We had our first class with Denise. We learned about American culture from her. 
   After that, we went to a shopping mall near the study center.  The American shopping mall was big, so we were very excited.  We found many different things between Japanese culture and American culture.
   We held Welcome Party in the evening.  Our family came to the study center and they brought dishes for the party.  I was very nervous, but I enjoyed talking with my family.       

   In the afternoon, we went to a fire department.  We asked many questions about the fire department and fire fighters.  The fire fighters were very kind and they taught us various things. 
   After that,  we wore a fire fighting suit for the first time. It was so heavy. We got on a fire truck too.  We were very excited. 

   In the morning, we learned about how to use American coins and tax. 
   After that, we went to a big shopping mall.  The mall looked like a theme park.  We enjoyed shopping around many famous stores.  I bought some souvenirs for American family and Japanese family. We were able to use American coins well thanks to Denise's class. 

   In the evening, Debbie gave me earrings and a necklace!  I was very happy. 

   We went to the study center earlier than usual and we visited Leavenworth.  It is a Germany style village. It took about 3 hours to reach there by bus.  We enjoyed eating German food for lunch.  It was very delicious. 
   After that, we looked around shops.  We went to a Christmas goods shop, a hat shop, a Disney shop and so on.  We tried on funny hats and glasses.  I spent a good time with my friends.

   We went to Green River Community College and we met Marie, the student from Seiryo College.  She lives in Seattle for our study abroad program.  We then learned about GRCC.  I asked a question about the cost of studying abroad.  When we had lunch, Mr. Nonaka allowed us to speak Japanese. 
   In the afternoon, we went to a senior home. The senior home looked like a hotel.  We sang Japanese songs for senior residents.  After that, I talked with an old man.   He plays the trumpet.  I also play the trumpet, so we enjoyed talking  about it.  The senior people were very kind.

   We went to an elementary school.  We taught children how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese.  When we started the presentation, I was very nervous.  We also taught the children Katakana.  They were happy that they could know their name in Katakana. 
   After that, we enjoyed talking and playing with children.  We played tag with the children.  The children were very energetic.  I got tired but I also felt good.  I had a good time.

   We held some American Holiday activities at the study center.  We experienced an Easter egg hunt, Halloween, Christmas and so on.  We ate traditional American dishes and it was very delicious.
   We wore costumes for Halloween in the afternoon.  I wore a costume for the first time.  I borrowed the costumes from Debbie the day before.  She had a lot of costume and I was surprised.  Everyone wore funny costumes.  I enjoyed American Holiday activities. 

   We went sightseeing in Seattle.  We first visited University of Washington.  We went to a library.  The university was so big.
   After that, we went to the first store of Starbucks coffee, Pike Place Market, Space Needle and so on.  I like Starbucks and I was very happy that I could go to the symbol store of Starbucks.  We also went to Safeco Field. The stadium was so big.  We couldn't get in the stadium.  I want to get in there next time.  I bought a lot of souvenirs and I enjoyed shopping all day.   

   We made a journal and a photo frame to give our host family.  I'm good at drawing pictures, so I enjoyed making them.  I wrote about my memories and how to cook a Japanese dish.  I also worked very hard to finish making those gifts at home.   

   We made American and Japanese traditional dishes.  Some friends and I took charge of making pizza and okonomiyaki.  Other friends made rice ball, biscuit and jelly.  We made them very hard and they were all very delicious. We learned different traditional dishes between America and Japan.

   In the morning, I finished making the journal and the photo frame for my host family.
   After that, we prepared for our Sayonara Party.  I was very sad that the day was the last day.
   In the evening, we wore our yukata and we started Sayonara party. We made a presentation about Japanese traditional sumo.  When we prepared our presentation material in Japan, I was very nervous, but we succeeded in our presentation after all. After all the presentations, Denise gave us a certificate for the program.