Weekdays with Laura

Feb. 12 （Mon）

We had a class for the first time in the morning. We did self-introduction, and had a bringing lunch. In the afternoon, we explored some places such as a supermarket and a variety goods store surrounding the study center. Especially, the chocolate store called See's Candies was very cute because of the Valentine season.

After I came home, Lin and I cooked a dish for the welcome party. I enjoyed the party to talk with everyone's host family. At night, I ate American sweets with Morgan and Logan. The candy that we ate made our tongue blue, so we got excited eating it.

Feb. 13 （Tue）

Early in the morning, I walked to Logan's school with Lin and Logan. Then I met the school principal, and shook hands with her.

When everyone arrived at the study center, we went out immediately. First, we went to a doughnut shop. After we saw the process how doughnuts were being made, we ate six kinds of doughnuts. American doughnuts were so sweet, but very delicious. Next, we went to Tacoma Mall. We looked around many stores. At lunch, we shared and ate various dishes at the food court. Later, we went to another mall, and bought greeting cards of Seattle.

For dinner, I went to a Mexican restaurant with my family. I ate a very big taco plate. I couldn't eat all of it, so I took the leftover home.

At night, I took some pictures with Morgan and Logan, and played with Bear. On that day, I was very tired, so I went to bed early.

Feb. 14 （Wed）

I was so surprised because I went to Starbucks with Lin early in the morning.

In the class, we went to the fire station. We experienced various things. For example, we wore a firefighter jacket. The jacket was very heavy. We also shot water at a target.

After I ate dinner at home, I went to church with Lin and Morgan. I got a valuable experience such as listening to the teachings of Christianity, and singing Christian songs.

After we came home, Lin and Morgan showed me their pictures, which were so nice. I enjoyed looking at the pictures.

Feb. 15 （Thur）

We were supposed to get together at the study center at 8 o'clock, so I got up earlier than usual. For breakfast, Lin made me a bagel sand with egg and some vegetables.

When everyone arrived at the study center, we got on a van immediately, and we went to Leavenworth in three hours. We enjoyed watching the lovely townscape and shopping at various stores. We also went back to the study center in three hours. We were so tired that everyone was sleeping in the van.

I came home with Laura, and I ate some French toast and bacon with her. Lin made them for Laura and me. The bacon was so crispy! They were so delicious.

Feb. 16 （Fri）

We went to the police station and the law court. At the court, we had a chance to wear judge's the robe and sat in his chair.

In the afternoon, we went back to the study center, and we talked about Japanese events and holidays.

When I arrived home, I was a little tired, so I took a nap for one hour. For dinner, Morgan and Logan made me chicken nuggets and macaroni cheese. Later, Morgan and I made some banana bread and ate it while watching “Big Hero 6.” The food was so delicious, and I went for second helpings.

Feb. 19 （Mon）

Morgan and Logan had no school, so we went to the study center together.

We experienced a lot of American holidays such as Easter, Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. We ate turkey and pumpkin pie for lunch, which were very delicious. In the afternoon, we made gift cards with a design of cherry blossoms. Lin came and taught us how to make them. I was glad because I finally made nice gift cards.

In the evening, I went out for dinner with my family. The restaurant we went to had a gamearcade with it, so I enjoyed a lot of games with Morgan and Logan. I was glad because Logan gave me a stuffed animal of blue frog that he took with a crane game.

Feb. 20 （Tue）

In the morning, we went to Green River College. I was surprised because there was a big library on campus.

In the afternoon, we went to a senior center. We talked with many senior people, and we sang them some Japanese songs in English while using gestures.

After I came home, I cooked yakisoba for my family. I was so glad because Logan had second helpings. We also went to a sports store, and we ate ice-cream at an ice-cream store.

It was a busy day, so I was very tired.

Feb. 21 （Wed）

We made some presentations for elementary school students. We taught the students how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese. We also taught them how to write their names in Japanese. They were glad, so we were happy. Later, we ate lunch and played with the students, and in the afternoon, we had the presentation again.

For dinner, Lin and I went to a teriyaki store. I chose teriyaki beef, and it was delicious, but I couldn't eat it all, so I took out the leftover.

