Grades?

I hop on an airplane at Portland International Airport exactly two weeks from today. Planning for the trip -- whether its discussing the details with the family or seeking advice from people on Japan-Guide.com -- has consumed me.

Which is not good. Because tomorrow, which is apparently sooner than two weeks from now, I have to suffer through an oral exam in Japanese class, meaning I have to pretend to know things I do not. I have been a terrible student in Japanese class, gradually becoming a slacker to the point where my grades have taken a hit.

But somehow, two years in Japanese class here at OSU makes me feel prepared to get along in Japan with the basics I know. I'll be able to ask where things are, such as the bathroom and the train ticket counter. I'll be able to say that I am hungry or thisty. And I'll be able to say "excuse me" and "sorry" or "where is the McDonalds?"

Trains

The planning continues ... as I lounge around at home courtesey of Thanksgiving I have been roaming the net trying make good choices for train travel.

Here ( http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362_01.html ) is a Web site with some good ideas. The plan starts with the Seishun Juhachi Kippu, a holiday-season-only ticket that offers five days of consecutive or non-consecutive travel within a 24 hour period. The ticket costs about 100 bucks, I think. So with this, I would be set for getting from Tokyo to Nagoya, from Nagoya to Kyoto, from Kyoto back to Nagoya, and two other days of travel, which could be one more overnight trip to someplace far away from Nagoya or a couple of days of travel. Following this? Here's a refresher on the basics: I fly into Tokyo, stay for 3 or 4 days, train to Nagoya, my home base, and hang out there with friends, kill time by myself while they're at school, and take a few more trips to other towns.

I failed miserably at saving money this term -- so i'll be relying on new paychecks (Nov. and Dec.) and Christmas money. Thank you Jesus!