Well I am down to my last two days in Japan. It's so crazy! Today Noemi and I are just watching movies and spending our last day together, since both of our parents have to work. My host sister came home yesterday, she is really sweet. Her name is Kei, she's 25 and she lives in Tokyo. Tomorrow I am going out to dinner with Noemi and her family, and then going with them to take her to to airport. :( So that means tonight is my last dinner with my host family. It's all a little sad, but I will be happy to be home. My flight lands in Kansas City at 10pm on August 5th. So hopefully I can see you all after that. I want to again thank you all for everything. This experience has been amazing and I wouldn't be here without all of you. Thank you, I love you!
Audrey:)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
i have no ideas for creative blog titles... sorry:)
Well the past few days have been a little low key, but its alright. On the 27th, we went to Dazaifu Shrine, which was really pretty and I took lots of pictures as usual. We ate way too much for lunch (also as usual) and it was wonderful (the word for wonderful in japanese is すばらしい, which is read as "subarashii").
The 28th Noemi and I were completely lazy. Both of our parents were at work, so we made instant ramen (YUM) and watched Memoirs of a Geisha. It was really nice because both of us read the book while we have been in Japan, and then to watch the movie in Japan was really great. It is a beautiful story.
The 29th we went to Michelle's school, where she wore yukata and gave a presentation about Switzerland (her home country) and Japan. She has been here for four months so far, and goes home in February. She is really sweet and incredibly smart. She can speak Swiss-German, German, English, Japanese, Italian, and French fluently. Needless to say, I am jealous.
Today, the 30th, Noemi and I spent the day in Kurume with Oscar, Cameron, and Daniel. We saw the science and art museums. The Ishibashi Art museum was great; it had lots of famous artists and was interesting to see. We are currently waiting for my host brother to bring us pizza, so we can watch The Devil Wears Prada with my host family. Can you tell school is over? Haha. Noemi and I did pay for the pizza for my whole family though, because they have done so much for both of us. Today it was really great because on the bus ride home a woman started to talk to us in Japanese, and we actually understood her! She asked us if we were students, where we were attending school, where in Japan we were living, where we were from, and when we go home. And we could answer all of her questions, it was a great feeling.
This morning on the bus ride on the way to Kurume, we made some serious plans (Mom, Dad, I hope this is okay with you, haha)! We decided that next summer Noemi should come to the U.S. for a couple weeks; visit New York, San Francisco (with me and hopefully one of my parents of course), and then spend a week in Sedalia with us. And the summer after that, I will go to Italy and do the same, We think this is a wonderful plan, so we hope you do too. :):)
We have a busy couple of days coming up. Tomorrow we have a few errands to run, then we go out to lunch with my family, and then spend the night at Michelle's house. The next day we go to Yanagawa (a more traditional Japanese town where Daniel and his host family live) and spend the night there with a friend of Noemi's okaasan. Sometimes I have the feeling that we are simplybeing passed from Japanese person to Japanese person, but I don't mind. :) No plans on Monday, Tuesday Noemi goes home (much crying will be involved- we've already made a decison not to wear mascara that day), and Wednesday I go home (it's probably also wise not to wear mascara this day either, since I will be saying goodbye to my family). It's just insane. When I first arrived here, I was upset, homesick, and disappointed that Japan was different than I though it would be (foolish, I know). But after the first week here, I realized I had it all wrong. I am so happy to have been here. I am very happy to come home and see everyone that I love and miss, but I love and will miss the people here too. It's such a cliche, but this truly has gone by in the blink of an eye. I plan on enjoying every moment of this last week, and I will see you all very soon.
:)
The 28th Noemi and I were completely lazy. Both of our parents were at work, so we made instant ramen (YUM) and watched Memoirs of a Geisha. It was really nice because both of us read the book while we have been in Japan, and then to watch the movie in Japan was really great. It is a beautiful story.
The 29th we went to Michelle's school, where she wore yukata and gave a presentation about Switzerland (her home country) and Japan. She has been here for four months so far, and goes home in February. She is really sweet and incredibly smart. She can speak Swiss-German, German, English, Japanese, Italian, and French fluently. Needless to say, I am jealous.
