Happy Valentine's Day?

What an..... interesting Valentine's Day it's been. Crazy insane, that's for sure! But the moral of the story is: accept rides from strangers. That's the cliffhanger for you to keep reading. It's long but there's a happy ending, I promise!

The day started out as usual, with me scrambling around and trying not to be late for class. Of course I happen to have two tests and a presentation today, so I don't want to look like a bum that just crawled out of bed. No time to check the weather, so I throw on a skirt, leggings, and some boots. The past few days have been pretty nice so I'm sure I'll be fine. I head to school. Sky is clear, good music in my ears, and I'm happy.

First two classes: speaking and writing Japanese. Tests went fine. Review stuff mostly, so it was easy peasy lemon squeezy. I meet Hanne in the student lounge. We decide to trek to Hirakata station to get our alien registration cards, which are required for us. I got basic directions from a friend and figured I would be able to successfully get us to city hall.

20 minutes later.

"Uh... Hanne? I don't know if this is the right way."

"Should we ask for directions?"

"Probably."

We see 2 women walking.

"Sumimasen. City hall wa doko desu ka?" (Why couldn't I have learned the Japanese word for city hall???)

"Ceety hallu?" Women 1 asks me.

"Uh... you know... like government building?"

"Ahh so desu ka."

She manages to give us directions which take us down some side streets. Every building and every sign is in Japanese. No one speaks English and my Japanese isn't good enough to get by. It's starting to SNOW and rain (at the same time... why?) and we're both freezing, starving, and stressing. We can't find the city hall.

I'm in major freak out mode.

So, I do the one thing I know how to do best. Talk. Loudly. In this case though, it was more like a shout.

"Eigo o hanashimasu ka?"

Of course no one speaks English here. Go figure. I got a couple looks though. Probably for my obvious American-ness. Or shouting.

But still. You don't realize how frightening a new environment is until you're completely surrounded by people who have no idea what you're saying. Somedays it's really rough.

We stumble upon a building that looks like it could be city hall. And it WAS. Hallelujah! We take care of our alien registration, I befriend an adorable Japanese girl, and we and head back to campus.

It was REALLY snowing by the time we started walking back plus we were already a bit damp from the walk to city hall. By really snowing I mean Wisconsin snowing. Aka BAD. And it was sticking, too. 45 minutes later and we're back at the dorms. Freezing, soaking wet, and not in good moods. I change clothes. Blow dry my hair because it looks like I just got out of the shower. Start walking back to campus for class.... when I realize it.

My laundry.

It's hanging on the roof.

Are. You. Serious.

I freak out a little bit but can't turn back because I'd be late for class. How wonderful.

Class went by slowly and my presentation was fine. Done for the day. I put in my headphones and begin the 20 minute drudge back to the dorms. My tennies are soaking wet and probably wrecked, I have no warm clothes because I thought it was spring, and my laundry was supposed to be hang drying on the roof but is now enjoying the snow just as much as I am.

I almost slip in the slushy mess on the sidewalk. Thankfully, no one's there to witness my clumsiness except a car that will just drive by and forget about it.

But suddenly.

"Which seminar house are you heading to?"

I turn to see the car. It's stopped. And who else but MY HISTORY PROFESSOR is sticking his head out the driver's side. Guess he did see my clumsy slip...

I'm baffled. "Huh?"

"Hop in!"

My day just got a whole lot better.

Hallelujah.

Turns out my history professor drives past the seminar houses every day on his way home, so today with all the snow he wanted to help out!

HE DROVE ME BACK TO MY DORM.

What a guy!!! I thanked him again and again for helping me out. I still can't believe someone would do that out of the kindess of their heart!!

....I knew there was a reason I picked up his class! :)

After I got back to the dorms I headed to the roof. When I got there, I have to say that I actually laughed out loud. This is what I saw.

(I think you can click the pictures if they're too tiny.)

Crazy, right?

Yes, that is my snow covered sweatshirt on the ground.

So I spent a good amount of time dusting snow off my clothes and now they're all hanging in my room drying.

But here are a couple more pictures of the snow. Even though I'm sure you're all sick of seeing it by now.

It's apparently odd for the Kansai area to have this much snow so people are kind of freaking out. Guess I'm not crazy for thinking it wouldn't snow here...

But in Japan, Valentine's Day is a little different. The girls are the only ones giving. Then a month later, on White Day - March 14, guys give things to girls. It's interesting. Thankfully V-Day isn't as advertised and over the top here.

So even though I'll probably end up being single for the rest of my life (we'll save that sob story for another time), at least I have awesome family, friends, and history teachers to make my day!!! I got back to my room and found a WONDERFUL package from my family! :)

I love you ALL for reading this whole post and I hope you have a great Valentine's Day. :)