The Red Sun on the Horizon: A Journey by One American Exchange Student

Pictures of my Journey in Japan

2006-08-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Finished

2006-08-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

Now that my adventure is over, I feel like it is time to announce this blog as finished. I have done what I set out to do and accomplished what I wanted to do with this blog. On November 14th I set this goal...

"My goal for the first part of this blog is to capture the process of finishing and submitting my application. My goal for the second part is to show the process of preparing for my exchange. And of course, my goal for the third part is capture (in all different mediums) my journey to Japan.

So, basically, this blog will describe my journey. From the initial paperwork of the application to coming home on the airplane. My journey to Japan."

Now that goal is accomplished and I really think it is time to seal this blog just the way it is. It is finished and now it is time to move on to the next phase in my life. Thank you everyone who has encouraged me, helped me, or even just known me during this time in my life and I pray that you enjoy this blog now and in the years to come.

2006-08-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I seem to have fully recovered and home seems like home again. Thank goodness! : ) I called my host family yesterday and said "ohayo gozimas" (it was 8 o'clock in the morning in Okinawa when I called). Okasan seemed really happy to hear from me, and we talked in broken Japanese and English just like we did at home! ^-^ Miu also woke up and I felt bad because she didn't have to wake up until later because school is now out for her. And, I totally didn't recognize her voice when she got on the phone, it sounds really different! I had to ask "donata desu ka?" (who is this?) Miu just started laughing and once she said "it's Miu!" I started laughing too!

We move to Michigan very soon. I am a little nervous about it, but I know God has plans for me there and it's time to move on to the next phase in my life...in Michigan! : )

Here's my new house in Michigan!

I'm Home!

2006-07-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally made it through 24 hours of airplane rides, bus rides, and you can't forget layovers at the airports. It feels weird being home, kinda surreal. I don't really know why, but I guess it just dosn't really feel like home anymore after living in Okinawa for 1 month 1/2. I do miss my okasan and Miu very much, and I wonder how they feel since I left. And after we got to the California Airport me and Brad were talking about our exchanges, and we also wondered if we were feeling what YFU calls "reverse culture-shock". Culture shock hits you when you go into a different coutry with a culture radically different from yours, but I guess "reverse culture shock" hits you when you go back to your home culture after adapting to the new culture in you host country. I think that's what I might be feeling right now. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful to see my friends and family again and catch up with all them, but I still feel like I don't belong here. Almost like everything has already changed here without me. I wonder how long this feeling will last?

Last Night in Okinawa

2006-07-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

It it so quiet tonight. I have finished packing (finally!) and I can`t believe how much extra gifts I have accumlated here, I seriously had to pack twice as much as I came here with! : ) After I finshed packing Okasan weighed my bags and the small one is below the weight limit, and the the middle sized one is above, but I guess together they meet the weight limit. I`m hoping so anyway...

I also can`t believe how generous Miu and Okasan are. They bought extra gifts for each person in my family and I have six people! They are so kind and thoughtful, it makes me feel really bad that my mom couldn`t send their presents. (It was too expensive to send them all at once, something crazy like 250 dollars or something)

I am glad I am going home tomorrow, but it is like a small happy feeling tinged with sadness. I don`t really know how to describe it...I`m really happy to see my family again, but I know once I get back it`s going to be work to move and there`s all this drama about the move and my dad`s job going on I kinda don`t want to go back. It`s so simple and nice here, I love my family and I am used to the regular routine where as I go back home everything is going to change.

I also can`t belive my life here in Okinawa is going to end. No more waking up and walking out to the family room/kitchen to see Okasan making a wonderful breakfast. No more of the feeling of independce by walking to school on my own, and being able to walk out the grocery store with bags of groceries for my family. No more wearing fuzzy slippers around the house, yelling "tadima" when I come home and hearing back "Okirenasai" or yelling "iitakimas" and hearing "itterashi". No more walking into class and hearing my morning chorus of "ohoyo!" along with my friends smiles. No more singing me and Miu`s special song "the mickey mouse song" as we toil up 4 flights of stairs to get to our apartment. No more daily shopping trips, puricura taking, and browsing at the mall. No more walks to Chica and Tomo`s house, or seeing Kana or Koya (the cutest little kids ever). No more crazy times at Haebaru High School (coco). No more "kichigi" Tomoyo or funny yuriei, or chaoic Karate Classes with the crazy boys. No more visiting amazing places in Okinawa I`ve only ever read about, no more days were I don`t know what I am going to do and then Okasan and Miu come up with a great schedule for me to experience Okinawa. No more people asking "daijobu? daijobu?" and answering back with a smile "daijobu daijobu".

As I leave tomorrow, I don`t know exactly what will happen or what I will feel. But, I do know that I will forever remember...my summer in Okinawa. Okinawa will always have a special place in my heart.

YFU Get-Together in Nago City!

2006-07-23T00:08:00.000-07:00

The YFU get together in Nago was really fun! I had an absolutely great time, and it was pretty well organized and planned. Me and Miu left for this adventure on Sat. at 2 p.m. Since we live so close to each other, Alicia`s host family came to pick us up and drive us over there, it was really nice of them. And I think Okasan was a little glad she didn`t have to drive us, because it takes and hour to get there! : )

So during the hour long drive to Nago, me and Alicia got caught up with what we`d both been up too since we didn`t get a chance to at the festival. (It was too busy and loud) Miki (one of Alicia`s host sisters) and her friend came. Along with my host sister, Miu. Once we got to Nago and the YFU site, we found out it was a community center and we went inside to sign in and pay. As I was looking around it was really nice and clean for a community center, and I ended up really liking the rooms which were traditional tatami mats and paper screen walls. After we were all signed in, we went into the next room for our first meeting. Everyone from YFU Okinawa was there, and I had such a great time seeing everyone again...Michelle, Jocelyn, Josh, Kenshi, Sasha...after so long apart we had alot of catching up to do over the weekend! : ) After the long speeches were over and they gave us our room numbers, we grabbed our stuff and lugged it over to our new rooms. Out of Alica, me, Miu, Mikki, and Mikki`s friend...I ended up being the only one in room 315 everyone else was in room 301. At first I was kinda worried, but Michelle, Joceyln, and Sasha were all in room 315 so I figured it would be ok.

Once we finished putting our stuff away, we ran back downstairs to go to our "activity". Me, Michelle, Jocyeln, Miki, and Miu had to choose from volleyball, a nature walk, and something else but I can`t remember what it was. We choose vollyball so we all changed into our sports clothes and ran over to the inside court. It was like a sauna in there, but the vollyball games were really fun and everyone had a blast! : ) Thankfully after that it was lunch time because we were all starving...

Yummy...Yaki Soba is my favorite japanese meal!

From left to right: Akiko (Michelle`s host sister who`s really cool), Michelle (with a crazy face no less), Mikki, Mikki`s freind, Joceyln, Brad (the other YFU person from AZ), Sasha (who has had 5 host familys), and ME! : )

Once we were all finished with lunch, we headed back upstairs to relax in our rooms for about an hour and a half and then we went to the YFU dance party downstairs. Now I really don`t know were the dance party came from, because it wasn`t on our list of activites but apparently it started at 7:30 and everyone was there! : ) It was really fun and I even danced! Michelle went crazy with her dance moves and kept making all these silly faces...it was absolutely hillarious! And me, Joceyln, Michelle, Josh, and Kenji hung together during the dance party and had tons of fun!

I also had my first experience with Japanese coffee. They only had three drinks to choose from (unfortunately none of them being water), green tea (which isn`t that tasteful), coke, and this choclate drink which I later found out was coffee. Now, I really don`t like coffee, and usually never drink it. So with Japanese coffee being even stronger than American coffee I was up all night and wide awake, it was really annoying but foretunatly Shasha had had some too we just talked all night and the coffe only wore off about 3o min. before we had to wake up...so we only got thirty minutes of sleep! Oh well, there really wasn`t anything we could do about it so we were just a little tired the next day. It was still a great get together and I willl see everyone at the airport for out flight back to the states! I know all of us were thinking about the fact that we only have three days left in Okinawa!!! I can`t believe it!!!

Haebaru Matsuri

2006-07-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Today was the Haebaru Matsuri (Haebaru Summer Festival)! Apparently, each town/city has their own summer festival (matsuri) and today`s was Haebaru towns! It was really fun, and it was neat to celebrate with my host town. Haebaru is such a close knit and wonderful community and you can see it in the way they all participate in community activities. Everyone came out for the Haebaru Matsuri, clapping, waving, banging on drums...it was really cool! I met Alicia and her host family on the way to the parade and we both got to beat these really pretty sakura (cherry blossom flower) drums with the other woman in the parade. At first I was nervous because as a foreigner in these types of situations you really stick out, but everyone was really encouraging and me and Alicia caught on the "drum rythum!" : )

During the parade walk to the festival, they also had these tall poles with banners hanging down with characters on them. They were really pretty and really ornate (they also looked really heavy!: )

Once we got the festival site, we were met by crowds and crowds more of people. Everyone was so happy and excited for the festival to start!

First, they had taiko and drum preformances, then all the men dressed in white came out and showed off their skills with the wooden staffs. Let`s just say they were pretty good! After that, it was time for everyone`s favorite activity at the festival...Tug of War!!!

Bringing out the huge, woven rope...

The acual tug of war battle was really intense. Both sides of the rope had hundreds of people tugging and pulling and my "east side" worked really hard. Everyone pulled with all their might, and we even had a pulling chant, but in the end...it was my side that lost. Oh well, we put in a great effort! : )

After the festival was over and it was time to leave, Alicia`s host sister invited me to attend her Japanese class that she teaches on tuesday. She is so cool, she spent a year in Australia and is pretty fluent in English so she teaches Japanese to foreigners (mostly Chinese and Americans she says). I was really happy for the chance to go to her class, and it is also the same day as my farewell party. Only 6 days left in Okinawa!!!

The Last Day of School at Haebaru High!

2006-07-20T23:38:00.000-07:00

Part 1:

Time has gone by so fast! Today is not only the last day of school at Haebaru High school, but it also marks that on this day next week I will be flying home to the States. I only have one week left!

Early this morning Sueko-Sensei called to tell me that not only did I have to make my speech in front of the entire school today, but I also had to make a short speech at the morning teachers meeting...which offically started in 30 min.! Usually I have about 45 min to get ready so I was running around like crazy trying to get ready in time. And then, when I acually got to school early so I give give my little speech to the teachers, Sueko-Sensei looked at my prepared speech for the ceremony today and said that since I say "thank you" to the teachers in that speech I didn`t need to give a speech to the teachers this morning after all!!! First, she makes me get up early in the morning, run around, call me just this morning, and make me worry for...nothing??? nani, eh???

