Sorry for the no update as of late!
I haven't been doing much because well.. I got really sick. I had a case of mild bronchitis (I have never had it before! XD) So I have been sick in bed, my host mom has been taking good care of me!
I hit a fever of 104F (roughly 40C) for the past 2 days. What a way to start living with my host family!
But I feel like I have grown a bond with my host mom a bit since I was so sick and she was always there to take care of me. She even stayed beside me while I slept to make sure I was alright. She checked my temperature every 10 minutes xD
I cried a bit because honestly; I hate being sick (who doesn't right?) And I really wanted my mom from Canada T_T I had that I miss her and want a hug from her kind of couple days. Sickness is totally not my forte xD
But I am feeling a lot better today! Yesterday I slept SOOOO much! (I slept from 2PM in the afternoon till 8AM this morning!) Long huh? Taking lots of anti biotic's that the doctor gave me. Still a bit of a cough but it should go away soon. Still very tired from all this sick ness.
I hope to walk around the neighbourhood soon once I am all better.
Will keep updated!
Till next time!
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Sunday 25 March 2012
Day 2 with Host Family
Today was a lot of fun!
Woke up at 8AM, Wa-chan (Host mom) made my breakfast; yogurt, chicken hot dog (with chicken, lettuce, and ketchup) it was super yummy! Also she made a egg hot dog (it was a hard boiled egg with mayo, smashed into a sandwich. It was alright, not a big fan of egg though. Also had strawberries! Oh dear Japan has probably the BEST strawberries! I haven’t seen a strawberry that BRIGHT RED before! So good! And I think she added brown sugar on the side and it was just so good! I also got to watch some SMILE Pretty Cure on the TV this morning. Its not so bad as I thought it was. Then I saw a trailer to the new Pretty Cure DX Movie!! I so want to see it! My Japanese has just gotten worse and worse I have noticed xD So hard to talk to people. Yuu-chan (Host dad) know’s a bit more English and so does Aki-chan (host sister). Wa-chan doesn’t know as much so it’s a bit hard to talk. But we understand after awhile! After breakfast, Yuu-chan took me out for a walk around Yamaguchi City a bit. We went to pay our respects to his families’ grave. It was a very nice walk. We both love classical music! So it was a conversation starter! XD
For lunch we went to a Ramen shop! First time eating REAL ramen! It was SOOOOO good! I think it had pork in it? And I also had Gyoza! Soooo good! And a onegiri. After lunch we went to the 100yen shop to buy a cup for Sora-chan (Isao’s daughter, host brothers daughter). After that we went to Aki-chan’s sensei’s house (her trombone teacher’s house). Earlier that morning Wa-chan showed me a DVD of Aki-chan’s teacher and his wife performing (She is a Soprano singer) and he is a world famous trombone player. They were super nice! He knew A LOT of English (He studied abroad to France and learned English as well). So Wa-chan asked him questions to ask me in English like; “What kind of food do you like?” or “What do you not like?”. After a while I realized everything I don’t like are spicy or salty foods xD But I love sweet and flavourful foods. Yum yum!
They also have a baby! His name is Louis and he is 10 months old. SOOOO Cute! Japanese babies are the cutest! Aki-chan and I played with Louis-kun for awhile then he fell asleep. During that time though sensei’s wife, Aki-chan and I made I think it was Dango. It started to look a bit like mochi at first. It was a lot of fun to make! Aki-chan and I took turns mixing the batter all together then rolling them and putting the balls of what looked like mochi into a pot of boiling water. After they were rising sensei took them out of the water and put them into another bowl of water to cool. Aki-chan and I started to prepare the bowls to put it in. In the end it was SOOO good! There was this sauce, and what looked like macha powder on top, plus this other dango looking thing full of vanilla ice cream! It was all so good! Also sensei’s wife gave me this little kuma (teddy bear) keychain! It was soooooo cute!
A lot of translating later, I feel like I am really close to my host mom and sister now. Aki-chan and I both hate math but like world history, we both like the arts, and we both hate salty and spicy food!
I also found out that there is going to be 2 Australian exchange students at my school! I get to meet one of them tomorrow! I am so exited! And happy that I am not going to be the only one! Lets hope they know little to no Japanese as I do!
