bonus!POINT

So, I left Sendai today. Or, rather, yesterday, I suppose. For the first half of the trip, I was REALLY depressed. I kept thinking I would never see anyone ever again. But I refused to cry in front of Abe-san, Rika, and Yuzuru because I really look pathetic when I cry. I'm going to call them when I get home tomorrow.

But, anyway, I felt a lot better because I met everyone from the orientation on the airplane to San Francisco. I also met this adorable girl named Wendy from the Concordia program. She was wearing wonderful lolita clothes. I'll get a picture up later. I also got a one-day boyfriend, as immature as that sounds. He was probably one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Who knows? Maybe I'll have to dump Teppei-kun and track Joseph down to marry him.

I told my mother about Rotary over the phone, and she didn't oppose the idea... So Josh, Alex, and I might all go back within the next two years or so.

Okay, really tired. 24 hours of travelling... ugh. Bye and stuff.

Okay, so today I spent my morning with Astrid, Grace, Alex, and Mei-Lien. I basically bought some stuff. I felt REALLY bad because I selfishly got Grace and Astrid to take me ALL the way to the back of the shady streets just to see this Chinese store so that I could get Abe-san a present.

Anyway, after that, I went to a pool with Rika, Yuzuru, and two of his friends - who were, by the way, a complete drag because they didn`t say a single word to me. At ALL. I said, "はじめまして！" and they stared at me. A few minutes ago, they left and I said, "さようなら！たのしかった！" and they nodded to me. They avoided me the entire time, and Yuzuru ignored me too. Japanese guys are so bloody confusing. One second, they`re GREAT - and the next, they`re assholes. Still, I had a LOT of fun with Rika. We`ve grown really close these last few days.

I found out today that Abe-san is pretty upset at me because I`m always going out to karaoke and purikura with my friends. She kept saying that it`s bad for someone from the long-stay program to be doing that, but it was okay for me because I`m only here for six weeks... But Rika told me this afternoon that she`s a little angry. A little could really mean a LOT. I don`t know. I mean, I LOVE Japan... but I`m just not used to the part of the culture where you have to figure things out for yourself. I`m used to people telling me when they`re upset, and what I should do to fix it... I mean, I`ve been going out for SO long! That frustration must`ve been building up. I want to apologize, but not in front of Rika and Yuzuru who are - of course - always around, since this house is really small.

But anyway, I only have one day left, which will be dedicated to spending time with my family to make up to Abe-san, and also to show how grateful I am. I`ll be spending time with my friends also.

Okay, so right now, Yuzuru is sitting on his bed, staring at me blankly, which I guess is a sign that I ought to leave. But right now, I feel like being mean, so I`m going to waste time by writing everything I`m writing now.

...

Okay, that`s enough time, I guess. じゃね！

Yeah... there are going to be some spoilers.

デスノートを見た。大好きけど、エンヂングは好きじゃない。I mean, it was just like Pirates of the Caribbean! It just ended with me on the edge of my bloody seat! It was AFTERWARDS that Grace said, "Oh, didn`t I tell you guys? There`s a Part II..." ... that I won`t be able to see, because I`m going to be in damned America.

The guy was a complete asshole, though. I liked him, at first, because he was like a... vigilante, I think is the word? He was killing only the bad guys. But after a while, he started to kill off anyone who got in his way, and then after that, killing just became a game. I mean, he killed Shiroi! Just because he wanted to! I thought that L was going to be the bad guy, but in the end, everyone liked him more than the other guy... if only because he was so damned cute.

I`m really surprised I understood so much on my own, though. It was like with Nana and LoveCom... I only understood a few words here and there, and yet... I understood what was happening. Grace only had to explain two times, in fact. (I`m so proud of myself.)

After that, we went off to purikura, but Astrid had to go home early.