Everthing was ok though, once I got to the classroom. Seeing all my friends in class 2-3, walking in, smiling, and saying "oahyo!" and hearing a responding chorus of "oahyo!" and "Oahyo goziimas"is the highlight of my school mornings.

After we had short homeroom time, everyone pitched in and did an absolutely through cleaning job of the classroom. We mopped, scrubed, and cleaned the floor; and we also washed the windows, took out the trash, cleaned the chalkboard, washed the desks and the chairs, and basically cleaned for about an hour. Once we had finished cleaning, we left the floor to dry and went to the assembly in the new gym. This was the part I was so nervous about, I had butterfiles in my stomach all the way through the assembly. First we had to listen to a policeman talk about fire safety for about 35 min. The we watched a video of crash tests of cars hitting dummies on bikes at different angles...I don`t really know why because they didn`t tell you how to avoid being hit by a car, just the horrible things that happen to you if they do. Then we had 3 people come up to speak for a long time, then Jared (the ALT from Hawaii) spoke, then it was my turn. Now, the way I worked it out with Sueko-Sensei was that I would speak in English and she would translate it into Nihongo and it worked ok, with some gliches, but hey! We had never had a chance to practice...and I also wrote my speech only yesterday... : ) Here is my speech...

Hello everyone! I have thought long and hard about what I want to say
today. To not only Haebaru High School, but also to the Haebaru
Community. First, I have to say thank you. To class 2-3, thank you
for accepting me. We have laughed together, talked together, and shared
together. I will never forget the times we have shared and the memories
we`ve made these past few weeks. To Haebaru High School, I am so glad that
I got to share with you such a special time as your 30th Annivesary!
Haebaru High School is a wonderful school, but what makes it wonderful is not
its image on the outside. It`s the kind and hardworking people on the
inside. The teachers, staff, and students are who really make Haebaru High
School an amazing place. They say that a school is a reflection of the
community surrounding it. If so, then Haebaru High School is a true
example of this community. A community that helps, shares, and grows
together. Words cannot express the experiences I have had, the things I`ve
learned, and the new understanding I have gained of Okinawa. Words also
cannot express how thankful I am for all you have done for me. But,
I do sincerely wish to once again say thank you.

Once it was over I felt much better and then it was time to party back in the classroom! YATA!!! : )

Me, Yurie, and Chaki, plus to others (I don`t know their names) are looking at my American High School Yearbook. They thought it was pretty cool!

2006-07-20T23:27:00.000-07:00

Part 2:

During our end of school party...I showed some of the girls my high school yearbook (they even signed it for me!) and they had so much fun looking at the class pictures so they could point out cute American boys! *lol* ^-^ I also got to show the class my high school DVD of some of our assemblies, some of the dance preformance, and sports. They boys in particular thought that the short on Boys Basketball was really cool...I know because they asked me to play it over and over. : ) The whole class also got these cool hats that say "30th Anniversary Haebaru High School" so I got together with some girls and we decorated ours with markers. It looks really cool now!

It`s a yearbook picture!

Okinawa, Japan...and the best class ever...(plus me!) class 2-3!!!

Tomoyo and me modeling the cool Haebaru High School hats.

It`s the party girls!!! Watch out!!!

Awwwe...How cute?!

Now...here is the "official" gangster pose picture.

Everyone in my class is so sweet, they bought me this message card and each of them wrote a message to me in English. I was so suprised and it was so nice of them. I will always have it remember them all by! : ) Thanks you guys!!!

From left to right: Anna, Tomoyo, Me, Ima, and our homeroom sensei. This is offically my last picture at Haebaru High School...I miss everyone already!!!

2006-07-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

Part 3: Shopping with Anna, Haru, and Tomoyo (of course!)

After we had finished cleaning up once the party was finished...Tomoyo, Anna, Haru, and me waved one last goodbye to a couple of people and headed off to go shopping at the Haebaru Justco. I even got to ride the public bus for the first time! At first I was confused at waht to do, but Tomoyo helped me out. When you first get on you grab a little white ticket with a number stamped on it and you hold on to it until it`s time for you to get of the bus. In which you put it in this turning slot along with the money you owe for the ride. Pretty simple acually, once you get the hang of it! : )

Once we got to the mall we looked around at the "cool" shops, talked, laughed, and basically had lots of fun! We also each purchased these heart shaped metal clips that go on your cell phone. The big heart has "friends" on it and the little heart connected to it has each of our first initals on it. It is soooo cute and we all have one! After that we went and had some delicous Udon for lunch, it was good and the whole meal was only 210 yen!

Udon anyone???

After we finished our delicious udon, we headed over to the arcade to do puricura! It was so much fun, and we all looked so cute in our high school uniforms! : )

This is my Puricura book...isn`t it kawaii? ^-^

Once we had finished all our shopping, we left Haebaru Jusco, hopped on the bus and I took Haru and Tomoyo to my house (they kinda invited themselves over, and Anna had to catch a different bus).

We may be tired and worn out shoppers, but we`re still smiling! (and for some strange reason my face is really shiny...)

What do I Always do When Hanging Out With Miu`s Friends...SHOP!

2006-07-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

Today, you guessed it...I went shopping with one of Miu`s friends. Her name is Aikiko, which I thought was a cool name. She told me she is also 18 and majoring in English, so we spoke entirely in English just for her. We had so much fun asking each other questions about our familys, likes and dislikes, things like that...she had lots of questions for me, especially about America and I was just so happy to speak normal, up to speed English I didn`t mind all the questions at all! : ) She was so funny to talk to, and always laughing and smiling. I taught her the word "squishy" which she thought was the funniest English word ever and I guess in Japanese it`s "puny" "puny!" I still think the Japanese version is much funnier, but Akiko argued that the English is funnier so each time one of us said "squishy" or "puny puny" we would randomly start craking up. I think we scared some people at some of the stores we visited, I think they thought something was wrong with us! *lol* : )

This happy face happens to be Akiko silly! : )

I wonder...who was the one to totally show me up at Ice Hockey??? : )

Look!!! It`s a huge strawberry!!! You can`t eat it...but you can sit on it! : )

Awwwe...Miu and Saku!

The Grand Tour of Okinawa

2006-07-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

"Kristi...Kristi...Miu...time get up!" was the first thing I heard this morning at the early time of 8 o`clock. I was rewarded for getting up though...with breakfast, somehow Okasan had found pancake mix and syrup! YATA!!! I was so excited to have an Ameircan-like breakfast and the pancakes were small, but good. And apparently Saku had spent the night and was going to join us on our grand tour of Okinawa today.

After Kenjo`s father had picked us up and then went back to get Kenjo and his wife we all started towards our first stop...the Tan-dum grave site. It is a national historic site, and the grave site of one of the old Okinawa kings and (as far as I could tell) his wife, and many sons and daughters. We got to see the ruins, the gatehouse, and the connected musem which held some of the orginal urns found in the tombs.

For a short break, and because it was hot we stopped for some Blue Seal ice cream. It was Oshi! (delicious) and best of all the ice cream flavors were in English too! YATA!!!

Next stop...a beautiful view of the umi (sea) and Haebaru-cho!

Isn`t it pretty? I think so, but the American Base in the back (find the landing strip) takes up so much room in Okinawa. It`s not a good thing.

After a couple of hours of driving, we finally came to place called Pineapple Park. It looks like a really touristy amusement park (and it is) but I also thought it would be really...um...dumb. But, to my suprise it acually turned out to be pretty cool! By the end it was my favorite place that we visited today.

Now, I have to tell you about Pineapple Park. When you first get in, you of course have to buy tickets and then you are ushered to the side. Then...you see it...the Pineapple Cart. They are so funny looking! they are bright yellow golf cart looking pineapple topped carts that take you on self guided tour of the pineapple gardens. They even drive themselves! How cool is that????

Alicia`s Host Family`s Beach Party!

2006-07-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Alicia`s family`s beach party was really fun! We had barbaque dinner, played with hanobi (fireworks), played beach vollyball, and talked and talked and talked. It was nice to just goof around and have fun after the stuffy ceremony. I also used alot of my Japanese that I had learned here and everyone was really, really, impressed! Anyway, they invited me to their house after school ends and I hope I get the chance to go! : )

From left to right: Alicia`s host mom, Miki (Alicia`s host sister), Me!, Miki`s friend, Alicia`s host father, Alicia, and Alica`s host sister Yukiko. : )

Look at all the pretty stars... : ) *LOL*

Hi Everyone! You missed the best beach party ever! : )

Haebaru High School`s 30th Aniversary

2006-07-17T05:15:00.000-07:00

I stayed up really late last night watching T.V. with Miu, so I didn`t wake up today until around 12 o`clock in the afternoon. Sueko-sensei (the English teacher at school who helps me out) called and told me that today was Haebaru High School`s 30th aniversary! So that`s what everyone was getting ready for yesterday! : )

Well, I ran to get ready so I could leave for the ceremony which started at two and when I came out of the bathroom (my hair is soking wet and I in my pajamas!) I found out we had guests. Yukiko and her son Koya came over to visit, what a suprise for me! Anyway, I finished getting ready and played with Koya, then Yukiko dropped me off at school for the ceremony. The Ceremony in itself was really boring. But the preformance before was very neat! It was of "ruku" Okinawa Dance and they even had a dragon! Sugoi! : )

After the ceremony, I hung out with tomoyo and another girl. We went back to watch more ruku dance and it was again very awesome. We even got to say hi to the rest of our classmates backstage! When the preformance finished, I went home and found out that Alicia`s beach party was today and that we had to leave in like, 10 min!

This is Chaki and Tomoyo, isn`t Chaki`s costume cool?!

This is a picture of one of the Ceremony`s preformances.

Here`s Tomoyo, a girl in my class, and me at the Ceremony.

The Ceremony room...look how crowded with just parents and teachers! : )

Here`s a picture of some of the "band?" on the side of the stage.

Karaoke!!!

2006-07-14T21:13:00.000-07:00

Karaoke was so much fun!!! ^-^ It was my first time too, and I loved it! I got to go with Miu, Jocelyn, Michelle, and their host sisters and a friend. We rented a karaoke room for 3 hours and boy did that time go by fast! I felt like we were only there for one hour, not three...well, time goes by fast when you are having fun! : ) Anyway, the Japanese girl`s favorite English song it seems was Skater boi by Avril Lavine so we sang that one twice, and the American girls sang some of our favorite songs and some funny songs like As Long as You Love me by the Backstreet Boys! Believe it or not, Backstreet Boys, Aqua, and Brittney Spears are popular in Japan! Crazy, I know, but it`s true.

The one singing her heart out is Michelle, and the one in the back looking at the book is Jocelyn! : )

Singing our hearts out! : )

Michelle`s faces! They are even funnier than Tomoko`s!!!

2006-07-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today seemed so wonderful! I have made such wonderful school friends, and I am starting to really become a part of class 2-3.

