Today was my first day with さべっとう family! I had so much fun today!!! For breakfast, Shiori’s mom made eggs, sausage, and rice. It was so good!! Next, we went to 7-11. There was so many christmas decorations it was so cute! I got カルピス and it was yummy. After we went to Kagoshima Jingu and it was really pretty! There was a huge horse it surprised me! I got to feed it too. After we went to a delicious udon shop and I ordered かけうどん!! So delicious!!! After that we visited Senganen. It is such a beautiful place! It had lots of flowers and a beautiful historical traditional home. Shiori, Yuuka, and I made rings and a keychain out of glass. It was a lot of fun! After that we tried archery. It was difficult at first, but I was able to hit the target 2 times! We also wore kimono and took pictures!! The kimono was so pretty, It was an amazing experience. I also bought a few souvenirs for myself, family, and friends. I was a bit tired after our adventures so we went home after visiting Senganen. Today was great and I had so much fun! Tomorrow will be my first day of school… i’m so nervous!

Today was my first day at Kajiki High School! I was nervous this morning but it turned out to be okay! In the morning I ate toast with jam and it was delicious! After breakfast, Shiori’s mom drove us to school. We then went to the teacher’s room and I introduced myself. I also met the principal, what an honor! First period was Civics and it went by very fast. We watched a few videos about the news and then had free time at the end. Second period was gym! This experience was so different compared to America, especially the stretching exercises! It was so interesting and fun. I played basketball with classmates and I had so much fun. After we talked a lot and got to know each other better. Third period was Japanese Language and it was so hard! However, the teacher was nice and let me read a picture book about Kaguya hime. The pictures helped me understand the story better! Fourth period was Earth Science. We changed classrooms and it was so nice! The classroom was like a mini college classroom. It was cool! After was lunch! I was so happy because I was very hungry. We ate a bento that Shiori’s mom made and it was delicious! It was so cute and super well made. I ate with Shiori and friends! Fifth period was English Communications and we read a paragraph abount Indus Dolphins. It was interesting and was one of the only classes I could fully understand. I was even called on to explain “currents” it was a little scary! Sixth period was Mathematics and it was my favorite class! They’re learning about derivatives and it’s something I know how to do since I’ve learned it at school in America. But, it’s also hard because everything is in Japanese and I’m not sure what they are asking. Seventh period was a 2nd year assembly, but instead I went on a school tour with Mason and Nick Sensei (American teacher…how cool!!) It was really fun as we got to see more of the school and also talk a lot! When school finished, Shiori brought me to her brass band club. She plays the Euphonium and she’s so good at it! It was really cool to watch. When it was time to go home I was so tired! Today felt very long but it was a lot of fun. =

Today was my second day at Kajiki High school! I slept early the night before so I felt nice and refreshed! For breakfast today I ate 目玉焼きとご飯 and it was yummy! Then it was time for school….so nerve wrecking! First period was English and we learned about the Thirty Meter Telescope that will be built on Mauna Kea. The english teacher called on me to explain the TMT protest and I was so surprised. I had to stand in front of the class and explain why they were protesting. Second period was Health Education.   I took notes but it wasn’t very pretty. I’m bad at writing kanji! Before third period Shiori, Hanako, Mio, and I went to buy lunch tickets. I bought Croquette Curry! We had to rush because we didn’t want to be late for class. Third period was Mathematics and it was fun! More derivatives!! I did well today as I got a lot of questions right on my worksheet! Fourth period was Civics. We watched more videos about the news. We watched a video about the white house’s Christmas decorations. America followed me to Japan! After watching the videos students worked on assignments. Students in Japan use iPads instead of computers and I think it’s so interesting! After civics was lunch!!! So exciting! As we walked to the lunch room Mio and Hanako were telling me about this can and orange joke. Even though I didn’t understand the joke, I thought the situation was funny. After I got my lunch we sat down and enjoyed the food. It was really good! As we ate we talked about life and K-pop. Specifically Enhypen and TWICE!! We all have a lot in common. After lunch, Mr. Takato came as a surprise! We talked for a bit and took some photos. Fifth period was Information Study which was like a computer class. The teacher only passed out tests and that was it. So there was a lot of free time! I played this coding game and it was really fun. Except Shiori and I were stuck on level 7. This game is similar to a game I used to play in elementary school called “Hour of Code”. Sixth period was Japanese and we resumed reading the story about Kaguya hime. I read the picture book again and the teacher wanted me to write my opinions about the story in Japanese. I did my best but it was a little embarrassing! School was now over and it was time for club activities! We had to rush to brass band club as I was supposed to introduce myself to everyone. Once I did they begun warming up. Their warm up process is so interesting and detailed! It really surprised me. Warm ups were very long but once the Teacher came it was time to play! They are so good!!! They placed a Christmas mashup and it was really nice. When clubs were over it was time to go home! Today we took the train and it was really nice. For dinner we ate gyoza and kimchi and it was super yummy!! Today was great and I’m excited for tomorrow!

