Why I came to Tokyo this semester

Today was our placement test for Japanese language. I think I did terrible. The kanji alone killed me and assured that I would be placed in an intermediate course at best. I mean, the Japanese course, here is (obviously) much much more advanced than what IU offers, so intermediate is like advanced at IU, but the test was very humbling. All I hope is that I don't get placed TOO low. I don't want a repeat of my freshman year, where everything was mostly review.

That was the big event of the day. I spent the rest of the day walking around Shinjuku trying to find a 100 yen shop to buy my school supplies (finally found one!), and then wandering around Ikebukuro until it was time to go back to the campus for some international welcome party thing. The party wasn't anything memorable, but was okay. Afterward, everyone went to do hanami, which was weird since it was, y'know, night time and you can't see the sakura. But whatevs. I had already gone to look at the sakura right after the test (when it was still sunny...), and I took a TON of photos.

First, let me give you a picture of the dog, Tom.

D'awww.


Here's a much better photo of the school. This is the view from the station. See the sakura on the right? That's where we'll be heading in a sec. Small tour real quick.


Yotsuya station. This is just a memory thing for me.



The view of both sides of the school. Again, for my memories.


Walk this way to go to the main entrance.

The entrance.

Now, THIS is why I am here this semester and not last:


When you walk up that little hill, this is what you see.






afjaoj'agjoagk'pla




Not sakura, but still pretty. These are all over the hill. Also, if you couldn't tell, I was using this as a time to play with my camera's focus.