Driving School in Japan

So since last Wednesday, I started ATTENDING my driver's license SCHOOL. Yes, in Japan, driving schools usually offer such intensive training where students get lessons daily. This means there is absolutely no day off, so I went to school yesterday as well as today, and back to school again tomorrow on Monday. But I do not feel too bad compared to many others that came all the way from other cities to receive the training here at the base of Mt. Fuji. These students stay in the school dorm sharing a single room, eating the same cafeteria meals and using the same bathing room with others during their program UNTIL they get the driver's license. Some are enrolled in a speedy program that can be challenging, but allows them to get a license as early as in 2 weeks. As for me, my dad enrolled me in the regular program (since he did not know about other options), so I have a feeling it will take more than necessary. :( For example, some students who started the school on the same day are already about 5 driving lessons or so ahead of me. School puts students in different classes and prioritize students who live in the dorm, so local kid like me do not get much physical lessons even one desires.

Basically, the program consists of 2 stages: (1) learn about general driving rules and skills by attending 10 lectures and ?? physical lessons, with an objective to get the temporary driving permit (must pass the stage 1 written and physical exams). (2) practice driving on the official road by attending 15 lectures and ?? physical lessons, with an objective to get the official license (must pass the stage 2 written and physical exams).

At this moment, I have already taken the 10 lectures and passed pre-written test quiz twice (required in the order to take the official first stage test), so all I need is the required driving lessons to take the official first stage exams, but since the school does not allow me to take much lessons (not priority), it will take forever to get my license :(

But my dad knows one of the teachers at the school, so hopefully I will be able to change my program to the speedy one....

Speaking of how I am enjoying the school though, well, it is quite amusing to take lectures with kids who are almost 10 years younger than myself (highschool graduates). It's quite interesting to observe these young gang-stars who try to be different, but follow the same fashion trend that can be studied by reading a magazine. If you take a glance on a girl, she may appear to be distinctly different, but if you expand your eye sight, you notice other girls who appear to be exactly the same loitering around her.

You may be curious to know what sort of style these girls are into, right? Well, the girls tan their skin quite dark (due to a poor tanning salon technology, their skin look orange though), wear fake eye rushes and color contact lenses, put white eye liner on the lower part of the eyes, wear a loose sweat suit (either black or grey) and hang their stuffed animal key-chain that is attached to their mobile from their pocket. I thought some look like tanuki (raccoon dog?) or Gremlins, but I also wonder if this is a sign of my aging self, not understanding their popular style... LOL

Anyyyway, I gotta prepare myself for the lecture that I need to give in less than 2 weeks (ewww), so I must get going. Ciao. :)