And then... off to karaoke! I`m such a horrible singer, but I really can`t help but love karaoke... even if I do torture everyone else. XDD

I was really sad, though, that I had to say goodbye to Nina - but maybe I`ll see her again when I come back to Japan. She noticed the same thing I did about Japanese guys, though: they`re really mysterious, and hard to read.

Okay, bye!

Yesterday, I went with Abe-san, Rika, and Yuzuru to a YFU orientation. Astrid, Alex, Mei-Lien, Nina, Kelly, Rebecca, and other people we didn`t know (but who are VERY nice) were there. It was a lot of fun! We did Taiko drumming, listened to talented people on the violin, trumpet, and flute-like-thing that is quite mysterious and - well - scary... And we watched two girls named Nichole and Daniela do a traditional Japanese dance.

We also helped to cook food. The yakisoba noodles were the best, but I was - once again - too chicken to try out the other food. I didn`t really know what they were, though. One of the dishes looked like fried coleslaw; another was fried rice on a stick with soy bean coating, I think.

Anyway, everyone loved everyone, so we wanted to go out to karaoke - ESPECIALLY me, since I wanted to show Kelly a good time... she seemed like she didn`t really have as much fun as the rest of us... but the mothers got worried, so we`ll just do that today.

After that, I went with Abe-san, Rika, Yuzuru, and Abe-san`s brother to a shopping mall in Izumi-Chuo. It was REALLY busy. So many people! But anyway, we went for some food for dinner, and I said I wanted meat, so they took me to that section... and what should Abe-san point at and say, "ゆずるとりかーだいすきですよ!"?

You guessed it. Cow tongue.

So I ate it. Half-way through, I realized that the only reason we Americans always wince at the thought of eating it is because we find it inhumane and disgusting to cut out and eat a tongue... But hey, it`s still just a part of the cow. Like another limb... or something.

I still didn`t really like it, though. I think it was the sauce.

What else? OH! I WATCHED NANA!

(Didn`t understand a single word.)

IT WAS SO COOL! I really liked... Nobu? Was that his name? He got drunk, in the beginning, and staggered around... And Christ, it looked just like the manga - I`m telling you. Some of the shots looked exactly like the covers. I loved it. Especially the songs. Glamorous Sky was the best by far, but hey - Trapnest was pretty good, too.

But the end was creepy. I don`t care if Hachi loved Trapnest, especially the long-haired guy, and always wanted to meet him. It`s just plain scary to have a man lean over you and whisper, "Welcome home," in a deep voice.

Anyway, picture time!



While we were driving to the orientation, I got a picture of this creepy fellow. The taxi driver, Abe-san, Rika, and Yuzuru thought I was strange for thinking the statue was scary... but it is! Especially since I can see it all the way from my school!

More pictures...
( Read more... )

じゃね！

Today, I went out with Yuzuru and four of his friends. I don`t remember any of their names, though. (None of them was Yousuke, though, thank God.)

Anyway, they were all really nice... even though they were as shy as Yuzuru, at first. It was kind of funny because I think one of them might`ve asked, "Yuzuru, why is a gaijin following us?" before Yuzuru introduced me.

We went to a band concert where I THINK I might`ve seen Maiko play! I`m not sure, though, because I couldn`t hang around to see if it was her. We went to a lot of game centers, too. I`m really pissed off at myself, though, because - while they were all really nice - I couldn`t talk to them.

Why?

Because I don`t know Japanese!

Damn it, I should`ve studied more.

Anyway, I`m going to research CIEE and AFS as possible programs for me to return to Japan with next year.

Also: if Grace or Astrid or Mei-Lien happen to be reading this, do you guys know when we could possibly go out to buy gifts for our host families? I don`t want to go alone, but I don`t know if there will be any time on Monday.

Okay, ﾊﾞｲﾊﾞｲ!

Today was my last day of school.

My class decided that they wanted to sing Let it Be as a good-bye present. After that, they gave me a present they had bought from the Loft. I decided not to open it until everyone had left, because I knew I would start crying.

