The Weekdays

Feb. 13th（Mon）

　In the morning, we practiced about our action in English. We later went to a chocolate shop and a movie theater nearby. Then, we went to a shopping mall. Many Valentine's chocolates were sold there, so I bought some chocolates.

After I came back home, I enjoyed folding origami with my host family. We made cranes and shuriken (ninja stars) with it. It was hard for me to teach them how to fold origami, but I was happy that I felt everyone enjoyed it.

In the evening, we had the welcome party, and we ate dishes that each host family brought. I was glad that I had a great time with my host family and each host family.

Feb. 14th（Tue）

In the morning, we studied pronunciations of "L" and "R," "wood" and "would." It was difficult for me to tell the differences. Laura gave us chocolates, and Chizuru gave us cookies because that day was St. Valentine's Day. I was glad that Alissa brought me a box of chocolates and a lunch box with her message.

In the afternoon, we went to the fire department. We asked firefighters some questions, and we learned some differences in firefighting between America and Japan. We also saw firefighters change clothes quickly. We then wore a firefighter suit and sprayed water. I was surprised to know that many women worked there.

Before dinner, Ralph's parents Peg and Dick came to our house, and we played a card game called "Go Fish." We ate hamburgers for dinner, and it was big and so delicious. Peg also gave me a box of chocolates. I also gave everyone a box of Japanese chocolates.

Feb. 15th（Wed）

Early in the morning, I enjoyed playing jenga with Alissa and Akina Y. at home.

We went to Green River College that morning, and I saw many students studying abroad. Some university goods were sold there, and Yumi's host mother Gwen bought us matching straps. I met Nao and Hijiri, who were studying abroad in America from our college. I was pleased to see them in good health.

In the afternoon, we went to Krispy&Kreme Doughnuts, and ate a variety of doughnuts. They were very sweet. Then, we went to Tacoma Mall, and I ate big pizza. Then, we enjoyed shopping in the mall. I was surprised that the mall was big and many Japanese snacks and character goods were sold there.

At night, we played jenga again. I was happy to win.

Feb. 16th（Thu）

　Akina Y. and I didn't go to the study center, and we joined a school event at Genie's school with Alissa instead. I took part in Genie's class. Some students made a presentation at the class. Then, we went to Washington State History Museum. It was difficult for me to understand the contents, but I enjoyed looking around. I also saw some displays of Japanese stuff.

After we came back home, we ate dinner early, and I went swimming with my host family, Akina Y. and her host family. We played float, water slide and basketball. I then climbed bouldering for the first time. I felt it was hard to climb, but I was happy to climb to the top. Genie was good at it.

Feb. 17th（Fri）

　In the morning, we studied how to use American money at the study center.

At noon, Alissa and Genie came to the study center. They brought me a hamburger, French fries and a shake for lunch from a fastfood restaurant called Five Guys. We ate them together. The chocolate shake was very sweet and delicious.

In the afternoon, we went to the courthouse and the police station. We asked the staff some questions and looked around there. We learned some differences between America and Japan. At the police station, I got into a police car.

After we finished the visit, I went shopping with Alissa and Genie, and I bought a gift. Then, we met Alissa's mother Stevie, and we had dinner together. Before we had dinner, we made ice cream wrapped up with rice cake.

Feb. 20th（Mon）

My host family didn't go to work or school because the day was a national holiday called Presidents' Day. Kana, Yumi and Miyu spent the day with their host family, so only 4 people took the class. In the morning, we made a recipe for niku-jaga, which was interesting because every home had a different recipe.

In the afternoon, we went to a senior home, and we sang Japanese children's songs "Furusato" and "Amefuri" with gestures in Japanese and English for the residents. We also taught them colors in Japanese. I was surprised that the senior home was so beautiful and looked like a hotel. We met a women who are Japanese American and talked to her.

After dinner, I ate a cherry pie. Alissa told me about George Washington for Presidents' Day.

Feb. 21st（Tue）

　In the morning, we talked about American and Japanese holidays. We ate holiday dishes that each host family made for us. Alissa made a pumpkin pie, pecan bars and so on. After lunch, we enjoyed dressing in Halloween costumes. Remi lent me a beautiful dress.

