Cati

Day thirteen:

No No No No No No and shall I also say NO! It can't be tomorrow! I don't want it to be tomorrow! I am so happy here and I am having so much fun and learning so many things that I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME! (No offense mom and dad...) Last night Towa and I were preparing her speech that we stayed up really late (Or shall I say early) that we fell asleep at the kotastu. (table with warmth inside so you put your legs under neither. We woke up looked at each other, then look at the clock and went "We're late!" We both did a speech and sensei has the videos/pictures. It was scary but a lot of fun. We also had out presentations in front of the Japanese KJ students which was scary but fun. I guess everything is scary but fun since I seem to write it all the time. Towa and her friends ate lunch with me again and Towa cried which made me cry because she was sad that I was leaving tomorrow. When school was over, we went home and she helped me pack. We listened to music and laughed together. After we went to get tonkastu and I was so happy! It was SOOOO good! Then after we went to get ice cream and in the car rides, Towa and I sang songs together. It was so much fun. Now we are home having a quick homework break before we watch a bunch of American and Japanese movies! I am so excited! But I hate that it is almost tomorrow! Anyway, by all, and to some of you, see you tomorrow. (Can't correct, must be consumed by TV! Sorry but I am a teenager after all!)

Day Twelve:

Today, we went on a mini field trip from KJ school. We got to see more of the town and got to see part of the area that semi still looks like it did in the Edo period. It was really cool and fun to see and the tour guide was very kind too. We got to see armor, and hair clips. They were very beautiful. We then got to see a very beautiful onzen in the area. If you looked out the windows of the rooms you can see the snow garden and the small creak/body of water so it was very beautiful. After, we went to eat and my friends and I got Japanese pizza. I know that food is a little close to American food, but this Japanese pizza was even better than American pizza. After we went to the dollar store again and I got some gifts for my family at home. We got ice cream and spent time together in the warm sun. It was really a beautiful day. After we went on the bus back to the school to practice our presentations. I am nervous to share mine tomorrow but I know it will be fine as long as I am enthusiastic. We went back home and we watched clueless. Again I know that it is in English but I really wanted to show her an American show and we have only been watching Japanese TV this whole week so this was 5% of English in my week. I played Uno with Towa's younger brothers and now we are studying. (Last night we studied till 1 so I am glad). I can't read through this because I have to do my homework and finish my presentation for tomorrow. Have a great day yall!

Day eleven:

This day was fun. We got to meet the Japanese students that my class has been talking with online for a whole semester! It was great to meet new people and speak even more Japanese. They were a little shy, more than the KJ students but it was really nice to get to know them. We went to a dollar store and I bought my host family some small things. They were really happy to get it. We had a great lunch and it was the traditional soba noodles and they were amazing! We also got to take a picture in front of their school which looks so traditonally Japanese! We got to do many things together and it was fun but out time was short. At two thirty we had to go back home. I slept on the Shinkansens because I really wanted to stay up late and study with my student. Every night she stays up until like 11, and then wakes up at 5:30 to do more homework. (I come to a conclusion that KJ students are Vampires). Since we only have two full days left, I am determined to stay up late with her and study with her. (It will also do me some good). When we arrived to the station where KJ school is, I could see my host mom because she was wearing all pink as per usual, and if you don't know me well, pink is my favorite color so we get along very well. Everyone was surprised she was my host mom and said they she was pretty which she is. We then went to pick up Towa and went back home. We studied before and now we are studying after dinner. We had a lot of laughs and now many inside jokes which makes me sad to be parting from her so soon. Nothing embarrassing today so sorry to disappoint. Anyway see y'all tomorrow! (Also didn't reread this, lots of HW to do!)

Day ten:

I think today was my favorite day out of the trip so far! I got to make many new friends like Solo and I got to hang out more with my student who will be staying with me in America. Towa and I are getting a lot closer to each other and I really happy about that. School was so much fun and I was excited to go! (Never thought I would ever say that ever in my life... oh well). We had fun classes like art for two periods. The class made me a fan and decorated it so I will keep it forever! I also got a lot of homework done. I still have more to go, but I got some Japanese, and AP bio homework done which makes me feel better. Lunch was awesome, Towa's mom is an amazing cook! We then got to work on our project too which was nice. After school I got to hang out with Towa, Brendan, Solo, and Lucy and it was fun. Now we are home and we ate an amazing dinner! Towa's mother made dumplings and they were the best I have ever had! Now I am doing homework and writing this blog. So while I may not have had such an interesting day, it was a lot of fun for me and I was so happy to meet so many new people. I am excited for tomorrow and I will explain it all in my blog tomorrow. Any who, goodnight/ day to all! (nothing embarrassing today)

Day nine:

