Ichigo Abroad Episode 7- Takarazuka!!!

Ichigo Abroad Episode 6

Ichigo Abroad Episode 5

Halloween Fun

This past week was Halloween! Definitely a big holiday here in Japan. On Wednesday, Kansai Gaidai had a Halloween party on campus. Everyone dressed up in fun elaborate costumes and hung out together, laughing and taking lots of photos of everybody else! I went to school dressed up as Sailor Jupiter from the manga/anime Sailor Moon!

On Thursday I had the day off because the school was preparing for the festival held on campus on Friday. My friends and I went into Sanjo in Kyoto (it's a great shopping district) and had a lot of fun!

Much to our surprise, Japan seems to get ready for Christmas as shopping malls in America. It wasn't even November yet, but there were tons of Christmas goods and costumes in all their glory! I definitely know where to go shopping fro Christmas stuff when it is actually December!

There were plenty of Halloween goodies as well, which is why we had gone to the store. They had tons of fantastic costumes and wigs for sale, as well as adorable Trick or Treat containers and candy!

In the afternoon, we stopped at a restaurant for some delicious food! My stomach was so happy after eating at this place!!! The best part was the strawberry espresso parfait, which came with an actual cup of espresso to pour over the parfait! It was AMAZING.

Friday aka Halloween was the school festival! Tons of booths were set up with all sorts of yummy food for sale and inside buildings students were putting on art galleries and music performances. A Jazz Bagel cafe had been set up where you ordered a bagel and drink and were then able to sit and enjoy live jazz music while you ate- it was great!

This was a cotton candy booth and for only 150 yen (about a dollar fifty), you got this HUGE fresh made cotton candy! I devoured it within a minute haha!

Halloween in Japan was a ton of fun! The whole week was great after slogging through mid terms the previous week. Also, the weather was absolutely beautiful outside, so nobody had to worry about being cold in their costumes! It was a fantastic time seeing everybody all dressed up and having fun :)

Ichigo Abroad Episode 4

Ichigo Abroad Episode 3

Mid-Term Week

Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnnnnnnn

*Ahem* Anyways, mid-terms week is here at Kansai Gaidai and I seem to be doing everything possible not to study :P First step on this journey to lack of studying was a trip to a clothing store! The temperature is finally starting to drop here in Hirakata, which means it's time for me to get some warmer clothing! 

I couldn't resist all the cute winter fashion!!! It doesn't help that I am a Vermont college student at heart and live for anything long sleeve and gloriously warm!

I was able to hide away from my studies just a little longer by going with a friend to a delicious yakiniku restaurant! Basically, you sit down at a table and order all sorts of different meats which are brought to you raw. You then cook then at your table to your liking and enjoy! It was a really fun experience and I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Japan. The staff were very friendly and the meat was out of this world delicious!

Yesterday was a cold and rainy day as I took my first mid-term and then proceeded to huddle away with the warm comfort of a Maple Cinnamon Latte and a yummy bento from the cafeteria.

Afterwards, I decided to take a nap before my second class. This ending up leading to one of the most bizarre and crazy adventures I have had here thus far. When I woke up, I discovered that it was pouring rain outside. Unfortunately, I live twenty minutes from campus and wanted to take my bike to get there with time to spare before class. So I decided to do what I have witnessed others around me doing and, umbrella in one hand, began to bike through the rain. I can only say that biking with one hand on the handlebar and the other occupied by holding up an umbrella was a test of courage and exchange student insanity. Needless to say, I had a great time with this particular adventure :D

The rest of this week is just more prep for mid-terms. I have an exam this afternoon that I should probably go study for right now... :P