Denise's Classes
#Feb. 17th (Fri.)
We studied at the study center for the first time. We went to a nearby shopping mall in the afternoon. In the evening, we had a welcome party. We ate a lot of food, and it was very delicious. We played a game, and it was very fun. When I talked with my host family, I couldn't speak English well, but my family tried hard to understand my English. I felt my host family was very kind.
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#Feb. 20th (Mon.)
We went to a fire department. When I put on a fire fighting suit, it was very heavy. The fire fighters we met were very cool. When I took a picture with a fire fighter, I was very nervous.
When I came back home, I went to a movie theater with my host family. Mom bought me popcorn, and it was very big, so I was very surprised. I didn't know the title of the movie, but it was very fun. I laughed loudly.
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#Feb. 22nd (Wed.)
We went to Leavenworth. It took about 3 hours from the study center to Leavenworth. The scenery was very beautiful. I thought Leavenworth looked like a Christmas town. Leavenworth had many lovely stores and funny stores.
When I came back home, I had something special. When I was watching the TV with Mayleen in the living room, Mom, Dad and Joseph came to join us. They then gave me a parka. The parka had my name and Hoffman Family's name and a pocket for an iPod on it. I was very very happy, so I cried with joy, and the family hugged me. I had a very great time.
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#Feb. 24th (Fri.)
We went to Green River Community College in the morning. The campus was very big. We ate lunch at college, and it was delicious. We went to a senior home in the afternoon. The senior home looked like a high rank hotel. We sang "Furusato" and "Sakura" for senior people.
When I came back home, Mayleen gave me a figure of a dolphin. She said, "Forming is by Dad. Painting and writing the name is by Mayleen." The dolphin was very cute. I was so happy!!
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#Feb. 27th (Mon.)
We went to an elementary school, and taught children how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese. I was a little nervous, but the children were very cute. Our team went to Mayleen's class at last. The children hugged us. They were very very cute.
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#Feb. 29th (Wed.)
We went sightseeing in Seattle. We went to Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Safeco Field. I bought a lot of souvenirs. We went to the first Starbucks store too. I was moved. I thought Seattle is a very beautiful city. I want to go to Seattle again.
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#Mar. 5th (Mon.)
Sayonara
Party began in the evening. My family came, but Dad didn't come. Mom
said, "I'm sorry, Akiho. Dad might not come because of work." I was
shocked. The presentations started. Our presentation was the
last in turn. When I was waiting for our turn, Dad came. I was very happy. Our
presentation started, I made a blunder, but I did my best.
Before Sayonara Party finished, Dad and Joseph had returned
home.
I
came out of the hall with Mom and Mayleen. I was trying hard not to
cry during the party, but couldn't help crying when I got on a car home. Then, Mayleen
also started crying and hugged me.
Mom also cried, and we hugged altogether.
When I was packing my suitcase at home, Joseph came to my room. He said, "May I hug?" We hugged. Then, I thought he was cute.
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#Mar. 6th (Tue.)
When I was
preparing for the departure, Mom and Mayleen came to my room. Mom gave me one
sheet of paper.
It was a letter from Dad. Mom said that he had written it in Japanese,
using his PC the night before. When I read the letter crying, Joseph gave
me a
stuffed animal of a frog.
Mayleen also gave me a charm as a gift. And Mom showed the photograph of her
wedding ceremony
with Dad. They were very beautiful.
I was moved.
We left home, and arrived at the study center, and I got off a car,
crying. Mom took me to the shade of the car and hugged me
strongly, and she said,
"You can come back to our home again." I was very happy.
On the bus, I was crying all the way.
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