#mushiatsui

Today, I met my homestay for the fall semester. I will be living with a nice obaachan (grandma), whose daughter (who is apparently a Japanese teacher...), son-in-law, and grandbaby apparently live nearby (but I was unable to meet them today).

Her house was small (naturally) and wooden, but it was okay. It had a nice homely feel to it. She was really really kind and talkative, and she seemed pretty able to say things in English whenever I couldn't quite understand what was being said. I was actually surprised at how much I could understand of what she and Mr. Hasegawa would say, but I am just so horrible at responding/speaking in Japanese without forethought that they would often repeat key words in English to make sure I understood...but, I guess that's why I'm doing this, right? :/

I rode there by bike with Mr. Hasegawa, a guy working in the housing office here at International Christian University. I was told that it was about a 40 to 45 minute bike ride. It took us about an hour to get there because we kinda got a little lost several times (mostly just having to stop for him to read the map again, and turning around a few times to correct some slightly wrong turns), and then about 50 minutes to get back. It was also 88 degrees Fahrenheit and extremely humid today...so, we were uhm...soaked with sweat. Had a huge sweat stain on my pants from where I was sitting on the bike.

While riding, especially on the way back, I kinda noticed that almost everyone I rode past would stare at me, whether they were walking, biking, or in cars. I expected it from the little kids, but...wow. Maybe it was just because I was sweaty and tired, but it got really uncomfortable after a while. I thought I had gotten used to the whole "you're-pretty-much-the-only-black-guy-around-so-you'll-naturally-attract-attention" thing because of my experience at Mudd, but...apparently not. I guess I just always feel a bit out of place or lonely when I'm not with close friends.

I was pretty exhausted when I got back. I have a big passage to read for homework, and a quiz on it tomorrow, so I'll have to fight this sleepy feeling so I can finish my work (I normally take naps in the afternoon but today...I was out biking instead .___.)

I'm not quite sure how I'll be able to do this biking thing every day during the semester, but I guess I will try my best.

...Although, someone said that it gets up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit here in September...