Well enough about that, might as well catch you up on what has been going on since June. I went to Japan in July. A friend of mine lived there and taught English many years ago. She has Japanese friends who she was planning on staying with. Also, she has a pilot friend who hooked her up with some highly discounted buddy passes. One day this summer she said "I'm going to Japan, do you want to come?" My initial response was that I couldn't afford it, couldn't take off work, could't just up and go to Asia on a whim. But then I realized that going to Japan at a third of the regular cost for plane tickets, staying with friends (not paying for a hotel), and getting a truly authentic Japanese experience was an opportunity that would most likely never present itself to me again. So I went to Japan!
Oh my goodness it was amazing. I would move there for a year... just to eat. The food was out of this world delicious. "Oishi" is the Japanese word for delicious and it was uttered at least 10 times daily from my mouth. I think a lot of people think that sushi is the only thing the Japanese eat, I know I hadn't given it too much thought before I went. But their cuisine is most definitely among the best in the world. I haven't been too many places, but I still think I would say that after travelling the world. It is all fresh and flavorful and exotic and cooked just right. I fell in love with udon, oni giri, okonomiyaki, yaki soba, tako yaki, soft tofu, gyoza, and the list goes on. I'm a very adventurous eater, which pleased the Japanese. I tried everything from raw egg, to raw octopus and squid, fermented soybeans and "parts of a chicken" to which I was not told which parts even after I ate it. Now I cannot get enough Japanese food. I bought a cheap rice cooker and I make all of my favorite dishes at home. I have got nothing on the Japanese, but it is still nice to have a little taste of their food here in Boston.
I also learned a lot of Japanese. We stayed with a Japanese family and only had one English translator the whole time we were there, our friend Yumi-san. So I was forced to learn a lot to interact with people. The language is so different from that of English or even of French, so I was less hesitant to try speaking it. I'm really glad because I probably have a vocabulary now of about 50-60 Japanese words, which I think is impressive for only being there for one week. It also helped me to feel more comfortable in speaking French because I realized that so long as I'm trying and I'm relatively understandable, that people will be receptive. Just as I was patient and receptive to the Japanese who tried speaking English with me.
One of my favorite aspects of the trip was just the interaction that I had with the Japanese people. They are so open and welcoming-- they make tourists feel comfortable by their openness and friendliness. People were so wonderful, it truly made me feel at home even though I definitely stood out as a foreigner. I will try to post a few pictures when I'm at my computer at home... all I can say that it was yet again, a life-changing experience. If you are considering going to Japan, GO! It is incredible and I would definitely go back soon if I had the opportunity.
Since returning to school, I have been a busy bee... I'm working in the Admission office several hours each week, I have three classes and I have an internship. My classes are all challenging this semester. I have my Global Business capstone, my Strategic Management capstone and Intermediate French. It is definitely interesting being in two capstone classes at once, everything I have learned in my four years as an undergraduate student is coming together. Part of me feels like I'm learning all the same things all over again, but then I realize that what I'm really doing is applying all of my previous knowledge to overall strategies of organizations. It definitely makes me aware of how deep and broad my knowledge of global business, general business, and marketing concepts truly is. I am amazed at my ability to recall theories, concepts and examples which are applicable to the strategies we discuss in class. It is really exciting because it makes me feel wicked smaahht!
Also, Intermediate French has been going well. My comprehension has significantly increased and my ability to think and speak on the spot has also improved greatly. I still feel sometimes like I'm struggling to keep up, but I think that is natural when learning a language. My vocabulary and grasp of the language is definitely subconscious and much broader than I think it is in my conscious state, so it always surprising to me when I say something and have no idea where it came from. I guess that is a good thing, you are supposed to just think in the language you are learning.
I also have a Public Relations Internship where I am the Donations Coordinator... at a great company! But I'm afraid to post the name of the company because we get a daily PR newsfeed where anytime the name of the company is mentioned (from radio to newspapers to blogs), it shows up in this newsfeed that is sent to the greater part of the Marketing Department. I love my internship, but I don't necessarily want to be in the newsfeed mentioning it in my blog! I'm having the time of my life-- I'm challenged, learning a lot, loving the corporate culture and having fun doing it.
So between my internship, the Admission office, and my three classes I am busy and super tired. I love everything that I'm doing and I'm enjoying most every moment of my last semester, but at the same time I'm absolutely exhausted. So I must say that it may be a while before I blog again. No more promises to be better at blogging-- under-promise and over-deliver is my hope!
Japan sounded amazing! So glad you went and had a great time! Enjoy your last semester, it flies by! :)
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