This is Kay, my best friend in clas 2-3! She is also the one who makes sure I get help if I need it, she`s so great! : )

This is Ima! another of my good friends in class 2-3! : )

It`s a bird...it`s a plane...it`s the sensei! No...it`s another of my good friends in class 2-3 silly!

Kakkoii Tomodachi!!! (Cool friends!)

It`s the two best friends, Haru and Tomoyo! : )

And apparently today instead of having Karate, we had the two periods of free time. Some of the class split up and I stayed in the main Okinawa Dance floor to watch a movie that was on Okinawa Dance. It was pretty interesting, but I have to say it was more fun to watch the 7 guys in my 2-3 class goof off (or show off! : ) and dance in the middle of the floor. After the movie was finished and I was really bored, I wandered in to where some of the girls were all gathered, but they were just cleaning. So I left that room (I was going to help clean but they told me they were already finished), and out of the front of the classroom I saw two of the other boys in our class painting on some wooden boards. At first I was unsure, but I gathered up my courage and asked if I could help. And to my suprise they acually said yes and handed me a paintbrush! Yuri`s boyfriend was really nice and kinda helped me out by showing me what to do, and then when I made a little mistake (and kinda freaked out) he was the one that told me it was ok and we cleaned it right up! : ) But both of them were really nice. They were alot quieter and more observant then when they were with the other guys in our class. We talked in some Japanese while we worked, along with a tiny bit of English. It was fun! : ) And they even worked up some courage to ask me some small questions!

It`s...the boys of class 2-3! Kakkoii!

Also, random people stopped by to say hi and see what we were doing. I got to meet a substitute who spoke fluent English and who randomly graduated from Glendale Community College! What a small world, ne?

On the way home I met a girl named Sayuri who was really nice and we talked alot on the way home. I usally walk home by myself. Usually, I enjoy it because it gives me time to think over my school day, but it was nice to talk to someone on the way home.

Right after I got home, me and Miu ran right back out the door to get to Karaoke. We met up with Jocelyn, Michelle, their host sisters, and one of the host sisters friends. It was really funny plus lots of fun! YATA!!! : )

2006-07-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

When I started this adventure, I knew I was going to experience some culture shock...but I never thought I would feel it physically! My major sunburn is still healing (and still as red as a lobster) and today I woke up with an all red left eye! It looked really scary, and Okasan told me to stay home from school today and take care of it. I was really glad because I`m sure it would have freaked some people out at school, and I would have had to wear my glasses and I really don`t like them to much. I think my eye is just irritated from my contacts and it was really windy last night so I probably got some dirt or something in my eye too. At first I was worried it was pink eye, but I`m pretty sure it`s not.

So, I had a pretty boring day at home. I read the book "A Song in the Silence" (I have pretty much memorized it by now because it`s the only book I thought to bring! o.0) And therefore is the only english book avaliable for miles and miles. And I`ve found out that when you are bored you will watch anything...I watched Japanese T.V. for hours and I never completely understood what was going on....let alone understand the talking.

But, once Miu came home from school we started talking about who I still needed to get presents for back home and Miu came up with a great idea. Let`s go shopping at the 100 yen store! I was a little skeptical at first, but everything is so expensive here I thought I would give it a try. It took awhile to get there, but once we did me and Miu did some serious shopping. (I later found it this was her favorite 100 yen store...all I have to say is she has good taste!) I found so many perfect presents for people and the best part was they weren`t over the top expensive, they were acually very reasonably priced and it made my day. Me and Miu had so much fun being crazy and having fun by trying on crazy hats and things, and making stilly faces at each other in between the aisles! : )

2006-07-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

Last night was amazing! After I made dinner (we had all American french toast and scrambled eggs!), Okasan dressed me and Miu in our Yukata so we could take pictures. I was excited to see Miu`s yukata and it turns out that it is really close to mine in color and style...both of our yukata`s are navy blue with white flowers (although the flowers are different) and we both have red obi`s! Me and Miu started laughing when we showed each other our yukata`s and realized we matched, I guess we truely are sisters! : )

After we finished taking pictures at our house, Okasan told me and Miu to go and visit Chika and Tomo over at there house. So me and Miu walked through the lamplit streets in our yukata, our geta clapping against the sidewalk as we walked. It felt so sureal to walk through the streets of Okinawa in a yukata and geta...

Once we got to Chika and Tomo`s house they were suprised to see me and Miu in yukata but they both thought it was really cute! Their family took some pictures of us, and then this older lady who lived right next door came over to help Chika and Tomo put on their yukata. She was a very brisk woman and redid my yukata because according to her it wasn`t on right, something about it hanging straight? Anyway so once again, I put on my yukata! After she was finished it was Chika and Tomo`s time. Chika was first, and I really liked her yukata, it rememinded me of hawaiian flowers!

Chika`s mom and Chika!

Next it was Tomoko`s turn. Her yukata was the only one that was not navy blue, but it still looked pretty on her. Her obi was also the same one as mine! : )

Tomo has the weirdest faces...she is so funny! : )

Once everyone was ready it was picture time again! We had so much fun taking all different pictures and we even went to Justco to take puricura, we walked through that mall all together in our yukata and we definately got plently of looks especially the foreigner in the Japanese yukata. It was cool though and we had just gotton to the arcade and the close sign rose before our eyes, two minutes earlier and we would have made it! So we left Justco and went across the street to the Movie theater, which had a game arcade that had puricura booths. We definately went crazy with our puricura! I want to keep those pictures forever...they are too cute!

Hoshi Matsuri (Star Festival)

2006-07-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today was the hosi matsuri! Together with Miu, Okasan, and Okasan`s sister, we made stars and chains and decorations for the tree branch we have on the table. It looks so colorful with all of the decorations we put on it, and we got to put peices of paper on it with our wishes too! :)

My wish is the one on the far left in pink!

Happy Hoshi Matsuri!

An American Dinner

2006-07-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Before me and Miu dressed up in our yukatas and had our night of fun, I got to make an American breakfast...for dinner! : ) I had been talking about making french toast for a while and was going to make it last week, but we didn`t have any eggs. So I made it for dinner today! I think Okasan was really happy she didn`t have to make dinner, and Miu was so excited she couldn`t stop taking pictures throughout the whole cooking process. I made french toast (thanks dad for teaching me! : ) and scrambled eggs with apple tea to stand in for apple juice...hey their related right? : )

Here`s me cooking up some french toast...and not only is it altoether hot and humid already, I`m standing in front of a gas stove that is piping hot!

The finished meal...yummy!

Miu and her American french toast...she said it was "oshi" (delicious!) YAY!!! : )

Independent Shopping!

2006-07-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

I feel so proud of myself right now! Why? Because I made my first independent shopping trip in Okinawa! I called my mom and dad yesterday to tell them about trying on the kimono, and after the inital excitement we talked about worrying how much my host family was spending on me. So, my mom told me she had called Shem (one of my Japanese teachers who had also done a homestay) and she said a good idea would be to buy groceries for host family. I had a pretty good idea of what Okasan buys each time she goes to the grocery store, and I`ve been with Miu a couple of times, but I was still worried about getting lost on my way there. I`ve only walked the grocery store once with Miu and I didn`t know if I would remember how to get there. So I was really hesitant about it at first.

But this morning I woke up and decided it was something I would do. My host family does so so so much for me and I thought this would be such a small thing that I could do for them in return. So I gathered my courage and after school made the treck over to the grocery store. Suprisingly I didn`t get lost and remembered my way there perfectly! Once I got to the store, I picked up my grocery carrying basket and picked out all the stuff Okasan usually buys first, then added some special touches of my own. I also picked up some face wash which I desperately needed and some of the spray deoterant that is so popular with the girls here. (I really wanted to try it out just for fun! : ) After at first getting in the wrong line...^_^...I found the right one and payed for everything with no mishaps. I was smiling the biggest smile as I walked out the store with my groceries, I`m sure I was quite a sight! Smiling a big smile, humming a happy tune, and swinging my grocery bags as I walked out of the store on my way home. I am seriously so, so, so proud of myself! It was a big accomplishment for me! It may not sound like much, but when you have to always reley on the people around you to help you all the time it`s so nice to do something by yourself.

Also, I found out the typhoon that is comming to Okinawa is supposed to hit saturday (tomorrow) night! I thought it was today, but I guess it`s tomorrow. It`s all over the news and everyone was talking about it at school today. Even if I can`t understand every word people say I can still pick up on general conversation topics, and the typhoon was definately one. You can also tell somethings wrong when you look or go outside. It`s dead quiet, there is hardly anyone outside, even traffic is scarce! I asked Miu what level it`s suposed to be, but I don`t think she understood me. I hope it isn`t bad, I really don`t know what to expect.

Hair and Dance?!

2006-07-06T22:52:00.000-07:00

After we finished yukata shopping, Okasan had one more suprise in store for me. We stopped at her sister`s(?) hairsalon. It turns our her sister`s daughter is a hairstylist too! Anyway, I was in for a free shampoo treatment and I loved every second of it...it was really like an absolutely wonderful head massage. And after that was finished this other hairstylist lady that was there started puting my hair up and at first I didn`t really pay attention, then she put it up in this weird bun on top of my head! I didn`t know what to say so I just smiled and nodded as they started making this weird hairstlye with my hair, all the while praying I wouldn`t have to walk out of the salon like this.

After they were finished with my hair they tied a long purple sash around my forehead and then put decorations in the hairstyle. At this point I still didn`t know what to think until they made me stand up and put a long kimono-like garment on. Then I got it, I had seen this costume before...it was an Okinawa dance costume! I had seen one like it at Shuriji castle. I couldn`t believe I was wearing a real Okinawa dance costume, and then we took picture after picture after picture of me in different poses with different props. I had these clapper things to hold and then I got to wear a big hat! I think the lady that did my hair was so excited to have someone to dress up and pose because we were there for like an hour with me just posing and taking pictures. And after each picture she would run over to me and fix a little bit of hair there, tilt the hat forwards just a little more...stuff like that. She was all smiles and I think she was having so much fun! The hairstyle definately wasn`t my favorite (I looked really weird) but the costume was really cool!

The first step...the funny bun on top of my head! The woman on the left is Okasan`s sister and the woman who`s doing my hair is the lady who was the Okinawan Dancer (It was her costume I got to try on).

Next...the shash (which looks blue in the picture but is really purple).

Putting on the costume...

Finished!

Kimono!!!

2006-07-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

I can`t believe it, but I acually got to try on a kimono!!! It was one of the most amazing things ever, not only are they super expensive (the one I tried on was about 500,000 yen which is about 5,000 dollars in the U.S.) it is really rare for a foreigner to be able to try one on. It happend so suddenly too.

