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.

On Wednesday, a few of the Vietnamese guys from my class made me lunch. I had seen the food that they bring to class everyday and asked them if I could try it one day. Next thing I knew, I had a full lunch in front of me and it was delicious! I got to taste a Vietnamese soup and a few other things! Thanks guys! Really means a lot!

Thanks guys!
Also, on Thursday, my roommate Cho asked me if I wanted to eat pasta with him. You see, my roommate is from Taiwan and he knows how to cook. He actually is studying Japanese in order to learn how to cook Japanese food, and plans on staying in Japan for the rest of his life I think... So I said why not, and offered him my help. I don't have much cooking experience and so I basically handed him things and washed dishes while he prepared our meal. But as I watched him work, I think I learned more about cooking in that one hour than I have in my entire life. It just takes practice haha. It ended up being one of the best meals I've eaten so far. Thanks Cho! Can't wait till we can actually talk (in Japanese).

Saturday night, the Japanese staff from both the boy's and girl's dorms invited me to eat with them. They told me they were going to cook something called "nabe" and I could help them cook. Once everyone arrived with the ingredients, the men started to cook. We cut up tofu, boiled water, added some lettuce and some meat and soon, we were all at the table eating a delicious meal. Not only that, but I was pretty much the only person at that table that couldn't really speak Japanese. I felt like they actually wanted me there, and I wondered why. Probably because I helped out with the first party, but also because my Japanese is improving... Slowly. At the end of the supper, I felt it would be appropriate to give them all a little desert, so I hurried on my bike to the convenience store, grabbed some little ice cream chocolate, and rushed back. I think it was probably the perfect dessert for that moment, and everyone was happy!




It felt great to know that I have all these friendly people around me so willing to be nice and offer me help, time and money. It felt great to not be alone for a few suppers for a change.

I have now been in my dorm for a few days and I have to say I like it. They have renovated the building since my last visit three years ago, and I'm glad they did; the old one was slightly... unkempt.

I'm just going to post a bunch of pictures so you can all see for yourself. If each picture is worth a million words... that would be way too much reading you, and writing for me.