Before dinner, Peg and Dick came to our house. I ate spaghetti with meatballs that I had wanted to eat, and it was so delicious. I was surprised that Alissa made some homemade bread. After dinner, we played card games. It was difficult, but Peg helped me, so I enjoyed it.

Feb. 22nd（Wed）

In the morning, we went to an elementary school, and we taught children colors in Japanese. Then, we also taught them how to write their name in Japanese. I was happy that I felt they enjoyed it. We ate lunch with the children too. They asked me many questions, and we talked about various things. During the lunch break, I played tag with the children. I was overwhelmed because they were full of energy. I was tired, but I felt lonely to leave.

After class, I went to Costco with Alissa, Akina Y. and her host mother Jonelle. I felt every American thing was big. Rice and ramen were sold there.

Feb. 23rd（Thu）

We had a sightseeing tour in Seattle all day. In the morning, we went to University of Washington, and we visited its library. I saw a huge statue of George Washington on campus too. Then, we went to Freemont Troll and a chocolate factory called Theo. At Theo, we tried eating many kinds of chocolates. They had unusual chocolates. Then, we went to Space Needle. The weather wasn't good, so the view from its top was not so great. Then, we went to the first Starbucks store, and I bought some coffee. We also went to Pike Place Market and the Gum Wall. Many souvenir shops were there, and we bought a matching T-shirt. Then, we went to a Japanese grocery store Uwajimaya, and I bought green tea bags for my host family there. Japanese magazines and comics were sold there too. I had a great day, but I became carsick, so when I came back home, I went to bed soon. When I felt better, I came back to the living room, and everyone worried about me. I was sorry that I caused them trouble.

Feb. 24th（Fri）

In the morning, we made sweets called Triple-Layer Cracker Toffee Bars. Mr. Nonaka's host mother Terry taught us how to make the dessert. Then, we started to make a memory journal for our host family.

In the afternoon, we went to a bowling alley. I ate a sandwich, French fries and onion fries for lunch here. Onion fries were big and delicious. Akina S. was a very funny bowler. After we finished bowling for two games, we specially saw the mechanism of the bowling lane at the back. I was surprised that a bowling pin was bigger than I had imaged.

After I came back home, I made ice cream with Alissa and Genie. After dinner, we played a game called Rummikub. It was hard for me to think, but it was interesting.

Feb. 27th（Mon）

In the morning, we each made a photo frame for our host family. I was surprised that Laura had a lot of stickers and ornament scissors.

I made niku-jaga and chirashizushi for my host family that evening. I was happy because everyone said to me, "It is good."

In the evening, we had dinner early, and Alissa took me to a big shopping mall. I was happy to buy some goods.

Feb. 28th（Tue）

We continued making the memory journal. It took us a lot of time to make it.

In the evening, Peg and Dick came to our house, and we ate dinner together. It was the last day for me to see them, so they hugged me. They were very kind to me, so I felt sad to leave them.

Mar.1st（Wed）

We continued making the journal. We didn't have enough time to practice our presentation for our Sayonara Party in class because we spent too many hours to make the journal. We practiced our presentation during lunch break. In the afternoon, we went for our last shopping in America, and I enjoyed it very much. We went to a burger restaurant Red Robin for dinner, and I ate a chicken burger and French fries. Then, we came back to the study center, and we put on a yukata in a hurry.

At the Sayonara Party, I was happy because we didn't make any big mistakes at our presentation. After we finished it, we gave our host family gifts, and we ate a big cake. We also gave Laura some gifts. I was very sad because I had to leave America the next day.

After we came back home, my host family gave me and my Japanese family some gifts, Alissa made me a handmade pouch. I couldn't sleep well because I felt lonely.

Mar.2nd（Thu）

　It was the day to say goodbye. It was unusual that everyone was at home in the morning, and I was glad that everyone was home that day. I said goodbye to my host family except Alissa. After we arrived at the study center, we talked about many things. Alissa remembered Kanji I had taught before. After a while, I said goodbye to Alissa. Alissa hugged me, and she told me many words. I felt really sad. At the airport, we finally said goodbye to Laura. After that, Laura looked back, and she waved goodbye to us many times.

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