Today was so amazing! I've gotten to the point where it felt weird to speak English with the KJ students and I don't like to. So I guess being in Japanese only mode has really started to pay off. I feel like conversing is a lot easier and less scary than I thought. Of course there are times when they don't understand me so I have to use some English words but I am in 95% Japanese mode and 5% English mode. I finally went to KJ School. A JAPANESE SCHOOL! It was so awesome that I am lost for words. It was bigger than I expected, colder than I expected, and more amazing than I expected. It was a struggle to get there though because there is so much snow, and this morning it was snowing sooooo much you could not even see out of the window! *Transition ...* The classes are so organized and it is easy to be smart. I know that sounds stupid, but if you just focus in class and do homework in Japan, you can do well, but I feel like in America you have to do a lot more work to thrive. I've only been there one day though so it may be too soon to tell. My favorite classes were English and History because the English teacher was very funny and kind, and I just like history in general. I had an actual Japanese lunch in the classroom and it was so much fun! I got to meet the student who will be staying with me in America and she is the kindest person ever! I don't have any pictures of the school because you aren't allowed to have you phone out, but tomorrow I will bring my camera to take some. After school, we had a traditional tea ceremony and it was so beautiful! When given the tea, you must take three sips, and then turn the cup two times clockwise before placing it back down on the tatami mat. After that, my host mother made an AMAZING dinner and we had a long and fun talk. My host parents don't speak English so I am doing a lot of horrible choppy Japanese, but they understand me so I am content with that ... for now. Now we are doing homework and getting ready for bed.

You know what time it is.....

Talk Show:

"It's time for, Cati's stupidity in JAPAN! Today, we have a lucky number of two embarassing situations that happened to yours truely!" *Mic in Cati's face* "What happened this time?"

"So first off, we were on stage being introduced to the school when I turned to my right to look at my friend taking a picture."

"Well what is so wrong with that?"

"Well while I wasn't paying attention, the left side was getting off stage, and instead of quietly following after I realized, I had to shout 'Oh Jesus' on stage and chase after."

"Oh my, not so graceful are you!" *Crowd laughs* "What then happened?"

"So we were in History class and my student told me that the teacher asked why camels were important in Africa around the 1500s, and when he called upon her she couldn't answer so I decided to try out my Japanese and answer for her. I had this great answer that with the camels they could carry silver (the currency at this time), Gold (which was rare except if you were Mansa Musa, and salt (which was very important at this time since it kept meat). They also carried the people so they wouldn't get heat exhaustion. After three minutes of a well carried out answer, the teacher was quiet for a moment and then moved on. I turned to my student with a confused look only for her to tell me ... 'I translated the question wrong. ... That wasn't what he was asking for.'"

"Oh my!" *Dying of laughter. Whipes tears away* "Okay okay, well that's it for Cati's Stupidity in JAPAN! See you very soon!"

TV show ends!

(I have so much homework so I don't have time to read through it so ... good luck!) :)

Day Eight:

Today was awesome. I really got to practice more of my Japanese with the family. The younger boys are still warming up to me though. I got up at 7 while everyone stayed asleep. After doing my makeup, I just went upstairs to do my homework and study while everyone was getting up. Once everyone was up, we ate breakfast and then left for the biggest city in Nigata. We went by shinkansen and it took about thirty minutes. After we met up with Towa's father and we drove to the mall. I got to look at clothing and to look at stationary which I bought a lot of. Her mother kindly bought me a kiki's delivery service. After we went to get pizza and pasta. It was good and mine was very spicy! After we went to an arcade and Towa and I took a Japanese photo with her. The ones with the big eyes and the red cheeks called purikura. It was so advanced and so cool that my mouth was open the whole time and I think I caught some flies. We then drove the hour and a half back home where all of us crashed (Except for the driver of course). When we arrived home, we were all hungry again and went to get sushi. It was so cool! The sushi moved on the belt and then you would order it from an ipad. After you were done eating, they would pile the plates and use a machine to count their worth to see how much you would pay. America needs to step up its game! Now we are back home chilling while I am showing my host family the pictures before I arrived at their home. I am having a great time and hate to think about leaving so soon!

TV SHOW!!

*Game show host voice

"It's time for Cati's stupidity in JAPAN!!!!!" *Puts the microphone to Cati's face* "So, what happened that was so embarrassing?"

"Well, I went to the toilette, and when I was finished, I couldn't see the button to flush, so I looked around and I saw a green button behind the toilette with Kanji on it that I didn't recognize but decided to push it."

"What happened then?"

"Well, turns out that the toilette was hand activated, and the button I pushed was a help button for someone who fell or was throwing up or something. So when the lady came to help me, I had to explain what happened in Japanese while my host family waited for me."

