Final Day at School

Finally.

Today was our last day at Josai International University.

I grabbed my grade sheet and ran outta there as fast as I could.


But I'm a bit angry.

Well, not angry, just maybe not my normal cheery self.

This past semester we've been taking four different classes at this school.

There's been tests, quizes, homework, essays, finals - and I've done 'em all, aced 'em all and been to every single class (even on Christmas morning!).

Now it seems like we're leaving with only a grade from one of the classes - the Japanese Intermediate class, and that maybe the grades from the other classes will be sent to our university in Oslo after we've left Japan - seemingly if they can be bothered to do it.

But I'm not surprised. Nothing surprises me when it comes to Josai anymore.

Hopefully my teacher in Oslo will know better than putting me in front of the first year students to tell them about how the semester in Japan has been.

Because I have nothing good to say about Josai.

Except that they offer a serious test of stemina and patience. And that if it doesn't kill you, it might make you stronger.

Like in my case.

I ran so fast poor Wictoria
behind the camera
couldn't even get
a clear shot
of me

Then I had to do a funky dance
while making a scary face.
At the train station

I have to mention that it was really warm outside today (up to 19 degrees celcius), and my winter coat was too warm, so I took it off. When I was at the train station I walked past this lady who gave me a look of disapproval and muttered samui ("cold"). Now how's that for contradiction!

Meanwhile Japanese girls are walking around with barely any clothes to cover their small butts. That's completely normal!

In the evening we went to a fancy Korean restaurant and had an awesome dinner.

Yummy dried seaweed

Wictoria

Benedicte looks a little hungry
Who can blame her
It was delicious

The other day someone bought a chocolate (!) flavoured soda and it tasted like the Lip Smackers chapstick I had as a kid. It was pretty grose. So I had to buy a new one and take a photo of it.

Final Project: The Much Dreaded Presentation

Yes, he is holding a big and sparkly pink bow
That's what he secretly wants to be wearing

I love Watanabe sensee.

I must terrify him all the time. Today I kept saying that it was "too bad that he was already married" and "please get a divorce". He usually ignores me, but sometimes he can't help but laugh.

Poor guy.

Anyway.

For this past month we've been working on this final project. Before christmas we formed groups and decided on our topic.

This whole deal reminds me of the final weeks at the end of every school year in junior high, when we've been through all of the curriculum and the teachers don't know what to do with us.

Wictoria, Benedicte and I quickly formed a group and decided to talk about our hobbies. Wictoria wanted to talk about her art, Benedicte about her love for theather costumes and I about photography. We made a fabulous power point presentation and had the whole presentation done and ready after a couple of days. In Japanese, of course.

Ever since I feel like we've been punished for being efficient.

We've spent so many classes the past few weeks "rehearsing" and getting our speeches corrected for the third time, even though it really isn't neccesary. It has seemed like the teachers depend on us to work slow. I'm just so frustrated! It was a dead easy project were we could choose the topic ourselves, yet they baby fed us everything, treating us like imbeciles.

The level at the university in Japan suck ass.

Can't wait to go home and back to a university where the students actually are expected to think for themselves.

Luckily, today we finally got to give the presentation. But it was a bit cruel to many of us who suffer from stage fright. I don't see the point in making us give the presentation in front of all the foreign students and be videotaped at the same time.

Tsk, tsk.

Wictoria combing her bangs like this
- the entire lunch break, lol

How are we feeling girls?

Luckily, we were first up. It felt good getting it over and done with quickly. After that we had to sit for two hours listening to other speeches and presentations.

Wictoria thought it was so awesome...

Zzz..

When we first had the chance we ran out outta there.

And I have to mention that I think I must have lost 10 pounds on the bike ride home from school today. The wind was so strong and ice cold all the way home, it felt like the road was three times longer than it really is. Puh!

Who needs a car in Japan?
Just put the little one in the front
the other in the back holding your purse
and the groceries in the basket.

Voilà!