| MARCH |
| Saturday 1st Up at normal Saturday time. I make sure I donft sleep in too much as the family often has something planned. Today my host mum and dad took me sightseeing in Tokyo. We went to Tokyo Tower, 333 metres high. We went up to the top deck, it was sure a long way down. It was a pity the weather was cloudy and raining a little making the view less. We went to the Ginza district for a look around and had lunch while there. Then we went to the temple to the Goddess Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, and others. There was a whole group of temples together, all were very beautiful. After looking at the many temples we headed back home on the ebullet trainf. At home I rang my family in Australia, it was great to tell them about my day. Dinner tonight was in a private room at a really lovely Japanese restaurant as a sort of farewell to me. Sunday@2nd Today I packed up all my stuff, said goodbye to my host family and then had lunch with my counselor and my host parents. They then took me to my next host family. My new host ?sister, Ayaka, is going to Australia on Rotary exchange later this year. There is also an older brother and a sister Yuumi aged twelve. I showed them all my photos of Australia and my home family, it is going to be good to be in a host family with kids closer to my age, and they are girls, which will be even better. Monday 3rd A short day at school today, and Ayaka caught the train with me to ensure I got off at the correct station. We did practice for the graduation ceremony that is on tomorrow. My host grandparents live over the road from my new host family, and host grandfather picked me up from the station on my way home. Since this family has not been to Australia they have many questions for me, which is really good for me in learning Japanese. I have certainly improved since getting here. Tuesday 4th To school again today, Ayakafs stop is one station past mine so I have company traveling each day still. The Graduation ceremony went for three hours, but seemed longer, though interesting, I did not understand the speeches. Early end of school, and collected at station by host grandfather, and to their place for lunch. Their house is really traditional Japanese style. They also had lots of questions for me about home and Australia. Once back to host home I got a phone call from Deonne [USA] and went to Judo with her for the evening. I might join myself later if I live in Kumagaya city again, but at the moment I live too far away. I also have other school clubs I want to do next term. Host mum met me at the station and we went to dinner at the restaurant where Ayaka [host-sister] works. Ayaka served us, and I had etempuraf one of my favourite Japanese dishes. Good end to a good day. Wednesday 5th Half day at school again, [most students are studying for exams], my computer teacher showed me a few things and I got on the net for a while. While the other students are doing tests I get to catch up my letters. I also have to write a speech in Japanese for an inbound/outbound Rotary exchange student meeting being held on Saturday. Thursday 6th Early finish at school again today. I spent most of my time cooking one on one with a teacher. It was great and so easy to learn 1:1; I cooked rice balls with fish inside. After school Deonne [USA] came over in the afternoon and helped me with my speech. The USA Rotary exchange students have been here since last June so are really settled in and helpful. My host family #2 has a big display of dolls in their house. It is to do with a celebration that they have each year on the 3rd of the 3rd and is really beautiful. My host family #1 gave me some little dolls as part of celebration of that day. Today went by so fast, as do most days while I am over here. Friday 7th School today was again great, 1:1, with the teacher again and I did Japanese calligraphy. That was really fun. We finished earlier still and my host mum took Yuumi and I shopping. Mainly trying to get an adaptor to recharge my camera, the people in the electronic shops didnft seem to be any help. Today I also had to go to the Saitama Public Office to get my alien card sorted out. Strange calling me an alien. Saturday 8th Today I slept in, and then practiced my speech and studied some other Japanese. My hfmum took Deonne, Akaya and I to the Rotary meeting, a long drive there and back. My speech went Ok, but I did not understand a lot of the other stuff at the meeting. On the way home we had tea at a small Chinese restaurant, lovely but different to Australian Chinese meals. Sunday 9th Today I studied Japanese, and got onto the net. I will work on a web page now I am in a home with Internet access. My host Dad is impressed with what I have gotten done so far. Today my family discussed going to Disneyland soon. Maybe in two weeks time which is something I am really looking forward to. I hope to have the adaptor for my movie camera by then. Monday 10th Tests at school for everyone again today, except me. I did flower arranging with one of the English teachers. After doing the arrangements, which I gave to my host mum who loved it, I read ethe three little pigsf. I am finding reading books that I know the story of, but in Japanese, helps me a lot with picking up the language and remembering words. The English teacher helped me through the book, and together we figured out the translation. Tonight at school my friends and I practiced a dance routine, and then had a test on it. That was quite fun. Today was the last day of school tests, and as we finished at an odd time my friends and I walked [quite a long way] from school to the station instead of waiting for the school bus. When I got home I relaxed doing some origami. Tuesday 11th Strange day at school, we had photos, and I think I was the only person in the thousand there that smiled. I donft think they are meant to smile in their school photos. We also organised new school books for next term. I relaxed at home doing a big Pooh Bear jigsaw puzzle with Yuumi. Wednesday 12th I met Dionne on the train to school today, and now tests are all over there was not much to do. Tomorrow is last day, then spring break. Once home I had a nap. |
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