Back in the STATES...

Finally had the time to write on here that I'm back in the States.... :(

Okonomiyaki

Hey you guys...so I just had my last dinner with the family and we had Okonomiyaki...I first had it when my Oka-san's sister from China came to visit...we had a blast than so eating t now made my day...
I'm leaving tomorrow at 4 pm...

I said Oyasumi for the last time to the family... And tomorrow will be the last ohaiyo...

Hey you guys!
So I leave tomorrow afternoon to T-CAT...and my flight is at 4:00 pm...I really love Japan! But I really want to go home too.
Japan is really a fun place to visit! It's just amazing here!
Ah~ I have to sit in the plane for a long 10+ hours plus the domestic plane ride back to the states... -_-
Jet leg...
But I have learned a lot of Japanese! I came to Japan knowing only a little (like: konnichiwa, sayonara, etc) and now I can asked and answer some simple questions...I've never taken any Japanese class so I'm pretty proud of myself... 0_0
Tanoshikatta...
Nippon suki desu...
Ja Mata ne...

Tokyo Disney Land!

I went to Tokyo Disney Land which was really really close to my home.
It was really fun! Only me and my Host-sister!
We went on lots of rides! My favorite thing was the 3-D theater thing, it wasn't just 3-D it was like 4-D!!! You could feel what was happening! It felt so real! Water sprayed at the audience, wind blew etc! I had so much fun! My favorites were the Splash mountain and the Space ride...!
It was my first time in Disney Land! I'm so glad I went to it!

Maid Cafe?!

Hey you guys! So a while back I went to a Maid Cafe in Akihabara with my host-sister Karen-chan...it was O_o

Yep...they're so cute! They way they talk is so high pitched it's hard to understand even to native speakers like my sister! All the people in there was so outgoing including the customers! I had a blast around real otaku's!
What encouraged me to to Akihabara was after I watches Densha Otoko with my host sister!
Akihabara was so much fun!
The maid cafe was so expensive though! 1000¥ for a table and you have to order at least 2 items per person...I probably won't go there again...it's not that I dot like it, everything was amazing...but I just can't spend that type of money... -_-

Last day of school...

My last day of school was on the 7th of July, I went to school for 2 weeks only! But I had so much fun! The students gave me farewell presents! So thoughtful of them, we took class photos too! I really miss them!
I almost started crying when I left...I
Loved that class!
They're known to be the loud class of the school. It was so fun being with them! Class 2-F! Yeah!!!

I went to Tsukiji Market with my family last week. It was so fun! We live really close to it but I couldn't believe I've never knew about it...
There were so many different kind of fishes! I was so fun! And Dangerous!!! My host mom said it was like a different world, not Japan anymore. You have to stop for the people there, it was really dangerous!
I had sweet tomogoyaki, very famous at Tsukiji! It was so delicious!
Afterward we ate breakfast at a sushi belt place! It was my first time an it was so much fun! I ate the most...I had 10 plates of sushi, and one plate of jello...

My host mom and I went to Odaiba yesterday via bus. We went out to eat lunch and after walked around for a little bit. We went to the Fuji tv station and there was some sort of like concert festival...there was a concert like with a group called New Vibe or something of that sort...they were—

I feel like I'm getting closer with my host brother...
When I first got to Japan and the family, my host brother didn't seem to like me...he was rather rough, and when I asked him questions he wouldn't answer me...I felt really sad...but 3 weeks into my life in Japan he began to talk to me...it started when I offered to play baseball with him. At first it was really rough baseball...like he would chuck it at me with force but I continued to play. Sometimes it would hurt because it would hit me.
But as we continues the next few days I began to see him smile more and laugh more...I was glad just to see him smile...he laughed a lot when made mistakes, so began to make mistakes on purpose to make him laugh...
And now...I have less than one week
left and we're talking with each other like never before.
Last night we played hide and seek just the two of us...it was so much fun!!!