The present was a really pretty wind chime and those cloths you tie around your head. Everyone from the class wrote a message for me. After that, Astrid gave me a yaoi manga she bought with a really cute keychain.

I know I`m not supposed to be counting the days until I`m leaving because that doesn`t help at all, but I`m really depressed that I only have 7 days left. I literally had the best time of my life here, and now I have to leave so soon. The only thought that helps, I guess, is the thought that I might be able to come back after high school (if my mom allows it.)

Well, it also helps to remember ラブーコン... which was one of THE funniest movies I`ve ever seen. I saw it today with the same girls who gave all of us gaijin a soumen party (I think that`s what it`s called.) They`re all really nice, so I`m excited that I get to see them again on Monday... we`ll hopefully be seeing Deathnote.

Anyway, Yuzuru has been a "naughty boy" and - as punishment - Abe-san made him shave his head. It`s actually kind of funny. But the point is that he`s trying to wallow in his depression in solitude (he really loved his hair), and I`m intruding by being on the computer in his room.

Bye!

P.S.: If ANYONE makes a Toshi reference, I`ll grab your boobs! (Namely you, Grace... if you happen to be reading this.)

Yesterday, I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 with Nanami and Yuzuru. I think that Nanami was a little bit angry at me because I didn`t recognize her a week or so ago from the bus stop, but she warmed up again pretty quickly. She`s absolutely adorable! I need to take a picture of her.

As for the movie, I got PISSED OFF at the ending. Capitalistic bastards. Do the makers not care that they left over 5 million people worldwide on the edge of their goddamned seats?! I didn`t know how to express this to Yuzuru and Nanami, though, so I just said, "おわりエンヂング."

Anyway, after that, we went to the Shiogawa...Shiogama...? festival. The fireworks were AMAZING. Nanami kept calling me cute - I`m not sure why. I guess because I loved them so much. I`m upset at myself, though, because I forgot my camera.

Today, Yuzuru was supposed to take me out again, but he ditched me. He was also supposed to pick me up at 6:00 PM, but he didn`t do that, either. I wouldn`t care if it wasn`t for the fact that I was supposed to take pictures of the festival today, since I`ll definitely have my camera. But whatever. I shouldn`t assume that, just because I`m an exchange student, I should be the center of my host family`s lives. I hope he didn`t ditch me because of something I did, though. I have a hard time telling if I`ve done something wrong.

(Maybe I shouldn`t have pinched his ass. JOKE!)

Anyway, yeah... I`m a bit depressed because I`m leaving in about one week. Damn it all. I should`ve done the year program. I`m really going to miss everyone.



Kanako and her best friend (I can`t remember her name, whoops!) Kanako likes to grab Mei-Lien`s boobs. Mine too, sometimes. I don`t really mind anymore, though. In fact, I think I like it. (Yes, that was a joke too.)

( Read more... )

I bought this, just because I think it`s so adorable.

I had a lot of fun this weekend. I had to wake up really early Saturday morning to meet Mei-Lien at Sendai Station. She was kind of late, but that was okay because she bought us breakfast from Mister Donuts. From there, we got on a train to... Fukunachi, I think. I spelled it wrong on the directions Grace gave to me, but we managed to make it anyway, with the help of the train conductor.

From there, we went to a local high school`s festival. It was a LOT of fun. We walked around and watched students perform in a court yard, in the hall ways, and listened to student bands in the auditorium. The best part by far, however, was the Male Synchronized Swimming Team. When I showed Abe-san some of what I had filmed, she told me that Male Synchro is really popular now because of a movie called Waterboys. In the California orientation, Mei-Lien, the rest of the YFU students, and I watched the beginning, but we never got to finish it. It was a really good movie, though, and I told her I wanted to watch the end, so she said we`ll rent it sometime.

Here`s a picture of the team:


They were absolutely hilarious. If I could upload the film, I would.