Today, the 30th, Noemi and I spent the day in Kurume with Oscar, Cameron, and Daniel. We saw the science and art museums. The Ishibashi Art museum was great; it had lots of famous artists and was interesting to see. We are currently waiting for my host brother to bring us pizza, so we can watch The Devil Wears Prada with my host family. Can you tell school is over? Haha. Noemi and I did pay for the pizza for my whole family though, because they have done so much for both of us. Today it was really great because on the bus ride home a woman started to talk to us in Japanese, and we actually understood her! She asked us if we were students, where we were attending school, where in Japan we were living, where we were from, and when we go home. And we could answer all of her questions, it was a great feeling.
This morning on the bus ride on the way to Kurume, we made some serious plans (Mom, Dad, I hope this is okay with you, haha)! We decided that next summer Noemi should come to the U.S. for a couple weeks; visit New York, San Francisco (with me and hopefully one of my parents of course), and then spend a week in Sedalia with us. And the summer after that, I will go to Italy and do the same, We think this is a wonderful plan, so we hope you do too. :):)
We have a busy couple of days coming up. Tomorrow we have a few errands to run, then we go out to lunch with my family, and then spend the night at Michelle's house. The next day we go to Yanagawa (a more traditional Japanese town where Daniel and his host family live) and spend the night there with a friend of Noemi's okaasan. Sometimes I have the feeling that we are simplybeing passed from Japanese person to Japanese person, but I don't mind. :) No plans on Monday, Tuesday Noemi goes home (much crying will be involved- we've already made a decison not to wear mascara that day), and Wednesday I go home (it's probably also wise not to wear mascara this day either, since I will be saying goodbye to my family). It's just insane. When I first arrived here, I was upset, homesick, and disappointed that Japan was different than I though it would be (foolish, I know). But after the first week here, I realized I had it all wrong. I am so happy to have been here. I am very happy to come home and see everyone that I love and miss, but I love and will miss the people here too. It's such a cliche, but this truly has gone by in the blink of an eye. I plan on enjoying every moment of this last week, and I will see you all very soon.
:)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
so close to being over...
Today was the speech and the farwell party. The speech was actually nice, and not nearly as horrible as I was thinking. The farewell party was sad though. At the beginning of this experience, I was like woww this is so long I am going to be here forever. And now here I am with one week left , still feeling as if I have just arrived. I think it is about time I listed all the things I love about Japan.
1. The people. Everyone I have met is open and kind, and they truly want to make you happy during your stay.
2. The language. Japanese language, in my opinion, is one of the most polite that exists. In Japanese, you almost never straight up say "no." You say, "chotto," which kind of means, not really, no thanks. It's really nice, the way people are rarely rude to one another. Do you know that the worst Japanese word I have learned during my stay is "bakka," which means stupid? And it is considered extremely rude even to say that. I also love some of the vocabulary. For instance, please is kudasai. Thank you is arigatoogozaimasu. You're welcome is doitashimashite. They answer the phone by saying moshi moshi. I think it is charming.
3. The hot springs (onsen). The Japanese people are not ashamed of their bodies. The hot springs is full of people very young, very old, and all ages in between. I think it is beautiful and unique.
4. The food. Japanese food is simply wonderful. Before you begin eating you say "itadakimasu" and after you have finished you say "gochisosamadeshita."
5. The traditions. To see people walking around in yukata (summer kimono) just on a normal day is such an elegant thing. Many things here in Japan strike me as being extremely elegant. The way they sit for long periods of time kneeling without saying a word? I mean, I cannot do it! But they simply accept and respect it as part of their culture. Tea ceremonies? Ikebana (flower arrangement)? I don't always understand them, but the Japanese people seem to respect and enjoy these traditions.
6. The shrines. They are gorgeous. Maybe I don't agree with the beliefs and such of many of the people here, but I like to think that the shrines are for everyone. When i go to a shrine, I feel it is a holy place too. Many times I have said a prayer when I visit them, it's just that I pray to a different power than the people here, and I think that's okay. Maybe religious diversity can be a difficult thing to accept or know how to feel about it, but I think it is something that is not so difficult to embrace. I am Christian, my host family is Buddhist, my friends from Sweden are atheists. But when I am talking with them, eating with them, I don't think about that, and it seems to me that they don't either. My host family has openly asked me what is my religion, what i it like? And I tell them. Many people I have met on this trip have had a variety of beliefs; I accept it even if I don't agree with it. Maybe this isn't the sort of thing I am supposed to be writing about on here and maybe it is not my place to be saying any of these things. But I find it is not so difficult to love people of many religions, and I think it is a good thing to do.