----
So my point is —
If you want to study abroad always stay positive. There's gonna be things that are hard to work out. For me it was my host brother, but I learned to do things with him that he liked (baseball) and that strengthen our bond.
You always change for the family, you never make the family change for you...

Getting lost in Yurakucho...

I live really close to the big cities and have easy access to the big department stores like Ginza, Shibuya, etc...I decided to go walking in Yurakucho...don't ask me why.
It was really fun walking alone in Yurakucho at 6 pm...until I wondered too far an became lost.
I don't know why but when I'm lost I don't panic...I just kept walking.
I knew my little host brother would be home at 7 pm and has no keys so e'll rang the door bell...I kind of panicked, I wanted to ask people around me if they could speak English but I became
So self-conciius about my Japanese that I didn't try...eventually I found a station...
I raced back home, like literally ran!
As soon as I got into the apartment the door bell rang...

Eating Nato...

I tried nato for the first time yesterday.
........ -_-

I didn't taste like how I imagined...

How I imagined it:

Salty

Crunchy like Peanuts

How it really tastes:

Blah...I can't describe the taste...I didn't really like it...I thought I would as it looked really good...but I didn't.
Oto-san ended up eating my noodles for me because I put it on my noodles...

FAIL..

But it looks good doesn't it? So deceiving! T_T

My host sister (Karen) came home really late today...with a sprang ankle from track.
She's like the track star or something.
When I was a school and people asked me who I was living with...when I said Karen-chan all the lights switched on and everyone was like oh my gawd! Karen Tani-san?! What's she like? Is she nice to you? Etc...lol.

I got lost in Ginza...
|
|
|
|
•
It was a fail...I left without breakfast...and ended up lost...i forgot my cell phone also so that was a major FAIL...I walked around the block for at least 1hr...I took my chances and when I finally saw the store I was looking for (FANCL) I was smiling in relief to myself... People probably thought I was crazy smiling in my own little world...

Maintaining weight...

T_T It's absolutely impossible to maintain my weight here in Japan.
The foods are so yummy! And I don't want to stop eating before everyone, it doesn't seem polite too...

Family friend gathering!

So last night we had 4 other family friends come over to our place. They brought food from various places. One person was from Korea but lives in Japan now—they brought gyoza and Koreab fries noodles. One who grew up in Osaka brought meet loafs etc.
I ate Shabu-Shabu! So delicious!
I ate so much...

Me and Toilet

Toilet & I had an incident.
Okay,
So I went shopping with my Host-Sister (Karen) and really really hontoni needed to use the restroom. ~_~
First stall---> Japanese style
Second stall---> Jap. Style.
3rd & 4th---> Jap. Style.
Me: "Isn't there at least one western one?!"
Karen: "Wait, there's someone in the last one."
Me: waiting
Finally opens. Look.
Me: "Yes!" western style! •<>•
Went to use...done look around.
Me: "Crap..."
There were only buttons! Written all in Japanese!
Me: "Okay, calm down you can do this..."
*press - butt washing button...
Me: "nope, not this one..."
*press - nothing happened.
Then finally --- I began pressing every single button... -_-
Finally flushed.
That's Me & Toilet.

Oba-chan!

Obaa-chan came today! (Wednsday June 27) I came home from school (alone first time ever!) and was greeted by Obaa-chan. At first I was like, "Oh no! Obaa-chan no English and I no Japanese!" But we tried to communicate with one another. The thing I love about her is that she didn't give up trying to speak to me. She knew a couple of English words and I knew a couple of japanese words. Eiji was home too, but he is 7 and knows no English. T_T But anyways I bought my first ever original triangle onigiri--> OiSHii! Obaa-chan made meat rolled asparagus (really good!) Some sort of fried chicken and cold somen noodles with dipping sauce! Ah~ I'm gaining weight, I know it. TT__TT

School!

