I'm in Level 3!! What am I thinking?!

The previous week at school was rough!
In Japan, it's common knowledge that college is not as intense as high school academically.  Students study to pass exams and place into good schools, spending time after school taking extra "cram" classes, but by the time they are in college, there isn't much more to place into (unfortunately, Japan does not "place" you into careers).
As a result, Japanese school is pretty fun, with college bordering slightly on ridiculous!  Chiba offers several electives in physical education including "rock climbing" and my favorite, "trampoline."
From my impression of the description it puts a kinesthetic spin on jumping around on a trampoline.  According to my friend "taking" rock climbing, there really are no grades, and the teachers just say "there's a rock wall, go climb on it."
I could get used to this educational system :)

At the end of October, classes are canceled for a week-long culture festival.  While I'm not sure what the details are, there are markets and various events staged by students for students.  It's a fairly small community at Chiba (apparently one of the larger campuses by Japanese standards), so everyone gets involved.  And the students are also friendly and actually invested in what they're doing, making participation more worthwhile.

I wish I could have grown up here!

Finally, the teachers are also quite ridiculous and funny.  They like to make ridiculous jokes in the middle of class, and are altogether quite animated and personable.  Less intimidating than American professors, but at the same time, the more advanced you are in your level, the less playful they are.

And that (kind of) brings me to my point for this entry.
Throughout the summer, I studied Japanese every day hoping to learn a lot on my own and place into a high level upon taking the arrival placement test.  However, I only managed about less than an hour each morning, and didn't feel like what I learned was particularly ingrained.  Therefore, when the time came to take the test I wished I had studied more or somehow practiced what I studied more.  At the same time though, I just decided to accept my level, even if it was lower than it could have been, because at least I could feel comfortable.

I guess wishes come true in Japan?  I mean, Tokyo Disneyland is just North of Chiba.

I thought it must be a mistake, as I ran out of time and started writing letters for the second section.  But as the placement test results brandished on the board for all to see revealed, I placed into the upper intermediate level 3.  This is pretty advanced, considering people I know who have studied Japanese for more than 3 years and lived in Japan placed into level 2 and even level 1!  Bewilderment!!

Luckily, in this nonsensical world (or maybe I am just a fortuitous guesser) I found someone who is basically in the same position as me.
 
My friend Stephanie from Germany speaks English very well, and I'm pretty sure she is more proficient at Japanese than I am, although we've both only studied for two years.  We also try to study on our own.
Likewise, we are also both incredibly indecisive, and could spend hours in one store trying to make up our mind about a purchase.  We try not to spend too much money :) (again, I think she is more proficient).
So being indecisive people lacking confidence in our abilities, we decided to go to Level 2 classes and Level 3 classes all last week to see which one is more suitable.

What a rush!  So many papers flying at me-- I hardly understood what was going on in any class!  But somehow, the content of level 3 was more interesting, even though I could barely read it and Level 2 felt much more comfortable for my pace.  The teachers seemed more encouraging and friendly in Level 2.  But once I get the hang of it I will have an enjoyable and stress-free time in Japan.

It's about time to reward the dedicated readers who sift through my personal quandries with more pictures!

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Here is some pest removal I bought from the pharmacy.  Good for cockroaches, ticks and fleas.

I translated the instructions so I wouldn't accidentally poison myself.  Apparently it's a fumigant, and you're supposed to leave the room for 2-3 hours as it works, taking your electronic equipment and valuables with you.

The first thing I cooked with my omelette pan, and I don't even know what it was!  I was hoping for mochi (rice dumplings), but what I got was... squactopus (a term coined during my prior trip to Japan, indicating seafood of dubious origins)
That night, my stomach was gurgling in identical 4-second intervals!

Contrary to squactopus, Japanese crepes are quite delicious!  The one I am holding at this crepery in Harajuku features strawberries, ice cream and chocolate!

I want to work at a crepery.. 

Most people that come to Japan develop a sweets-fetish, I think.
I received this mont-blanc from my friend Chie, for my birthday!

This is a french croque-monsieur and maple coffee.  Among the interesting flavors Japan seems to like are chestnut (marron) and maple!
Incidentally, the sandwich tasted a bit sweeter than the coffee.

A very Japanese parfait.  From the bottom up: matcha (traditional green tea) gelatin, pink mochi (rice dumplings), anko (red bean paste), and yogurt-like ice cream dusted with matcha powder.
ちょうし！：）

Entrance to a nearby shrine.  You typically wash your hands with a cup of pure water before entering.

One view of Inage atop the roof of the SATY mall.

相変わらず、thanks for reading!  I hope it is as much of a pleasure as it is for me to write (and avoid homework).