Weekdays with Alissa

February 11

We were planning to take Alissa's class for the first time that day, but it snowed so much that the plan was canceled. For breakfast, I made apple muffin with Rachel, and Sloan made us green smoothie, which was tasty. Rachel taught me some English, and her teaching was great. Her explanation was easy to understand.

For lunch, we went to a restaurant called Red Robin with Chad, Rachel and Tanner. I ate a hamburger. It was the first time for me to eat out, and I was surprised when I saw a big drinking glass.

After that, we went to Sloan's mother's house. I saw a big big man, who was Sloan's brother. He looked wild, but he was actually very kind and cheerful. Tanner dived into the lake in spite of the snow day. He is crazy.

We then went bowling, but I couldn't get good scores. For dinner, I made curry and rice with Chad. My host family said it was delicious, so I was happy. After dinner, I talked with Rachel's friend, who loves a Japanese cartoon character called Gudetama. He showed me his room and Guddetama goods. We enjoyed talking together.

I packed my suitcase for moving to the Herndon Family's house before going to bed.

February 12

We had no class again because we still had a lot of snow. Shiori came to my host family's house and we made chocolate cookies with Rachel. They were the sweetest cookies I had ever eaten, but I still liked them. I was happy to meet Shiori. For lunch, we ate Mexican food quesadilla and fruits. After that, we went to a shopping mall. Rachel guided Shiori and me around the mall. I said goodbye to the Guisingers because I was moving to the Herndon Family's house from that day to February 21

After that, I went to Pegasus Pizza and SUBZERO with Shiori and her host parents. We shared salad and two big big big pizzas at Pegasus Pizza for dinner. It was delicious. Shiori and I ate ice cream at SUBZERO. I ate berry flavor and it was so good, but I couldn't finish it because it was hard to eat. It was like a rock or an iceberg.

When I arrived at the Herndon Family's house, Howard and Debbie welcomed me. I was surprised and happy when I saw the present for me on a desk. I was excited to stay with the Herndons and started a new life.

February 13

Shiori and her host mother Jane came to pick we up and we went to the study center. We went to a lot of sightseeing spots that day. First, we went to University of Washington. I was overwhelmed by its extensive library. Second, we went to a chocolate shop, and we enjoyed sampling various kinds of chocolates. I bought some for Howard as Valentine's present and my souvenir. Third, we went to Space Needle. However, it was cloudy the day, so we couldn't see the superb view. Fourth, we went to the first Starbucks store, and we also went to Pike Place Market. Many souvenir shops were there, and I bought some scented soap for Debbie as Valentine's present there. Pike Place Market was so interesting. We had a great time.

Debbie made me casserole that evening. It was delicious and became my favorite American dish.

February 14

It was Valentine's Day, but I didn't feel well when I got up in the morning. I was absent from class. Debbie brought me some water and orange guice. She nursed me very kindly, and I slept all day. In the evening, I was very moved when I went to the living room and saw Valentine's Day presents for me from Howard. I was surprised and moved so much that I didn't know what to say. I gave Valentine's Day presents I had bought in return.

I had no appetite, so Debbie brought me some hot chicken soup and crackers. When I took a shower, she let me use her bath salt. I was so sorry that I troubled my host family.

February 15

We learned about special American holidays in class. We enjoyed holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Halloween. We wore a Halloween costume. We ate turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potato, pie and so on for lunch. It was my first time to eat a big turkey. The dishes were delicious, especially the turkey.

After class, Debbie drove me to her favorite scenic spot.

In the evening, we had the welcome party, and made our host family's flag. We ate a lot of delicious dishes, and I was happy to talk with other host families.

February 18

We went to a doughnuts shop called Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in the morning. We shared various kinds of doughnuts, but they were too sweet for me.

Then, we went to Tacoma Mall for shopping. After the shopping, we went to a frozen yoghourt shop called Menchie's. They had strange flavors I had never seen. It was interesting.