I started school! (On Monday June 25) It was awkward. I couldn't understand a single word any students said. They tried broken English-Japanese (It was fun trying to communicate)
My first day there the students were getting their test scores back. It was so funny! I wish I could have caught it on camera! They all ran nervously up to the front to get their tests! Some ran outside the classroom o look at their scores then ran back inside screaming!
It was so funny!
On Wednsday I introduced myself to the entire student body. *(Kowaii!) It was scary! I sped through the entire speech. Phew! (-_-')
Over with it! >_<

Asakusa & Ginza!

On Saturday --(June 24)-- Oka-san and I went to Otome-Sando (first time on subway!!! >_<) to wait for Karen Oni-chan. From there we went to Asakusa to visit the Asakusa Temple. We had lunch - (I had Udon...173 kcal!) -  It was Oishii! I wanted more but I didn't order anymore. We went to the Asakusa Temple and shopped around, then went to pray. I shoook this thing where you gently shake and pray then pull out a stick that has a number on it. You then find the corresponding box with same number (I got #84) I got BAD LUCK! Boohoo~ But Oka-san said don't believe in it. SO I left the bad fortune on a rack in the Temple. We hten stopped in Ginza and looked around. Literally the busiest thing I've ever seen in my entire life! There were people everywhere! We went to the weekends so some roads were blocked just so people could shop! Karen Oni-chan posed with Spiderman (a random guy in Spiderman costume). *Kawaii!
We wondered too far and took the Bus home to Koto-Ku.
Fun day!

Self intro?!

So today was my first day of school...and I was told that I will do a self introduction to the whole student body on Wednsday!!!
Ehhhh???!!!!
I'm freaking out now!

First day in Japan!

Hi!
First official day in Japan with the Host-Family!
Awesome so far! Went to Eiji's school, walked around the neighborhood and shopped with host mom, Karen and Eiji. Played wii...with host siblings and then when host dad came home went out to eat near Tokyo disneyland. I ate Soba noodles, Tempura, etc! It was delicious! Nemutai, I'm going to sleep now...

Here with Host family!

So host mom picked me up last night.
Ahhh, Tsukareta!
Demo, kyo wa I went to Eiji's (host brother) school. They had an open school thing so host-mother came home and we had lunch (yaki undon) it was delicious! She took me to Eiji's school to visit and they said bye to me in English.
Everyone's so cute!!! And respectful here. I am going to have a big reverse culture shock when I get back to the US.

Tokyo!

In Tokyo already! At Narita airport!
Ah, my butt is sore...
Will see host family soon.

Shuttle accident...

Hi you guys...
So, I was on the first group to leave for the airport at 3:00 a.m. (2nd & 3rd group at 6:00 a.m.) and as we were going down to the San Francisco airport the driver had a sudden seizure...we had an accident.
We didn't hit any cars though, but there was gas in the shuttle and we couldn't figure out how to get the doors opened. (I thought I was going to die.)
I was frightened and tried to help because I was near the front, I looked into the eyes of the unconscious driver, I would like to forget the image.
Then this kid pushed opened the window and I held the window opened for others to get out. I finally couldn't breathe anymore and because I was frightened I panicked. The guy who was going out the window was taking his time but I was so scared because I couldn't breathe anymore that I pushed him out and yelled, "Just hurry up! Please!" (I literally screamed in fear)
I had my backpack on and took it off and threw it out the window. I literally threw myself out the window. I didn't care weather I was going to fall and injure myself or not, I was so scared that I just threw myself out. The people behind me had to quickly grab onto my legs because they were afraid I would hit my head. (later the guy that pushed the window opened told me that at the back of his head he wanted to laugh because I was the only one who actually dived out the window.) I lost a shoe in the bus an didn't go back to get it.
The police came (slowly) and ordered us back into the shuttle because it was the freeway. I was like, "No! I don't care if this is the freeway! There's gas in the shuttle and I'd rather be run over than go back inside and suffocate!" (it seemed the officer didn't understand although the lady specially said there was gas leaking and the air smelt like gas.)
We were pulled across the freeway to a fence. I stepped on something sharp and wasn't able to walk.
The officers came to ask for our infos and an ID, this girl told the officer that I couldn't walk so he made his way towards me instead.
I was in shock, I didn't know what to do. I freaked out.
But I'm okay. I called my parents and started bawling like crazy. I was frightened. I was so close to death it was frightening. I guess if you've never experienced this type of thing you wouldn't understand how scary it was...
But everyone's okay. We were all shaken but we recovered and everyone's still going to Japan.

