This morning, we had our second instructor Yamaguchi-sensei. I still didn’t understand anything, and in fact think it was even worse on me.

At lunchtime when I met my Conversation Partner Taka, I ran into Ikushima-sensei and told her I was still having a tough go of it, and I was granted a reprieve! I’ve demoted myself back to the second-level class where I can review, re-learn and improve at a pace closer to where I am in the grand scheme of things. Whew!

In the afternoon, we had a group activity to go make Japanese Okashi, or sweets. It was really a lot of fun—like playing with edible Play-doh. The little box we each received had 2 sample pieces and the materials to make two more. Listening to the explanations in Japanese—and generally understanding them—was really interesting. I’m obviously not going to win any prizes for my efforts, but I think they turned out pretty well. The ones made by the professionals are really beautiful, and they turn out 1 piece every 2-3 minutes. But they’ve also had at least 5 years of training.

After dinner, I was able to study finally and feel like I was accomplishing something. Maybe some of it will be “easy”, but I’m not here to set any records for academic achievement or anything. I’m already much happier.

My lunchtime conversation partners Taka And Ryohei are both great. I actually had some fun talking both Korean and French with Ryohei—he’s got a French class right now. For lunch we went to a rather nice cafeteria on campus frequented mostly by the staff and teachers and I had some delicious cold Soba noodles. I’m trying, however, to keep my lunches to a bare minimum both for the sake of my waistline and my pocketbook. Still, it was really nice.

The weather was surprisingly cool today, with the occasional breeze, minimal humidity and no rain. Seems very different from last time, though I suppose July was when it really got bad. I’m sure it’ll catch up to us then.

In the evening, I attempted to study, but I think it’s a lost cause. I sat with Kishi-sensei and we did my homework, but what good is that? I still don’t feel like I’m learning anything. I guess that means I don’t really have anything positive to say about classes yet, which is a shame.

I’m doomed.

I could probably just leave it at that, but perhaps I should elaborate…

So, I was really nervous, but excited, about starting the top level class. I should have been adequately put off by looking through the textbook, but I figured I should give it a go. Onozaki Sensei seems to be a great teacher—but he talks so fast and the discussion and level was coming out way over my head. By the end of the morning—the second break, actually—I figured that I’m just not ready for this.

I’ve asked to go back and repeat the level two class because I know I’m not going to be happy or productive as things are now. There’s just too much I’ve forgotten and I’m not up for stress right now. It wasn’t like I did stellar work two years ago anyway, and there’s so much I need to review and learn again in the Genki 2 textbook.

Paul-san said to give it a try through the end of the day and see how it went—I still felt the same way. The pace and level was relentless, and I didn’t feel like I learned anything but rather that I was just barely hanging on by my fingernails. That’s not what I wanted to get out of my time here. In one way, I feel like I’m wimping out, but hey, it’s my money. I’d rather reinforce what I know and learn it more perfectly than be freaked out for 4 weeks.

At the end of the afternoon, it was time for the around-the-room round-robin with all the conversation partners. It was kind of fun, and somehow it seems like all of the Japanese CPs this year are studying Indonesian! As usual, I had a very hard time remembering anyone’s name (hey, I can’t even do it in English), but I tried really hard. BTW, my regular lunchtime CPs Ryohei and Taka are both great. Unlike the long, silent lunchtimes two years ago, I actually felt like I could have a conversation. Of course, I’ve probably run out of everything I can converse about and still have 3 1/2 weeks left…

So anyway, we’ll see what happens next. I’m wondering whether I should spend time doing the Level 3 homework tonight or pull out my Genki 2 book and study chapter 1 again…

My big plan for today was to return to a place that was really special to me from my last visit, Mt. Kurama. I happened to meet up with Kat and the last two students who just arrived yesterday, Calvin and Zack and they decided to come along too.

It’s such an incredible place. There are tons of steps and a long way to walk to get over the mountain, but it’s such a great chance to meditate, have some exercise and get out into nature. Everything was just as beautiful and felt just as spiritual as before and I think it’s a great place to unwind and mentally step back into Japan.

We walked all the way over the mountain to Kibune again where we thought about sitting at one of the atmospheric restaurants built right on the little river where it’s nice and cool—until we saw the prices. Then it was back down the mountain again…

Of course, it’s the rainy season and it rained on us all day—not hard enough for you to want to bother getting your umbrella out, but hard enough to get you soaking wet. It also meant lots of mud, and I had to go back to the dorm to change clothes. Calvin, Zack and I then went on a very abbreviated walking tour to the Gion (with me playing guide since they both missed yesterday’s walking tour). I even managed to take them to the Kaiten-sushi conveyor belt sushi restaurant so they could pig out (and they did too—12 and 13 plates each for them to my paltry 7).

On the way back home walking down Shijo, we ran into another student, Theo, who accompanied us back to Kitaoji where we made a quick shopping trip through Vivre for essentials. Back on the Number 3 bus and then I turned in for the night. School starts tomorrow, so these pleasant days of adventure are over, at least until the weekends.

