<<I finally joined a circle>>
Friday, hell of a day.
I had the usual morning rush (albeit calmer than yesterday's shenanigans at the station) and attended my 3-hour Japanese lesson. It was a good lesson, always is on a Friday. There was the usual never-before-seen grammar and explanations followed this time by a good browse through a travel magazine. I have never wanted so badly to visit Nagasaki and its Holland-style village, Huistenbosch. Like THAT will happen. I can't afford lunch at the moment so it's missing from my daily routine.
I received word after the lesson had finished that the other Japanese teachers had been discussing that they want me to move up a class into the top group. My speaking level is not 'fluent' so....I really don't think I'll be moving. It'll probably also require me to purchase an advanced Japanese textbook, which I definitely DO NOT WANT as the last intermediate textbook cost me the best part of £40 (plus, the added stress, yadda yadda...).
Ah, yes. In relation to that matter, I went and appealed at the International Office to see if they'd make an exception to their 'バイトしっちゃダメ!' rule and allow me to seek a part-time job so that I can LIVE. The answer was 'no' but they suggested that I write them an email explaining my situation and to say whether the job will benefit my studies in any way (as this is essentially why I'm here in Japan). Working will indeed benefit my studies! It will not only improve my spoken Japanese, but aid my research for my dissertation (with the provisional topic being second language-acquisition) and will give me valuable English-teaching experience that will ultimately support me post-graduation when I seek work as a full-time English teacher in Japan.....(I typed all this in the email, don't worry.)
...So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they take my situation into account and grant me permission. (I also *shhhhh* received some helpful information regarding 'the rules'...Meiji University is not legally able to stop me from working. I was told that some students in the past worked part-time without Meiji's knowing....)
I was a tearful person for a good half-hour until I found a supermarket MUCH cheaper than my usual and was able to replenish my supply of green tea for half the price I would usually pay. Mood improved dramatically after this.
A much-needed munch (at 4pm as I don't have lunch at the moment) and I skip off down the road to my local Izumi Campus to join a circle by the name of 'ストリート'. Despite my initial desire of joining a badminton circle, I ended up in a music circle as the badminton circle failed to provide any means of correspondence or information regarding the circle's whereabouts, time...or any mention of anything happening in the current year. Hmm.
So, 'Street' is an acoustic guitar circle that also seeks vocalists to provide their own noise. I had about four hours of flitting between guitarists, singing, chatting and playing my uke. Somehow, I managed to slice open my middle finger on my right hand and I've bled right through the plaster. My uke strings can hurt if you miss while strumming (that'll teach me to not swing my head about like a loony while I play). I tried several renditions of 丸の内サディスティック to see which guitarist was more 'à la Kim'. A dude called Ryoma (right?) had a particular strumming style that I liked: more slap and a catchy rhythm. (He still comes second-best to Hiro though. NOTHING can compare to Hiro's playing.) Most of the members were absent, apparently practising for tomorrow's ライブ (live event) to be held at the Surugadai Campus in Ochanomizu, which I have every intention of attending (I won't be performing; I'm still a newcomer) if I can find the correct room....
It's flatmate Miriam's birthday tomorrow so I will have to throw some money towards food. I shall of course be ordering the least expensive thing on the menu. (けちじゃないわよ！貧乏っす！）
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