For dinner, I made niku-jyaga for my host family. They said it was delicious, so I was very happy. It was the first time for them to eat Itokonyaku, but However, they looked pleased with it. They said, “It's like noodle.” I thought so too, and it was healthy noodle.

February 19

We visited the city hall of Federal Way in the morning. Our tour guide, Tim, was volunteer staff. He showed us around, and we had a chance to get in a police car. After that, we visited the Federal Way Municipal Court, and we met Judge Larson. We learned about his work. It was a wonderful experience.

After class, Debbie and I went to her grandchildren's house to babysit them. I wore a mask because I had a cold, and Jimmie and Ava watched me with mystified eyes. Jimmie said, “I want it,” so I gave him a new mask. He kept wearing it until he went to sleep. Ava and Jimmie gave me a drawing, some cards and popcorn. I was so happy with them. They became my treasures.

February 20

We were planning to go to Leavenworth that day, but it was canceled because of the heavy snow on the way there. I was shocked because that was the area I wanted to go the most. We changed the plan, and went to Snoqualmie falls and an old train station first. It was cloudy, so we couldn't see the scenic beauty. After that, we went to Northbend Outlet Shopping Mall to buy souvenirs. We popped in a chocolate shop and bought souvenirs there. Then we went to a huge shopping mall called Bellevue Square. I spent a lot of money there. Finally, we went to Alkai Beach to take pictures. I felt the day was so much fun.

I was going back to the Guisinger's house from the next day to the last day of my stay, so I made origami cranes for the Herndons and hoped them good health and a happy life.

February 21

I came up with tears when I ate breacfast with Debbie in the morning because I thought it was our last time to share. Debbie hugged me, and I had a good morning time after that. When I arrived at the study center, I gave the origam cranes to Debbie.

We practiced our speech and Japanese folk songs for our visit to a senior home. Then, we visited Green River College. The campus was a lot bigger than our college campus.

In the afternoon, we visited a home for elderly people. The place looked like a high grade htel. We enjoyed talking with some senior people.

We came back to the study center, and I saw Chad and Sloan after a long time. I was happy to meet them again. For dinner, I ate pizza and salad.

February 22

I got an e-mail while I was having breakfast. The e-mail was sent from Howard and it was happy news. His granddaughter was born at 10:51 pm the previous day. I was surprised and moved when I read the mail. I had a good memory.

We started to make the photo frames and memory jounals to give to our host families. In the afternoon, we went bowling and had lunch at the restaurant in the bowling alley. We ate nachos and spicy chicken, which were delicious. We tried drinking root beer, but the taste was awful. I thought it tasted like medicine.

We specially saw the backstage of the bowling lanes. I learned that a bowling pin was bigger than I thought.

After I came back home, we watched the movie “Spirit.” We enjoyed watching the movie.

February 25

We made the photo frames and memory journals for our host families all day.

February 26

I went to the study center with Rachel, but I couldn't talk with Rachel a lot. It was because we had to finish making the memory journals, so I was sorry.

For lunch, we went to a seafood restaurant called Ivar's. My desire to go there was fulfilled. I ordered a bowl size of clam chowder, but I couldn't finish it all. I still had a happy lunch time.

After we came back to the study center, we practiced our presentation for our Sayonara party. We wore yukata and made a presentation at the party. We had a very good time.

Afer the Sayanara party, I went to a supermarket to buy souvenirs for my family in Japan. I bought some snacks of my favorite and other interesting snacks recommended by Rachel and Tanner.

After we got home, my host family gave me a tortilla, picture postcards, a calendar, the book of Mormon, and an aroma wax warmer for my family as well. I was so happy about their feelings. However, I was very sad because I had to leave America the next day.

February 27

It was the day to say good-bye. Three weeks passed very quick. I didn't want to leave America. I just wanted to stay longer with my host families.

Alissa hugged and said to me, “You are wonderful.” I was glad to hear those words.

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