"Wow, how embarrassing!" *Takes the microphone away* "Okay everyone, that's it for today. Until next time on, Cati's stupidity in JAPAN!"

TV show ends

Day Seven:

Today was a great and exciting day. I got to finally meet my host student. She is really nice and is very good at English. Her whole family is very nice and fun to be around. I was able to practice a lot of English and they say that I speak well but I know they are just being kind to me. It is great to practice and think of ways to say things. But first, I started the day off with lulu and I going into our last onzen bath. It was very hot but fun because it was very relaxing. After we had a very nice breakfast with everyone and then had to pack. After that though we went to the shinkansen. The first one was about two hours long, and that was where we had to transfer to our second one. That one was about one hour. After that we finally got to meet our host students. I was so happy. She is so bright and happy that it is great to be around her. I was nervous but now that I realize that we don't have a hard time communicating so it is really easy to talk with her. I speak in Japanese and she speaks in English but sometimes we speak vise versa for the other to understand. Her mother is very beautiful and does makeup for a living so I am really happy about that. We had a very nice dinner and now we are all studying while her younger brothers watch TV. I also learned that today was a holiday in Japan. It is sestubun or bean throwing day. Basically you throw beans at the oni (the monster) and then eat as many beans as your age to be healthy. So I had to eat 17 and they were delicious. I can't wait for tomorrow. This is great! Anyway! Goodnight or good day to all! Make good choices! (I'm talking about yall mom and dad! I've got my eyes on you...)

Day Six:

Today was a very spiritual day. We had an early morning (early in the eyes of teenagers of course) and then we left for our hike up the mountains. Boy was it sunny today. I didn't take many photos on my because I was afraid of it dying, but I did take many on my camera. Anyway, the way up the mountain was killer to my legs (I think sensei is trying to tell us to lose weight) but it was so beautiful that it was totally worth it. We bought these books, that every time you go to a shrine or temple, they write something in it and it is totally beautiful. We would stop at these building where they would sign it so now I have five pages filled out and no feeling in my legs. When you got to the very top, it was breathtaking. I was amazed. I know for sure I could never experience something so beautiful and religiously spiritual in America. When we got down, we were allowed to disperse and get lunch. My friends and I went to a small soba noodle shop and then ordered ice cream. Of course we ate soba noodles too, we aren't crazy. The ladies working there were so kind and were very nice to talk too. They didn't know English but they said we spoke Japanese very well which is a lie! But I was flattered. After we headed back home for dinner. (I fell asleep and drooled on my friends shoulder on the bus ride back...) Dinner was amazing! We had sushi and ice cream again! Of course we had vegetables and rice but the sushi and ice cream were the key points for me. Now we are all in bed, so tired and it is only 9:50. Anyway, good night to all or good day to all, which ever floats your boat. (I'm lazy so I did no proof reading! Have fun)!!

Day Five:

Today was such a fun day! It was very nice and relaxing. We started it off with a kids TV show and we learned a few new words. It was more interesting than American kid TV shows and I learned more than the American shows taught me. After we went to a great big breakfast and I ate everything. It tasted so good. There was rice, eggs, miso soup, vegetables, meet, and fish. I loved it. After that sensei let us have the day until three. My friends and I went to the onzen bath and I was able to get in this time. It was great and I didn't feel like I was dying. I felt very relaxed and happy. It was awesome because the cold air was against your face and shoulders but the reset of your body was emerged in nice warm sulfur soup. My skin felt so soft when I got out. After we went into town where we bought gifts and souvenirs. Then we went to a cute cafe and the ladies who worked there gave us a gift and we were all so happy. We also ran into a french couple and I was able to practice my french with them. After that, sensei took us to the snow monsters. They are pilled up snow that gradually overtime freezes and then more snow gets packed onto it. It was so cool to look at. While it was cold, it was so beautiful and I have never seen that before. When the sun finally set, we could see the lights on the snow monsters and it was very beautiful. We finally went back and had dinner which was SOOOO good! There was fish, meat, and green tea ice cream. We are now just relaxing in our room while studying so that we don't miss too much in school. This is the best trip ever! Anyway, good night to all, or good morning.

