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Ok, well I had some complaints(actually, only one. Thanks, Mom.) about the formatting on my previous page.
So the row of stars at the top is supposed to be about the right width. At least, on my browser it is, and 
since I am the one writing it, and since I have little or no idea of how many people read this besides my 
family, I will use that.

Anyway, two weeks in Japan. Last Friday night, I went out with two newfound lady friends, and we went to 
Sakae, the shopping/downtown area of Nagoya. Unfortunately, one of those ladies was feeling a little bit
sick, so we decided to call it a night around 9ish. Now, I had only gone to school by myself once, and that
was using the bus. I had no idea how to get back home, so I just took the subway to the nearest station to 
my house and started walking around. Unfortunately, Nagoya has about 2.15 million people, so my house was
absolutely NOWHERE near the station. So, after walking around for about an hour and a half, I found myself
back at the station I had started. I had already asked directions(in Japanese, mind you) and was going 
literally nowhere. Finally, I just started walking, and asking directions along the way. The last place
I asked directions was at the Circle K. The two guys pointed me down the street and said it was far. So I 
started walking, deciding that I would probably get home around November. Suddenly, a car pulls up in front
of me and asks me if I need a ride. Thinking that this is kinda shady, I, of course, agree immediately. I
ask how much they want, and they laugh and say nothing. 

So I'm riding in this car with these two Japanese guys and tinted windows listening to the Japanese 
equivalent of Christina Aguilera. Suddenly, I realize that these are the guys from Circle K! Cool, huh?
I told my host mom I would be home by 10, I started home at 9, and finally got home around 11:15pm.
When we did find the house, they started cheering like crazy as if we had suddenly found some kind of
treasure! What extraordinary kindness from these two Japanese guys on a Friday night! 

Saturday and Sunday, I sat around the house, slept in, read my books, and watched a ton of sumo. You need
to recover for a coupla days after being lost like that!

Monday, it started pouring. It was the typhoon, just south of mainland Japan. It soaked the first day 
of classes. (By the way, they're pretty cool.) Japanese class dilemma: do I take J4, which covers only
material which I have already learned, but am not quite proficient with, and take only 5 credits? Or do
I take J5, get all 10 credits, and risk being swamped in material which I may or may not have a clue on?

I am also taking my shodo class(calligraphy) which is quite a break. Very relaxing in the torrent of 
language and culture! Then I have Japanese Politics in Comparative Perspective. The class doesn't start
for another two weeks, so I have yet to experience this. I am taking it for a coupla reasons:

1. The credits.
2. It fulfills a requirement.
3. It will most likely be pretty easy.
4. Alex Pagnani, an ND friend that is here freaking out alongside us, and I have had several intense 
discussions on politics, economics, religion, etc. Unfortunately, his Government major provides him with
quite a bit more ammunition in these discussions. Since much of our discussion lately has dealt with
Japan(now, can anyone guess why?) we thought this class would be very beneficial. 

Tuesday, I got on my bus at the normal time of 7:58 am. Actually, if you ask me, any time before 11am
is NOT normal. But I was on the bus, and it was running a little slow due to the recent rains and floods.
So, since class starts at 9am, I was afraid I would be a little late. Well, we were kinda stuck in
traffic a while, so I finally got to school at 10:30am. Freaking out bigtime, I run up to the school,
where I am met by a student leaving that tells me that classes were cancelled due to some of the subways
flooding.

Whew!

This morning, I took a very early bus, and got here very early. I think the traffic problem is behind us.
I live on a mountain, practically, so I didn't have to worry about the floods. 

I finished my book that Pete Swanson gave me, entitled "Jesus Among other Gods." It was interesting, 
but some parts made me a little frustrated. There was a criticism of Nikos Kazantzakis(sp?)'s book
"The Last Temptation of Christ." Nothing makes me madder than when someone says flat out, in a matter of
pure opinion, "You are wrong." And that is exactly what this guy did, and he completely missed any of
the millions of valuable themes and messages from the book/film.

Bought a new book today, way overpriced. Tuesdays With Morrie. Shouts to Mary B, Will H, and Aunt Carol!

Anyway, we have no class tomorrow, because it is a national holiday. Respect For the Aged Day. So we 
plan to go to Monkey Park. Exciting, huh? 

Well, I have to go. I will write more next week. Peace, and prayers are always welcome.

Chas

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