Friday evening around 11 I was casually studying, having some wine and watching the World Cup when I got a call from a team mate, saying he was going to play tag with others outside on campus and asking if I wanted to join. At first I wasn’t too sure, but then thought a game of tag or two won’t hurt. Turns out over half the baseball team gathered. We played kick the can on campus until around 2.30am. After we were all worn out, we got some drinks from the konbini and sat together until around 5am, when the security guard walked up to us and said to clean up and get going home.
Last week the Foreign Students Softball Team Rita and I had formed with our friends had its first game. It also turned out to be our last game, since the softball tournament the baseball club organized uses the knock-out principle. Only very few in our team have had a bat or glove in/on their hand before, so we had 2 training sessions before the big game in which I explained the rules of the game and basic throwing and batting techniques. We were all in high spirits, and even after losing 5-17 we were still a happy bunch. Each tournament game only lasts 5 innings, so I was going to sub in people on the bench in the 4th inning, but the game ended after 3 innings because of time limit, so unfortunately some of us didn’t get to play. Anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and for those reading this and are studying at TUFS: definitely take part in the tournament! There were over 30 teams of different strength, so extra people were needed here and there.
And now, the group picture we took after the game!
Ryuugakusei Softball Team, me as coach, Rita as captain!
It’s way past the time of counting the days I have been in Japan, i.e. the counting down has started. Only 74 days left. Kat has changed her flight to go back home 3 weeks early, because it works out cheaper and classes end before the 1st of August anyhow. I’m not sure yet of how I will spend my last 3 weeks of freedom in Japan, but it should involve some traveling around Japan as the Seishun Kippu, which I missed out on during spring break, will be available again.
Before I leave Japan, I’ve got a million things in my room to get rid of. Actually, I checked with Virgin Atlantic and it seems to be worth it to pay for extra baggage. But there are still things like my bike, speakers, guitar etc. to get rid of. At the moment I am thinking craigslist, but am still unsure. Maybe there’s a second hand shop around that will take the stuff off me.
Sorry to do this again, but here’s a quick run through:
Mate came round to visit me here. We did lots of sightseeing in Tokyo, and also went to Kamakura. Order of things we’ve seen most of: Izakayas -> Trains -> Temples/Shrines -> Pizzas -> Baseballs.
Since then I’ve registered for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2, and have been studying for it every day. Well, I say every day.. it took amazon two weeks to send my books. Word of advice for future test takers: don’t get neither Kanzen Master Vocab 1,2 nor Kanzen Master 2kyuu Kanji. They’re a waste of money. Grammar and Reading Comprehension, on the other hand, are good.
In between studying I’ve had a bit of baseball going on. We finished the league somewhere in the middle with 5 wins 5 losses. Two weeks later the Japanese Public University Baseball Tournament started. I missed the first game due to stomach ache. The baseball team is currently organizing a softball tournament within TUFS for everyone to join. Rita and I have made it our goal to put together a Ryuugakusei (foreign students) Team, and it’s looking good so far.
The other day I got a phone call from a friend in Germany who I haven’t seen/talked to in ages. She was in Tokyo for a few days so we met up the same evening in an izakaya. It was nice to see her again, we both missed out on a lot of things happening at home apparently.
Other than that I’m just wasting away in my room with Kat, studying for the upcoming exam and watching Green Wing and Black Books.
adventure | casmo | 
21.06.2010 01:19 | 
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