Today was the start of classes, but that wasn't the interesting part...it was after class that was interesting....

Before I get ahead of myself here, let me show you what I have to deal with on a daily basis as far as my commute is concerned. The following is a link to a picture that I'll also be posting with this entry as well. You can choose to click it from here or look at it later, but it might be easier to follow along if you open it in another window or tab. Oh, and keep in mind that all the route names you're seeing are typically written all in kanji, not in english alphabet most of the time.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Tokyo_subway_map.PNG

Okay, my morning commute starts with a ten minute walk from the dorms to Takadanobaba [Ta-kah-dahn-no-bah-bah] station, where I get on the Tozai [toes-eye] Line heading towards Iiedabashi [Ee-dah-bah-she]. I get off at Iiedabashi and switch over to the Namboku [NAM-bow-coo] Line. I take that down to Azabu-juban [Ah-zah-bu joo-bahn] stop, where I get another 10 minutes on foot before reaching the school....

....did I lose anyone? xD

Anyway, after class I decided I wanted to get all the required paperwork out of the way, so I started on my way to the Shinjuku Ward Office. Everyone who is a foreigner in Japan is required by law to carry an Alien Registration Card and National Health Insurance. This is serious, people. If I get stopped by an officer and I don't have either my passport or my Alien Registration Card on me, the cops can detain you for up to 23 days with no evidence or charges. Of course, the chances of being stopped are slim to none, but that's beside the point...

I followed the map they gave us at orientation, which means I took the Oedo [oh-ay-doh] line from Azabu-juban to Shinjuku station. That went fine, however I accidentally went out the wrong exit and ended up completely lost. I stopped seven or eight officers and asked for directions [which is a trick that Perri told me about...apparently, as in America, some people can be cruel and will purposely point you in the wrong direction]. In the process, I gained a firm grasp of the words 'sumimasen' [sue-me-mah-sen; meaning Excuse Me, Pardon Me] 'arigato-gozaimasen' [pronounced ah-ree-gah-toe goz-eye-mas when said; meaning Thank You Very Much] and 'wakarimasen' [wa-kah-ree-mah-sen; I Don't Understand]. Eventually I got my Alien Registration ticket [I go back the first week of February to get the actual card] and my national health insurance.

And I, tired, hungry and frusterated, dragged myself home to a hot shower and a small load of laundry.

Tomorrow I have three classes.....I also have an interview Friday to try and get a job at the student learning center as a tutor. The pay isn't much, but it'll cover a few meals. That being said, I'm going to try my hardest to update here at least three times a week, more if time and actual life permits [meaning that if nothing worth noting happened that day, I won't post here]. Checking back once a week should be fine, so long as you set aside enough reading time. I do encourage all to check back daily if time permits you to do so.