One minute we have just finished buying my yukata set, the next the nice lady who fitted me is asking me if I would like to try on a kimono! At first I thought I had missheard, and I think she thought I just didn`t understand. After my brain had acually processed that she was offering me the chance to try on a real kimono all I could do is nod my head yes because I had no words to speak. The lady`s smile was genuinely kind and she was happy that I had agreed.

And not only was she giving me the chance to try on a kimono, but I acually got to pick which one. It was hard to decide (they were all so beautiful!) but I finally decided on a beautifully patterned red one, and it turns out that it was the sales-lady`s favorite too!

Putting on the Kimono...I still can`t believe it at this point!

First, I had to put on these shoes that had a split between the big toe and I had to put my hair up. Then, she tied on this colar that criss-crossed around my mid-section. Next, I got to put on the kimono! It felt as smooth as silk, and it looked even more beautiful now that I could see the whole pattern. Then she gathered the kimono upwards and tied it up around my waist. She fiddled with the material, fixing things here and there making the rest of it fill out and lay flat then she tied another peice of material around my the top of my midsection. Next, she let me choose the obi that would go around it and again the choice was so difficult because they all were beautiful but I picked a silver colored one with many waves of color. She first put on a flat panel for under the obi, then put on the obi itself. After that, she tied a yellow cord around the middle and added some yellow material around the top of the obi. And it was finished! I couldn`t stop looking at the kimono in the mirror...it looked so beautiful...

I wasn`t able to stop smiling all day! : )

Yukata Shopping

2006-07-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

Try #2:

I said my last goodbye and waved at all of the kids and staff and left with Tomoko and Chika`s mom (who was the one who had come to pick me up). At first I was a little confused because I thought Okasan was going to come pick me up, and then I just figured she was the one who was going to take me yukata shopping. I was proved wrong though, when she just dropped me off back at our apartment. Okasan finshed up some work in the downstairs office (her brother`s arcatectual office), and we started talking about the yukata. She finally got through to me that she wanted to buy the yukata for me, and I freaked out. I stared shaking my head no like crazy and repeating "takai!" "takai!" (expensive, expensive) and she would shake her head yes and say "daijobu" (it`s ok) over and over. After going through with this for about 10 min. she explained that it was ok and I was an important daughter to her and this was her special present to me. Well, what could I say? Espcially after she showed me she had a reasonable budget set. So then we departed for my next shopping adventure.

Well, we went to about 4 or 5 different stores with no luck because I am apparently a "tall size" and they are always more expensive and we were trying to buy a set (with a yukata, obi, premade bow, and geta all together). It was also embaressing trying them on in open stores next to the food section because I was in plain view of everyone.

This was one of my earlier try-on yukatas, I didn`t like it too much...and it was in one of those open stores.

Finally we stopped at an upstairs yukata and kimono store, which looked really expensive so I didn`t even want to go in because I was sure we wern`t going to find anything in our budget in there. We looked at some of the yukatas by themselves and Okasan apparently recongized someone she knew who worked at the store. They talked and I looked, and I found a yukata that was navy blue with white flowers that looked nice. I knew I was trying to find a navy blue yukata with a red obi and that`s what I had my heart set on. This really, really nice lady (who worked there) walked up to us and asked me if I wanted to try it on! I was a little nervous so I just nodded, while Okasan smiled reasurringly.

The lady there was so, so, so nice and I liked her immediatley. I think she could tell I was nervous because she kept asking me questions about Japan and America, and she spoke a little bit of English so she could acually understand what I was saying! I was so happy. Anyway, the navy blue yukata looked the best yet and then the lady let me pick a red obi to go with it. It looked really good and I was so happy to finally find my yukata and I think okasan was glad our search was finally over and it was in her budget range. We ended up buying the navy blue yukata, red obi, and wood geta that I got to pick out too! I was soo happy to finally have my yukata and Okasan is going to make me a bag and hair peice to match! I unfortunately don`t have a picture of me in it yet, but I will tomorrow! : ) 7/7 Here`s a picture!

A Visit to Kana`s Preschool

2006-07-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

I can not believe how much fun I had today at Kana`s preschool. At first I thought it was the wrong idea to even come, and when Okasan left I felt kinda abandoned and lost. It soon got better and better though, I got to know some of the kids and they definatley showed me up at puzzles, knowing the alphabet song, and janken (paper, rock, sissors)! I`m not kidding they made me look soooo bad it was embarressing! And, by the end of it the kids didn`t want me to leave...and I didn`t want to leave either!

Here they are...the puzzle masters! I promise you every time I even dared pick up a puzzle piece they would point to the exact place it should go in about 3\4ths of a second. And it was one of their favorite puzzles because it was of the ever popular Doraimon(?)!

Awwwwe...aren`t they adorable?

The cuteness abounds!

After we got tired of doing puzzles, it was janken time! And once again, I think they beat me every time but once, how they managed to do that I will never know...

After janken...it was swimming time! I tried my hardest to stay aloof and dry during this time...but they still managed to splash me at least three times. : )

It`s lunch time! It was so funny to watch some of the *try* and eat with chopsticks because they are only 3. Let`s just say they havn`t quite learned the "proper" way to use chopsticks yet, and according to one of the teachers they won`t learn until they are about 5 years old.

Me and the kids at lunch. : )

My wish on the tree for the Star Festival tomorrow!

The last picture...me with all of the kids. Thanks you guys! It was so much fun to visit all of you at your school! : )

2006-07-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

A weird thing to happened today. I was just going on the Cox website for Arizona to access my email and the headline news was how a Japanese News Broadcast Company (NHK) had reported that North Korea had test launched a missle. And then I looked up at the T.V. (which Miu had just turned on) and it was definatley on the test launching of a missle by North Korea. That seems to be the only thing on the news.

Anyway on a better note, today I went on a YFU trip! I was kinda embarresed to go to school at first because I was told to wear normal clothes, and everyone else had to wear their uniform. I got alot of strange looks walking up to school! I waiting the guidence office for about an hour because the YFU rep told Sueko-sensei (my english teacher) that he would be there at 9:00 to pick me up, but he acually didn`t show up until 9:45.

The trip was a nice change from school and it was nice to seee some of my YFU friends again; as well as meet some new people. I`m not sure why but we went to many special schools in Okinawa. A mentally challenged school, a physically challenged school, and a school for the blind. It was somewhat hard to visit these schools and see the children there, but they really loved to meet us and hear us speak English. The principals of each of the schools told us how the schools don`t recieve many visiters. I think we went because the area rep who took us had worked in one of the schools for 6 years, and he told us he always takes his YFU students there.

Here`s a picture of us at the first school.

This was taken right after we finished a wonderful lunch buffet after visiting the first two schools. The view from the resteraunt was really neat!

This was a picture at the school for the blind. I acually liked our visit to this school the best...the man second from the left was the English teacher at that school and also completely blind, yet he still seemed really happy and was the one that took us on a tour. He said he had never been out of Japan, but had read alot about America and wondered what it was like, we answered some questions for him but really seemed to want to know more. I sincerely and truely hope he sometime gets a chance to visit America and find out.

4th of July!

2006-07-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

I can`t believe it`s the 4th of July! It`s so weird to be here in Japan on America`s Independence Day. No one else seems to think this day is any different from any other, but then again, why should they? It`s an American holiday...not a Japanese one. I wish I could tell/explain it to my classmates at school but I barely have enough Japanese lang. knowledge to barely scrape by. Maybe I`ll just have to have my own little celabration at home with my host family after all...I can buy fireworks here! : )

I also found I recieved such a nice suprise yesterday! Long story short I went swimming with my classmates in P.E. yesterday and forgot that my suncreen was not waterproof. I am now completely sunburned on my shoulders, top of my back, and a little on my neck. It hurts so bad all day, and my shoulders were really stiff. I am going to try and find some aloe vera for it at the store...I asked the English teacher and she said it is avaliable at drugstores.

On a more cheerful note, I have put my new textbook to use and learned 20 hirigana today! It was so neat to get the regular class handouts and be able to recognize the characters I learned and know their sounds. That`s how I know I`m making progress! : )

And here`s some random pictures from school today.

Lunch in class 2-3, I think the Tusbasa and Chaki (the two girls in the back) were trying to pose with the ever popular peace sign but I took the picture too fast! : )

Since I could not for the life of my lift my arms higher than my shoulders without extreme pain, there was no way I could participate in Karate class....so I just watched a movie with the Okinawa Dance and Shanshin classes.

I know the picture is a little blurry, but this picture is just an example of all the Japanese characters written on board...I get confused just looking at it...I have alot of studying to do!

Just an Update from the Ota House!

2006-07-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update from the Ota family home. I found out today that Okinawa will be hit with a typhoon this saturday. Suprisingly, I`m not very scared or nervous. I`m acually excited because I`ve never been in a typhoon before! : )

I also visited Chika and Tomoko`s house and their father was the one that told me about the typhoon. Kana was also there, it seems that she likes to go to their house and play, and the whole family loves her so I guess she can come over any time! : ) Anyway, me and Miu stopped by their house on our way to go shopping and return some DVDs that we rented (13 Going on Thirty, A Cinderella Story, and the 4th Harry Potter). I guess Kana and Tomo wanted to tag along because they ended up comming with us, and Tomo`s Okasan gave me a very neat necklace, it looks very indian or beachy. It was such a random gift, and I tried to express my appreciation as much as I could because it was really nice of them!

But I was ready to get going, so we left to go shopping and pick up the textbook I ordered last week. It is the Genki textbook (a Japanese Language Study Textbook and supposedly the best one, according to my reasearch). It was also alot cheaper here in Japan than the United States. I was so happy to finally get it, I`ve been waiting for awhile and I wanted it for school (so I can finally do something productive like studying during the classes I don`t understand instead of doodling in my notebook).

Here`s Okasan saving some rice for dinner...did I ever say how amazing she is? She makes breakfast, lunch (bento), and dinner for me and Miu. She works, goes grocery shopping, cleans the house, organizes my days, and takes care of me and Miu. I have to tell you she is the best host mom ever! : )

Here`s Miu! Her favorite thing to do at night is watch T.V. and trust me she watches T.V. every night! She even stays up late on school nights to watch T.V. for hours...silly girl : )

Now that the internet is fixed, I finally have a chance to update my blog and send some e-mail...YAY!!! And no, I don`t go on every night, this is acually my first night on the internet since the internet broke the night I arrived...how`s that for a good start?! : )

Shurijo Castle

2006-06-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

Kana and the Many Faces of Cuteness!

2006-06-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

Little Monkey! Kana is the cutest little girl ever,
and somehow I think she knows it! : )

Today we went to visit Shurijo Castle (pictures and summery later) and when we were in the car driving home we had a Kana photo shoot, it was the first time she acually posed for me so of course I had to take some kawaii pictures! Kana is the 3-year-old sister of Tomoko and Chika. And also a cousin of Miyuki. She is the princess of the family and she knows it!

