[Crispy]

I saw some pictures of it over on Impress Gamewatch and it was shown playing a game that looked like the original Front Mission for the SNES. That game rocke, maybe I will pick up one of those little bastards someday...

[Crispy]

Whoa...who did that happen to and where does he live?

As far as video games, I haven't decided if it is feasable or desirable to bring mine. I would definitely list them under "comfort items" that we were recommended to bring, but they will take up space (I had hoped to avoid shipping anything, and having my parents ship me game stuff would be a political problem), and I have no idea if I'll have any kind of access to a TV. And, I don't know if I want anything distracting me from seeing stuff outside my room, even a little bit. Then again, I'm gonna be cursing like crazy if some game I really want to play comes out while I am there and I have no means to play it. None of the previous people on my program can offer any advice, they aren't hopelessly addicted to games like I am.

[cstaylor]

Also, if you can find Japanese with similar interests, it gives you something in common to talk about besides the standard boring conversation of "Where are you from? Boy, your Japanese is good. Can you use chopsitcks?"

And what always worked for me at LAN parties in the U.S. is to bring the drinks or something... AFAIK, Japanese can't stand root beer or Dr. Pepper, but Coke usually goes over well... and osembe... don't forget the osembe.

[Crispy]

I just saw that photo on some random site a while back, but actually I have a friend who has a similar collection.

Here's a suggestion: Leave your system(s) at home, then use your gaming hobby as an excuse to make Japanese friends. Trust me, plenty of Japanese students are into games (college is not about studying for them, if you didn't already know).

At first it might be hard, because you won't be able to play for a while, but when you meet some Japanese gamers, it'll give you a great excuse to speak Japanese - and play games. You can count it as outside conversation practice! Also, if you can find Japanese with similar interests, it gives you something in common to talk about besides the standard boring conversation of "Where are you from? Boy, your Japanese is good. Can you use chopsitcks?"

Ooh, good idea. I think I'll adopt that mindset. It's already how I have gotten to know some of the exchange students here, that and the anime club. Oh, and I can use chopsticks like a mofo, but I hold them very, very wrong, to the point that random exchange students have stopped while walking by me at lunch and commented on it. I learned from a Chinese woman, if that means anything...

[Crispy]

Naw, you don't understand. My use of chopsticks is as functional as anyone I know, it just looks funky. I learned when I was about six, there is no way I can re-learn it another way now, and besides, it's a conversation starter. Basically, I had a recent Chinese immigant as a nanny between the ages of 6 and 12. She taught me how to tie my shoes and to hold chopsticks, and I do neither of those the conventional way. Oddly enough, I didn't learn a single word of Mandarin from her. Go figure.

[Crispy]

I'd rather leave it alone and just let them chalk it up to me being a crazy gaijin. It's not like I can do anything to disguise my gaijin-ness. I am 6'1", brown hair, blue eyes, and am skinny as hell. Yeah, I'll look a bit out of place.