The things I love about Japan are not limited to this list, but these are a few of the main ones. Of course I am happy to come home and see everyone I love, but I love this place too. I think I would like to come back someday. I want to see more of Japan that I haven't gotten the opportunity to, and come back to see the people here that have opened their lives to me, without a single hesitation or doubt. I would also love to bring one of my family members here with me. I think Ethan would love it, and mom and dad too. It's hard to describe all of this to someone who hasn't been here, and I would love to bring Ethan or mom or dad back here with me someday. And this experience hasn't just been about Japan. I now have friends in Italy, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. I no longer just have the desire to return to Japan, but I want to go to Italy and visit Noemi and eat gelato and pizza and pasta and see everything. I want to go to Australia to see Oscar and his "mates." I want to go to Switzerland to spend time with Michelle and her twin sister and eat chocolate. I want to go to Sweden and spend more time with Sebastian and Anton. I want to go to other parts of Asia, like India and China and Thailand. It's really indescribable. When I choose what I want to do and what college I want to go to, I will definitely have in the back of my mind: What career path will let me go everywhere? What college has good programs to study overseas? It all sound so silly when I type it out haha, but it really is a gret feeling. Anyway, thank you so much. For your support and patience and love and assurance when I was unsure. I appreciate you all.
Audrey
1. The people. Everyone I have met is open and kind, and they truly want to make you happy during your stay.
2. The language. Japanese language, in my opinion, is one of the most polite that exists. In Japanese, you almost never straight up say "no." You say, "chotto," which kind of means, not really, no thanks. It's really nice, the way people are rarely rude to one another. Do you know that the worst Japanese word I have learned during my stay is "bakka," which means stupid? And it is considered extremely rude even to say that. I also love some of the vocabulary. For instance, please is kudasai. Thank you is arigatoogozaimasu. You're welcome is doitashimashite. They answer the phone by saying moshi moshi. I think it is charming.
3. The hot springs (onsen). The Japanese people are not ashamed of their bodies. The hot springs is full of people very young, very old, and all ages in between. I think it is beautiful and unique.
4. The food. Japanese food is simply wonderful. Before you begin eating you say "itadakimasu" and after you have finished you say "gochisosamadeshita."
5. The traditions. To see people walking around in yukata (summer kimono) just on a normal day is such an elegant thing. Many things here in Japan strike me as being extremely elegant. The way they sit for long periods of time kneeling without saying a word? I mean, I cannot do it! But they simply accept and respect it as part of their culture. Tea ceremonies? Ikebana (flower arrangement)? I don't always understand them, but the Japanese people seem to respect and enjoy these traditions.
6. The shrines. They are gorgeous. Maybe I don't agree with the beliefs and such of many of the people here, but I like to think that the shrines are for everyone. When i go to a shrine, I feel it is a holy place too. Many times I have said a prayer when I visit them, it's just that I pray to a different power than the people here, and I think that's okay. Maybe religious diversity can be a difficult thing to accept or know how to feel about it, but I think it is something that is not so difficult to embrace. I am Christian, my host family is Buddhist, my friends from Sweden are atheists. But when I am talking with them, eating with them, I don't think about that, and it seems to me that they don't either. My host family has openly asked me what is my religion, what i it like? And I tell them. Many people I have met on this trip have had a variety of beliefs; I accept it even if I don't agree with it. Maybe this isn't the sort of thing I am supposed to be writing about on here and maybe it is not my place to be saying any of these things. But I find it is not so difficult to love people of many religions, and I think it is a good thing to do.
The things I love about Japan are not limited to this list, but these are a few of the main ones. Of course I am happy to come home and see everyone I love, but I love this place too. I think I would like to come back someday. I want to see more of Japan that I haven't gotten the opportunity to, and come back to see the people here that have opened their lives to me, without a single hesitation or doubt. I would also love to bring one of my family members here with me. I think Ethan would love it, and mom and dad too. It's hard to describe all of this to someone who hasn't been here, and I would love to bring Ethan or mom or dad back here with me someday. And this experience hasn't just been about Japan. I now have friends in Italy, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. I no longer just have the desire to return to Japan, but I want to go to Italy and visit Noemi and eat gelato and pizza and pasta and see everything. I want to go to Australia to see Oscar and his "mates." I want to go to Switzerland to spend time with Michelle and her twin sister and eat chocolate. I want to go to Sweden and spend more time with Sebastian and Anton. I want to go to other parts of Asia, like India and China and Thailand. It's really indescribable. When I choose what I want to do and what college I want to go to, I will definitely have in the back of my mind: What career path will let me go everywhere? What college has good programs to study overseas? It all sound so silly when I type it out haha, but it really is a gret feeling. Anyway, thank you so much. For your support and patience and love and assurance when I was unsure. I appreciate you all.
