Feb ９ (Sat)

I met many people!

It was heavily snowing that day. Sheila showed me an interesting post on the Internet, which said snow Armageddon came to Seattle. After a while, I went to sleep again and again because I was tired.

After I woke up, Sheila took me to our next door neighbor. I talked a lot with a girl next door. We talked about what foods we liked and she told me about Mr. Nonaka, who stayed with the family in the past.

We enjoyed having dinner with Mrs. Lois, who is in the neighborhood. She showed me some photos of her cats.

After dinner, Sheila told me about her jobs that she used to do. I learned that she used to work as a teacher guide.

Then I watched the movie “Jurassic Park” with Sheila. I was afraid that I would make a noise if I took a shower late at night, so I asked Sheila to stop the movie in the middle to take a shower.

Snow! Snow!

Snow on the Car too!

Feb 10 (Sun)

I drew a picture and talked about music with Mike!

Mike was cleaning away dishes which we used when I woke up, so I helped him with it. Then I watched the musical movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” with Sheila. I loved the scene of dancing so much. That was Sheila's favorite scene too.

I painted a picture with Mike during the daytime. I decided to paint a picture of pink snow which was portrayed in the children's book “The Cat in the Hat.” Mike drew the picture too. After that, Mike gave me the picture of pink snow! I was so surprised that I thought that he was joking at first time.

Mike taught me about some songs he liked such as those by Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Queen and ABBA. I had known some of those songs, so I told him that. He seemed happy to hear that!

I helped Sheila prepare dinner. We fried Polish sausages with green peppers and onions. We then served them with rice like curry. Every food I had during my stay was so delicious, but this one was the best of all, so I had the dish refilled many times.

The Picture Mike Gave Me!

Feb 16 (Sat)

I took part in a lunch meeting of all-female!

Sheila took me to a lunch meeting of a volunteer group. There was a lot of people of female only. I saw Shion, her host mother Mary and her host sister Denise too. We enjoyed talking with three women in front of us and Denise showed us some pictures of Japanese culture. Shion and I ordered a pizza with the help of Denise. It was hard for us to order because they didn't have any pictures on the menu.

After that, Denise took us to a mall. We found a Chinese-style dumpling shop and a guy working there gave us a peace sign through the glass. It was so fun!

After I came home, I watched a Japanese anime in English with David. We had made a daily routine of watching one after dinner every day. Then, David shared me a candy-box. My candies contained some poor taste ones too, but his candies contained just good taste ones. I felt relieved to hear that.

Then, I asked Sheila and David to help me with my homework, asking the best American holidays. They told me that they liked Christmas the best. Moreover, they held a small Christmas for me. They let me have sausage balls and big crackers for Christmas. The crackers had a tiny toy and a crown inside.

Topping of Chicken and Mozzarella

Peace Sign!!

Feb 17 (Sun)

Okonomiyaki Day!

I had a free time, so Sheila let me watch the movie “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” I had watched the first story before in Japan. I had never thought I would watch it in America, so I was so happy. I understood all of the story.

I was planning to make dinner that day, so I started preparing for it at three. The meat I bought in America wasn't sliced yet. I tried to slice it, but I couldn't. David helped me slice the meat. Thank you so much! I made six pieces of okonomiyaki. Sheila loved it very much as she had said in her e-mail. Mike and Grandpa liked it too, I thought. David didn't seem to like green laver on top of okonomiyaki. The Japanese mayonnaise was received well in the family.

Not Bad

Feb 23 (Sat)

I went to Animal Park with Shion and her family!

Shion and her family Glenn and Denise took me to North West Trek Wildlife Park together. It was drizzling that day, so I felt cold very much in spite of wearing a knit hat and a scarf. We saw various wild animals such as otters, skunks, raccoons, wolves, foxes and hawks. We also took part in a tour by bus. We saw American bisons, sheep and deer up close. "If the animals are likely to attack you, you pull the tie which is put up beside the window," the guide said. I felt a little scared to hear that.

We went to a Sonic, which is a favorite burger shop of Glenn and Denise's. We parked our car at the parking lot and ordered some food there. Then we ate the food staying in the car. The burger was tasty!

After I came home, I talked a lot about the day while playing chess with Sheila. I played it for the first time, but she wasn't easy on me. I couldn't win any game ever.

Wild Sheep!

Recommended Drive-in Burger

Chess for the First Time

Feb 24 (Sun)

My long-cherished desire was fulfilled!

I drew a picture for Alissa in the morning. After a while, Sheila asked me where I wanted to go. I had never been to Costco, so I asked her to take me there.

The Costco was huge, so I got excited! I tried to ride a swing with David and tried some food samples. I had a good time! The place where they were selling a lot of vegetables was so cold for me. I bought a pack of American cookies. We ate a really big pizza at the food court for lunch there. It was too much for us and we couldn't finish it.

In the evening, I started painting a portrait for the Criscione family.

High Ceiling!

A Really Big Pizza