2006-06-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

Night Post:

We acually got to see one of Okasan`s brother`s house wich was in the traditional Okinawa style! I guess he was out, and Okasan said she was born and raised in that house.

After leaving the house, me and Miyuki went shopping at the mall! It was so cool, it had 4 floors and everything American malls have (such as fashion, food, movies, even starbucks!

Miyuki had to pick out a fathers day gift and I bought a Yukata fashion book. We also picked up Miyuki`s friend (name?) who is super nice and has two cats too!

We looked around some and I met a boy named Conner who was on an exchange from school. He said he has been in Okinawa a week, but he leaves next sunday. It was pretty cool to meet another American!

After that we went to find Miyuki`s other university friends, four boys and two girls.

The girls asked me all sorts of questions and we communicated the best we could. Then we went to this amazing arcade in the mall.

They invited me to do puricura, which is were you go in a little booth and take many different pictures, choose the ones you want, and then high-tech decorate them. It was by far the neatest thing I have ever done!

Next we drove to the "barbaque" which acually turned out to be a restaurant. It was really neat because it was an all you can eat, and there were grills in the middle of the table. The waitress brought us cut meat on plates and we cooked it on the grills. It was so cool and cheap! It turns out that all of Miyuki`s friends are university freshman and 18, but they were all really accepting of me and full of questions. I was even interviewed by one guy for his English homework! : ) It was pretty funny, and I still can`t believe I am the only native English speaker for miles!

2006-06-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

Morning Post:

Today is my first day as a full fledged member of the Ota family. I acually got up around 7:40, earlier than Miyuki. Once I was awake and said goodmorning to Okasan and I asked if I should wait until Miyuki gets up to get ready. Once she understood (through alot of communication through an electronic dictionary, and the online yahoo translator) she told me I was fine and that Miyuki had stayed up late to watch T.V. Then she explained to me that she was a house-keeper and that she works monday through sat. (to clean houses) and she has a desk job as a secretary two days out of the week.

Miyuki woke up after she left and she told me I could take a shower. Now that was quite and experience! The don`t really take showers in Japan, they take baths at night. Once I was properly clean, I found out that although my hairdryer worked in the Tokyo hotel, it didn`t work here! So I brushed my hair while Miyuki was in her room getting ready and then I stuck my hair in front of a fan to dry it. I`m sure I looked pretty funny, but thankfully no one was there to witness it. What was even funnier though, was just as I had straightened up to finish brushing it, Miyuki walked out of her room holding a hairdryer! Oh-no!

Once we both finished getting ready, Miyuki took me shopping with her. First we went to a fruit store. All we had to do was pick up a box of Japanese apricots. After we dropped the box off at home, Miyuki explained to me that she was going to drive to Haebaru High School and that I needed to remember the way there. I think I`ve got it for monday, because after we drove there, we walked there! It was a 30 min. walk. Miyuki told me that I start school on monday and that the English teacher is trying to find a uniform for me. Over lunch, she also explained to me that I will be the first American student at Haebaru High School!

Meeting my Host Family

2006-06-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

I was so nervous coming out of the baggage claim to meet my host family. I seemed to see everyone waiting with signs for their kids. But, I didn`t see one with my name on it. I looked and looked, and then a petite woman walked up to me and said with a question in her voice "kristi?" I was so happy I immediately shouted out "hai!" (yes).

The car ride home was the most akward part. "Okasan" (Japanese for mother) and my host sister Miyuki speak only a little "Sukoshi" English, and I only speak a little Japanese, let me tell you that I used every word of Japanese I could think of and made maximum use of the survial phrases book and dictionary.

Once we got "home" which is a little apartment on the third floor, I was introduced to Okasan`s brother. He is an architect or house designer. Then he told me it was nice to meet me ande that I was a pretty girl. Once we got upstairs they kept asking if I was tired or hungry. And we tried to communicate with hand gestures and little Japanese and English words. Miyuki likes to laugh alot at our tries at communicating through broken English and Japanese. She is also a University studnet at Okinawa International University and 18. She is also really tiny, the top of her head comes up to my chin and she`s two years older than me! : )

Miyuki also has two cousins who came to over to meet me today. One is 17 (Tomoko) and the other is 18 (Chika). Acually Tomoko takes ballet and I`m going to see her preform next week. We basically talked and translated through a Yahoo computer program, which acually worked really well.

After they left, I gave them their gifts and they really loved them! I especially think Miyuki thinks the bear I gave her is adorable. Okasan put the dream catcher I gave her up as soon as she opened it. I also showed them my photo book (they thought the name brittney was especially funny or neat, I`m not sure which), and I went through each picture with them. Then I gave Miyuki the American magizines and she looked at them riht away and "sugoi" (something like awesome or wonderful) and "Kawaii" (cute) every five seconds along with looking at my yearbook. After that I helped Miyuki set the table for dinner, had dinner than one of Miyuki`s cousin`s family showed up and we had dinner together. Okasan`s sister in law was very upbeat and talkative, her husband (Okasan`s brother) was really quiet and nice. They have two daughters one cousin I met earlier and a little girl named Kana. Who is very cute and who has made it known that she is very shy. The extended family is very nice and it was a great dinner!

Loose in Tokyo!

2006-06-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Night Post:

I can`t believe that YFU Japan set us loose in Tokyo! It was so much fun and such a neat experience though. Once we got back to the hotel after the bus tour we had alot of free time, so Josh, Jocelyn, Michelle and me set off on a mission to explore Tokyo.

It seems like everyone, and I mean everyone, wears business suits in Tokyo. It`s like the universal dress code. And as foreigners we really stuck out. But we tried to absorb the beat and life of Tokyo. The streets are really narrow and filled on the sides with shops that are so small they expand upwards instead of outwards. There are also all sorts of signs on the sides that advertise food shops, little stores, clothes, convience (7-ll and AM-PM seem to be the most popular) and even electronics. It`s all there an very expensive, I went to a convience store and bought a magizine called Nan-no for 500 yen (about 5 dollars in American currency). After that we walked about Tokyo and bought dinner at (picture below). I had pork and rice with miso soup, my first real Japanese meal at a Japanese resteraunt in Japan!

The Offical Tour of Tokyo

2006-06-15T17:20:00.000-07:00

Afternoon Post:

First we had a bus tour (I was on bus #3) and our tour guide was Hiro-san, she was really sweet and spoke fluent English (but with a slight Japanese accent :) We wen to the Imperial Palace, which was really neat, but we only got to stop there for 15 min. and we didn`t get to go inside. I found out from Hiro-san that you can only go inside the Imperial Palace twice a year, once on the Emperor`s birthday and (I think) New Years. Anyway, it was so green and beautiful and the shaped trees turned out to acually be just regular pine trees! (I always thought they were a speical type of Japanese tree).

Next we visited the Edo-Tokyo musem. Hiro-san explained to us that Edo was another old name for Tokyo, which I never knew. The musem was huge, even by American standerds. Filled with glass displays full of artifacts and treasures from many periods of Japanese history. They also had replicas (that were very small and exact) and models of what a large part of Edo-Tokyo looked like at different times in history. They were so detailed and even had little figures in such life-like poses.

I have to confess I didn`t take much intrest in the exibits because I was too busy laughing, talking, and taking pictures with Josh, Jocelyn, and Michelle. But I did manage to get some good pictures!

Pictures

2006-06-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Morning Post:

It`s early morning on my first day in Tokyo! Since everyone else was still sleeping, Josh, Jocelyn, and me took a walk outside of the hotel and managed to take a look at the very Japanese looking temple next store. It was nice to get outside and stretch our legs, and we got our first look at Tokyo in the Daytime, because last night we got to the hotel very late and we couldn`t really see anything but the flashing signs and bright lights that line the streets of Tokyo.

The temple next store to our hotel, I really can`t remember the name...but it was very pretty.

Me doing my best imitation of the random Japanese exit sign. It seems that if you are going to exit someplace you have to run! : )
Jocelyn and me in our hotel Yukatas.

Me posing in front of the very green shrubbery. (If you have even visited or lived in Arizona you will understand why I was so excited that Japan has so much green).

I`m in TOKYO!

2006-06-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

I can`t believe it, I`m in Japan! (Tokyo to be exact) After a tiring 10 hour flight in which I watched Hoodwinked, Wimbleton, Tristan and Isolde, and the Disney Channel (don`t laugh! When your that bored you will watch anything...). I also tired to sleep (emphasis on the tried part), talked to Jocelyn (alot), and the woman next to me. We finally arrived in Tokyo, at the Narita Airport.

It felt like everything was happening in a dream as I got my passport stamped, got my luggage and went through customs. I was on flight #121 with all the Okinawa kids and some JAFS (all in all about 20) so we didn`t leave the airport until everyone was together after customs. We were met by YFU Japan and particually Kenske (spelling?), who was a year exchange student to Missouri. We ended up calling him Ken-sama (just for fun) and Ken (for some reason he didn`t like kenny).

The Narita Airport was so quiet, I felt (and know) that we were the loudest group there. Everyone is so quiet here, even at the hotel! After we got our room keys and dinner we went up to our room (me and Jocelyn) to find that it was definatley last occupied by someone who smokes...alot...so we opened all the windows and had to eat our dinner in someone elses room. The dinner was absolutely...ummmm...bland? Cold french fies, weird sandwiches, and organge juice...Welcome to Japan! : )

Michelle, Jocelyn, me, and Josh at the...San Fransisco International Airport. The name of the airport is almost as long as the line we had to wait in to get our boarding tickets!

Although some would call us crazy for picking Japanese food for our last meal in America...I would have to say we are crazy for that`s just what we did!

Narita Airport Terminal 1, honestly can`t you read the sign....

Last day before leaving for Tokyo, Japan!

2006-06-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

The Callifornia Orientation went by so fast! It`s hard to believe this is my last full day in America for 6 weeks! But I`ve had so much fun, met so many different people, and made some close friends. We leave for Tokyo tomorrow and we have to get up at 5:50 a.m.

Today was a pretty good last day in America, but I know that my lack of sleep caught up with me beacuse I felt more and more tired as the day wore on until I could barely keep my eyes open. I hope we have some quick radio excersises (excersies everyone has to do in the morning and it`s so much fun!). At first, I thought the raido excersises were kind of weird, but now I enjoy them. The intermediate language class was good, I acually kept up with most of it, but I kinda got lost when we played a game dealing with Katakana. I haven`t fully learned them yet, so I just kinda watched everyone else play. Tonight we had our Sayonora party which consisted of an bento dinner (chicken katsu, rice, soybeans, samon, and egg that tasted like french toast), and Japanese Bon Dancing (in which we all did a pattern dance in a circle then had to create our own with our kumi). I pray that I will get enough sleep tonight so I won`t be tired tomorrow! : )

This first picture is of Yoko-sensi and my Navy Kumi (kumi meaning group in Japanese).