After the festival, we took a train to Ichibancho and met Astrid, where we went to karaoke and purikura again. Honestly, it NEVER gets old... just a little expensive, is all. When I went to music class the other day, Astrid said that she once asked her Japanese friend, "Why can all Japanese sing so well?" and the friend replied seriously, "Because we always go to karaoke."

It makes sense, actually. In fact, I think my voice is improving as well.

Mei-Lien had to leave so that she could go to a soccer game. Astrid, Grace, and I went back to Grace`s house in time for her host father`s birthday party. We had miniature grills on each table, and ate wonderful food. A girl named Maiko and her friend Rika were there as well.

Grace`s host family is very rich and very nice. The Japanese, supposedly, are very conservative - and yet, several times that night, I was hugged because I was "cute." The grandmother also gave me what seemed to be green lipstick, though it turns red when you put it on. (Why she had lipstick like that, I`m not sure.) She also gave Astrid and I kokeshi doll keychains.

(If you don`t like history, just skip this part. Kokeshi dolls, according to Grace, are dolls that were made in the days of ancient Japan. When there were famines, the village people would have to kill the children so that there would be enough food for others. Eventually, they supposedly went as far as actually eating the children as well. The dolls were created as little memoirs for the children who died to save others. Kind of creepy, yeah? But nowadays, the Japanese government has supposedly covered the story up so that the dolls can merely symbolize Japanese culture but not the Japanese history.)

The next day, Grace, Astrid, and I dressed up in lolita fashion - just for fun. Lolita is a serious fashion here in Japan and is extremely popular with teenagers... I guess being forced to a have a strict dress code 6 out of 7 days for so long has made a section of the teenagers silently rebel. I like the elaborate style, but I don`t think it really fits my personality. The blonde wig was hilarious, though!

Anyway, that day we basically did... you guessed it! Karaoke and purikura. It was especially fun since we were all dressed up, and Kaori and Ryoko from our class came as well.

Abe-san has been stressed, lately. Because Astrid is having such problems with her mother, I`m paranoid that Abe-san is having problems with me as well, but - because it`s Japanese culture - she simply isn`t telling me anything. I`ve been carefully reading all suggestions and clues, but the most she`s suggested lately is that I eat a chocolate with strawberry cheesecake filling.　Maybe she`s truly stressed because of Yuzuru. After all, he`s leaving for America in the beginning of August, and he`s been having some... issues. He won`t study English, for example, because he always comes home so late.

Well, I`ve said a lot. Until next time!

I finally took a buttload of pictures of my school. It`s REALLY beautiful.




Of course, I`m not the best photographer, but I tried to get a piece of the ginko forest and the man-made lake thing and the buildings.


Yesterday was Astrid`s birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASTRID!), but her mom`s a bitch, so she couldn`t stay out very long. I managed to wave at a group of cute guys that were checking us out, though. =D

People say that there aren`t many foreigners in Sendai, but everytime I go out to Ichibancho, I see a group of black guys and other foreign exchange students. I guess they mean there aren`t as many foreigners as in, say, Tokyo.

The Japanese like to use foreigners in their commercials to sell products. They try to make the product seem more interesting and unique that way, I guess... but then, at the same time, they`ll also use the foreigners and have a Japanese person overcome the foreigner in some way. For example, there`s a commercial where a foreign blonde is playing chess (she`s white) against a Japanese girl (she`s black.) Black wins, of course. I`ve never seen a foreigner "win." So, I guess it`s a love-hate relationship when it comes to gaijin. Even my host mother, who absolutely LOVES Taipei and is learning Chinese, has a thing against the Chinese and the Koreans... though, I guess it`s more because in the news there has been a lot of stuff about kidnappings. She also explained to me that China was very dangerous.