Also I have been writing my speech. Arg… I found out that it has to be 3 minutes long!
oh dear! I only have a good…1 paragraph finished! I have time though. I don’t have to get it done till April 5th (Aki-chan’s sensei is coming over for her lesson so he is going to translate it all to Japanese woot woot) So I just have to write it in English. Don’t know what I am going to talk about for 3 minutes but I will think of something. This is seriously one long blog. But I think I am almost done. Today was a very good day. I can’t wait for tomorrow!
Here is a picture of Aki-chan's teacher!
He is SOOO good at playing the trombone!
Woke up at 8AM, Wa-chan (Host mom) made my breakfast; yogurt, chicken hot dog (with chicken, lettuce, and ketchup) it was super yummy! Also she made a egg hot dog (it was a hard boiled egg with mayo, smashed into a sandwich. It was alright, not a big fan of egg though. Also had strawberries! Oh dear Japan has probably the BEST strawberries! I haven’t seen a strawberry that BRIGHT RED before! So good! And I think she added brown sugar on the side and it was just so good! I also got to watch some SMILE Pretty Cure on the TV this morning. Its not so bad as I thought it was. Then I saw a trailer to the new Pretty Cure DX Movie!! I so want to see it! My Japanese has just gotten worse and worse I have noticed xD So hard to talk to people. Yuu-chan (Host dad) know’s a bit more English and so does Aki-chan (host sister). Wa-chan doesn’t know as much so it’s a bit hard to talk. But we understand after awhile! After breakfast, Yuu-chan took me out for a walk around Yamaguchi City a bit. We went to pay our respects to his families’ grave. It was a very nice walk. We both love classical music! So it was a conversation starter! XD
For lunch we went to a Ramen shop! First time eating REAL ramen! It was SOOOOO good! I think it had pork in it? And I also had Gyoza! Soooo good! And a onegiri. After lunch we went to the 100yen shop to buy a cup for Sora-chan (Isao’s daughter, host brothers daughter). After that we went to Aki-chan’s sensei’s house (her trombone teacher’s house). Earlier that morning Wa-chan showed me a DVD of Aki-chan’s teacher and his wife performing (She is a Soprano singer) and he is a world famous trombone player. They were super nice! He knew A LOT of English (He studied abroad to France and learned English as well). So Wa-chan asked him questions to ask me in English like; “What kind of food do you like?” or “What do you not like?”. After a while I realized everything I don’t like are spicy or salty foods xD But I love sweet and flavourful foods. Yum yum!
They also have a baby! His name is Louis and he is 10 months old. SOOOO Cute! Japanese babies are the cutest! Aki-chan and I played with Louis-kun for awhile then he fell asleep. During that time though sensei’s wife, Aki-chan and I made I think it was Dango. It started to look a bit like mochi at first. It was a lot of fun to make! Aki-chan and I took turns mixing the batter all together then rolling them and putting the balls of what looked like mochi into a pot of boiling water. After they were rising sensei took them out of the water and put them into another bowl of water to cool. Aki-chan and I started to prepare the bowls to put it in. In the end it was SOOO good! There was this sauce, and what looked like macha powder on top, plus this other dango looking thing full of vanilla ice cream! It was all so good! Also sensei’s wife gave me this little kuma (teddy bear) keychain! It was soooooo cute!
A lot of translating later, I feel like I am really close to my host mom and sister now. Aki-chan and I both hate math but like world history, we both like the arts, and we both hate salty and spicy food!
I also found out that there is going to be 2 Australian exchange students at my school! I get to meet one of them tomorrow! I am so exited! And happy that I am not going to be the only one! Lets hope they know little to no Japanese as I do!
Also I have been writing my speech. Arg… I found out that it has to be 3 minutes long!
oh dear! I only have a good…1 paragraph finished! I have time though. I don’t have to get it done till April 5th (Aki-chan’s sensei is coming over for her lesson so he is going to translate it all to Japanese woot woot) So I just have to write it in English. Don’t know what I am going to talk about for 3 minutes but I will think of something. This is seriously one long blog. But I think I am almost done. Today was a very good day. I can’t wait for tomorrow!
Here is a picture of Aki-chan's teacher!