Audrey
Saturday, July 25, 2009
whoo
Today I had to go to the hospital to get an IV injection for an allergic reaction I had to something here... so that was fun, haha. It's much better now and then I went out to lunch with some other AFS people. Now Noemi and I are watching Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, which my host parents thought was very funny. Sorry this blog is so short! Other than the hospital visit, it has been a pretty uneventful day so I am basically just checking in. Tomorrow is the speech contest so I will write another longer blog later. :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
July 23, 2009
Today was a great day, because it started off with Mister Donut. Yum. :)
We finished up our speeches at school today (WHEW), and then went to have lunch with the dentist. He took us to a beautiful traditional Japanese restaraunt, where we took out shoes off and sat on the tatami mats (this is something I love about Japan). Some of the food was weird; my impression of really traditional Japanese food is that most of it is served cold, and most of it has a really strong taste, so you either really like it or really hate it. But after the traditional stuff we had tempura, which i adore, haha. Then the dentist presented us with the yukata he bought for us and two women came in and taught us how to put them on ourselves. It is so complicated! Haha. But it was good to learn the proper way to do everything. Tomorrow, we are going to meet the mayor of Kurume. The four of us (Noemi, Cameron, Daniel and I) have to wear our yukata when we go to meet him, and a Japanese woman is going to help Noemi and I do Japanese hair and make up so I think it will be really cool! It was a great day, although the dentist did some strange things and I am no longer so sure of his good intentions. Either way it was kind of him t buy us yukata and I won't see him anymor during this trip.
Audrey:)
We finished up our speeches at school today (WHEW), and then went to have lunch with the dentist. He took us to a beautiful traditional Japanese restaraunt, where we took out shoes off and sat on the tatami mats (this is something I love about Japan). Some of the food was weird; my impression of really traditional Japanese food is that most of it is served cold, and most of it has a really strong taste, so you either really like it or really hate it. But after the traditional stuff we had tempura, which i adore, haha. Then the dentist presented us with the yukata he bought for us and two women came in and taught us how to put them on ourselves. It is so complicated! Haha. But it was good to learn the proper way to do everything. Tomorrow, we are going to meet the mayor of Kurume. The four of us (Noemi, Cameron, Daniel and I) have to wear our yukata when we go to meet him, and a Japanese woman is going to help Noemi and I do Japanese hair and make up so I think it will be really cool! It was a great day, although the dentist did some strange things and I am no longer so sure of his good intentions. Either way it was kind of him t buy us yukata and I won't see him anymor during this trip.
Audrey:)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 22nd, 2009
It's late here, both of my parents are asleep so I will make this one short... or try to. :)
Today was really nice. This morning a little before 11AM, Japan experienced a solar eclipse. Our teacher let us go outside to watch, and it was beautiful. I didn't get any good pictures unfortunately, but it was really a unique thing to watch.
Lately we have been working on our speeches at school. I have maybe 3-4 minutes written (in Japanese!) and I have a bit more to finish in the next two days. It makes me very nervous. Giving a speech in English is really nothing, but giving a five minutes speech in Japanese to a group of Japanese people? Needless to say, I am a bit nervous.
After school we went to Fukuoka (again)! It was really great, we met Noemi's 25 year old host sister (Sayori) and did some sightseeing. We finally got to see Fukuoka Tower, where we got a beautiful view of Fukuoka. We alot went to the Hard Rock Cafe, where a keychain cost 2,800 yen (or $28)! There was a really pretty beach right near the tower where we spent about an hour. While we were there, there was a man dressed up in traditional cothing playing some kind of instrument. He noticed me taking his picture and asked, "Can I take a picture for you?" as he reached for my camera. I quickly said,"Kekko desu (no thank you)," because he looked a little too eager to take my camera from me.
Dinner was delicious, as always. I really do love Japanese food, and I will miss it. My okaasan is such a good cook. Not that my mom in Missouri isn't of course, because she is also a good cook. She just can't make Japanese dishes like my okaasan here. For dinner we had udon noodles and tempura. Udon is like ramen, but the noodles are thicker and flat, and tempura is huge pieces of deep fried shrimp, other meats, ad vegetables. We got home around 10:30. Only two weeks left in Japan.