Adrine (my kumi`s A.A. or Alumi Assistant) and Yoko-Sensei who was our kumi`s leader.

Yoko-Sensei and Miako?-Sensei

All of the teachers and their A.A.`s together!

The Adventure Begins

2006-06-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well now I'm in Callie! : )

On the flight over here I actually met another YFU exchange student from Arizona; he was on the same flight as me. I know the YFU shirts helped us recognize that we were going to the same program! His name is Bradley, and we had fun talking on the way to San Francisco, CA. The flight wasn't too long (only 2 hours) and I got to sit next to a girl and her mom that were going to China! When we got to the airport baggage claim, we realized that the stewardess had told us the wrong baggage claim (she said it was 3, it was really 1) and we were 2nd and 3rd students to get there. We waited around for about an hour and a half for everyone else (from all of the country) to arrive, then we trouped out with our luggage to a charter bus that took us to San Jose University.

I've met soooo many different people from different states, like New Jersey, Texas, and Colorado (to name just a few!) After we got here, we had to register, hand over our passports, and sign up for a couple of classes that we will take tomorrow (I'm taking a Kimono and Shodo "calligraphy" classes along with an Early Elementary Japanese Language Workshop) and then they gave us a bag lunch. It was nice to just relax and get to talk and know more about everyone and ask the most important questions such as "where are you going in Japan?" "how's your host family?" and most importantly "how long have you studied Japanese???" : )

Some Final Details

2006-06-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

I finally got my final papers! I was supposed to get them last week, but while we were in Michigan, I guess the payment somehow didn't get through. But, it's all fixed now, and I am soooo happy
I finally got all of my luggage tags, final papers, instructions, stuff like that! YFU sent me a packet containing...

-Luggage Tags (3)
-Name Tag (I guess I have to wear this at the airport?)
-Student Responsibilities While Traveling
-Important Security Information
-Airport Assistance Notice

At first I freaked out because one of the papers said that inside the package I was supposed to have my plane tickets, but I hunted all over and they weren't there! So then I had to call YFU (again) and ask if something happened to them. The lady I talked to calmly told me that there had been a mistake and that all YFU Japan studnets were getting e-tickets. It was such a relief that it wasn't my fault and that they wouldn't have to rush ship anything to me. I think this is the third time something like this has happened. First was when I mistakenly got sent the orientation registration for Callie, the next was when they had to hastily put together a AZ orientation, and the ticket thing now. It's kinda frustrating, but I know it's a network of vollunteers so I'm sure there doing the best they can. : )

5 Days left!

I'm Back! 10 days tell Departure!

2006-06-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm finally home! Me and my family took a last minute 5 day trip to Michigan to scout out the schools, houses, and activities because we might move there as early as this summer. Now that I'm back home and finally have a chance to think it over, I'm really not sure how I feel about moving there. I guess it would be ok, the school I would go to is a lot more challenging than the one I'm going to now, and it would be my last year of high school. And, if we did move there, it would be while I was still in Japan! I guess I will just have to see what God has planned...

Anyway, the beginning of my exchange experience starts in 10 days and I can't believe it. I have soooo much to do to get ready and only 10 more days to do it! YFU has sent me a pretty good stack of letters, flyers, and info sheets and I really need to sort through them. I also missed my state orientation so I need to call my district director so I can arrange a phone orientation. Ahhh soo much to do!!! o_O

10 days left!

Corrections, Corrections, Corrections...

2006-05-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, now I am not going anywhere for an orientation. I just found out we are going on a vacation to Michigan and I will miss my Arizona State Orientation (which was very hastily put together) because I will be in Michigan on the 29th. How wonderful is that, I not only get to be in a place that I don't even want to go too, but now I will miss my orientation too! I guess I'm on a phone orientation list so that I can get some info before I go...

Passport Arrival!

2006-05-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

I had a great suprise today. My mom came to pick me up from school during 5th hour and told me that she thought that a package containing my passport had come in the mail today. It was addressed to me and everything! : ) As soon as I got in the car, I basically riped it open and it was my passport! It's so exciting to see all the puzzle pecies fit all together, I have my passport now, and I went shopping for supplies for my trip, and all the money I've saved up for Japan...It's really going to be awesome! :D

The Only Thing Better Than a 10 Hour Ride in a Packed Van with Crazy, Annoying Siblings...

2006-05-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

Correction to the last post!

I guess, now I am driving to California on a 5 to 6 hour drive and I am not happy about it at all! I absolutely hate long car rides...too many bad memories of hours in the backseat of the van with my siblings singing and crying and pulling my hair and...well you get the picture.

But, if it's the only ride I've got then I guess I have to take it. After all the only thing that can be better than a 10 hour ride in a packed van with crazy, annoying siblings is a 6 hour ride with your crazy driving, books on audio tape loving, and generally directionally challenged mom. o.O

Pre-Departure Orientation in Callie!

2006-05-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

Today I got an Email from my YFU Field Director with the information for my districts' Pre-Departure Orientation, and it's in California! I'm so excited! :D

Me and my mom are going to fly over there on May 21st. The orientation is about 5 1/2 hours long, and I'll get to meet some of the other exchange students who have their exchanges this summer and live in California and Arizona. I hope to meet lots of new people, have lots of fun, and learn a lot about being a foreign exchange student! :) I can't wait, and I still have so much to do to prepare for my trip!

Some Thoughts on my Up-in-comming Exchange

2006-05-06T09:41:00.000-07:00

Wow! Every since I received my official package (and letter) from YFU, everything's been a real whirlwind around here. But here's what I got in my package...

The Package:
-My 2 page *official* letter of congratulations and information
-A nifty YFU t-shirt with the YFU logo on the front (who would've guessed?!) :D
-The YFU "World Traveler's Handbook" that's about 30-40ish pages of important and relevant information about YFU, preparation, my upcoming exchange, ect.
-The AO (American Overseas) Parent Handbook that has lots more info for my parents.

I still need to turn in my enrollment deposit fee by Wednesday, but I think my mom's going to take care of that.

Anyway, every since I got my official letter my feelings on my exchange have been pretty mixed and constantly changing. When I first got my letter I was so excited I was jumping up and down, calling everyone I knew, and I felt like a huge bubble of happiness was inside me ready to burst. But, now that I've had time to take it all in and settle down a little, I have to admit to feeling pretty scared, worried, and even having reservations about my trip! I don't really understand why because this has been a dream of mine since freshman year and I've worked so hard.

I feel like I have been praying about this for forever, and God got me to a place right before I got my letter where I would have been ok with not getting the scholarship (I mean, God could have had other great plans for me and maybe it just wasn't going to be the right time). So I went from at peace with not being accepted to being accepted and now I'm confused and reserved! What a mess!

I talked to my parents about it and they both said that it's natural to be scared, confused, worried and reserved about this. They explained that because I had only been thinking about my dream of the exchange and getting the application for so long, that I probably had never truly thought through what getting the scholarship and acually going would entail. And that makes sense, but I never thought that I would be scared of going, or even think about not going! I am definitely going to have to talk to them some more, and maybe to Claire (the exchange student at our school from Australia) about it. She can probably relate, and maybe give me some good advice. I also need to keep praying about it, if God has given me this opportunity than I don't think he'd let me fail.

I Got the Scholarship!!! YAY!!!

2006-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it...and my head is still spinning...

I Got the Okinawa Peace Scholarship!

I'm going to spend 6 weeks of my summer in Okinawa, Japan!

I am sooooo excited!

No News...

2006-04-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Still no news from YFU, and I'm getting kinda worried I won't get a scholarship...but maybe God has other plans...you never know! : )

Calls and More Calls! *Good Thing it's Toll Free!

2006-03-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, It's almost April. I am getting so impatiant/excited for next month! Why? Because in April YFU will send my acceptance or rejection letter (hopefully it's the accpetance! :)

I acually called YFU today to see if they could give me a better time estimate that my letter would arrive because I plan on taking the SAT and ACT. And the SAT is on the 3rd of June and the ACT is on the 10th. So, if I get the Okinawa Peace Scholarship I would leave on the 9/10th therefore, I couldn't take the ACT. But if I get one of the other scholarships, I could take the ACT because I wouldn't have to leave until the 13th-15th.

So, the lady looked me up on her computer and said since I was applying to a national schoarship, I should get my letter within the next month. And that they also have not selected the finalists for the nationwide scholarships yet because they have to wait for all the interview papers to arrive from the other states. But she said I could call at the end of the month if I hadn't received my letter yet!

Finally an Update!

2006-03-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

Long time no see, ne? (Or would that be long time no post? : )

Anyway, sorry for the long absence, but I have alot to update! First, I did have my interview on Feb. 19th. It actually went really well, I was kinda worried about it...Ok I was very nervous about it! But I pulled myself together and I think it went really well. The lady who interviewed me was really sweet and nice, plus she was nervous too! I found out later that I was her first interviewee! : )

She asked me lots of questions about myself, like my hobbies, relationship with family, ect. But what I found most interesting was she asked me alot of questions about experiences that would help me deal with my exchange. Like, If I had every stayed away from my parents for a long stretch of time and if so, how had it affected/taught me? I never thought about past experiences I could relate to my exchange experience, they were the best questions on her sheet.

After my interview which took about thirty minutes, she interviewed my entire family with no mishaps that I could catch. This wasn't a part of process for my scholarship; it was so that my family could host an exchange student.

Before she left, she shook my hand and we talked about my upcoming exchange. The way she was talking it sounded like I had already received the scholarship, but you never know! ^-^

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that I will be accepted, but I won't know for sure until April. YFU sent me a e-mail about their Horizons Newsletters so that I can read them and prepare for my exchange, but it's still not offical if I'm going or not. The Horizons link is www.YFUUSA.org/horizons

Just Coasting

2006-02-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Everything's going pretty well right now. But I sure haven't posted in a long time! : ) My goal in this post is to give you a full update on what's been happening. My parents have decided to host a student, they sent in the host family application and everything already! I am sooo excited about it! ^-^ And I met with my school principal and he said he will save a spot for her at our school, he was really open and nice about everything. The reason I say her is because my parents only want to host a girl exchange student and probabley from Japan or Australia. But, you never know what can happen! : )

Also, I am still waiting for my interview, so far no one has contacted me about it yet so I really don't know what's going on....

Lots of Stuff Going On Actually

2006-01-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

Ok, today was kinda exciting and disappointing.

To start off with, I had my first Japanese Language Lesson today! I was excited/nervous, but I shouldn't have worried at all. There are only six of us in the class, and I am the oldest student there! (kinda embarrassing...) The second oldest is only a freshman and the rest are all 10 to 12 years old. It was really neat to hear the two instructors talk about their past in Japan, and one of them was born and raised in Japan and so is a native speaker, which is cool! The other lady is really nice, and is always ready to talk. I thought the lesson was a good start (all 1 1/2 hours of it!) and now that I'm signed up, I will come every wed. at 2-3:30.