He is SOOO good at playing the trombone!
I HAVE ARRIVED!
Gosh! Its been awhile hasn’t it? I am writing these blogs all separately because I don’t have internet right now till the 26th. Or later…. Arg. WELL! The 3 day 4 night orientation was GREAT! I made a lot of new friends from that. I also have a video of my journey and I hope to post them all up on Youtube very VERY soon!
I did however write in my journal. So I am probably just going to type everything out and post it. Lol. Welp; here goes me typing out my journal!
“ It has been a couple days hasn’t it? Orientation was great! I met a lot of people. There was 4 of us from Canada (myself, Josh, Matt and Elise), 3 from Australia (Max, Meika, and Penelope), 1 from Finland (Evallina) and 1 from Italy (Martina). On the 1st day we were in a class, Japanese lesson’s and so on. A lot of us had jet lag (us from Canada and Martina from Italy expecially). Also, I got to try out a public bath! The first night was awkward, but it wans’t so bad after awhile. The next day we went to a Shinto shrine, Harajuku (I saw BodyLine and Closet Child shops! Ah! My inner Lolita fan girl was happy!) Also had a strawberry crepe, it was soooo good! Next was Akihabara, lots of UFO Machines and arcades! I had lunch at burger king with Josh, Max and Evallina. Martina went to a sushi bar and everyone else went to McDicks (McDonlads). The last place we went to was Asakusa, it was a very old styled part of Japan, with lots of temples and kimono’s.
When we got back to the Olympic center we were so tired. Went for dinner and every meal we had came with rice! SOOO much rice! On the first night I had beef curry, and man was it SPICY! On the second night we met a couple of AFS students and YFU students at their orientation at the Olympic center. When we were all just sitting at these couches, a group of older Japanese men came over to out group and started to talk. If I tried to explain what happened it would sound SO stupid but for everyone who was there, gosh it was the funniest thing EVER!
The last breakfast with everyone was a bit sad. We all were going separate ways. I am the farthest from everyone. Evallina is in Chiba, so her host parents picked her up at the Olympic center. Josh and I had to take a plane, Martina had to go another way, and the rest took the bullet train. The plane is really small; it was a 2 hour trip to get to Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Welp I’m off!”
Well that was a boring blog if I do say so. Lol. But when I got off the plane, I saw signs! That read “HALEY (enter last name here)” and Im like Oh dear! Was all embarrassed! I also got to meet my second host family! They have a daughter who is my sisters age (almost 16) who speaks VERY good English! She went to New Zealand for a year so her English is VERY good. And I met my host mom for that family to. Hm… I also met my rep and teacher at my school who is in charge of the program. Kinda fun!
For dinner we had this Spanish rice with onion soup and chicken fingers. It was very good! Also Aki-chan (host sister) and I got to watch WALL-E. Since well; there isn’t much speaking to understand what is going on. And it was in English! Woot woot!
Well I guess that is all for now. See you next blog!
Monday 19 March 2012
Its tomorrow guys!
Just as the title says... My flight leaves tomorrow for Tokyo, Japan!
I am so exited but scared!
Wish me luck!
I am so exited but scared!
Wish me luck!
Tuesday 13 March 2012
Host Sister appears! and LOTS of packing!
So its now 6 days till I leave! And I got a picture of my youngest host sister who I will be attending the same school as; her name is Akie. She is a trombone player! And now I feel like I should bring my flute and practice more xD
But isn't she adorable? =D
Also doing LOTS of packing right now. I filled my first small black suitcase. I have to put a duffel bag full of clothes in that one to last me for 4 days. I also have my main blue bag with all my clothes. I went through it like 12 times because there was either to much or to little!
Arg, packing is probably the WORST part for me... All I need to pack in my suitcase is some hand lotion (which is my FAVOURITE!) So I have to go out and buy one, and a universal plug for my laptop.
Got a new laptop battery today, so that is good! My laptop has been on the fritz with power; lasting only 20 minutes. So had to get a new one. So happy!