Day Four:

I can't believe I have already been in Japan for four days. I wish the time would slow down. Today was a fun traveling day. I got to go onto my very first shinkansen which is a bullet train. We went up north to zao onsen where we are taking relaxing "baths" and we are planning to go up a mountain. I got to wear a yukata for the first time and it is very comfortable to wear. We had a really nice dinner where I got to try all new japanese traditional foods. It was so good and very different from what I have tried in America. The food just kept on coming. When I thought it was all done, god came in and said "You thought wrong" and I got a whole other meal. I feel like I am now feeding two instead of one. Was it worth it? Heck yes! We took a bath in an onzen and boy was it hot. I roasted like a chicken. I also was a chicken when it came to getting into the water because it was so hot but lili pushed my legs down and told me to stop being such a baby and then I got used to the burning feeling that my skin was breaking off. (Of course sensei said that that feeling was normal). When I took my legs out to leave though, they felt less stressed and they don't feel sore anymore. Magic? Heck yes! When we were leaving the Onsen building (It was outside from where we are sleeping) a kind lady was entering and showed us how to tie our yukata's correctly. She is now our onzen goddess and we will always remember her. Now I am just writting this blog while watching a Japanese cooking show. It looks so good but I'm so full. Anywho! Have a great Night/Day yall and peace out girl scouts!

Day Three:

I had a great day today. I started it off a bit early (5:00) and had the hard to choice of going back to sleep for an hour or to play on my phone. Of course I made the right choice and I was able to beat another candy crush level. When eating breakfast and getting ready was out of the way, we went to Waseda University where Emma's brother gave us a tour. I was having a lot of fun and I was really excited to see the options and classes that I could take at the University. After we went to Metropolitan tower where we took a lot of pictures and bought a lot of things, we then went to Denny's for lunch and boy was it good. It wasn't like any Denny's in America. There was a lot of traditional foods so Lulu and I just decided to split so that we could get a couple things. AFTER that, we went to a very beautiful shrine that opens up first with a flower section and leads to the shrine. I took a picture with a shrine maiden and met a couple photographers who conversed with me for a while. It was really awesome to practice my Japanese and really test how much I know. I am already ahead of their expectations though because they expected me, an American, to nothing at all. Everything was pink and I was so happy. We went to the Sky Tree and got to see the city at night while talking and getting to know Liam and Jack a lot more. They tend to be a bit quiet and I wasn't going to allow that so I forced information out of them and now they seem a lot more relaxed. I learned five new phrases today, and I was really happy about it. I'm five phrases closer to fluency. Only 100 million more to go. Overall I had a great day and will only remember that this day I smiled the whole day. Anyway goodnight/day/ or whatever.

Day Two:

I'm going to keep this a little short because I feel like falling asleep any second now. Basically we did A LOT of stuff. We went shopping, to a museum, and then shopping again, and then went and got a really nice dinner. I felt really great until after 3:30, and that, sadly, was my downfall. I got really tired and just wanted to fall asleep. I was lugging around a few bags and my jacket since I was overheated while wearing it, so I just wanted my kind dad to just fly over and carry it for me. But he didn't. For lunch (I know I am skipping around but I'm half asleep) Lulu, Emma, Lili, Marisa, and I went to a ramen shop where you use a vending machine to get a ticket of your order that you hand to the chef which was really cool. Honestly it was a great day but it was so long that I feel like I have been in Japan for a week. Oh, before dinner we went on a Ferris wheel and I felt like I was going to die. It was fun after I got over the fact that the only thing keeping me from death was a tin can. I made jokes with Alex, Bredan and I just chilled at the museum, and we got to celebrate Emma's birthday. (Hey mom, how about we go to Japan for my birthday?)(She's probably going to say no....) Now we are in the hostel waiting to take a shower but there are already so many other women taking up that space that we are just trying to wait them out. I just want to sleep. I will be more descriptive tomorrow but at the moment I feel like death itself. Sorry, and goodnight/good day/whatever time it is.

Day One:

We got to the airport and I was sad to say goodbye to my dad but I did get some calls from my family members from Texas saying that they wish me the best and to have fun so that was really heart warming and set me into the right mood for my journey. Unfortunately this day wasn't the most exciting for we were on a flight for 14 hours. I was not nervous because I knew how to keep myself busy. I started and finished my book, watched one movie and TRIED to sleep but of course I'm not always successful at that.

The flight went a lot faster than I imagined but we did stay in the airport for another two hours. It was really hot and a bit stressful because oddly enough it was a bit unorganized. Of course we all survived and we went to get a small dinner while sensei went to buy us train passes. For my first meal in Japan, I tried a Peach flavored coke that tasted like chemistry in a bottle and Onigiri which if you don't know, it is a type of meat or fruit, in my case salmon, in rice wrapped in seaweed. It was really good. I have a picture but the wifi at the youth hostel is not strong enough to send from my phone to my Chromebook so I can't show it to you all. (probably just you mom)

After that though, we went to the train and had to transfer three times to get to our youth hostel. Honestly I was tired and hot and excited all at the same time. When we arrived finally after getting lost twice, we finally were able to rest. The room is really comfortable and I like to share it with all of my friends. We did a Japanese styled traditional showering which was cool but uncomfortable. It was new but I'm sure I will be a lot more used to it tomorrow. Clocking out for the day!

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