner." I thought, "Yep...I'm definitely home." Hahaha.
The only other culture shock I experienced right away was, "The cars are so BIG," and, "Oh yeah...we drive on the right side here." It's a good thing I realized that right away, right?
Seeing my family was great. I really missed my niece and nephew. I was also excited to see my sister, who is expecting a baby boy in June! I got to see her new house and her puppies and I had a lot of fun. My older brother came home the same day as me, but he didn't get back until later in the day. He usually has a lot of plans with friends when he comes to visit, but this time, he mostly stayed around the house. I don't think anyone's complaining, haha.
I also got to visit my friends at UMass! A bunch of them just graduated, so I won't be able to see them next year. It was really, really nice to have a chance to see them. I got there the night of the 10th and stayed over my friend's dorm, then hung out with people for the majority of the 11th (my birthday!). I was sooo anxious about driving there, though. It had been about 6 months since I last drove, and over the summer, I got into a car accident. Everything was okay, though, haha. Remembering how to drive is like remembering how to ride a bike.
"Shannon, why weren't you home for your birthday?" you may be asking. My sister's birthday is the 13th, so we decided we'd celebrate both on the 12th. SO THERE.
Anyways, I got to see Kati!!! She was studying in Osaka last spring, so it was literally a year since I saw her.
That's all I'm going to say about going home.
As soon as I got back on the night of the 17th, I headed home and got back around midnight or so. I didn't get much time to sleep, though. I had a trip planned. From the 17th-20th, I was in Kobe and Osaka. I hopped on the Shinkansen in the morning and was there by noon. I met up with my friend from Kwansei Gakuin, whose dorm I also stayed in. She cooked me all sorts of yummy food. :D She showed me around Takarazuka, the area where she lives.
The next day, we did a bit more sightseeing before I went to see fade in Kobe.
On the 19th, I visited a friend I hadn't seen in over two years! He was an exchange student at UMass two years ago, and I wanted to hang out with him while I was in Kansai. He showed me Osaka Castle and around Shinsaibashi. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera with me that day. One day in Osaka wasn't enough. When I come back to Japan, I'm definitely going there for a longer stay.
My friend and I were supposed to go more places the next day, but I suddenly started feeling unwell. It started on the 19th and I tried to ignore it, but by the 20th, I felt really worn out. I was supposed to go back by night bus because I had a luncheon that I had to go to in Tokyo the next day, but I ended up taking the Shinkansen back. I realized I would probably feel horrible if I put myself through that. It was expensive, but I don't regret it. I ended up having a fever (which is rare for me - I NEVER get sick) for a couple of days after I got back and was generally sick for even longer.
I was upset at the timing of me getting sick, because, actually, the famous cherry blossoms had just started blooming! They bloomed ahead of schedule this year. I wanted to go out with friends and do 花見 (hanami - cherry blossom viewing that's more like eating and drinking under cherry blossoms), but I felt too sick. I dragged myself out for at least a day, though, because I had to see cherry blossoms at least once in my study abroad career. I rode my bike to Inokashira Park with my camera in tow.
Finally, I'll leave you with a view of the main entrance to ICU.
I've got a lot more pictures on Facebook, so go check them out (again)!
Spring break was pretty lazy after that. Classes came way too quickly.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask or leave comments!
Nice to read of your trip in more detail :D
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