Kendo's been pretty great. I'm getting back the feel for it a little. Yesterday I think I even understood something new that I never had before (though I can't say with total certainty, since I've forgotten so much). And, besides the kendo itself, I really like the club/social aspect. Nomikai after Saturday's practice was a blast.
I went to kabuki for the first time yesterday, at the Kabukiza in Ginza. Normally one has to line up well in advance, but since there were only 13 days left until the current Kabukiza (dating from 1924/1950) closes, to be demolished and rebuilt over a few years, it was more severe than normal. We left the dorm around 6:30 am and still lined up for close to three hours... But, we did get (sitting) seats (the number of available seats was cuh-razy low - liek, 60 sitting plus 40 standing), so it was worth it. Of course, the imminent closure of Kabukiza is the greatest reason we went all of a sudden.
As for the actual performances, there were three in the "morning" portion, which we saw. The first was a special one written for the losing of Kabukiza, and was pretty enjoyable. The second, longest one, was the story of this warrior who was ordered to take the head of a prince, in battle, but can't, because he owes a debt to the prince's mother, and instead kills his own son (plus a lot of other complications). It was pretty boring. The third was a dance, with a short (quite funny) kyogen in the middle, which was my favorite. All in all, though, a decidedly good time. The Japanese throughout, spoken in a very stylized way, was exceedingly difficult to understand (or even hear, in our 4th-floor rafter seats), but I did my best.
Also, I bought opera glasses, which are so much fun.
I need to find new reading material in Japanese now that I've finished H&C. Hm. Not sure what that'll be yet, but I'll find something soon.
Golden Week is coming up . I think I am too poor (after sending more and more of my scholarship money to the US to pay for school, plus anticipating the costs of about three remaining trips starting in June) to do any serious travel then, so I'm thinking it'd be good to take the opportunity to see more of the things around Tokyo I still haven't seen/want to see. Hopefully the roses here will start blooming around then (seems like the timing should be about right) - there are a lot of famous gardens in and around Tokyo I'd like to see.
Also, I cannot believe that school year in Michigan is ending. What. My semester just started. XD
Now I think I'll continue the battle to change my flight, then go to Kichijouji to eat some kind of donburi for dinner and rent more CD's. Oh, Sunday~
On Thursday I wrote:
今日、財布を忘 れた。これで２度目。でも、ポケットに硬貨があったから、 定期券を持っていなくても電車に乗れたし、 学校にも遅刻せずに来られた。教室に着 いたら、鉛筆も忘れたと気づいた。で も、友達は貸してくれた から、別に問題にならなかった。普段は、その授業は１０：４０に始まるけど、１０：５０になっ ても、学生は6 人しかいなくて、教授もいなくて、そ のときようやく今日は休校だったと思い出した！
信じられない、今日の自分・・・今朝何もできなかったけど、結局何もな かったから、大丈夫だった。まぁ、そんな日もあるな。＾＾；
Translated:
Today, I forgot my wallet. That makes this the second time. But, I had some change in my pocket, so even though I didn't have my railway pass, I was able to take the train, and wasn't late to school. When I got to the classroom, I realized that I'd also forgotten my pencil. But, a friend loaned me one, so it wasn't really a problem. Normally that class starts at 10:40, but by 10:50 as there were only six students, and the professor wasn't there, we finally remembered that the class was canceled today! XD
I really can't believe myself today... I couldn't do anything this morning, but, in the end, nothing happened, so it was okay. I guess this kind of day sometimes happens. ^^;;
I should be able to finalize which classes I'm taking by tonight. If not, then certainly by tomorrow night.
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