Wonderful Three Weeks

 

Miss Denise    Denise is a beautiful and great teacher guide.  We took her lessons on weekdays at the study center.  She taught us a lot of culture of America and other important things.  Thanks to her, I could notice that I needed more communication skills and individuality.

         

 

Feb. 16th Thu.   Arrival Day in America

    We arrived in America that day.  We were so excited because everything looked brand new.     We went to a chocolate factory and Snoqualime Falls.  We had good sightseeing.  When we had lunch, I was so nervous because I ordered the menu in English for the first time.
   After sightseeing, we met our host family for the first time. Kathleen said that Bill and she had wanted to meet me.   I felt relieved to hear that.  And then, I was given a cute name card made by Kathleen.  The card was so cute.

 

Feb. 17th Fri.   The First Lesson and Welcome Party

   We took Denise's first lesson from 9 a.m.  She taught us how to communicate with our host family.  She also taught us some important phrases for homestaying.  After the lesson, we went shopping to the mall near the study center.  I was surprised to see Starbucks coffee everywhere.
   In the evening, our welcome party was held.  It was in an American traditional style called a potluck dinner style.  I enjoyed talking with my host family, Nana and Nana's host family.

The Webb Family 

            

Feb. 18th Sat.  

   We went to a workshop about Japanese culture.  Kathleen became a teacher for cartoonists.   I joined the class as her assistant.  I was nervous to  introduce myself in front of the students.  Kathleen taught the students how to draw MANGA.  After the lesson, we joined a gospel music lesson.  We sang gospel songs. It was an interesting experience.
   In the evening, Kathleen and I watched a Disney movie.  She taught me some daily phrases with subtitles and I could understand the meaning of those new words.

Kathleen was a great teacher!

         

Feb. 19th Sun.

   In the morning, we went to church to pray.  The priest was very kind and he taught me a lot of Christianity customs.  Kathleen and Bill also taught me how to pray.  I had interests about the religion.  Most Americans were influenced by a lot of things from Christianity in their life.  I thought that I needed to learn about Buddhism in Japan.
   After that, we went shopping.  I liked this time to spend together all day.  Bill was busy with his job everyday, so we could talk a lot mostly on Sundays. 
   Bill cooked pizza for dinner.  I was able to choose my favorite toppings.  I was very excited and the pizza was so delicious. 

Beautiful Church Homemade Pizza

 

Feb. 20th Mon.   Visit Fire Department

  We visited a fire department.  First of all, we learned about American fire department.  Many fire fighters work as a volunteer in America, and many of them have another job.  For example, we met a female firefighter who usually works in a hospital.  I was surprised.  Next, I tried on a firefighting suit.  It was very heavy and it took a long time to wear.  We had an interesting experience.

 

Firefighting suit was heavy!  with Firefighters 

          

Feb. 21st Tue.   Went to a Big Mall

    In the morning, we learned how to use American coins and played some games. In the afternoon, we went shopping to a big mall.  We enjoyed shopping and eating famous food in Seattle.  I ate delicious clam chowder for lunch.  I had heard that American food was heavy with strong taste but the food I ate was so delicious. I was surprised that the food court had various food from many different countries.  One of my friends tried to eat Ramen, which was kind of strange. 

at the Food Court
 

           

Feb. 22nd Wed.  Trip to Leavenworth

   We went to Leavenworth after driving for 3 hours.  We saw beautiful mountains covered with snow.  We also saw German style houses and shops.  We looked around the shops and enjoyed shopping and taking pictures.  I bought a lot of souvenirs for my Japanese family and friends.  We also enjoyed eating German food and we ate many kinds of food to share.
   In the evening, I gave some gifts to Kathleen and Bill.  They were pleased so much.  I was happy too.

Beautiful Mountains Looked like real sweets!