Feb. 22 （Thur）

We couldn't take a class because there was snow on the ground. I was so sad.

For lunch, Lin, Laura, and I went to a Mexican restaurant. In the restaurant, we could choose our favorite ingredients. After the lunch, we went to a store for accessories and handcraft articles.

For dinner, I went to a converyor-belt sushi restaurant with my family. I was surprised because I found sushi with pink spicy sauce on top. I ate Japanese food after a long time, so I was very glad.

At night, I enjoyed a puzzle with Morgan and Logan.

Feb. 23 （Fri）

In the morning, we ate four kinds of doughnuts in class. Later, we made presents for our host family. We were making them hard.

In the afternoon, we went bowling. First, we ate lunch at the bowling alley, and then we enjoyed bowling. I was so surprised because Laura was very good at bowling.

For dinner, I went to a noodle restaurant with Mike, Lin, and Logan. After we came home, we enjoyed watching “The Boss Baby.”

Feb. 26 （Mon）

We went to sightseeing various places in Seattle.

First, we went to University of Washington. It had a large library which looked like Harry Potter's school, and I was impressed by that. Next, we went to a chocolate store and bought souvenirs. After we ate a hamburger for lunch, we went to Pike Place Market. We enjoyed shopping and watching the beautiful scenery. We also went to Safeco Field, and bought Seattle Mariners' souvenirs.

In the evening, I ate chicken soup and corn bread with my family at home. They were delicious, so I went for second helpings.

Feb. 27 （Tue）

We kept making presents for our host family all day.

In the evening, my family and I went out for dinner with Laura. It was the last day when I ate dinner with my family. We went to a restaurant where we could throw peanut shells away on the floor, and I ate a delicious steak.

After we ate dinner, suddenly, the clerks were coming to our table singing the birthday song and brought a special ice-cream. I didn't know for whom the ice-cream was, so I asked Lin, “For me??” and Lin said to me, “Yes, today is your American Birthday!” I was so surprised and very glad.

Feb. 28 （Wed）

In the morning, we finished making the presents for our host families, and went to a mall. For lunch, we ate four kinds of big pizza.

After eating lunch, we started preparations for our Sayonara Party. We did hair arranging, wore yukata, and practiced our presentation. When our host family arrived, we noticed that Morgan brought her yukata with her, so we dressed her in yukata. Her figure wearing yukata was very cute. Later, we did a presentation about Japanese food. I was very nervous, but we accomplished the presentation. We also gave presents to our host family and Laura, and then ate a cake. The cake had a message, “We can do it!”

After I came home with my family, we sat around a table, and started talking. I was given a beautiful necklace, and they said to me, “We are glad to spend the time with you. Come again.” Then, I couldn't help crying. I thought that it was really nice to spend the time with the Fant family. Afterward, we took pictures. I was full of gratitude. After Morgan and Logan went to bed, Mike hugged me strongly. I was so glad.

After I finished packing my suitcase, Lin told me until 1 o'clock about Mike, her hometown and her life to date. Lin hugged me strongly with saying, “It is very couragerous that you came to America like this.” I was very happy, but I was sad because it was almost time to say good-bye.

Mar. 1（Thur）

It was the day when we were going back to Japan.

In the morning, Morgan and Logan said to me, “I enjoyed spending the time with you. Please stay here one more week.” I was really glad to hear their words, but I was sad because I felt a sense of going back to Japan.

I wanted to eat cereal, but I had no time, so I experienced an American style, that is, eating cereal in a car. Morgan hugged me before we got in Lin's car. After we arrived at the study center, I spent the rest of the time taking pictures and talking with Lin and Logan. When Lin hugged me, my face was all tears. Finally, I hugged Lin and Logan again. Finally, I got in a van. I was really sad, so I couldn't stop crying in there.

After we arrived at Tacoma Airport, we bought Seattle stickers and popcorn, and we went to the boarding gate. Laura came along with us just until we boarded our airplane. Finally, we gave Laura a present, hugged her, and said good-bye to her. I decided not to cry, but I was crying with everyone after all.

Go to the Next Page

Back to the Contents