Today was my third day at Kajiki! Today I felt so tired, i’m still not used to the timezones here. For breakfast I ate miso and leftover kimchi from yesterday’s gyoza and kimchi party! So yummy!!! First period was English and we continued the story about Mauna Kea. They were learning about topic sentences! Second period was Geography and History. On my way there I saw my friends Nana and Nana! I was so happy. During class I couldn’t really keep up with what was going on, so Shiori said it was okay for me to do my own thing. So, I mostly doodled while trying my best to listen. Third period was Japanese language and they were still analyzing the story about Kaguya hime. I continued reading the book and I finished it. I think it’s so sad how Kaguya hime was forced to go back to the moon! Fourth period was Mathematics and we continued leanring derivatives and drawing graphs. I actually had a lot of fun during this class because I was doing everything right. After Fourth period it was lunch!! Today was especially exciting because I was eating lunch with my friends who visited Puyallup last spring! It was so fun and I laughed so much! They also gave me chiikawa gifts! They are so nice!!! Fifth period was English again, however they were taking a test. So, I doodled again! Sixth period was Physical education. We did our stretches again and I still am so amazed! It is also fun! Students were supposed to pick between basketball, volleyball, soccer, and badminton today. So many people wanted to play badminton today but there wasn’t enough room. No one could decide what to do and in the end we couldn’t play anything. It was a little disappointing but it’s okay! Sixth period was Earth Sciences and I wasn’t sure what was going on since everything was in Japanese. So once again I doodled! The day was finally over and today Mason and I toured all the clubs with Shiori, Yuka, and Airi! I had so much fun!! We visited Hyakunin Isshu, Dance club, Art club, and English language club! Mason and I battled in Hyakunin Isshu club and I lost every time! How embarrassing!! I wanted to play until I could win, but we had to move on to the next club. The dance club was amazing! They are so good! The art club was also amazing!! Everyone is so talented. English club was so much fun!! Nick sensei was also there so Mason and I talked with him a lot! We played jenga and uno with everyone as well. After that our tour was over and it was time to go home! Today was so much fun and i’m excited for more.

Today was my fourth day at Kajiki High school! For breakfast I ate kimchi and rice! I love kimchi!!! Then we were on our way to school! First period today was Japanese. They were taking a test so I couldn’t really do anything. But I came prepared a brought a book! The book I brought was “Frankenstein”. Super interesting!! After class ended Ms. Yacco came by! What a nice suprise! She came and took some pictures and left. Second period was Math and it was another day of fun! We did the same thing as yesterday and I really liked it. Drawing graphs!! It kind of makes me miss my math class in America! Third period was English. The english teacher gave me this long worksheet and it took me a while to understand what to do. There were barely any directions… I was so confused! Fourth period was Geography and History. I didn’t understand what was going on again as everything was in Japanese, so I just read my book again. And then it was lunch!!!! I love lunch.  I also had a lot of fun eating with Shiori. Today my bento was so delicious! My host mom is an amazing cook! And she packed me a lot of strawberries, I was so happy. After I finished eating, I started my mission of making new friends! Mason also came by and helped me. I passed out American candy and everyone seemed to like it! Fifth and Sixth period was Art. It was so fun I love the atmosphere. It’s so different compared to my art class in America. Very peaceful! The art teacher let me paint her drawing of Katsushika Hokusai’s famous painting, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”. It was so much fun! I did the traditional way of making paint by crushing the pigment and adding a solution (oil?). Next was Seventh period and they talked about their school trip. I’m so jealous!! I wish I could go too. When school ended I wet on another club tour! Today I went with Mason, Airi, Mio, Yuka, and Yua! It was so much fun!! Before we went on our tour we went to Family Mart. I bought a pudding ice cream, melon pan, and gundam! I bought gundam because my brother’s birthday is soon and he loves gundam! Then we walked back to school and ate our snacks while watching soccer practice. Then we went to volleyball outside and Mason played with them. They looked like they were having a lot of fun! After we watched kendo, basketball, badminton, and table tennis. Then we went to rock band club and they are so cool!!! At 6:00pm I rushed to brass band club and met up with Shiori. Then we went home! I had such a fun day today! I’m so sad that tomorrow is my last day! I feel like i’m just settling in.

