American Life
| We took a class from our teacher guide, Denise, on weekdays. We studied about American culture, food, money, games, and so on. Her classes were really interesting. I enjoyed them. |
|
Feb 17 (Fri) Welcome Party
After
the first class, Denise showed us around the place near the study center.
We went to TARGET.
There were a lot of goods, for example, foods, clothes, cosmetics, and CDs.
We enjoyed shopping. I like TARGET!
In the evening, we had our Welcome Party.
It was a potluck party, so we had a chance to eat various dishes. They were
all very
delicious. We really enjoyed eating.
 |
 |
Feb 18 (Sat) Shopping and Cooking
I went to Costco
with Howard and Debbie. I had wanted to go to Costco, so I was happy.
I was really surprised because the goods were very big. We ate hot dog.
It was delicious and cheap. I was surprised that we could put onions,
ketchup, and, mustard as much as we want on our hotdog.
Next, I went to a fabric store with Debbie. She
is really good at sawing! We went to
H-MART
too. We bought some ingredients to make Japanese dishes.
We made okonomiyaki for dinner.
I was satisfied to make good okonomiyaki. My host family liked it.
I watched a TV show, "Wipeout." It was really funny, so it became my
favorite.
 |
 |
 |
Feb 19 (Sun) Church and Craft Day
I went to church with Howard, Debbie, and Grandma Mary. My host family goes to church twice on Sundays. There were many people at the church. In the evening, we went to church again. Debbie had a class for teenagers, so I took part in that class too. It was a craft day. We made covers of books or notebooks using some cloth and ribbons. I enjoyed the class.
 |
Feb 20 (Mon) Fire Station
We went to a fire station. We got on a fire engine, and wore a fire fighting suit. It was very exciting. We had a chance to ask fire fighters some questions and tell them about Japanese fire stations in return. The fire fighters were really kind to us. It was a good time to learn about American fire stations and fire fighters.
 |
Feb 21 (Tue) Shopping and "Mappet"
In the morning, Denise taught us about
American money. It
was difficult for
me. After that, we went to Westfield
Shopping Mall.
It was very large, and there were a lot of shops that I like at the mall. I bought some clothes. I was really
excited!
After dinner, Debbie took me to a movie theater, and we watched "Mappet."
It was a very cute movie.
After coming home, I asked Debbie to teach me how to use American coins. I
couldn't use coins very well when I went shopping. Thanks to Debbie, I got
able to pay money by myself.
 |
 |
Feb 22 (Wed) Leavenworth
We went to Leavenworth. Another teacher guide Laura went there with us that day. She was funny, and told us about the history of Leavenworth. I was happy to meet her. There were many cute and funny shops in Leavenworth. My favorite was the shop that sells a lot of Christmas ornaments. We ate some German food for lunch. It was delicious.
 |
 |
Feb 24 (Fri) GRCC and Senior Home
We went
to
Green River Community College.
It was really large, and there were a lot of people from many countries on
campus. I thought that I'd like to study English there!
In the afternoon, we went to a
senior home.
It looked really gorgeous. We sang some Japanese songs, and talked with
the
people who lived there.
 |
 |
Feb 25 (Sat) Shopping and UDON
I went to
SUPER MALL
with Debbie. The mall looked like a big theme park. Next, Debbie
took me to a
game shop. I had wanted to go to a game shop,
and I had written it in my e-mail to Debbie. I was really happy because
she remembered it. I went to
WAL MART
that day too. I was
excited to go shopping!
In the afternoon, I made UDON
for my family.
It was a little difficult, but I managed to make it.
 |
Feb 26 (Sun) Church and Snowy Day
It was a snowy day. We first went to church. After that, we went to
a steak
restaurant, and I ate steak. I could eat
vegetables and desserts as much as I liked. They were very delicious!
I read a newspaper that day. It was a Sunday edition, so I read
American comics. They were a little difficult to understand, but I
enjoyed reading them. The pictures were very cute.
 |
Feb 27 (Mon) Elementary School
We went to
an
elementary school. We had a
presentation to teach chldren how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese. We were really nervous
at first, but
I was happy because American children were interested in Japanese culture.
After that, we played hide-and-seek and tag with them. We had a great time.
After coming home, Howard took me to see
Mt. Rainier.
We saw the sunset too. It was really beautiful!
 |
 |
Feb 28 (Tue) American Holiday Day
We learned about American holidays. It is good that America has many enjoyable holidays. We ate lunch with Thanksgiving meals. It was really delicious. I liked ham very much. We also enjoyed putting on Halloween costumes. Our costumes were very funny!
 |
 |
Feb 29 (Wed) Seattle Sightseeing!
We went to
Seattle.
I was looking forward to going to
Seattle. It
was raining all day,
but
I thought that Seattle was
still a
beautiful city.
We visited University of
Washington, Space Needle, Safeco Field, the first store of Starbucks,
Pike Place Market, and Uwajima-ya.
My favorite was
Pike Place Market.
I saw flying
fish there!
I also
bought many cute goods.
I was so excited to visit there.
I really enjoyed shopping.
I'd like to go to Seattle again!
 |
 |
Mar 5 (Tue) Sayonara Party
We had our
Sayonara Party at the study
center. I was really sad because we had to go back to Japan the next morning. Our team gave a
presentation about Japanese
New Year's
Eve.
I was nervous, but I managed to succeed.
After coming home, my host family gave me presents. Howard and Debbie gave
me a patchwork that
Debbie made. She often makes patchwork. I was
interested in her work. I hadn't expected that she made a patchwork for me,
so I was
so surprised and happy! Grandma Mary gave me
beef jerky. I was happy
because I liked it! I was really impressed.
Howard had to leave home early the next morning, so it was the last day to see
him. I thought I wanted to stay in America
longer.
I enjoyed talking with Debbie. She always told me funny stories. I
loved her stories very much.
 |
 |