Lila

San Francisco!

On the plane to San Francisco!
View is awesome!

------*
When I first took off in MSP I was like, "Yeah! Lift up the curtain to watch the plane take off!" THEN as the plane too off I was like, "**%#! Scary!!!"

My ears popp'n like popcorn.
I'll write again when I'm in San Fran!

California here I come!

Yikes! It's June 15!!!
I'm up! It's 3 in the morning... T_T
I'm so tired!!!

But I'm leaving in 1 hour to MSP.
Layover in Dallas, then off to California!!!

Watashi wa tottemo ureshii desu!

My host-mom messaged me! AND I'm going to School!

I didn't know if I should send a message through facebook to them in Japanese or English. I ended up sending it in english instead, I just couldn't trust google translate.

But anyways! She messaged me! She introduced herself in English (actually she wrote all in English). Her English is really good! I feel so fortunate to have a family who can speak English!
She's so kind! She introduced the whole family to me! She even said I'll be attending High school there too and not to worry about the uniform because I can borrow my host-sister's! She also asked me what kind of food I liked, what I wanted to try, and where I want to visit! I'm so happy!
She explained the course to school:
    I will be traveling to school with my host-sister Karen. I'm going to Japan Women's University attached Senior High school in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture! From Koto to Kawasaki is about 1 hour by train! CRAZY! But I'll do my best! She also metioned that they'll cover the cost to commute to school! >_< Thank you so much Okasan! (I'm literally broke right now...)

I cannot wait to see them!

This is Koto-Ku Ward in Tokyo prefecture.  

I will be going to Japan Women's University attached Senior High School! I'm very honored to be able to attend the oldest and largest of private Japanese Women Universities.

Host-mother says it takes about 1 hour by train to get to school.
I live in Shinonome, Koto-Ku, Tokyo prefecture; my host-sister Karen goes to school in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture.
I have to change Train at least 3 or 4 times before I get to school.
Phew! Need to get in shape before I get to Japan.
Never took this long of a route to school before.

T__T

HOST-FAMILY INFORMATION!

My host-family information came today!!!
I'm so excited! (when exactly am I not excited? `>_<`)
Some people have receieved e-mails from their host-families and I haven't received anything so I was a bit sad, but I was so excited for them! When they hear good news it feels like I've heard good news too!
Luckily I received my family information two weeks in advance before I leave so I know what to get.

Back to the host-family.....!

I'm living in TOKYO! How exciting! (I really need to use a different word...) Actually I'm living in Koto-Ku, Tokyo! I have a host-mother, a host-father, they both have jobs. I HAVE a 7 year old host-brother and a 17 year old host-sister! I don't know my siblings' names yet...I hope to know soon!
Finals are coming up soon and I'm suppose to be studying but I've spent the entire day stalking and finding information about where I'm living!

Kyaaa! I want to know so much! New questions are popping up in my head!
There's 13 more days before I leave for California!
Thank you YFU!

I'm going to Japan!

I'm going to JAPAN!!!

I'm so excited! There's absolutely no words to describe my feelings right now. My heart is moving so fast! Like super fast! I received the Japanese American Friendship Scholars (JAFS) scholarship! (I was an alternate for Mazda nationwide) BUT it's okay! I'm really happy that I was able to make as an alternate for such a competetive scholarship! Only 3 from the entire U.S. was selected and I was one of the 3 alternatives. Still I'm going to Japan!
Did I tell you that I'm super excited?!


I literally can't wait until my host family information comes!
Waiting...


Anyways, I've been chatting with other students who are going to Japan on the JAFS scholarship too and they're amazing! Everyone's so nice and excited! I hope to meet them at Berekely soon! Hopefully we'll all have a blast!