Weekdays

Feb. 12th （Mon）

We gathered at the study center in the morning and practiced some pronunciation of our names. After that, we went to a shopping mall nearby. We didn't know what to buy, so we didn't buy anything.

My host family's house was very far from the study center, so I went to Mai's host family's house after class, spending the time before our welcome party. Their house was very nice and they always listened to music. They had a big dog, too.

At the welcome party, each host family brought some home cooked meals and we ate them. It was like a BYO party. The meal was very delicious, so I ate a lot. Peyton ate desserts a lot, too. It was funny.

Feb. 13th （Tue）

We went to a doughnut shop and we shared many kinds of doughnuts. They were sweeter than Japanese doughnuts. After that, we went to a shopping mall. I bought a pair of sneakers. I didn't konw my shoe size, but it was just the right size. It was cheap too, so I was happy. We shared some food for lunch at the food court. We had a fun time.

After coming home, I played with the children at the day care. I love children, so I was glad to play with them. Sometimes, I couldn't understand what they said, but I tried my best.

We made hamburgers for dinner. I cut tomatoes and cheese. The hamburgers were delicious. After dinner, we often watched movies or quiz shows.

Feb. 14th （Wed）

It was St.Valentine's day, so Debbie gave me many chocolates and a doll. I was surprised and happy.

We visited the fire department. We asked firefighters many questions and they showed us many things in return. We also wore firefighter's jackets and experienced some water-shooting.

I went to a restaurant for dinner. Austin and I ate chicken pasta. I learned that in America, pasta doesn't mean spaghetti, but is more like macaroni. The taste was very good, though.

Feb. 15th （Thu）

We went to Leavenworth. It took over two and half hours to go there by car. There were a lot of very nice buildings and shops in town. For example, restaurants, a chocorate shop, an ice-cream shop, souvenir shops and so on. We were excited, but we didn't really know what to buy, so it was mostly window-shopping.

I ate ice-cream with Mai, Rina and Denise. Denise is Mai's host sister. It was cold that day, but ice-cream was still very delicious. We had a nice day.

Feb. 16th （Fri）

We visited the police station. A female staff answered many questions from us and showed us around. When we learned that she was only 18 years old, we were very surprised. She was tall and beautiful. We also visited the law court, and wore a judge's robe and took some pictures.

We then came back to the study center and had lunch. After that, we talked about Japanese holidays and events.

When we had dinner, I asked Bill and Debbie some questions such as “How did you decide to name your dogs?” and “Have you ever had a fight with each other?” Debbie answered, “We don't fight, but in the past, our daughters often fought with each other. It was terrible.”

Bill and Debbie showed me some pictures of sushi at dinner. I was glad to talk a lot with them. I spent a fun time.

Feb. 19th （Mon）

Lina's host sister, Morgan and brother, Logan came to the study center and joined our class all day. They were very fine and cute. We also wore Halloween costumes, played some games and learned about American holiday activities from Laura.

We ate American food for lunch. Each host family brought some holiday meals. My host mother, Debbie brought us a roasted whole turkey. We saw it for the first time, so we were surprised. The meals were very delicious and I ate a lot.

Feb. 20th （Tue）

We visited Green River College and a retirement home. The college in America was a lot larger than our college in Japan. The retirement home was large too, and it had many facilities. All the rooms were luxurious, so we were surprised. We also sang “Furusato Hometown” and “Flog Song” in front of the senior residents. They were pleased, so we were relieved.

Every night, we watched TV, but I took a nap that evening. Debbie said, “Are you tired?” I thought “Oh my gosh...” I felt sorry.

Feb. 21st （Wed）

We visited an elementary school and taught children how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese. We had a presentation many times, so we got tired. Yet the children were very active and cute, so it was fun.

We had lunch with some children. Everyone talked at once, so I had to listen carefully. After that Rica and I played tag with some children. I felt nostalgic. I ran seriously.

After presentation, we went to Rina's house nearby. It was big and nice, so I was surprised.

In the evening, I went to a restaurant with Debbie and Bill. I ate salad, steak and apple pie, and I got very full. It was delicious. We then went to Debbie's second daughter Erika's house. I played with Erika's daughter, Kholoe. She was so cute.

Feb. 22nd （Thu）

　Unfortunately, we had snow that day, so we didn't have class. I had known on the previous night that we would have no class, so I got up late. Day care children were coming, so I played with them.

Debbie asked, “Do you want to make banana bread?” and we made some. Debbie said,”Today was no class, but it was lucky because we made banana bread!”

In the afternoon, I made a ball of origami alone. It took a lot of time, but it was fun.

Feb. 23rd （Fri）

We enjoyed craft-making in the morning. We made memory photo frames and memory journals for our host families. After that, we went bowling. My score was low, so I was sorry, but it was still fun. Mai's host mother, Mary and Kurumi's host father, Jason came and bowled with us. They and Laura bowled very well.

I ate hamburg and salad for dinner. I was very hungry, so I ate a lot. The meal was very delicious.

Feb. 26th （Mon）

We went sightseeing to many places. We went to the University of Washington, in the morning and we went to Kerry Park, Pike Place Market, Gum Wall, Safeco Field and so on. Before going to America, we had learned about those places, so I was glad to go there. We also bought a Seattle T-shirt in Pike Place Market.

When we went t to Uwajimaya, I bought the ingredients of Niku-jaga with Mami. Uwajimaya is a supermarket where we can buy Japanere food. We followed Laura and bought what we wanted.

After coming home, we went to Erika's house. I played with Khloe. It was my third visit and was the visit to see her, so l was very sad.

Feb. 27th （Tue）

We made a photo frame and a memory journal. I was also the final day for me to stay at the Machens. Debbie couldn't drive me to the study center on the morning of our departure, so I was moving to Laura's house. I had to pack my suitcase that day. When I came home from the study center. I felt “I will come back to Japan soon ...”, and I was sad. I didn't want to cry, but I cried.

I came home and I made Niku-jaga. Bill and Debbie were not home, so Nicole said, “If you have a question, you ask me. ” Nicole is Debbie's third daughter and she is kind. Debbie and Bill came back home and Debbie got interested in Niku-jaga. They were also worried about me and Debbie said, “ Can I help you?” I was anxious too, but I finally made it. Everyone said, “Delicious!” so I was happy. Debbie wrote down the recipe.

After that, we went to an ice-cream shop. We talked about sibling squabble. Austin taught me about Peyton. It was a very funny story and I broke out laughing. I had a fun time.

Feb. 28th （Wed）

We made a journal during the day and had our sayonara party in the evening. I'm not good at making things, so I had a hard time to finish my journal, but I wanted Debbie and Bill to be pleased with it, so I tried my best.

When I gave the photo frame and the journal to Bill and Debbie they seemed happy, so I was happy, too. They gave me a scarf, a necklace and a letter in return. I was very surprised and happy. Debbie said, “You can come back to American house at any time.” I thought “I want to come to America again.” Finally, Debbie and Bill hugged me. I cried and I couldn't say the words of gratitude. I regretted that.

I stayed at Laura's house with Mami, whose host father was in a hospital. We packed our suitcases. Ahter that, we wanted to stay up late and talk, but Laura said, ”Go to bed,”so we couldn't do it.

Mar. 1st （Thu）

I had breakfast with Mami and Laura. After that, we went to the study center. I couldn't meet my host family, so I was sad, but the van driver Kim spoke to me instead. He was very kind.

We arrived at the airport and when I reached our boarding gate, I cried again because I was very sad. I thought I didn't want to go back to Japan.

After getting on the airplane, I talked a lot with Rika.

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