Today was my last day at Kajiki!!! I’m so sad. For breakfast I ate melon pan!! It was so delicious! Then I went it was time for school. First period was Mathematics! We did the same thing again and it was fun. Before class, Shiori had to solve a problem and I got to help. Second period was Biology. I love biology! The teacher gave me one of their tests, but instead of doing it I wrote kanji! It wasn’t very pretty but I tried my best. Third period was English again and they were translating sentences into English. One of the sentences was “My dog shiro got hit by a car and broke his leg” it surprised me so much. Fourth period was Civics and we watched more news videos. I read “Frankenstein” while they did their work. Then it was lunch!!! Today I eat with Shiori, Fumie, Airi, Yua, and Mio! I was so happy. And they all surprised me with Japanese snacks!! I was so happy they are all so kind. When it was cleaning time we talked a lot. We talked about Grent Perez (singer) and how they wanted to go to karaoke with me. Im so sad I wish I could go! Fifth period was Geography and History and I was so confused! So I read my book again. Sixth period was Information Study and we played kahoot! However, it was more like a quiz so I didn’t really know what to do. But I tried my best and partnered up with Shiori. Sixth period was Japanese Language. However, Ito Sensei (sorry if I misspelled!!) bought origami!!! So instead of doing work my classmates made me origami!! I was so happy and honored, he and my classmates are so kind! And he gave me candy, kagami mochi, and shimekazari! Im so grateful! My classmates are so talented they made me a backpack, ribbon, crane, hearts, flowers, a lei, shuriken, and so much more! A group of boys made me a huge one and it was so funny! After, I gave a short speech and then we took a class photo. I couldn’t hold it in anymore and started crying! It was a little embarrassing but I was so sad. I’m going to miss everyone so much! Then I took pictures with a lot of friends and then exchanged Instagram accounts! I said bye to some teachers as well! Then I hurried home as my host family and I were going shopping! I bought hachiware stuff and souvenirs for friends and family. I also bought some clothes! We ended the shopping with PURIKURA! It’s so funny. Then we went to Jolly Pasta to celebrate Yuka’s birthday! She is now 13. We went home and ate delicious cake as well. I bought Yuka a blue necklace and she seemed to really like it. I was happy! Then we played one round of Uno. Today was so much fun and I’m so happy to have made so many memories at Kajiki and with the Sabetto family. They are so wonderful!

Today was my last day with Sabetto family! For breakfast today, I ate eggs, sausage, and kimchi. So yummy. Shiori and Yuka had club today so I had a lot of time to myself. I started by packing my belongings and making sure I had everything. Then I made little letters for everyone to show my gratitude! I drew characters that they liked. After I did a little bit of homework and then went on a walk with my host dad and mochi (dog)! It was really nice today. He showed me the rice farms and a little stand where you can buy vegetables. Yuka was the first to come home and she played the flute for me! She’s so good!!!!! Then we all went to go pick up Shiori at school so that we could head over to a cafe to meet my next host family, Sakamoto family. I was so nervous! But once we met I started to relax a little. I ordered pasta again. It was yum! We all talked about lot and it was really fun. Then it was time to say goodbye to Sabetto family. I was so sad I started crying! They are so amazing and have been so kind to me. I’m still a little sad! We then parted ways and Nagomi and her mom took me to A-Z. It’s so big and overwhelming! I bought a few souvenirs for friends and also hachiware socks for me. Then we went to family mart. They bought me a dorayaki! Soooo yum. Then we went to a supermarket to buy ingredients for nabe. We came home and I met Nagomi’s dad. I was so nervous! Nagomi and I then hung out for a bit in her room and then we watched Snowman on TV. They are actually pretty cool! It was then time for dinner. Nagomi’s grandfather also joined us and once again I was so nervous!!! Dinner was super delicious! I’m so tired now even though it’s only 6pm. I’m excited for tomorrow’s activity!!