It was kind of weird—it all seemed so normal, like something I do every day. I’m glad I haven’t lost the familiarity with the place from two years ago.

Just like the last time I was here, the first big event is a Kyoto walking tour. It was like a walk down memory lane, and it’s kind of fun seeing everything again. Of course, in a city thousands of years old it’s not like a lot really changes. But still, there were some new sites and things I’d forgotten.

I once again got to make a first shrine visit, drink the water at Kiyomizudera (this time, I drank from the “Long Life” waterfall rather than the “Successful Studies” one—somehow I think I need long life more) and stroll through the fascinating shopping arcades. We stuffed our faces at the same conveyor-belt sushi restaurant and it was pretty cool being able to understand how to order special items on the screen and ask the waitress for things I needed—so much different from the first time when I didn’t know anything. Having a green tea soft ice cream after climbing lots of steps in the humid weather was also a nice treat.

I didn’t end up taking as many photos this time, because it did seem a bit redundant, I’m still a little jet-lagged and it did rain a bit. I promise that there will soon be tons of photos, though!

I was even able to strike out on my own to do some shopping on the way home. I went to the trusty Vivre store in Kitaoji to buy an ethernet cable, manga volume, house slippers and the all important green tea to keep in the fridge. I think I’m probably in for the night now to get things put away and have a look at my new textbook (which is actually a bit frightening—it’s been way too long since I’ve done any real studying). If it’s not pouring rain tomorrow, I may make the trip up to Kurama since that was such a fascinating and beautiful place last time.

It was, as to be expected, a harrowing day of travel and excitement getting to Japan. Considering that the whole event had me essentially awake for 27 hours, I’m actually writing this on Saturday…

Anyway, up at 3:00 AM to get ready for a 4:00 AM airport shuttle. I was surprised at how concerned I was about my two cats but since I’ve basically been home with them all day every day for a year, I think they’re gonna miss me. The trip to LAX was uneventful, the hassle getting to the plane typical but not too bad and the flight to SFO smooth and quick.

But the SFO airport is a big pain. I couldn’t believe there are no Starbucks shops in the airport—so much for using my 100% attendance $10 gift card reward from Korean class for a free breakfast. The layover was a few hours and then onto the plane for the long flight. When I checked in online yesterday, I spent the extra $119 to move into “Economy Plus” which gave me an extra 5” of legroom which was totally worth it. Sadly, since I am essentially unable to sleep on any plane, I spent the whole time listening to music on my iPhone.

When we landed at Kansai International Airport, the adventure began. I’m back in Japan! I breezed through the customs and immigration formalities (you get your photo taken along with electronic fingerprinting of both your index fingers), found a Citibank ATM machine to get some cash, bought a ticket and boarded the Haruka express train to Kyoto, then the subway and finally a taxi. By the time I got to the dorms, there was only half an hour left for the welcome party which was being held on campus. It was all a bit hectic…

But again—I’m back in Japan! It was almost like coming home again and the memories started coming back (as best they can after 27 hours of no sleep) and it was great. This time I was actually able to converse with, understand and react to people right off the bat. I still feel like my Japanese is a little bit “caveman-like”, but it’ll get better.

The one thing I’d forgotten was the weird feeling of how the weather works here. It wasn’t raining at the airport, but did from the time I got on the train and all the way to Kyoto. As a Southern Californian who lives in a virtually rainless desert, my body and mind are hard-wired to believe that when you look out the window and see rain and gray, that it’s going to be cold and wintertime. The shock is that once you step off the train into that outside world here in Japan in the summer, it’s actually 90 degrees and extremely humid. The first time, it’s quite a psychological shock.

Anyway, after the party all I could do was make a feeble first attempt at unpacking and then fall right into bed (and I slept for a solid 10 hours, too.)

I’m glad to be back.

Well, the time has come!

I’ve just finished my packing and preparations so all things are “go”. I worked really hard to not haul so much stuff with me this time—I forced myself to limit my packing by bringing 1 carry-on and 1 carry-on sized bag that I’m going to check. Even with that limitation, there were several things I had to take out of my pile. Sigh. It’s a never-ending struggle, but then again I’m going somewhere for a month and that takes more stuff. I’m a pretty efficient traveler, but then again I usually don’t go for such long stays, nor do I take along a big stack of reference books and dictionaries!

The shuttle comes to pick me up at 4:00 AM tomorrow morning (YIKES!!!), whisking me to LAX for my first flight to SFO and from there to KIX (Kansai International, Osaka). I’m actually getting there a day later than I should be due to a communications snafu, but it’s no big deal. Unlike last time, I’m traveling alone and will need to make my own way to Kyoto after arriving (a pretty easy thing to do in a country known for its extremely efficient public transportation).

So hopefully you’ll see another journal entry on the 20th after I arrive. I can’t wait!