Returning to America
Coming back to America has got me slightly offbase. With the dry summer and the dead grass, it looks like autumn to me. I always have to think twice about which side of the car to get in on, and driving on the right side of the road looks bizarre to me now.
I am still sticking to the 10:30pm to 6:30am sleep schedule, because I'm still used to it. Sleep is fitful, it just doesn't feel quite right. It was rather nice to sleep on my futon again though, even if the mattress is really flat.
It's a little rough getting used to American food again. I know that in time I will probably go back to my old ways, but for now, the idea of grease, and huge portions really doesn't appeal to me.
My dad and I stopped at McDonald's when we were coming back here. The regular size fries were enormous, greasy, and salty, the soda huge, and the chicken sandwich dripping in mayonnaise. I finished the sandwich, and poked at the fries before giving up. It's kind of sad that the regular size now is the large size of yesteryear.
I had my first dose of American people again at Narita. I was in a store buying an Aquarias, when some obese American woman came up to the counter after me, and in a loud voice asked "Do you have any of those pens that light up?". I shook my head and walked away.
I'm sure it's because I have been away for a while, but I'm really noticing how obese a lot of people are. It's plain disgusting to see someone who is so obese that they can't even walk anymore, but have to use a scooter. One would think that at some point self-pride would force them to do something about their diet.
Japan cuisine has been nice to me, and as a result, I have lost 10 lbs that I'd like to keep off, and lose even more. I ate salad almost everyday in Japan, and really wouldn't mind continuing to do so here as well. Hopefully I don't slide back into the regular pizza routine.
I'd also like to drink less soda. Generally, you can only find soda machines around here in the states, and only the occasional juice machine. We're a culture built on unhealthy food and drink. It'd be nice for juice and tea to be as readily available as soda is. Perhaps I'll start carrying around a water bottle more.
Because of how busy I was in Japan, I'd generally like to stay more busy now. I would like to take piano lessons, but the classes are full right now, which doesn't bode well. Perhaps someone will drop, but I doubt it. I brought a keyboard and my classical guitar back from my dad's place, so if I can't take lessons, I'll have to pick up some learning books.
I'm also thinking of taking up Akido again. This semester is for all intents my last real semester. I'm taking all English classes, so I don't think my workload will be as bad as last year. I'll have to start all over again in Akido, because I don't remember any of it really.
I'd really like to take Kyudo (Japanese zen archery) as well, but there isn't anything around here that offers it. The closest is in Madison, and after talking to one of the campers who was taking Kyudo in Japan, it sounds rather nontraditional. Perhaps after graduation I'll have to do more research.
I have all English classes this semester, and generally have an easier time getting English homework done. However, I do have an Honors course (even though I'm not an honors student!) of British plays which will probably keep me on my toes. In addition, I have a Mythology course (I really like Mythology), and a grammar course (which should be boring), and a couple others I can't remember right now. I think it amounts to a 13 credit semester, which should be easy. I can't afford to slack off though, as this semester will finish off my English major.
So, now hopefully the worst of the jet lag is over, and I can go about adjusting back to American college life. I don't remember my schedule, nor do I remember when my first class is tomorrow, which should be interesting.