Today was a good day. I went to school, which was great since on wednesdays and thursdays we have Sensee Tajiri, who is my favorite. She is extremely patient but at the same time she doesn't let you slack off. I feel overwhelmed when a couple of the other teachers aren't so patient, especially since Japanese is so difficult starting from scratch, it stresses me out! But I have a notebook almost halfway full of notes already, if anyone is interested in learning Japanese when I get home, haha. :)
Today's lesson was about verbs, along with past and present tense. By the end of class I had written a paragraph about what I did yesterday in hirigana, so I was pretty excited about that, haha.
So there is a dentist's office across the street from my teacher's school, and for some reason he has taken some sort of fascination with Noemi, Cameron, Daniel and myself. He's nice enough but slightly creepy, especially since he wears his camera around his neck and takes multiple photos of us individually, haha. But today my teacher let us out of school at 12:30 because the dentist asked if he could take us out to lunch. We went to eat sushi and it was pretty good, except for a couple mysterious things that left gross aftertastes. When we asked what some of the things we were eating were, he just shrugged, so I am really not sure! But we all went to Mister Donut afterward, since this week is a big sale and every donut is just 100 yen. :)
After Mister Donut, we had a couple hours before we were expected home. So we got on bus #2 to go to YouMe Town, a huge shopping center. There I got the last of my gifts for people in Sedalia. I am excited because I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to find nice gifts for the the many people on my list! But I am very happy with the things I bought, and am so excited to give them to everyone when I get home. :)
A couple days ago my okaasan (host mother) was folding a pair of my jeans and she started laughing really hard. I turned around and saw her holding my pants up to her, and they were so long that they went from her feet all the way to her shoulders! I took a picture, it was so funny. Obviously I am much taller than many people here. In fact the first words out of my otoosan's mouth when I first met him and my okaasan were, "Wow you are tall!"
Oh another thing. Last night my okaasan wasn't going to be home until late, so my otoosan and my host brother Yuichi decided to order pizza from Pizza Pockets. I trusted them to do the ordering. We had teryaki chicken pizza, tomato bacon pizza, and potato pizza. I had never had the tomato bacon or potato, and they were amazing. Haha I realize this has nothing to do with Japanese culture, I just thought I would tell you that everyone should try potato pizza because it is great.
Anyway guess that's it for now. Thanks to everyone taking the time to read this. :)
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Dear Audballer,
ReplyDeleteTo catch up on all your blogs, the sights sound amaaazing! I'm so glad you're adjusting more every day and taking in all Japan has to offer, my dear. Don't worry, your metabolism levels are still as safe and sound as ever, so enjoy the potato pizza and Mister Donut (I wonder if there is a Mrs. Donut??) :) I miss you and your tall jeans extremely. Tell the dentist you have a body guard (cough cough, your best friend) if he gets too creepy. And I love you so much it's worth a million yen!
Love always Melissa :)
Hi sweet Audrey:
ReplyDeleteSo glad to get this note on your blog today. I feel closer to you when you give details about exactly what's going on and how you are doing with your Japan adventure. My problem is that I miss you so much. Ever since you left, I always have that feeling that you get when you're about to leave the house and you know you're forgetting something -- like you're missing something from your bag that you know you're really going to need that day. That basic feeling of being incomplete, but knowing that you have to just get going anyway.
That's what I am with out you -- incomplete and always feeling like something is not quite right in my world. I have tried not to tell you too much of this or show too much emotion on the phone, because I don't want to upset you. But you need to know how much your Mama misses you! I know you are having fun and learning a lot. Keep it up and know that we are all going to be so happy to have you home! You are the bring sunshine in my life and I am thinking of you and praying for you every day!
I am so thankful to your host family for caring for you and providing you with this experience. What wonderful souls they must be.
Love always - Mama
Hi Aud:
ReplyDeleteIt's Mom again. Just wanted you to know that I was reading some of the comments that other people have posted. WOW -- Mrs. Epp & Mrs. Engles are filled with so much wisdom! Reading their entries helped me with the "Without Audrey-sickness" I've been struggling with. I especially was touched by the verse that Mrs. Epp shared and her advice that followed. I will enjoy the present and be so thankful when you return to all those who love you!
Take good care -- Mama
Mama, i love you so soo much. i know the feeling. i miss you. its getting a little easier to be here every day. but the first week sucked as far as homesickness goes, i was like "i want to go home NOW." but i realize now that even though i love my home and my friends and family in the US, that isnt the right attitude to have. so i am doing my best to stay happy and to embrace this experience, the good and the bad, with the you, daddy, and ethan always in my mind.
ReplyDeletei wrote a paragraph in japanese the other day! whoo hoo. i have to make a five minute speech in japanese on the 26th, talk about stage fright! i miss you mama. and ethan and daddy and melissa and everyone. i am very soon shipping a box home to you full of japanese gifts. whoo. youre not allowed to open it until i get home though ok? :)
oh and i know! mrs engles and mrs epp are so great. i appreciate everyone who comments and reads this blog. i got the perfect gifts for everyone back at home, i cannot wait to distribute!
love aud
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Melissa, i love you. i started laughing out loud when i read your blog, you and your clever gilmore girl conversation. noemi asked what was so funny and i let her read your message and she goes "your best friend is funny!" and i said "she's even better in person" miss you. when i get home my mom and i are going back to school shopping before we leave for germany and i think it is necessary that you accompany us. you know, in case the dentist follows me back to the US. i need protection. love you baby.
Audrey,
ReplyDeleteyou are one funny girl! I put the last coat of paint on your new room last night and your mama ordered a cool area rug. We are going to do some touch ups this weekend.
This is probably the funniest blog I have read. If you need to, lie and tell that dentist that your daddy is 6'5" and weighs 300 and is flying to Japan to do some dental work on him! :-)
I finished my class yesterday. They were a great group and they got daily updates on my girl in Japan! I talked about you all the time. I am just SO PROUD of you. You keep enjoying this experience and know how much your family loves and misses you .
Love, Daddy
Audrey-
ReplyDeleteI loved the notes about sushi, Mr. Donut, and especially the pizza! I have always wanted to order a "mole" pizza that is advertised all over Oaxaca on Domino's signs, but have not had the chance yet. I guess pizza is something that is easy to experiment with and add local flavor. *Note to anyone reading who hasn't been in my class-- Mole is a sauce made from chile peppers and dark chocolate for a chicken dish. No small rodents on the ingredient list! I am also pleased to hear about your progress with the Japanese language. How cool to be tri-lingual! When you return I will tell you a funny story about an experience in Oaxaca that I was reminded of when you talked about the dentist. Most likely he is a really nice guy. Ask me about the purse snatcher that I nearly beat up when you get a chance... I hope this weekend is a fun one for you and that every day you feel more and more at home in your experience. :) -Mrs. Epp
Greetings Audrey! What fun to read your blogs. I am enjoying every one of your postings. And thanks Mrs. Epp for the clarification on the mole pizza. I was going to tell you to come on out and help yourself because the rodent variety are plentiful in my yard this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope you bought yourself a kimono. I know they are beautiful and you will have to wear one when you present your trip to good old SC--or rather new SC--this fall.
I am excited that I will be mentoring 2 new teachers at the high school and 10 at the junior high, so I will definitely want to see your presentation and plan to make sure I am in the building whatever day that is!
Hang in there kid (and Mom and Dad :) ! You will be home before you know it and will have gained so much (knowledge, not weight).
Thinking of you often!