today was my first day with the Sakamoto family! I was able to sleep in until 8 and I was so happy! For breakfast I ate melon pan!!!!!! My favorite! And Nagomi ate onigiri. We had big plans for today and I was so excited! We first went to Kirishima Jingu! It was so pretty! Nagomi’s father showed me how to properly pray and we did it together! After I bought two お守り for studying and passing exams!! Nagomi’s father taught me the history of Kirishima Jingu as well. Then we walked around a bit and I got a chai latte from a vending machine. It was so hot it surprised me! After we went to a ramen shop. I ordered a kids size ramen. It was funny but I was so full after. And we shared gyoza and fried rice! We then made our way to Sakurajima! But we first stopped at this one spot where you can buy souvenirs and sit at an 足湯. From this place you could see Sakurajima and the ocean. It was so pretty! Then we drove for a little bit more and made another stop. This place was a tower where you could see Sakurajima closer! We took a few pics and surprisingly I saw a few Americans….friends! Nagomi’s father was also teaching me the history of Sakurajima. There was also a gift shop and I bought sakurajima special hachiware merch! And gifts for my family. We then made our way to another place where it was like a grocery store. My host family bought oranges and I bought more gifts for family! We then took a ferry back. It was so pretty and fast!!! Once we arrived back on land, we went shopping! I’m not sure what the store was called, but there was so much. I was getting a little overwhelmed I couldn’t focus on shopping. We walked around some more and I found a cute shop. I bought a hair clip for my grandma. The we went to Don Quijote! I love this store! I went to Don Quijote in Hawaii. However, I was so overwhelmed here it was so crazy looking inside! I bought some matcha chocolates and hachiware socks. My host family bought me miffy pajamas, so kind!!!! On our way back to the car I unexpectedly ran into Mason! I was so surprised, it was so funny!! On our way back home we stopped by Joyfull Restaurant. It was a very nice dinner! When we got back I was so tired and I’m sure everyone else was too! Tomorrow is my first day at Kajiki Middle School and I am so nervous!! Mostly because it’s a new school but also because I will be the only 18 year old.

Today was my first day at Kajiki Middle School! I was so nervous!! Today for breakfast I ate eggs and ham! So yummy. Nagomi and I then walked to school. It took about 15 minutes, but the trip was so scenic. I loved it! Right as I arrived people started staring, I was so nervous! I tried my best to say hello to everyone. Nagomi and I then went to the teachers room to say hello. I met her teacher, he is very nice! So many people were staring at me but that is expected. This school is so much different than High school. Much more energetic and loud. It’s funny! I talked to some classmates and they were super nice and friendly! I then went and said hello to all the teachers. I wasn’t expecting to see all of them, it surprised me! After we had to change into our gym clothes because we were going to Kajiki Elementary school. So exciting!! I played with two kindergarteners and we pretended to be bunnies. I will admit, 50% of the time I didn’t understand what they were saying. When it was time to say goodbye they made an arm tunnel and it was so cute!! But really hard to move through. When we got back to school it was time for science. They seemed to be learning about solids and liquids and freezing points. Next was math. I don’t really like middle school math, geometry was the worst! I tried and did okay, but there was a lot of stuff I forgot how to do. Also, Ms. Yacco came and visited! After was lunch! This was my first time experiencing Japanese middle school lunch. It was cool! I like how the students prepare the food. However, everyone eats too fast I can’t keep up. I wasn’t able to finish all my food. Also I wish we were able to speak! And the choir music is kind of interesting. After lunch was a student council meeting. Nagomi is apart of the student council so Ms. Yacco and I tagged along. We talked for a little while Nagomi did her job. She’s so cool! Next class was English. This class was the funniest. My classmates are fun! I think it’s a little funny how everyone starts reading at different times when speaking as a class. Everyone is at different places! We had to do a group project and make a survey. Our group made a survey about anime. After this class was a stress management assembly. We had to sit on the ground and it was very uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if I was sitting properly. I also kept spacing out as it’s hard to keep up with listening to Japanese for a long time. But after it ended, it was basically the end of the day! Nagomi took me to her dance club. Everyone is so good at dancing! I can feel the emotion. Nagomi is also a really good dancer, she was really into it! Also everyone in the club is super nice and we talked a lot. When the club was over we then walked home! We walked with a few of Nagomi’s friends. The walk was again very scenic. When we got home I instantly took a shower and changed into these new fluffy pajamas my host family bought me! I love it!!! I did a little bit of homework from my school and then we ate dinner. Today was udon gyoza! I’ve never thought of this before, but it was really good! And funny! Today was a good day and I’m excited/nervous for tomorrow!

