京都のお気に入りの場所 My favorite places in Kyoto

   For Japanese class, we had to talk about our favorite places in Kyoto. So I'm going to post my favorite places in Japanese and English on here from that activity. I translated everything back to English that I wrote for it for you guys.

   I might practice writing in Japanese in some of the later blogs because I'm not going to be taking  Japanese classes next semester. I'm not done studying it, I will go back next fall. I really need a break from the 6 classes per week, 2 quizzes (with about 40 words) a week, and kanji quizzes (with about 40 different kanji combos we had to memorize) every week as well. I want to do some self-studying next semester and really go over the basics. Additionally, I want to join a club (maybe a soccer or hiking one) that I can really commit some time to. I think posting sometimes on here in Japanese and English will help me continue to practice the language.

 

  I am also helping one of my Professor's do research on Gender in International Relations next semester, which I'm very excited for, but I need to have enough time to really commit to that as well. 

   Also, please look out for some amazing blog posts in February, because I am traveling around Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos during my winter break!

ムーレックカフェ Mureku Cafe

この場所はムーレックカフェです。そのカフェは私のりょうの近くです。このカフェではタイのおみやげをうっています。ゆかはたたみです。てんしゅはとても親切です。この写真はポテトのスープです。美味しかったです。私はよく勉強して行きます。でも、WI-FI がありませんから、パソコンは使いません。

This place is called Mureku Cafe. It is very close to my dorm. The Cafe sells souvenirs from Thailand, and the floor is Tatami mats. The store owner is very kind. In this picture, there is potato soup. It was delicious. I usually go there to study, but there is no wifi, so I can't use my computer.

嵐山 Arashiyama

この場所は嵐山です。11月に写真をとりました。友達といっしょに行きました。嵐山のちくりんはとてもこんざつしているので、私はここのほうが好きでした。この写真をとった後、とても美味しいそばを食べました。

This photo was taken at Arashiyama in November. I went there with my friends. The bamboo part of Arashiyama was very crowded, so I liked the place that I took this photo in better. After this photo was taken, I ate some delicious Soba. 

大将軍のやね　Taishogun's(my dorm) Roof

この場所は大将軍の屋ねです。ゆうやけはいつもめちゃきれいです。ここで京都のけしがみえます。やねにものほしだいもがあります。

This place is on the roof of Taishogun. The sunsets are always very beautiful. You can see amazing views of Kyoto from there. It also has a drying rack for your clothes.

December fun and family visit!

 December was a super fun month! Here are some highlights------>

Early December was full of beautiful fall leaves!

Newbies!

I was able to volunteer with Newbies again this month, which is a program that teaches children between the ages of 1-5 English. We had a Christmas themed class, complete with one of the members dressed as Santa Claus. 

The kids were a little scared of Santa Claus at first, but most of them warmed up to him in the end!

Cafes!

  I obviously cannot help myself from cafe-hopping in Kyoto, because my blogs always have pictures of cafes I've visited. I went with my friend Pann to eat at a Cafe near our university.

I had some delicious scones, which I haven't been able to find since coming to Japan!

More Food!

I also continued trying different types of Nepali/Indian restaurants in Kyoto. I went with my friend Mattea, and tried a different type of curry and pan. 

This next place is called Stone Bar and Grill. It is a Filipino restaurant and karaoke bar. I have no idea what what I ate was called, but it was scrumptious. 

The most exciting thing that happened this month was my family coming to visit! 

Our dinner for Christmas Eve was at Shoyo Ramen, my favorite local ramen place! 

My dad had a bit of trouble fitting at the table! 

On Christmas day, after I finished my last class, I took my family to the Kitano Hakubaicho Flea Market. 

My dad also had a hard time fitting at the table at the sushi place we went to for lunch, so they had to give him a tiny chair.

We met up with the Newbill's at the market and got lunch with them!

On Christmas night we had a reservation at Shibata Wagyu Grill, and had a very delicious 5 course meal!

The jet lag really hit Garrett hard during dinner

Nara

The next day we went to Nara, and my favorite thing was seeing my family's reactions to everything. Here are some pictures I took of them. 

We saw lots of temples and deer!

Osaka

The next day I took them to Osaka! Osaka is the second largest city in Japan, with more people in its metropolitan area than New York!

The Glico Running man is a famous attraction in Osaka. This area of Osaka is comparable to Times Square especially at night time when all of the signs are lit up. 

We did some thrifting and other shopping around Osaka.

The next day we took it easy because we were tired from all of the walking in Nara and Osaka. My sister and I got a massage in the morning and then we visited a temple in Kyoto.  I also took my brother and dad to see my university. We ended the night at a wonderful Chinese restaurant that I unfortunately do not have a picture of. 

Garrett and I at Ritsumeikan

Skiing in Nagano!

This was the view we woke up to in the morning in Nagano from our Ryokan (Japanese style inn). 

The snow was super fresh and powdery. Skiing was a blast!

While going down one of the ski runs Garrett and I stopped to take a picture with this Buddha on the mountain. 

We got lunch at a cafeteria for skiers to take a break and eat on the mountain,

We saw a beautiful sunset from a cafe we got appetizers from that night. 

Both nights we were in Nagano we took a bus to where the Newbills were staying to get dinner and drinks with them and some of their friends. The ski resort they were at was way more developed and about 90% of the skiers were Australian. 

We got back from Nagano on New Years Day, and met up with Nick and Matt for dinner. We are so grateful that the timing of my family's trip worked out where we could all meet up for dinner the night before my family all went back to America. 

After dropping my family at the Airport in Osaka the next day, there was a beautiful sunset that I was able to watch on my way back to Kyoto. I am so grateful that my family was able to come and see me in Japan for Christmas break. It was so nice seeing them and it was really fun for me to show them around.