January 26th, 2019

This entry will cover my experiences: January 7th - 13th

Monday (Jan. 7th):

• I stuck to the morning routine I wanted to implement to my life (first and only day so far, that I FULLY stuck to it)
• Had "New Year" assembly in 3rd period
• I noted "cookies" in my notebook but I don't know what I wanted to refer to with that.
• Attended chorus practice: school was until 3rd period so we all met very early and left pretty early. We tried to figure out what songs to sing for the next performance (new school year thing (in April)). Unfortunately, I don't know many songs because they had learned them before I joined. But I will try my best and it's no big deal.
• This was the worst day of my life. And it was the first time that I actually cried since I'm in Japan. I won't explain, why though. Let's just say a dream has been crushed. A dream that I hadn't known had been a dream until that moment. At the current moment I've started dreaming again, although the chances are so tiny. And I know that it might be crushed again. But I can't help hoping. I will survive, right?

Tuesday (8th):

• Slept in after the worst day of my life
• In English class we had to change seats again.
• In English class with the 10th graders I talked to a friend of mine; also we had to write New Year's Resolution. I wrote something about being more productive and blah blah, being nicer, blah blah, do more things that I usually wouldn't do.

Wednesday (9th):

• In another 10th grader's English lesson I was again asked by a boy if I liked his face and for the fun of it I said yes. But it's just not even funny or interesting any more. People generally seem to have lost interest in me. That's no surprise, though: I must look like a shy, boring and neither funny nor interesting person. I can't really help it. Sarcasm was my tool of attention and fun back in Germany but it appears I've been deprived of its effectiveness. Also have been asked what I've done during winter vacation and if I've received so-called O-toshidama, which is money kids(?) receive from their family on New Year's day.
• In ESS club we tidied up the classroom and found some interesting things like photoalbums or bracelets, flags, games old VHRs and DVDs...
• I had my commuter's pass extended for another month
• Walked home with Italian girl; also talked about the worst day in my life and stuff and it actually made me feel a little better, I guess

Thursday (10th):

• Instead of my usual companion, I walked to school with a girl from another class. We had some good conversation. She looks a little young, but is very good and communicating
• Apparently almost fell asleep in the library while studying (I lacked 1-2 hours of sleep because the worst day of my life had happened)
• Had a test in German class; also finished writing letters to the students of a German sister school. I kind of introduced Yamato Nishi and wrote about how I perceive the school.
• Lunch time starts to feel more natural. Like more as if we were good friends which is nice. That is probably also due to the fact that I've decided to ask EVERYTIME I don't understand something. I used to just ask once in a while because, let's be honest it is kind of annoying to be asked for an explanation every second time you say a sentence. At least that's what I think/thought. I didn't want to annoy people by constantly asking, but now I figure, it would've been better to do so from the start. Just ask every goddamn time. Or at least try. Of course, during class it is indeed counterproductive to ask everytime you don't get it, because there is so much you don't get. But like when you are actively involved in a situation. That's one tip for future exchange students. Just do it. I also feel like I would have been more successful in my attempt to make friends, if I had annoyed everyone with questions at the beginning. Because asking questions at least means you are not silent and/or boring. Whatever.
• Played "What did you do on winter vacation?"-Bingo in an English class, that was fun :D

Friday (11th):

• I've finally got a grasp on what we are covering in maths now, which is nice.
• In music class we got to play bells and "play" a song. I sucked, though I had the easiest part. It's like, I theoretically get what I have to do, but once everyone starts playing I seem to lose control and kind of get nervous or retarded or something. It's a shame.

Saturday(12th):

• Met with another exchange student to go to the screening of our performances at an exchange student music festival. That was nice.
• I saw the first snow in 2019 and in Japan and inside a metropole city, which was a surprise.
• I lost one item, that was very precious to me out of carelessness.
• We ate breakfast and then headed for the place, which is a very big and elegant building. It was nice to meet some of the guys again. I stuffed some chocolate in my face and enjoyed the show. Of course, when my part came, like everyone else, I was uncomfortable and people very jokingly teasing and so on. Unfortunately they'd included the moments when I played the wrong chords out of nervousness. Perfect. Whatever the rest was fun to watch: I hadn't been able to watch some of the performances because they were right before or after mine, so I saw them for the first time. 
• After the screening we were given a tour through the building and we got to see some really old music boxes (most made in Germany if I remember correctly) that had some crazy - I don't know how to describe it - automated, mechanical "puppet shows" that played along with the music. Awesome!
• Also had the opportunity to enjoy the tunes of a variety of pianos and pieces.
• Sang some Karaoke with my friend after the screening.

Sunday (13th):

• Went to see Disney's "Ralph Breaks the Internet" with the friend I'm used to walk to school with. We first bought the tickets, checked out the game center next to the cinema, browsed a really cheap duty-free shop with an unimaginable variety of goods. Bought some sweets (what else?). Then we headed to a big mall to eat Takoyaki (filled octopus doughballs), which was delicious. Also browsed some shops
• Went back to the movie theater, got some popcorn and watched the movie (in Japanese).
•  We hadn't finished the popcorn (one medium sized bucket for the two of us), so I said I'd take it home. Lovely day!

[SPOILERS ABOUT Disney's "Wreck It, Ralph 2 - Ralph Breaks the Internet"]

I personally think the movie was not as good as it could've been. It had way too many Disney references. I mean, I feel like they only made the movie, not to continue the story of Vanellope and Ralph, but rather to abuse it in order to show as much Disney things (and other "product placements") as possible. It was because of all the references that the typical Disney fan's attention was more drawn to the references and Easter Eggs then to the story of Ralph and Vanellope. And then the end was not as happy as it could and maybe should've been. I mean it's kind of cool that Disney decided to not give it the dramatic 100% perfect, best solution, but to me it is rather a sad than a happy end. I feel like the first movie's end (although I can't recall it) was more satisfying. Anyway, I liked the music, animations, characters (although I wish they had shown more of Fix-it-Felix and his wife and the Sugar Rush kids). And I wish I could see the Disney princesses' scene(s) again to be able to get more of who said what and how much. In my opinion: Merida, Pocahontas, Mulan, Anna, Tiana and perhaps Belle, didn't get enough attention. No one really cares for Snow White. And I wish they hadn't included Root and C3PO because for long time Disney fans, these are still kind of another universe still... Furthermore the portrayal of the virus is irritatingly euphemistic and positive which is a little inappropriated for a young audience... so yeah. 

[END OF SPOILERS]