Laura's Classes





Feb. 16th (Mon.)
    In the morning, we had an orientation for the first class at the study center.  Saki's host sister Morgan and one of the past host sisters Kara joined our class.  At the lunch time Saki's host mother Lin took me to a sandwich restaurant called Jimmy John's and I bought a sandwich.  In the afternoon, we enjoyed walking around in the neighborhood of the study center.  We went to Bath and Body Works at the mall next to the study center and we enjoyed our first shopping in Seattle.
   My host mother Jennifer took me to a supermarket on my way home, and she bought me "Skittle."






Feb. 17th (Tue.)
   In the morning, we learned some expressions, and prepared for the welcome party.  After that, we went to Krispy&Kream and Tacoma Mall.  We shared many kinds of doughnuts at the Krispy&Kream.  I enjoyed shopping and talking with Kara, andall of us built our own teddy bear at the mall!
   In the evening, we had the welcome party .  We enjoyed having American food, and talking with each host family.  At the party, we gave Laura some souvenirs from Japan.  We were happy that she liked our souvenirs.






Feb. 18th (Wed.)
   We went to Leavenworth the whole day with Laura's boss' daughter Catriona.  After driving for three hours, we arrived at Leavenworth.  The day had very beautiful weather.  We ate German food at the lunch time.  It was very good.  There were many good shops there, so we enjoyed shopping and taking pictures. 






Feb. 19th (Thu.) 
   In the morning we prepared the questions for our afternoon visit to the city hall.  After that we visited the city hall of Federal Way .  We also visited the police department and the court in the city hall and asked some questions.
   I went to Costco on my way home with Jennifer, my host sister Cosette, and my host brother Hunter.  We had tacos and some Mexican food for dinner .  It was my first time to eat Mexican food, and it was very delicious.






Feb. 20th (Fri.)
   In the morning we talked with Laura about some stories.  We tried to tell Laura a Japanese folktale "Momotaro (The Peach Boy)" in English.  It was difficult for us, but fun.
   In the afternoon, we visited Green River Community College and looked around the campus.  We also met our college friends, who were studying at GRCC , and I was happy to meet them.  After that, we visited a nursing home.  I was surprised because it looked like a high-class hotel .  We sang some Japanese songs in English and Japanese, and we enjoyed talking with senior people.






Feb. 23rd (Mon.)
   We visited the fire station in the morning.  We asked firefighters some questions, looked around the station, and got on a fire engine and an ambulance.  We also experienced shooting water in a firefighter suit .  It was very cool, and we had a fun time.
   At the lunch time, some of us went to McDonald's with Laura. I bought Flurry with M&M's . That made me surprised because we don't have that in Japan, but it was delicious.
   In the afternoon, we made cookies!   Laura taught as how to make cookies and measure the ingredients.  It was a fun time, and finally, we made delicious cookies.






Feb. 24th (Tue.)
   We visited an elementary school which Saki's host sister Morgan and host brother Logan went to.  We spent almost the whole day.  We told children how to count from one to ten in Japanese five times a day, and taught them how to spell their name in katakana.  We also played outside with the children, and had lunch with them.  We got very tired, but I enjoyed talking and playing with them.






Feb. 25th (Wed.)
   We went to Seattle.  First, we visited the University of Washington and looked around the campus.  After that, we visited Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the first STARBUCKS store, Safeco Field, and Uwajimaya.  We really enjoyed shopping at each place , and we bought good souvenirs there.
   At dinner, I watched the movie "Big Hero 6" with my host family at home.  I enjoyed it with delicious dinner.






Feb. 26th (Thu.)
   In the morning, Mayu's host mother Jane taught us how to make a pop-up card .  We finally made a cute 3D flower pop-up card.  After that we started to make a photo frame for our host family.






Feb. 27th (Fri.)
   I was sick that day, so I stayed home.  The other students were making a photo frame at the study center, and later  they went bowling.





Mar. 2nd (Mon.)
   We learned about some American holidays .  We experienced Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so on.  I really enjoyed doing "Trick or Treat" and "Easter Egg Hunting."  
   At the lunch time, we enjoyed a special lunch that day. It was　the first time for me to eat big turkey and it was delicious.  I can't forget Mayu's making wise remarks "I tried it!!!"   It was so funny.  We also had pumpkin pie which Laura and I baked. It was really good.
   In the evening, I went to Mayu's host family's home with Kako.  We enjoyed talking, and having dinner with homemade "S'mores" as a dessert!






Mar. 3rd (Tue.)
   We were making a photo frame and a memory journal at the study center all day.  We also had some delicious S'mores.  
   At  home, I made Japanese dinner with Laura.  (I had moved to Laura's home over the previous weekend.)  We made Nikujaga and Chirashizushi.  I was happy Laura and her family liked them.  I'd like to make Japanese dishes for the Boyer family someday too.






Mar. 4th (Wed.)
   We stayed at the study at center all day and finished our journal.  We went to Red Robin for our late lunch.  After that, we practiced our presentation and prepared for the Sayonara Party in the evening.  Our host families, Kara, and Catriona came to the Sayonara Party.  We first showed them  our presentation about "Nagaoka Fireworks Festival."  After that, we gave the photo frame, the journal, and the magnet to our host family.  We also gave some presents to Laura.  We then enjoyed having cake, talking with each other, and playing with children.  It was such a  nice party, and we had a very good time .  






Mar. 5th (Thu.)
   It was our departure day.  I talked with Laura a lot.  After saying goodbye to our host families at the study center, we went to the airport with Laura.  We did last minute talking with her and we promised her to go back to Seattle next year! Thank you so much for everything.

Go to the Next Page

Back to the Contents