On February 10^th, it was Fubuki Watanabe's birthday! Fubuki is one of Tokai's strong upcoming fighters, and has become my friend since I have arrived at Tokai. When I was asked to go out with the boys to pick out a present for him, I decided to jump in.

Kotaro Sasaki, Ryo Yamashina, and I all headed out to Machida on the 11^th, since we had no practice that afternoon. In Machida, we walked around to find a specific store where they sell suitcases. Apparently, Fubuki had been wanting a smaller suitcase for the little trips here and there. It took us a good 30 minutes to decide which one to pick. Suitcases in Japan are SOOO expensive. After getting it wrapped up, we headed back to the dorms.


We had picked a small, blue, hard-shelled suit case, but our other choice would have been just as fine according to me. But from the reaction to that suitcase from Ryo, I learned something important that day. Something I already knew, but got to see live. Image is very important in Japan. Thus getting something that differs from the norm, especially if you are part of this kind of club, can make you a laughing matter for a long while.

Once we got back, Ryo left us to do some other business, so Kotaro and I headed to his room. We first made a stop at the supermarket to buy a few ingredients. Kotaro had invited me to cook a meal together in his dorm. I had not been in that particular dorm yet, thus I was very excited. I helped him cook up the chicken as well as the vegetables we had bought. As we cooked, some of the other judo guys passed by outside, and inside the dorm, noticing me, and wondering what I was doing there. But from that one night, I got a little better feel of how it was to live in their dorm. I can tell you I am VERY lucky to be living where I live. Their kitchen is... not a kitchen. It has ONE portable stove, a microwave, and if you use both at the same time, the breaker fails. No tables, no chairs, and it's in the same room as the sinks and the laundry room.





After our meal Kotaro and I waited for Fubuki to get back from wherever he was, but unfortunately I had to leave in order to get back on time to my dorm before he came back. I heard, though, that he was quite happy with his gift.

Honestly, I have to say it feels great to be asked to go out with friends. Especially the judo guys. Makes me feel part of the group.