Not Much Happening...

2006-01-12T20:21:00.000-07:00

Well, not much happening around here, I still haven't gotten a call from a YFU representative or even recieved the little postcard saying they recieved my application. I'm a little concerned, but I don't want to obsess or worry about it.

It's Delivered!

2006-01-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

It's official...my application was delivered at 12:03pm on Jan. 5th, 2006 in Bethesda, MD (or otherwise known as the YFU Admissions Office of course!). I am so glad it finally arrived, I have to admit I was having silly worries about it getting lost, or ripped, or something very very very bad happening to it. So it's nice to have a little reassurance. Here is the official picture of the online delivery confirmation for the United States Postal Service.

It's Mailed...and by Priority No Less...

2006-01-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Since it's Jan. 3rd today you know what that means...
It's Mailed!!!

I officially mailed my application in a big white envelope/folder at around 1:30 at my local United States Postal Service. I sent it by Priority Mail so that I would know it was delivered, and I also bought Delivery Confirmation so I would know when YFU received it. I think it cost around $4.30 or something like that, but I was so excited and the place was packed since it was the first time it was open after New Years!

I was so nervous getting everything together; I think I checked that I had everything like, four or five times. Oh, and I DID finish those essays, and I think they turned out rather well. It feels kinda unreal that I don't have to worry about that application any more, it was in the back of my mind for about three months! But it's sent and there's nothing more I can do but wait for my interview, than wait until April to see if I got in or not. I have my fingers crossed and I'm so glad that part's over! ^-^

Almost Done!

2006-01-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have all of the 5 photos I need...printed, labeled, and ready. My mom got this awesome new photo printer that works really well, and it definitely came in handy. It took me a long time to pick each photo, and then since my family didn't have a recent family photo (the last one taken was about 4 or 5 years ago) we asked our neighbor Rose if she would take one for us. So everyone trooped outside at 5 o'clock in navy blue and black, and we got some gorgeous family photos.

This is the one I picked...

Isn't it pretty nice? I think so!

The other three are...(the fourth one isn't scanned into the computer)

Me and Britney, but you've seen this one before! ^-^

Me and my friend at our National Honor Society Induction at school.

A ballet picture of me in my Spanish Costume for The Nutcraker Ballet. I loved this costume!

Tommorow is MAILING DAY! (Jan. 3rd)

2006-01-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006!

And may this new year be a happy and blessed year for you too...

I can't believe it's the year 2006 already! Did you set your new years resolutions? ^-^ I did, and I really hope that they come true! Anway, my parents said that if I wanted to go on the foreign exchange this summer, I had to finish my essays today or I can't go. I don't think it will be a problem only 3 essays left to write and they only take about 30 min per essay rough draft. Once I get those finished, then I need to decide which pictures to send, and that's it! Then it's mailing time on Jan. 3rd!

2 days left until Jan. 3rd!

Not Much Time Left

2005-12-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's almost the year 2006, I have so much planned and happening next year. Such as earning my blackbelt, choosing a college, and let's not forget traveling abroad for about a month and a half. I am soooo excited for the next year it's going to hold it's share of adventures, challenges, and fun!

Anyway, my parents are really pushing me to finish my essays and get that done, but for some reason they're just really hard to work on right now. I have sooo much time but I do other things that are important too, instead of working on those essays. But mark my words, I will get it done. I even have the envelope ready!

5 Days Left until Jan. 3rd!

Those Essays...Again

2005-12-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I haven't finished my first essay yet, but I am honestly working on it. I have my first rough draft, and I am just writing another one up for my second essay. These are the essay questions that I have to answer in approximately 250 words each.

Choose one of your special activities or intrests and describe your participation, focussing on the difference it has made in your life and in the lives of others.
The United States is home to many different types of family structures. Please describe your immediate family, noting its unique or traditional elements and your relationship with each member.
It is natural for exchange students to feel homesick while away from family and friends, and also natural for new relationships to develop. Describe what qualitites of your current friendships you value, and what you will look for in friendships abroad.
Describe a non-academic situation in which you have had to face personal defeat or failure and explain how you delt with this challenge.
Describe what appeals to you most about an exchange experience. Reflect on what it will be like to live as a member of a family in your host country. Articulate what problems or challenges other than language you might expect to encounter and how you might deal with them.

7 Days left until Jan. 3rd!

Time to Start Working

2005-12-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

Christmas was wonderful, and school is out for winter break, so now it's time to finish that application! I pulled all the papers and stuff back out again, and I plan to get the first essay done, and maybe start on the second, depending on how well I do.

I also have some great news! I have talked to my parents like, forever, about our family maybe hosting an exchange student, and I finally convinced them! : ) Well, we were going to host *almost* last year, but my school wouldn't let them enroll at our school, saying it was too crowded. But then later in the year they enroll three!? It really dosn't make sense, so I am going (with my mom because they seem to pay more attention if you have your parents backing you) to see my principial to explain why I was turned down last year and how they then enrolled three exchange students, and oh, I am going to win this arguement. I have tried and waited too long to lose now. Wish me luck! ^-^

8 Days until Jan. 3rd!

Finally Feels Like Christmas ^-^

2005-12-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

YAY!!! Christmas Break is here!!! *does a little Christmas jig* Anyway, finished all my finals. Starting to recover from the flu. And my house is finally decorated! ^-^ Right now it feels so much like Christmas...The Christmas music is playing, the tree and decorations are up, and me and my sister are baking christmas cookies and brownies! It's even starting to smell like Christmas! : )

Something strange happened today though, I was all excited because we recived a packet from YFU, but it turned out to be for my mom! I was really confused, and when she opened it, it contained a letter and a couple packets on being a YFU vollunteer!? All I know is that I didn't sign her up and she didn't either, and we are both really mystified as to why she got the vollunteer packet...guess I'll have to find out later.

Also, now that Finals are OVER *cheers* I can finally devote my time to finishing that application. Just a couple more pictures and finish those essays and send it in the mail on Jan. 3rd and I'm good to go! I will feel so much better when it's finished and I don't have to worry about it any more.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

(Me, and my sisters Kimmi and Kelli. With the Christmas Cookie Dough no doubt! Let's just say that Kimmi got a little messy...^-^)

Christmas Tis' the Season

2005-12-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, only three more days left until Christmas Break. Trust me, I'm counting down. If you want a quick update, I finished 4 out of 7 finals. Only 3 left to do! Two of which I am *supposed* to finish by tommorow. But unfortunately I caught my sister's flu bug. AGAIN. I am so frustrated with this, of all the times to feel completely horrible and have a 102.8 degree fever, it's now, with finals and christmas and everything!

But I do have to look on the brightside, I could be in the hospital with cancer, or I could get AIDS, or be a Diabetic. When you look at things that way, it dosn't seem so bad, don't you think?... I do have alot to be thankful for...

On Hold

2005-12-14T18:03:00.001-07:00

Not much done on my application. Right now I have to put off working on the application until finals are finished next week. I have about 7 or 8 finals to finish and/or study for (for 4 classes!), 5 of which are due this friday! I have got to tell you, this is not fun. I just have to keep remembering that christmas break starts next friday, and finals can't last forever! ^-^

I am hoping to work on/finish my application over christmas break.
(I will feel so much better once it is sent in, it always seems to be hanging over my head!)

Oh, and here's a picture of me before the long, strenous, lots of drama, dance concert. Which was fun once you get over all the bad stuff mentioned above, and also the complete lack of sleep! : )

Yes, (I Know), I'm bad bad bad...

2005-12-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am soooooo sorry for not updating for so long, and at such a crucial moment. Before I tell what I've been up to for the last couple of days, I think I'll just break it too you now.

I didn't send in my application on Dec. 10th
(but I'm still applying, so don't worry! I didn't spend 2 1/2 months on this application to not send it in!!!) ^-^

I know, I know, but here's the reasoning behind this...
1. I was not finished at all with any of the essays.
2. I did not have all the pictures I needed.
3. I hit my head against the wall and crashed...literally.
4. I was running on 5 hours of sleep for three days (thank the dance concert!!!)
5. See below.

You know, I felt really guilty about it ( and I still do) but I had to think about this logically. I was exausted, and I crashed after the Dance Concert. I felt like I had hit the wall, everything was so spinning out of control and I was seriously stressing about everything! I needed sleep really really bad, which I was not going to get if I stayed up all night to finish all those essays. I really thought and prayed about it, and it really just wasn't worth it to me to drive myself further into the wall and get very sick and depressed. It just wasn't worth it. So I thought about it some more, and I knew that only the Mazda schoarship was due on dec. 10th, all the rest were due on Jan. 3rd. So if I got my act together, and finished over christmas break, I would be much better off sending it in Jan. and just not applying for the Mazda. It was a really hard thing for me to do, but I talked about my options to my parents, and they both agreed with my decision. Anyways...that's the scoop.
So, the new due date is Jan. 3rd.

No Time, Don't Feel like Dancing

2005-12-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Whew! Just finished my last Dance Rehersal, our dance concert is tommorow, thursday, and Friday from 5:30-7. I have like, no time to do anything! And, we had rehersals from right after school (2:30) to 5:30 every day last week. This is horrible timing for this application due date, also, I have a huge project due tommorw, so I have like, zero time to do anything else!!! It is so crazy right now, and they wonder why teenagers are stressd???!!!

Anyway, I found a part of my health form that my doctor didn't fill out, so my mom dropped it off at the doctor's office for her to finish it. Essay's and Pictures left...keep me in your prayers, I'm going to need them this week.

4 Days

Those Essays

2005-12-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

6 Days

It's 9 o'clock in the morning and I am working on Essays. What are normal teenagers at this hour doing? Sleeping... but not me, the *dedicated* procrastinator. That's what I get for waiting so long to start these things, oh well, it's worth it! : )

Anyway, as I make *slow* progress on my essays my mom has promised to get me the dental information, and I'll just have to see when I acually recive it from her. I'm betting in at least a couple of days, probabley at the last minute. Acually it sounds alot like me! (could it be because we are related???!) Like mother, Like daughter, I guess... But at the end of the day, I will give you an edit on what I've accomplished. I promise you that! ^-^

*Edit*

Whew! I've definitley been working hard this morning, I have all the paperwork completed! *cheers & clapping abound!!!* I also made a photocopy of each page, since I'm sending YFU the real copy, I think I am supposed to save a copy for my records. Edited my host family letter, yet again, because I found more mistakes. Also, tonight we are going to take a family picture (since our last family picture was taken when I was 4) so that I can have a *current* family picture to put in my application.

Sill working on those essays...