Also got a new camera charger; gosh this is so exiting but terrifying! Going to my Dad's this weekend to see my step mom and my Dad. Kind sad that I can't be with other people that weekend... my dad and I aren't that close soooo... yea going for a whole weekend (last weekend to) is kinda annoying... But I gotta you know? Going to miss my boyfriend... and I am going to REALLY miss my Mom and sister T_T Gosh this is really tough now that its so close!
I made a VLOG today; but now I am just looking for the darn cord! XD
Not to much left to pack and I am off! Need to get a couple more things for host family. Going to get some Maple Syrup and possibly Maple Tea! =D
6 days guys! I am shockingly exited to be on the plane for 14 hours xD! I really love planes; not when they are taking off; but once they are in the air. I love that feeling <3
Welp; off to finish more packing. Its 12:03 and I am sooooooooooooooooo tired!! XD
But isn't she adorable? =D
Also doing LOTS of packing right now. I filled my first small black suitcase. I have to put a duffel bag full of clothes in that one to last me for 4 days. I also have my main blue bag with all my clothes. I went through it like 12 times because there was either to much or to little!
Arg, packing is probably the WORST part for me... All I need to pack in my suitcase is some hand lotion (which is my FAVOURITE!) So I have to go out and buy one, and a universal plug for my laptop.
Got a new laptop battery today, so that is good! My laptop has been on the fritz with power; lasting only 20 minutes. So had to get a new one. So happy!
Also got a new camera charger; gosh this is so exiting but terrifying! Going to my Dad's this weekend to see my step mom and my Dad. Kind sad that I can't be with other people that weekend... my dad and I aren't that close soooo... yea going for a whole weekend (last weekend to) is kinda annoying... But I gotta you know? Going to miss my boyfriend... and I am going to REALLY miss my Mom and sister T_T Gosh this is really tough now that its so close!
I made a VLOG today; but now I am just looking for the darn cord! XD
Not to much left to pack and I am off! Need to get a couple more things for host family. Going to get some Maple Syrup and possibly Maple Tea! =D
6 days guys! I am shockingly exited to be on the plane for 14 hours xD! I really love planes; not when they are taking off; but once they are in the air. I love that feeling <3
Welp; off to finish more packing. Its 12:03 and I am sooooooooooooooooo tired!! XD
Monday 12 March 2012
7 Days!
Yup thats right!
I leave for my exchange in 7 days!
So I started to pack a bit today. Its actually really annoying xD I hate packing, I don't know what to pack! Its crazy!
But I am super exited!
So this past weekend I also went to the Toronto ComicCon, my last convention in Canada. I went as Jane Crocker from Homestuck on Sunday and then Trickster Jane Crocker on the Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I was so happy that I could see everyone before I left! Here is a couple pictures of my cosplay:
(I'm the one in the Red skirt, right; and my friend Hayley is in the middle)
And this is a really pretty picture that Zandra took of me as Jane Crocker, that I wore Sunday. I got A LOT of really nice pictures but I am still waiting to see them once they are posted. I can't wait!
Also; I went to Costco today to pick up some toiletries; and I found Doctor Who Series 1 and 2; for $39.98!!!!! Usually ONE of these box sets are $60! I got BOTH for like that price!! I was one happy person <3 I know what I will be watching on my laptop on the plane xD I'm a huge Doctor Who fan!
ALSO! I went down to the Japan Consulate today in Toronto; and it was such an EASY process!
Just had to fill out my VISA form, brought my COE, and I am getting my VISA by Friday! They were saying I can get it Monday and Im like "uhh... my flight is on Tuesday and I just got my COE on Thursday soooooo" so I have to pick it up on Friday.
Gosh I am so exited!!
its almost time for me to leave!
I will update again before I leave guys! Its almost tiiime!
Make sure you follow my VLOG's as well!
www.youtube.com/user/haleyinjapan
I leave for my exchange in 7 days!
So I started to pack a bit today. Its actually really annoying xD I hate packing, I don't know what to pack! Its crazy!
But I am super exited!
So this past weekend I also went to the Toronto ComicCon, my last convention in Canada. I went as Jane Crocker from Homestuck on Sunday and then Trickster Jane Crocker on the Saturday. It was a lot of fun and I was so happy that I could see everyone before I left! Here is a couple pictures of my cosplay:
(I'm the one in the Red skirt, right; and my friend Hayley is in the middle)
And this is a really pretty picture that Zandra took of me as Jane Crocker, that I wore Sunday. I got A LOT of really nice pictures but I am still waiting to see them once they are posted. I can't wait!
www.youtube.com/user/haleyinjapan
Thursday 8 March 2012
Email from my host family
Last night I sent an email to my host family; and I got one back!