Hmm... What else is there? Oh, well, I bought the Asian Kung-Fu Generation CD yesterday and absolutely LOVE it. I noticed that Yuzuru was eyeing it, but he never said anything. Later that night, he was playing some Asian Kung music on his cell phone - to lure me into his bedroom, I guess - and I asked him if he liked them, then lent him the CD for the night. We spoke for a while... rather, I asked a bunch of random questions and he either grunted with a nod or shook his head. Earlier that night, I watched Abe-san have a one-sided conversation with him (though he was definitely listening, because he nodded and smiled a lot.) It makes me wonder if that`s Yuzuru`s personality or if Japanese guys aren`t really supposed to talk to women openly. That`s why I asked Abe-san if Mei-Lien and I can go to Yuzuru`s school for a day... I also explained to her that school was boring because it was an all girl`s school, and she laughed. XD

Everyone else is talking about problems they`re having with their host parents, but I absolutely love her. Except for coming home late a couple of times, not eating all of my food, and always forgetting to wash my hands when I come home, she`s never had any problems, really. In fact, this morning, there was an earthquake - scared the crap out of me - and when she woke up, she made me feel safe. I guess it was the way she just kind of smiled, like it was no big deal.

( And rabid junior high students )

(From left to right) Kaori, Grace, Mei-Lien

Grace, Mei-Lien, and I went to do karaoke on Saturday before going to a Canada Day Party. (A classmate, Kyora, invited us because we were all gai-jin. XD) Astrid had to leave early, though.

The next day, Grace, Astrid, and Astrid`s ADORABLE friend, Nina, dressed in gothic lolita, but I couldn`t take any pictures because my camera`s battery ran out. >_<# They were all really adorable, though, and we had a great time. Next Saturday, when I sleep over at Grace`s, she said she`ll lend me some Lolita clothes so that we can go out together on Sunday. (Oh, and we also saw Astrid and Nina`s friend, Gustav, from Switzerland. He`s really cute. =D)

Later that day, Nina and Astrid left, and Grace and I met up with Grace`s friend, Marie, from France, and Marie`s friend, Hiore. Hiore was ridiculously pretty, but she doesn`t speak a lot of English, and I don`t speak a lot of Japanese, so we couldn`t say a lot.

We went out for karaoke again, and did more purikura.

I bought Abe-san a thank you card, and she seemed to really like it a lot. Yuzuru isn`t really all that shy anymore, so he comes outside into the living room to watch movies. He still won`t talk to me, though. I think Rika is upset because I can`t go to soroban or piano with her anymore, because I`ve got art club and school on Saturday`s.

And I finally got tommy feburary6`s CD. YES! XD

Yesterday morning, my horoscope said that 九月 (September/Virgos) would have an unlucky day. I don`t normally pay attention to those kinds of things, so I just continued to get ready for my first day of school.

I was a little nervous on the bus, because everyone started to sing "Happy Birthday" in English. It was really funny, but also kind of weird. I ended up getting to school late because the bus drove reeeeeaaaaally slowly.

As soon as I stepped inside, Mei-Lien jumped out of nowhere and hugged me. She was waiting for me for a while, apparently. She was REALLY nervous about the speech, but I wasn`t. Not really. I didn`t think it was that big of a deal. Sure, it was in front of the entire school, but at the same time, everyone is REALLY nice. I knew that if I messed up, they wouldn`t mind. I had to say two speeches; one to the teachers, another to the students. I had to do the same thing again this morning for the junior high students and their teachers.

Classes were fun, since everyone was so eager to speak in English to me. I`m in the same home room as another exchange student, Asterid. She`s from Germany, but she speaks English perfectly - as well as French and Japanese. Her friend, Grace, is from Oklahoma. They`re both really nice. I spent a lot of time with them, and Astrid comes to the library with Mei-Lien and I a lot because none of us like math or science (we don`t actually have to take any classes, just show up in school.) The classes are really difficult, though, because I don`t understand anything. I actually sat in a class for the entire period without knowing what the subject was. (Asterid later told me that it was Japanese Literature.)

After school, I dropped by the tea ceremony club. It was pretty interesting, but the tea was really biter. I had to leave at five to take the bus back to Kita-Sendai, so Grace escorted me to the bus stop.