YFU Application Status:

10/12 Sections Finished

Ah!!! The Due Date Looms Closer

2005-12-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I have made *some* progress on my application! : ) I finished my vaccination dates that I needed, so all I have left is to find out what dental insurance I have, take some nice candid pictures (4), and finish five 250 word essays. But I'm soooo close!

I just realized two things.
One, that I have spent about 2 1/2 months on this YFU Application. And two, my application is due on Dec. 10th right? So I have, oh, about 8 days to finish and mail!!! A very, very, very *scary* thought!

YFU Application Status:

9/12 Sections Finished

Also...I was browsing online and I found out that there is a really neat program called the JET Program. It is a year-to 2 year program where you are payed to live in Japan and help teach English to Japanese students (you are basically a student teacher). I think that would be an awesome program to go on if I do decide to become a teacher in the future. I looked up their website and it says you just have to have a teaching degree. You don't need experience teaching or anything, you can go right after you earn your degree!

So, if I really like Japan, and enjoy my time their next summer, think that would be a great opportunity to spend a year or two in Japan, and get teaching experience too! What could be better? : )

*Edit*

I did get one *candid* shot for my application and I think it turned out really cute! ^-^ (Me and my *princess*, Brittney)

Almost There...but not Quite!

2005-11-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

*sigh* I feel like I am procrastinating soooo much. I am almost done with my application, and now I have a major case of procrastination and lack of time. I know how much work those essays will take, (all 5 of them!) and I really just don't want to work on them, which is not good because I only have 10 more days at the most to finish them! : ( Maybe I should just force myself to start...what do'ya think?!

Learning Japanese

2005-11-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a very nice Thanksgiving! :) Mine was ok, I just wish some of my family could have been there. Oh well, there's always next year!

Anyway, I just remembered yesterday that I have membership to yesjapan.com, a really great site that has a "online textbook", soundfiles, and everything to help you learn the Japanese language. I totally forgot I was paying for it, so I logged in to their site yesterday and started the course again. I got through the first 3 preliminary parts and now I am proudly on Course 1, Lesson 1. Which is called "What is it? Creating Simple Questions." I love this site, and I am really excited at the prospect of learning the Japanese lang. before I go, I have made so much progress already! ^-^ I have learned about Japanese pronunciation, Counting in Japanese, and First Meetings: Introducing Yourself in Japanese. I think *any* knowlege of the language will help me in the long run, don't you think?

P.S. I really, really, really, recomend YesJapan.com as the BEST way to learn Japanese if you don't have any local classes, I am really impressed with it. I have looked all over for a good Japanese lang. learning program, and trust me this is the best!!! If you would like to check it out...either click on this link http://www.yesjapan.com or the link on the sidebar. Jaa ne!

Finally Thanksgiving Break!

2005-11-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

YAY!!! It's Thanksgiving Break!!! No School to go too, No Taekwondo Classes, and Absolutely NO getting up early in the morning!!! YES!!! I am soooo excited. I plan on getting so much done this weekend : )

Anyway, I have not really worked on my application at all, except today my mentor Colleen edited my host family letter. So I have some quick changes to make. All I mostly have left are my five 250 word essays. So I am almost at my goal of finishing this app. by the end of November! Pray that I reach my goal! : )

and Happy Thanksgiving to All!!! ^-^

What a Beautiful Day!

2005-11-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Today is such a beautiful day in Arizona, the sun is shining...the wind is blowing softly...and the funny thing is that it is in early winter! : )

I edited my host family letter some more, and I think I now have the "final" version. I ended up taking out a part about my being involved in Taekwondo because it is a Korean Sport, and I heard that the Japanese don't look fondly on the Koreans, and I didn't want to offend them. It was really hard because I love Taekwondo and I am a reccomended black belt, so I felt like I was omitting part of my life! But still, I don't what to take a chance and offend them, you know? Anyway, I plan on working finishing up a couple things here and there, and after I finish the Essay section I will be finished with my application! ^-^ So here's the update...

YFU Application Status Information

Scholarships I am applying to:

Japan-US Senate Youth Exchange Program (the one I really, really hope I get)
Kikkoman National
Mazda Foundation
Okinawa Peace

Personal Information: Finished!

Placement Information: Finished
Student Health Certificate: Just need vaccination dates (I can't read doctor writting, I'm going to have to call the doctor's office for a translation! : )
Proof of Medical: Almost Finished (just need to find out some Dental Info)
School Certificate: Finished

Educator Evaluation: Finished (finally got this back from my AIMS teacher, I gave it to her two months ago, and she forgot when she was supposed to give it back to me. Needless to say I wasn't very happy, until I got it back)
Host Family Letter: Finished! : )

Photos in Sealed Envelopes: In progress (I cut out and gathered the 8 passport sized pictures, but I still need 4 candid photos. )

Activities, Awards, and Interests: Finished!

Essays: Umm...working on it
Payment Information: Finished

Signed Parent/Student Agreement: Finished

Finished:

9/12 Sections

And just to make me feel better about the Taekwondo part...here's a cool picture of me in my Taekwondo uniform (although in this picture I am a red belt, instead of reccomended black belt :)

Quick Update From School

2005-11-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Today in third hour we had nothing to do and we had a sub, so me and my friend Megan got a pass the library so that we could get some work done. Megan reasearched for her French Project, and I worked on my host family letter. And guess what?! I finally finished it!!! : ) I had Mrs. Saunders (our super nice librarian) edit it, then I made the corrections. So that's another check down on the list!

She was really positive when we talked about my application, letter, ect. She thinks it will be a great experience for me, and was really encouraging and happy for me. She said I could fill out the "I got the Scholarship Form" when (not if!) I get it, and they will put a notice on the Library bulletin board, I'm so excited! : )

Not Much Done another sigh -Edit-

2005-11-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

It really frustrates me sometimes that when I really need to work on something, something else important comes up. Since I missed three days of school I have *lots* of work to make up, therefore meaning I havn't worked on my application at all. I think one of the scholarship deadlines is Dec. 10th and that's the earliest one, I really really need to get going.

The last part I need to finish is up to me...so I am going to finish the rest of my hw as fast as I can so I can get right back to the YFU Application. Wish me luck! : )

-Edit-
Well...I was looking at all the times I said, "I need to do something" or "I need to get going" and I said to myself

"Don't Just Talk About It...Just Do It!!!"

So I finally got motivated and I finished pg. 8 (The Student Health Certificate), and I got all my individual passport sized photos cut and labeled. I feel much better now! YaY! : )

Sigh What Does it Mean?

2005-11-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, today isn't quite going as I planned.

I really want to get alot done on my application, but it seems that wasn't what was in store for me. I didn't even get to go to school today because I caught my sister’s horrible flu-like virus, which gives you horrible headaches and really annoys your stomach. It's really not that fun, but I am going to try and push myself to still work on my application. I really need to keep working steadily on this application, and if I stop I will get behind.

But enough negativity! : ) I have honestly been thinking about what it will be like to be an exchange student, if I get accepted I mean. I have read all about culture shock, the adventure...but also the challenges. I understand that it isn't one glorious vacation, that I am going to have to work hard and not expect it to be "a bed of roses". But am I really going to be up to the challenges?

I feel kind of like I am balancing on the edge, between excitement and rejection. I mean, on one hand, I'm really really excited at the prospect of being an exchange student, but I also have to remember that I possibility could not win one of the scholarships. So I have to hold myself back from getting too excited, so I won't feel devastated if I don't get accepted. I wonder, dose that even make sense to anyone? I mean, I really really really want the scholarship, but the world won’t end if I don’t get it. Life will go on, and God may have something better in store for me. ^-^

YFU Application

2005-11-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, I tried to start this blog before I started to work on my application, but it really didn't work out that way. Since I *offically* started my rough draft of the application on September 29th. Oh well, at least I got this blog up and running before it was too late to start! : )

Anyway, I downloaded the YFU application from the YFU USA American Students "How to Apply" part of their webpage (http://www.yfu-usa.org/pdf/AOapplication.pdf), about two months ago. And, just so I can keep track...I am going to post updates on what sections of the application I have finished on what dates. My goal is to finish the application and send it off to its destiny at the YFU Admissions Office by the end of November if it can. Because, of the schoarships I am applying too, one is due Dec. 10th and I would like to get my application in early.

YFU Application Status Information (wow, that sounds pretty cool! :)

Scholarships I am applying to:

Japan-US Senate Youth Exchange Program (the one I really, really hope I get)
Kikkoman National
Mazda Foundation
Okinawa Peace

Personal Information: Finished! (This part was pretty easy and straightforward)

Placement Information: Finished (ditto)

Student Health Certificate: Just need vaccination dates (I can't read doctor writting, I'm going to have to call the doctor's office for a translation! : )

Proof of Medical: Finished (thank goodness)

School Certificate: Finished (when I showed my guidence counselor this form, she got so excited to see how I'm comming with this application. She's really new, so she's never had one of her students apply to be a foreign exchange student, so she's really really really excited!

Educator Evaluation: Finished (finally got this back from my AIMS teacher, I gave it to her two months ago, and she forgot when she was supposed to give it back to me. Needless to say I wasn't very happy, until I got it back)

Host Family Letter: rough draft done (I really don't know what to say for this one...I am really having a hard time writting informally since I the only time I write is for essays and they are all formal.)

Photos in Sealed Envelopes: oops, haven't even gotten to this part yet (this part is last on my list)

Activities, Awards, and Interests: Finished! (I had to remember everything I have participated in at High School, needless to say I had to reach Far Far...FAR back into my memory for this one! : )

Essays: Umm...working on this part (I think this is going to be the hardest part)

Payment Information: Finished (not to hard)

Signed Parent/Student Agreement: Finished (easy to finish)

Finished:

13/18 pages

Pictures of my YFU Application Binder (Full of about two/three years worth of info):

Introduction Post

2005-11-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I guess I should start with a quick introduction, don't you think?

My name is Kristi, and I am a junior at my local High School, located in the Grand Canyon State (which is better known as Arizona). *For more info about me...see my convenient profile page! : ) I have dreamed of becoming a foreign exchange student since my freshmen year in high school; when I found a list of foreign exchange opportunities in a scholarship packet that I received at my school’s Career Center. I eagerly pored over and researched the names of every foreign exchange student organization, and found that Youth for Understanding was by far the best way to go. After noticing that YFU offered scholarships to Japan, I knew I had to apply!

My goal for the first part of this blog is to capture the process of finishing and submitting my application. My goal for the second part is to show the process of preparing for my exchange. And of course, my goal for the third part is capture (in all different mediums) my journey to Japan.

So, basically, this blog will describe my journey. From the initial paperwork of the application to coming home on the airplane. My journey to Japan.

*"Sorry...I couldn’t come up with a better title" & when I say that YFU is the best way to go, that is my opinion.