His name is Yuichi Nakajima, and he will be my host father for the first month! He sounds really nice! They own a stamp shop, and they live above!
So this is where I will be living:
It looks so nice! =D
There was also videos up of him talking about his business and he seems so nice!
that is Yuichi on the Right and I believe that is Wakae, my host mom, on the left.
I believe Isao, the son, does not live with them. But their two daughters do. I don't know what they look like, but I am so exited to meet them all! =D
Leaving in 13 days ! <3
His name is Yuichi Nakajima, and he will be my host father for the first month! He sounds really nice! They own a stamp shop, and they live above!
So this is where I will be living:
It looks so nice! =D
There was also videos up of him talking about his business and he seems so nice!
that is Yuichi on the Right and I believe that is Wakae, my host mom, on the left.
I believe Isao, the son, does not live with them. But their two daughters do. I don't know what they look like, but I am so exited to meet them all! =D
Leaving in 13 days ! <3
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Host Family #1
Today I recieved my first host family!
If anyone didn't know; if you go to a country (for example Japan) you will have more then one host family. Sometimes there can be 3 or even 4 different host families you stay with. It usually isn't the same with 5 month exchange students but if someone (like me) who stays for 10 months will have more then one host family. In Japan, it is said to not be common to stay with a family more then 1 month or even 3 months.
Right now my first host family, I will only be staying with them for a month.
With this host family I will be living in Yamaguchi City! =D
But my school is actually 2 cities over, so I will be travelling a good 2 hours to school every morning for the first month. From the picture below you can see what I mean.
I start at my host families house (point A), then I walk 20 minutes to the train, hop on the train and go right though the city of Ube, to SanyoOnoda, or Onoda station. Which is a good hour train ride. From that station I walk again for a good 20 minutes to my school (point B)
Fun huh?
Here is a little map showing you guys my journey from point A to point B.
SO now time to talk about my host family ! =D
I am about to email them, but they only have one email. So gonna see who responds xD
Alright, for my first host family I have a host dad (Yuichi), host mom (Wakae), and 3 host siblings ! =D
Two sisters; Keiko (19), Akie (16) and one son Isao (28)
This is going to be awesome! I am a year younger then Keiko but Akie is the same age as my little sister. And Isao is the same age as my older sister. Also Akie is in the same school as I so I guess I will be going to school with her xD
Gosh I am super exited now!
I will update again soon once I have talked to them!
14 days you guys! =D
If anyone didn't know; if you go to a country (for example Japan) you will have more then one host family. Sometimes there can be 3 or even 4 different host families you stay with. It usually isn't the same with 5 month exchange students but if someone (like me) who stays for 10 months will have more then one host family. In Japan, it is said to not be common to stay with a family more then 1 month or even 3 months.
Right now my first host family, I will only be staying with them for a month.
With this host family I will be living in Yamaguchi City! =D
But my school is actually 2 cities over, so I will be travelling a good 2 hours to school every morning for the first month. From the picture below you can see what I mean.
I start at my host families house (point A), then I walk 20 minutes to the train, hop on the train and go right though the city of Ube, to SanyoOnoda, or Onoda station. Which is a good hour train ride. From that station I walk again for a good 20 minutes to my school (point B)
Fun huh?
Here is a little map showing you guys my journey from point A to point B.
SO now time to talk about my host family ! =D
I am about to email them, but they only have one email. So gonna see who responds xD
Alright, for my first host family I have a host dad (Yuichi), host mom (Wakae), and 3 host siblings ! =D
Two sisters; Keiko (19), Akie (16) and one son Isao (28)
This is going to be awesome! I am a year younger then Keiko but Akie is the same age as my little sister. And Isao is the same age as my older sister. Also Akie is in the same school as I so I guess I will be going to school with her xD
Gosh I am super exited now!
I will update again soon once I have talked to them!
14 days you guys! =D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)