Today was my second day at Kajiki Middle School! For breakfast today I ate kimchi, eggs, rice, and ham! So yumm. Today there was a student council assembly so Nagomi and I rushed to school by car. Nagomi is apart of the student council by the way!!! It was being held in the gym and I helped set up a little bit! The assembly started a little after and it lasted around 25 minutes. It was about sitting properly, putting shoes away properly, neatly putting away backpack, and a lot of other stuff. First period today was Japanese. They were learning kanji and sentence structures. This class felt sooo long!! Second period was art! Students seemed to be making printed artwork(?). Since this would be my only art class here, the teacher let me draw whatever I wanted. So I drew him a vase full of flowers! It was a little embarrassing as it looked so messy and the shading wasn’t finished. But I tried my best with the time I had! Third period was History. I tried my best to keep up with the notes and got half a worksheet filled out! It’s hard to see from where I sit so I wasn’t able to finish. Then fourth period was English. We prepared for the India Exchange and practiced for a test. The India Exchange will be tomorrow and it is where we and students from India will quiz each other. It’s a competition! Then it was lunch!!! Today I was so happy. We ate a 春巻き!!! The filling was different from a usual eggroll, but it was good! However, my favorite from today’s lunch was the パン!!!! It was so good I love bread!!! There was also soup which reminded me of a Lao dish. Today’s lunch really reminded me of home! During lunch break I hung out with Yukina. We drew together! And then it was cleaning time. We moved desks, swept floors, and wiped the floors. My friend Hartarou was doing it so fast it was so funny! I actually can’t remember was fifth period was…..oops! But sixth period was really fun!! We played this tag game and went against another class. It was so fun but the rules were so confusing. Unfortunately my class lost. After school I went and toured all the clubs with my friends Oka, Rei, Yui, Misaki, and Yamakou! It was so fun. My favorite club I saw was Tennis. Then Nagomi and I went home! Today for dinner my host mom made Larb!!! Which is a traditional Lao dish. I was so happy!!! And everyone loved it which made me even more happier!!! Then for dessert I ate matcha chocolate and a red bean filled mochi! It was delicious!! My host dad bought the matcha and mochi because I was talking about it the other day. How kind!!

Today was my third day at Kajiki Middle School!! For breakfast I ate the same thing and with strawberry yogurt. Japanese yogurt is much thinner compared to American. I like the japanese yogurt more! Today Nagomi and I walked to school. It was so cold!!!! We couldn’t even walk properly it was funny. First period today was science. They were learning the same thing as last time. Second period was math. It was more geometry. I do not like geometry….it brings back memories from when I was in middle school. Third period was English. We prepared for the Indian Exchange again. Nagomi, Me, and Hina will be MCs for the competition. One of Nagomi’s parts is “1,2,3 GO!” and it’s so funny! There was also an English test I didn’t know about. I tried my best but I forgot what one of the kanjis meant. So embarrassing!! Fourth period was Japanese and we listened to a story. I wasn’t really paying attention to the story though…I started to zone out a little. Then it was lunch. Today’s lunch was okay! I miss the bread. During lunch break I hung out with Oka and we talked for a bit. Then fifth period was History. I got called on today and it startled me! But Nagomi helped me. Then we prepared for the competition! I thought it would be in person but it was on Zoom. We moved the desks and people got in their groups. It was so chaotic but so funny!! When the Indian students would answer, they would all just excitedly shout. Sadly, we lost!! After school my host mom and I went shopping! Nagomi had practice today because tomorrow she will go to a dance recital! We went to Shinamura. So many cute clothes!!! I had to restrain myself as I had limited luggage room. Next time!!! Today was so fun and I’m excited for tomorrow!

Today was my fourth day at Kajiki Middle School! Today Nagomi went to a dance event so I was at school by myself. For breakfast today I ate bread with custard inside, bread with red bean and butter, and eggs. The bread was so good! Then Nagomi’s mom took me to school by car and we picked up my friend Hinata. Today was so cold!!! First period today was math. Today was easy!!! I was able to keep up with the notes and solved all the questions. Second period was Science. Today we went to the science room. It was big! We learned about temperatures and percents. Then we did a short science project where we made fog! You put a little bit of water in a plastic water bottle and squeeze it. Then you open the lid and squeeze again. When you do this, fog will come out!! So cool! Third period was Japanese and we reviewed the story we read yesterday. Fourth period was gym. Today was a running test and I decided to do it too. We ran two big laps and then a small one. I was only able to do two and then I gave up. But I did it without a break so thats good enough for me! It was so tiring!! After was lunch. Today was bread and this cream soup with a side dish. It was good! I love bread!! Fifth period was music class. I played the guitar!! They are currently learning “Country Road” and I was able to learn it quickly. It’s a fun song! Sixth period was confusing as I didn’t know what was going on the whole time. But we watched this video about a restaurant and my friend Harutaro started crying! Then the day was finally over!! Today Nagomi’s dad picked me up and we wenr home. I changed into everyday clothes and Nagomi’s mom and I went to this waterfall. It was so cool!! But it was raining so we decided to stay in the car. After we went to McDonalds and I got a teriyaki burger. It was good! I also tried the new “グラコロ” It was very interesting! Today was fun but super tiring! Tomorrow is my last day at school and i’m so sad! Everyone is so funny and fun!