Remember when I said I had an unlucky horoscope earlier that morning? Well, I guess it came true, because I either got off at the wrong spot or I took the wrong bus altogether. I got SO lost. I ended up in this really famous place called Ichibanchou. It`s like the Times Square of Sendai. Anyway, I ended up asking a lot of people how to get back to Kita-Sendai and I made it back by about 7 o`clock.

It was actually pretty fun. =)

Tomorrow, I`m supposed to go to Ichibancho with Mei-Lien and Grace. Astrid can`t come because she has art club, something that I`m planning on joining.

じゃね！

I REALLY want to see Deathnote, but I don`t know when it comes out. I have the first volume of the manga, but there was so much kanji that I could really only understand the first page.

Anyway, went shopping today. Bought some really cute shirts, a Japanese work book, a watch, a mirror, loose socks, school socks, a CD player, snickers, and Hershey`s cookies and creme.



I spoil myself.

Annnnd... Engrish! XD



Tomorrow, school starts. I already visited it yesterday, with Yuzuru and his friend, Shinta. It was a really, really beautiful place. Makes up for the fact that it`s girl`s only.

I have to make a speech in front of the ENTIRE school. I decided I would say something in Japanese and then in English:

はじめまして。(Bow) 私の名前ケリンです。留学生です。カリブから来ました。どうぞよろしく。(Bow)
Hello. My name is Kheryn. I`m an exchange student from the Caribbean. It`s very nice to meet everyone.

That`s not so bad. Hopefully, Mellie will also be there, so she`ll make a speech too. :3

Last night was so awesome.

Abe-san told me that at dinner, I would be meeting her friend, Jackie, from Australia. She knew both English and Japanese very well, and she would act as a translator so that all of the important things could be said.

"Jackie looks like man outside, but inside is woman," Abe-san had earlier warned.

Okay. No big deal. I love crossdressers, you know?

I wasn`t expecting a full-blown, blonde hair, 7 foot transsexual in a shiny black dress. It looked like she had stepped right out of Las Vegas. I LOVED her. Jackie was amazing. Every thing she said was witty and in amusement.

And it certainly wasn`t expected. I mean, I`m in Japan. Foreigners are rare, especially in Sendai. Whenever I see one, I can`t help but think, "FOMG! GAIJIN!" So a transsexual?

Well, let`s just say that the look on Yuzuru`s face was priceless.

Abe-san`s other friend, Ota-san, was also there. He looked like he was about to faint. That was pretty funny, too.

And then there was Kouri-san, a 7 foot fortune teller. He was really calm and collected as he read all of our fortunes by looking at our hands. He said that Yuzuru and I have "great affinity." The poor boy hasn`t been able to look me in the eye since.

I swear, he must have some kind of sickness. He really is that shy.

Anyway, today I got my nails done by a girl named Maiko. Yuri-chan and Mai-Mai-chan were only students, and they were really funny and nice. I ended up writing out the lyrics for a song Mai-Mai-chan couldn`t understand. And, for the second time in one week, I was asked to sing an American song.

o_O I don`t sing!


Rika-chan!

My nails...

Yesterday, I went to the hair dresser. I have what looks like a giant fur ball on top of my head, but everyone else seems to like it. Then again, they could just be `wrapping` the situation. I can`t know for sure. x_x

Anyway, three guys were doing my hair. Yamaguchi-san was the manager and, I guess because I`m black, I was a special case because he helped himself. There was another guy who I nicknamed Soldier because of the army pants and matching green hair to go with them. Finally, the last guy I nicknamed Gay because... well, you can figure it out, I`m sure.

Gay went to Canada for a year, and was the only one in the salon that could speak really good English. We were speaking for a long time before he asked me if I`m related tom Rihanna.

`Are you Rihanna`s cousin?` is whas he asked, I think.

It`s ignorance... but not the type that I can get angry at. It`s like the type of ignorance a child might have. It`s really innocent, you know? Not like hardcore racism.

