Mid-October Happenings

Ho my, I realise the 10th was like...almost two weeks ago and I haven't updated since then! (Sorry...)

So anyway, here's what I've been up to in the last two weeks....

(The first of the two weeks)
First up, Wednesday: A spontaneous visit to Tokyo Tower. Having just finished my Applied Linguistics class, I stroll back into my dorm from my dorm and find Strahinja sat in the entrance. So out of curiosity, I ask him if he's waiting for something. He says that he's waiting for some friends and then they're all going to head off to Tokyo Tower, some sightseeing at night as it were. He then says I'm welcome to come along....
(Brief pause)
I'll just dump my things in my room and be right with you! ~♪
So I did. And we travelled quite a long way in search of this tower. The nearest station was Daimon and we walked from there.

Approaching Tokyo Tower 

Ascending the tower cost around 800円 but luckily with student discount, we were granted access for 720円.

東京タワー

The view was.....the view was....well, it was a view of Tokyo at night to be honest. It was very similar to the experience I shared with Hiro at the the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, only this time it wasn't free. The added bonus was the view of the Rainbow Bridge linking Tokyo to the artificial island of Odaiba (albeit being very very far away).
Having said that, the atmosphere was great. There was a restaurant and a live band playing very familiar bossa nova tracks (The Girl From Ipanema etc) and unusual instruments. I would say that Tokyo Tower is the ideal night out for a couple: romantic view, romantic dinner and romantic musical accompaniment. (Really missed a certain someone at this point...)

A view from the tower

The fantastic live bossa nova band

Thursday!
I had scheduled to meet up with Misato Abe, who I hadn't met since Sheffield yonks ago. I met her outside Ochanomizu Station and we wandered into town together to have lunch and a good catch-up.
I had tempura for the first time and it was delicious!

天丼

The stunning Misato

Ahh, it was so nice to meet with someone familiar and have a good girly chat about..er...things. We chatted for about 3 and a bit hours (because we girls can).
It was sad having to part with her and having to watch her skip off in the opposite direction...ready to catch the Tsukuba Express....and be taken away.....*sad face*.

(The second of the two weeks)

NOTHING BUT NOTHING BUT NOTHING BUT 勉強！
I had so much homework and preparation for a Japanese exam that counts towards my grade (it happened Tuesday last, and I missed one question, giving me 98%. Win).
....Study, study, study, homework, homework, homework (quick mess-around on my camera), homework, homework.......JESSAMY!

Sundaaaaay!
I met with my friend Jessamy in Ikebukuro just to hang out for a few hours. Ikebukuro is like Akihabara...only more aimed at girls than horny little boys (so there are less attractions with massive bewbs and more with cute fluffy things).
It was fun to have a wander around a new area of Tokyo and to have a MASSIVE girly catch-up, only to realise that we have so much in common....it was kinda scary. Jessamy bought herself some AWESOME new headphones. They are Kaomoji-kun ones and are mega cute.

Cute Rilakkuma plastic food

Gintoki, Sadaharu and Elizabeth

I HATED having to say goodbye. It was so hard to watch her turn a different direction.....round a corner so that she disappeared from sight....ready to catch the Tsukuba Express.....and be taken away...AGAIN! (Why is everyone I know located in the Tsukuba area?! Methinks I'm in the wrong city....)