1. The cat likes me. I think. I'm as sure as anyone can ever be about a cat's thoughts. Anyway, he used to sleep in Otoosan's chair (at the dining table). When I asked Okaasan why he slept in only that chair, she said that when they don't have a host student he sleeps in the extra chair, but when there is a host student he sleeps in Otoosan's chair. Maybe because they are on the same side of the table. I think it's because he can tell when there's a new=strange person in the house and doesn't accept them as part of the family. But lately he's been splitting his time between my seat and Otoosan's seat. Also, he likes to sleep on people's stomachs. Mostly Okaasan but sometimes Kayoko too. And he has slept on my stomach twice now, but only when no one else is home. He's starting to think that I'm part of the family-in so far as I am now an acceptable heater/bed. It makes me happy.
2. Japanese people almost always back into parking spaces. And they back up all the way. Which means that they wait until the tires bump into the parking block thingy.(What is the proper name for the concrete block that marks the end of a parking space?)
3. Whereas I have lost 5-6 lbs since being here and being off cafeteria food, a friend of mine has gained 5-6 lbs. So, clearly Japanese food isn't always completely healthy.
4. Kansai Gaidai has a football team. As in American football. But half the students-the actual Japanese student, not just us foreigner, don't know it exists. But EVERYBODY knows about the cheerleaders. And the cheerleaders don't cheer for any of the teams. They even have their own name/mascot. Is there any school in America where this would happen? I don't think so. Side note: Everybody also knows about the football-as-in-soccer team here. I don't know how well they do, but they exist and can't be too bad.
5. Okaasan wants a new fridge. I asked her why, because the fridge they have looks to be in good shape still. She said the one she wants is narrower, but bigger on the inside. I am not making this up, that is the literal translation of what she said! And, okay, technically she meant that she wanted the 'drawer section' to be bigger, and so the shelf section smaller, but what she SAID was that it was bigger on the inside. And we all know what that means. TARDIS!fridge! Also, since the stairs in the house (and most Japanese houses) are so narrow, it will be coming in via the window. I hope I will be home when it comes so I can see this absurdity in action!
6. The trees still haven't changed color for the most part here. Even the Japanese people are saying the trees are a bit late this year, but that they don't usually turn until November. Which boogles my mind. I miss the pretty colors and the crunch of leaves. And I have the feeling I'll barely get any 'actual' fall before I go home in December and it's the dead of an Illinois winter. It's a shame because Fall is really my favorite season. I love all the color, and the coolness without the biting cold, and without the rain of spring.
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