Today was really nice. This morning a little before 11AM, Japan experienced a solar eclipse. Our teacher let us go outside to watch, and it was beautiful. I didn't get any good pictures unfortunately, but it was really a unique thing to watch.
Lately we have been working on our speeches at school. I have maybe 3-4 minutes written (in Japanese!) and I have a bit more to finish in the next two days. It makes me very nervous. Giving a speech in English is really nothing, but giving a five minutes speech in Japanese to a group of Japanese people? Needless to say, I am a bit nervous.
After school we went to Fukuoka (again)! It was really great, we met Noemi's 25 year old host sister (Sayori) and did some sightseeing. We finally got to see Fukuoka Tower, where we got a beautiful view of Fukuoka. We alot went to the Hard Rock Cafe, where a keychain cost 2,800 yen (or $28)! There was a really pretty beach right near the tower where we spent about an hour. While we were there, there was a man dressed up in traditional cothing playing some kind of instrument. He noticed me taking his picture and asked, "Can I take a picture for you?" as he reached for my camera. I quickly said,"Kekko desu (no thank you)," because he looked a little too eager to take my camera from me.
Dinner was delicious, as always. I really do love Japanese food, and I will miss it. My okaasan is such a good cook. Not that my mom in Missouri isn't of course, because she is also a good cook. She just can't make Japanese dishes like my okaasan here. For dinner we had udon noodles and tempura. Udon is like ramen, but the noodles are thicker and flat, and tempura is huge pieces of deep fried shrimp, other meats, ad vegetables. We got home around 10:30. Only two weeks left in Japan.
Monday, July 20, 2009
July 20th, 2009
Today I went to Kummoto Castle and the hot springs. It was so great! Kumamoto Castle was beautiful. I can't really describe it, but I bought postcards and took millions of pictures. It's got a huge wall around it, and a moat surrounding it, but it's empty now. The funny thing was I noticed these two guys that were obviously not Japanese, as one was blonde and one was a redhead. I head them talking and it wasn't in English. But I decided I would try and ask them where they are from. It ends up the can speak English, and they are from Sweden. The blonde one, Anton, is studying here for one year and speaks fluent Japanese. His friend, Sebastian, is visiting him for one month. They were really nice and my host parents invited them to eat lunch with us and come to the hot springs!
We ate lunch at a tempura restaraunt, which I can best describe as delicious deep fried stuff. :)
The hot springs were gorgeous. They weren'r so unlike a public bath, where you first wash yourself off at the small stools and showerheads and then get in the big bath. Half of it was indoor, and the other half was outdoor. The outdoor part was so pretty. It looked very natural, with a smooth rock bottom and rocks to sit or lean on. One half of the outdoor part was hot water, and then a sections of cool water was next to it. It was really nice and the Japanese people consider this a sort of spa.
Anton and Sebastian came with my family and talked for a while. They exchanged contact information and I think we are going to meet them in Fukuoka this Friday. I really only go on a few trips away from home with my host parents, so it is nice when Noemi and I get to travel with other people. I think Michelle will join us too. :) And on August 1st and 2nd, Noemi and I are going to Yanagawa to sightsee. We will stay with a friend of Noemi's host mom. Sometimes I feel I am literally being passed from Japanese person to Japanese person haha, but at least they are all close friends and Noemi is with me, so I always feel comfortable and safe.
I miss you all. Keep commenting, I love hearing from you. :)
We ate lunch at a tempura restaraunt, which I can best describe as delicious deep fried stuff. :)
The hot springs were gorgeous. They weren'r so unlike a public bath, where you first wash yourself off at the small stools and showerheads and then get in the big bath. Half of it was indoor, and the other half was outdoor. The outdoor part was so pretty. It looked very natural, with a smooth rock bottom and rocks to sit or lean on. One half of the outdoor part was hot water, and then a sections of cool water was next to it. It was really nice and the Japanese people consider this a sort of spa.
Anton and Sebastian came with my family and talked for a while. They exchanged contact information and I think we are going to meet them in Fukuoka this Friday. I really only go on a few trips away from home with my host parents, so it is nice when Noemi and I get to travel with other people. I think Michelle will join us too. :) And on August 1st and 2nd, Noemi and I are going to Yanagawa to sightsee. We will stay with a friend of Noemi's host mom. Sometimes I feel I am literally being passed from Japanese person to Japanese person haha, but at least they are all close friends and Noemi is with me, so I always feel comfortable and safe.
I miss you all. Keep commenting, I love hearing from you. :)
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