 

Feb. 23rd Thu.   Visit City Hall

   We watched a video presentation of Federal Way in Japanese.  We listened to the explanations about the city.  After that, we met a police officer and his police dog.  I thought that they had a strong tie as partners.  It had no difference between Japan and America.
   At night, we ate big and special steak for dinner.  It was tender and very delicious.

at the City Hall

       

Feb. 24th Fri.   Visit Green River Community College and Senior Home

   We went to our sister school Green River Community College in the morning.  The campus of the college was large and quiet because it was surrounded by beautiful nature.  I thought that the college had a good environment for students to study.
   After that, we went to a senior home.  The senior home was very luxurious.  We sang Japanese songs for the elderly people.  Then we talked with them.
   In the evening, we had a home party with Kathleen and  Bill's friends.  They were very kind, and I enjoyed talking with them a lot.  I also talked about Japanese things.  I was glad to see them having fun.

We had a good time.

         

Feb. 25th Sat.   Tacoma Sightseeing

   Kathleen and I went to Tacoma City. We went to a Christmas shop and saw many ornaments.  We ate a big hamburger for lunch, so I got full so soon.  After lunch, Kathleen took me to a tour of art galleries.  I enjoyed seeing many pictures, glass works and jewelry arts.  It was amazing and I was very excited.  Then we went to see a beautiful high school like a castle. 

Like a Castle Delicious!

 

Feb. 27th Mon.   Visit Elementary School

   We went to an elementary school and taught the students how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese.  We also taught them how to write their names in Japanese.   The students were so smart and powerful.  I was surprised that the students had a lot of energy to learn.
   When I came home, I was so tired because I had played with kids so much during the recess at the elementary school.  After dinner, Kathleen made a delicious pumpkin pie. It was my favorite sweets.  Then Kathleen and I chose a costume fort the next day.  She showed me her wedding dress and told me good memories about her wedding. I was glad to hear her stories. 

We were young teachers! with Cute Children
Delicious Pumpkin Pie Kathleen with her Wedding Dress

 

Feb. 28th Tue.   The Lesson of American Holidays

   We studied American holidays and wore special costumes. It was fun!  In the afternoon, we ate some special food for lunch.  It was American holiday menus.  We enjoyed taking pictures and talking so much.
   In the evening, Kathleen gave me a necklace of the Beatles, which is one of  my favorite bands.  In addition, I was moved by what Kathleen said.  The necklace is my treasure now.

with Spider-Man Trick or Treat!

          

Feb. 29th Wed.   Seattle Sightseeing Day

   We went to Seattle by bus.  It was a long trip.  We visited Space Needle, the first Starbucks store, Pike Place Market and Safeco Field.  We didn't go up at Space Needle because it was raining badly and some students including me didn't have enough money. We bought the same T-shirts for each group.

at Mariners Shop

         

Mar. 1st Thu.  

   We started to make a journal and a photo frame for our host families.  When I was making them, I was so sad because I had to go back to Japan so soon. 
   After school, I cooked curry and rice for my host parents.  I was glad to see their smile. 

 with Our Photo Frames My Lovely American Parents

            

Mar. 2nd Fri.   Cooking Day

   In the morning, we cooked delicious dishes.  We compared Japanese food with American one.  For instance, we cooked okonomiyaki and pizza because okonomiyaki is Japanese pizza. 
   After the lesson, Kathleen and I went to World Vision, which is Kathleen's company.  I talked with her and got a lot of advice about my future.  I respected her.

  

Okonomiyaki! Special Lunch

          

Mar. 3rd Sat.

    I went to Seattle with Kathleen and her friend Mardel.  First of all, we went to Kings County Library.  I was very happy because I wanted to see an American library.  I like reading too.  There were many Japanese books, comics and magazines.  Next, we went shopping to a big department store.  I bought clothes, some sweets and so on.   I ate turkey sandwich for lunch.  When I was in America, I liked turkey very much.  Kathleen sometimes made one for my school lunch.  I had a wonderful time.

Kings County Library's Monument

Mar. 5th Mon.   Sayonara Party

   We prepared for the Sayonara Party since the morning.  We practiced our presentations many times.  At the party, my group made a presentation about "Japanese traditional sport Sumo."  We were so nervous, but we believed in ourselves and did our best.  We mostly succeeded in the presentation.

with My American Father with Denise and Friends

 

Mar. 6th Tue.   Departure Day

   Finally, we had to go back to Japan that day.  I was very sad.   I couldn't stop crying in the morning.   My American parents gave me presents.  They gave me hearty words as a gift too.  I was really impressed by them. 

I had a good cry.

         

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