More progress.

Today, I only had one Japanese class at 4:20 PM, which means I was lazy all day. In the middle, I grabbed lunch with Tutor #2 Chiba Tsuyoshi-san. He was really nice and after eating, helped me register for using the library (note: so far I've had to register separately for a student card, to take classes, to take each individual class, to use the computer room, to be a member of the student co-op, and to use the library. And none of that was done using computer registration. I have to carry a million cards and little sheets of paper around with me to do anything here; how I miss you, Penn card). Tsuyoshi had studied abroad at some school called Ursinus University that is apparently in Pennsylvania (forgive me; I am a Californian uneducated in the ways of East Coast institutions of higher learning), and majored in international finance in undergrad. He seems like he'll offer a good balance to Takako (my other tutor): she brings the undergrad life, friends, activities, etc. and he brings the grad student life, academic help, etc. Since I am the ever-ambiguous Kenkyuusei (research student) that doesn't neatly fit into the undergrad of grad division of the school, it is pretty much a perfect set-up.

Tonight, I had Japanese conversation class, and the professor thought that I was someone who had spoken Japanese since childhood, which I definitely am not, and that maybe the class would be too easy for me, because as a Nikkei I just need to broaden my vocabulary and learn to speak more politely. I assured her this was the right level, and I'm certain she is going to be surprised to learn just how much my Japanese sucks. Oh, and I met a cool girl from Vietnam studying to be a Japanese teacher. She's been going to school here for a year now and speaks really fluent Japanese. I think we're gonna be friends. At this point, making any friends is good news.