The results are in
Today we registered for classes and found out the results of our placement test. I placed disappointinly low, albeit only one level below what I thought (for some reason) I should get. As I imagined, however, the test results were stupidly skewed. Because the test wasn't really comprehensive at all and only really featured EASY and DIFFICULT but little INTERMEDIATE curriculum, those of us with 2 and 3 years experience placed in a variety of classes simply based on our guesswork and testability. Several of us are in the fourth level (of 13), but some placed in the third level, most in the 5th and 6th level... and by some freak coincidence, Colin, a guy in my class, placed in level 7. While I'm envious in some way, I'd be worried if I were him. Seventh level is definitely a "third year" class and may be too advanced. However, we're all aware that we can petition to switch if we're misplaced. I still feel kind of stupid.

I registered for one Kanji workshop in addition to my 6 language credits. On top of that I have 12 lecture credits (of 16 max) in four classes. I'm enrolled in "Tokyo in Literature," (4 credits) a comprehensive study of literature about Tokyo with a discussion and creative writing theme; "East Asian Religions," (2 credits) a basic study of the principles of Buddhism; "Performing arts in Japan," (4 credits) a course study of traditional (and non-traditional) music and theatre including trips to local performances; and, finally, "English and Japanese: Comparative Studies in Language and Culture," (2 credits) a course featuring ethnographic and linguistic theory. I could have taken any number of economics classes (BOOOORING), a few history classes (most of which I've already covered), and a few more literature/ linguistics/ art classes. I really wanted to take the art class because it was composed almost entirely of field trips to Tokyo museums and studio work but the featured studio (ceramics, metalwork, URUSHI, and woodblock) all cost 20,000Y(+/-). Bah. My trips to kabuki and whatever will cost a bit, but hopefully not that friggin much.

So everyone registered and found out who we had with us in what classes. Then we exchanged more cell phone information and other such silliness. We ate lunch out again --it's getting expensive, I must learn to make my own o-bento. Those of us who went back to the Waseda campus after lunch were refunded our Teiki (pass... bus and rail, etc) money. Then began my second big adventure of the day.

I went, accompanied, thankfully, by Goble-san, to the Student Health Center to get some antibiotics for my stupid (%$&^ing) Folliculitis o' the armpit. I'm sick and tired of self medicating and I'm just about resigned to do anything, even stop shaving for a few months, just to get this shit to go away. It's just like acne, really, but it has an awful, sick, itch that goes along with it that is just SO slightly beyond my comfort level. Anyway, I got to the health center and was immediately glad for my translator/ intermediary because otherwise I would have failed miserably to fill out any forms.

National Health Insurance here is great. It's about $12 a month and it covers 70% of all medical costs immediately. The Center of International Education at the University here then will refund another 24% if you fill out the forms. (You need a bank acct for the refund so I can't do that yet.) Anyway, the overall cost for antibiotics was MUCH less than I anticipated (only $20 total for the appt AND prescript)... but that's not the point of the story.

What was WEIRD about visiting the doctor was that although she spoke english, she didn't speak well and even more oddly made no real attempt to diagnose my condition. Rather, she just sort of took my word for it-- didn't even LOOK at me-- and wrote me out a slip for antibiotics. Flomox, 5 days of it. Nothing major... but hell, if I'd wanted to, I could have walked in there and said, "Percoset, please!" or whatever, and fed a drug addiction. WTF?

Anyway, I'm sure she knows what she's doing but I'm still dubious about the prescrip. I looked online and Flomox is used to treat staph caused skin conditions (that's what I got) but I'm not so sure about only having a 5 day course. Seems too short to me. I also bought some anti-bacterial hand soap at the Yakyoku (drugstore) to try that as topical. Oh well, I suppose if worse comes to worst I'll go back and see if they can give me 10 days of Dicloxacillin, the most common treatment I can find online. I can research, I guess, if I have to be my own doctor. Hm.

So went home and watched the first episode of Hack/Sign on my computer. Strange anime. Am tired from last night. So much freaking drinking... woo. I haved a video of someone doing the "ceremony" but am not sure how to import it to my Mac. Fleh. Must figure that out. We had a great time though and it was well worth the $20 for the drinks, socialization and food we had. Good god I drank a lot... maybe 3 beers, a cocktail or two, sake, whisky on the rocks... etc... Even smoked an unfiltered "vanilla" cigarette for the hell of it. No one's here to complain and God knows I don't plan to make a habit of it. So whine all you want nyar, I had a good time! I managed to help a friend part of the way home and get myself back to my stop before the last bus left. I'm quite, quite the careful drunk. Always remember to drink water, take my contacts out, pick up my belongings, etc.

I was, of course, hit on by some random strangers but the guys in my program were surprisingly protective of me. I got to know most of them a lot better. I tend to talk with and identify more with men than with women, so we all chatted and hung out most of the night. Met some great and really cute Japanese girls. Maki-san, the International Club leader, is so terribly cute when she's drunk. When we were leaving last night, as best I can remember, she started clinging to me and shouting something about everyone going to Tokyo Disneyland. Heee.

I had a rather odd dream last night, in my half-inebriated state. It had something to do with a gang conspiracy and ... some busses.... and a huge plot... anyway, the weird part was that one of the program members, started protecting me in the dream, too, and then he told me that he had been in love with me since he met me and professed his undying affections. I remember being flattered in the dream but (Justin, you'll love this) I told him that I was sorry but that I couldn't return his affection because I was being faithful to my boyfriend. I know it's a boring summary but it seemed especially poignant and nostalgic. Man did I have a hard time waking up this morning even though I wasn't hung over and I got enough sleep. Stupid liquor.

Oh, the best news of all is that I picked up some AWESOME Totoro danglies for my cell phone at Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku last night. Oh. My. God. Whenever I see my Totoros (there are three little danglies) I get so happy! Totoro has always had a soft spot in my heart. <3

I'm still really looking forward to classes, having a concrete schedule, settling in, getting a part-time job, etc, after all this meandering about and EXHAUSTING stress is done. I'm glad my host family understands though. Last two things on the "bureaucratic bullshit" list are getting a bank account and getting my alien registration card (which I have to pick up in two weeks). I may have to wait until I have a card to get an account. O well.

Tomorrow is the semi-formal reception and Opening Ceremony. I'm kind of sad that my host family can't come but they're just about as busy as I am! I'm looking forward to the chance to dress up though. Maybe I'll finally get some info about agencies and TV spots tomorrow. If any of you other Tokyo-ites out there have any recommendations of "safe" places to register, etc, please let me know. I beg you, really. I can teach english for a part time job but I really think that modeling/ tv would be so SO fun! =D

Thanks and g'night.