It's so strange. One day I can do so well and another I can completely fail.

Yesterday I spent pretty much the entire day speaking Japanese. 9 to 1 was Japanese class. 1:30 to 3:30 was language exchange with somebody that's looking to practice English but as she doesn't speak English well we generally speak Japanese the whole time.

4:00 to 5:00 I was talking to a travel agent making arrangements to go to Kyoto when my Mom and Grandma come to visit in April.

6:00 to 10:00 I was at a Japanese language meeting. It's kind of like going to a community center. About 12 people showed up, 6 Japanese and 6 foreigners. It was really fun and we were talking contantly.

Today though I went to a fast food place to find a place to sit down. I ordered an ice tea and I couldn't communicate to the girl working there. Truthfully it was her mistake. She got all flustered that a foreigner was there and she assumed I couldn't speak Japanese. This is a common experience. So she tried to speak in English. Of course I answered in Japanese and she was stunned, not expecting a Japanese answer, so she didn't understand even though I spoke fine.

Then later I was looking for gyoza sauce and realizing I can't read any of the names of the foods at the supermarket. At least not if they are written in Japanese.

Today I was also trying to find a hair stylist and I have no idea how to do that. Of course I have no idea how to do that in America either.

Still, it made me feel pretty useless today.

I recently picked up the 4X battery for my notebook. It's actually a 2X battery. Sony just labels the battery that comes with the notebook as 2X as it sounds better. But, that means my notebook should run for at least 6 hours on one charge.

Now I just have to find some good places to take it. Somebody needs to make the *wired* restaurant guide.