But what was really funny was that Gay kept hitting on me. (In case you didn`t figure it out, I nicknamed him gay because he`s GAY. He kept flirting with Yamaguchi-san. Or at least, that`s what it looked like.)

When I was leaving, he told me that I was sexy. In normal circumstances, I would`ve gotten pissed. But he was just hilarious. XD


( Read more... )

As for Yuzuru, Abe-san told me that he`s just going through his `rebellious stage.` =o

Oh, man. So much has happened in one week.

First, everyone in JAFS stayed in the Tokyo Prince Hotel.

Yeah. I know.

We toured around and got our free time. I didn`t have the BEST time of my life, like everyone said we would, because it was pouring rain half of the time. But, we did get to go to Tokyo Tower, Harajuku, and Akihabara. It was very fun, since I got to be with my new friends.

Anyway, two days ago, I arrived in Sendai.

My host mom is the best. She`s adorable and very kind. I call her Abe-san, and her first name is Ryoko.

Rika, my host sister, is either 13 or 14. The information I got said 14, but the other day, she said she was 13. Either way, she`s like Mini-Ryoko. She took me to Soroban (Japanese-style calculations... a lot more fun than I expected!) and her piano lessons. We`ve gone shopping a lot. She`s really into fashion.

Then there`s Yuzuru. He`s my host brother. I love him because he`s really nice. The problem is that he`s really embarrassed and shy all of the time, and goes out of his way to avoid me. Ryoko told me that he told her that maybe I`ll make his heart go どきどき and, because he has a girlfriend, I think that he`s afraid that`ll really happen. Or maybe he just doesn`t like me. I don`t know.

Anyway, his girlfriend, Nanami, is absolutely wonderful. She`s extremely small and very kind. She told me that she was my first Japanese friend, said that I`m her sister, and took me out to purarika with Yuzuru.

We all live in a very small apartment, but that`s exactly what I wanted. It kind of forces all of us to be together all of the time.

Well, anyway, I`m wasting their money.

じゃね！

Tomorrow, I leave for Miami at 8:35 AM... meaning that I have to be at the airport at 6 AM.

... Meaning that I have to be awake by 5 o'clock.

Makes me wonder why I'm not in bed already.

Anyway, I'll spend the day with Aunty Maureen's daughters, Nati and Tai, I guess, before I leave at 7:50AM for Denver. I'll have to wake up at about 5 again, meaning that Nati and Tai have to wake up pretty early too. I feel kind of bad about that, so I'm going to make sure I buy them great gifts while I'm in Japan.

I should be arriving in Denver at about 9:57AM, where I'll wait until 11:33AM. From there, I should be arriving in San Francisco at 1:07PM.

On the 13th, I'll leave San Francisco at 11:27AM and arrive in Tokyo at 2:15PM. I should be staying in Tokyo for a day or so before I leave for Sendai.

いそがしいですね？

I'm going to Sendai! I've never heard of it before, so that adds to the excitement. I'll be in Miyagi of the Touhoku region. My host mother's name is Ryoko Abe. I also have a host sister who is 14 and a host brother who is 16, like me. =) I don't know their names yet, though.

I forget the name of the neighborhood, but maybe I'll edit this entry and add all of that information later.

Haircut/hairstyle
1. Meet with ヴィエッタ先生 on Thurs. at 8 AM in Antilles
2. PACK. (d'oh)
Traveller's checks and debit card

Three more days.

Damn, I am SCARED... and yet, I'm also pretty excited.

I decided to get a new journal like debbie_in_japan, but only for the censored, rated G version so that I can show friends and family. THIS journal will be where I'll express the hell out myself, like I'm used to doing. =D

I just got accepted to YFU's program! =D!!!

The Japan-American Friendship Scholarship covers everything (except for a $500 program contribution.) I should be leaving at about June 11th, and I'll be in Japan until early August.

I'm so excited! XD