Weekdays
Thr, Feb 15
We arrived at
the airport and met Alissa at the exit for the first time. She gave us
bracelets with our names written on each of
them.
Rin felt sick, so we went to the drugstore
first. I was surprised to see so many Valentine's message cards there. After that,
we went to the chocolate factory called Boehms, and we also saw
the waterfall, Snopualmie. The waterfall was big and dynamic. However, it was
a really windy day, so it was very cold
around there.
Then, we went shopping at
a large outlet mall and went to the study center. Cindy and Jan
came to pick me up with a welcome board. After I arrived at their house, they
invited me to my room. Cindy gave me some chocolates,
too.
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Nice to meet you! |
Fri, Feb 16
I got up at
7:30, and we ate breakfast together. Jan drove me to the study center so I could
arrive at 9 o'clock. In the class, we walked around some shops near the
study center. Once we went back to our homes, we gathered again
at the study center in rhe evening for a welcome party. The
party was really fun. I made a family flag with Jan and Cindy. We enjoyed
dinner as well. That was a good time.
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Welcome Party |
Mon, Feb
19
We visited a senior center.
We sang a Japanese children's song, "Ame-furi," and explained the meaning of the lyrics
for the seniors. We enjoyed talking and playing a puzzle with them. After we came back
to the study center, Alissa taught us about Presidents' Day. After that, we
made cherry pies. It was my first time making pie pastry, but it
was really fun. We ate the pie and gave some to Cindy and Jan, too.
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We talked a lot. |
Cherry Pie for the First Time |
Tue, Feb
20
We spent the whole
day sightseeing in Leavenworth. On the way, there was a lot of snow in the mountains,
so we played a snowball fight. When we arrived at Leavenworth, the weather was very nice
. The shops looked all exotic, and I felt like I was in another country. At the
restaurant, we ate WRAP and cinabbon rolls for the first time. They were
really delicious! After that, we enjoyed shopping very much. There were many
kinds of shops, and I liked the Christmas shop the best because it had
many toys from my favorite movie, "Nightmare Before Christmas." We also saw
beautiful mountains in the area.
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Nice View! |
I spent a lot of money. |
Wed, Feb 21
We experienced American
Holidays.
First, we exchanged St. Valentine's Day
message cards. Then we wore Haloween costumes and went to another senior center
Trick-or-Treating. We knocked on the doors and said, "Trick or Treat!" I did it for
the first time in my life, so it was really fun. They gave us
many candies! On the way to the study center, we listened and
sang Christmas songs. At lunch time, we ate Thanksgiving dishes. Cindy cooked turkey and other dishes.
We set the table and reheated the dishes in an oven. I ate
them for the first time, and they were really good. I would like to
eat them again someday. After that, we had an Easter event, egg hunting, in
the room. It was very fun, and it was like I was a child again.
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"Trick or Treat!" |
Thanksgiving
|
Thu, Feb
22
We went to Twin Lakes Elementary
School, and we taught children how to count from one to
ten.
We had prepared for this for a long
time, so I was filled with a feeling of accomplishment. We taught for
13 classes, and we also sang the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song in
Japanese. Children asked us various questions. We had a hard
time answering all of them. We also wrote the children's names in katakana
and played with them during the lunch break. The children in one class gave us
presents and letters. I felt very happy.
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Had a fun time! |
Fri, Feb
23
We visited Green River College.
It was very different from our college, so I was surprised. The library and the
bookstore were much larger than those at our school. During the tour, I met my
Japanese friend Ayano for the first time in
5 months. Ayano came along with us until the end of the visit.
After that, we went to H-Mart. There were a lot of Asian items, such as
miso, Japanese tea, and snacks, so I felt like I was coming back to Japan. In
the evening, Rin and her host
family invited all of us
to the bar, Acorn Brewing, and we had a karaoke party. I was a little
embarrassed to sing in front of people, but it was a lot of fun. Jan bought me tacos, and they
were very delicious.
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Long time, no see! |
Shopping at H-Mart
|
Mon, Feb 26
We went shopping at a huge shopping mall.
After we ate doughnuts at Krispy Kream, we enjoyed shopping. I was getting
used to shopping in America, so it was easier than when I first started.
I bought a lot of items, such as clothes, earrings, and souvenirs for my family
and friends. After lunch, Alissa
bought us ice cream. We added our favorite toppings and
ate it. It was my first time seeing ice cream sold by weight, so I was very
excited. I cooked dinner that day. I'm not good at cooking, so I was really nervous
to prepare a dish. I wasn't confident, but I'm glad that both Cindy and Jan
were happy
with
it.
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Cooking Beginner |
I tried my best. |
Tue, Feb 27
We visited the Federal Way City Hall, Police Station, and Courthouse.
They showed us around the building, and told us a lot of stories about
their work. Their stories are a little complicated, and they talked fast,
so I listened to them frantically. After that, we ate
ice cream again. The ice cream was made by freezing it with liquid nitrogen.
I thought it was really interesting. In the evening, we went to Bellevue Mall together. I
didn't do much shopping this time, but we still had a
great
time.
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With
Mayor |
Colorful Ice Cream |
Chocolates! |
Wed, Feb
28
We went to
the fire station. First, they showed us around the facility and inside
the fire engine. We also got on the driver's seat of the fire engine. We put on a
firefighter's protective suit, but it was very heavy. They taught us how
they work as firefighters, and I learned how tough
their work is. In the evening, Cindy
and Jan took
me to Wally's Chowder House. I was happy
that they remembered that I like seafood very much. The dishes were amazing.
I really liked them. If I had a chance to visit Seattle again, I'd like to
go to this restaurant again.
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Protective Suit |
Cod Fillet and Clam Chowder |
Illumination |
Thu, Feb 29
We traveled around Seattle all
day.
First, we went to see the University of
Washington . I was surprised at how large the library was, and it was like an
old castle. I was jealous that there was even a bowling alley
on campus.
Then we went to see the Fremont Troll.
It was a huge statue under the bridge. After that, we bought some souvenirs at
the Space
Needle
store.
We
rode the monorail and had lunch at the hamburger restaurant, Johny Rockets. There
is no tipping system in Japan, so I was shocked to see how high my bill
was. We finally arrived at Pike Place Market. The street was
really long, and it was crowded with many people. There were a lot of shops
around the street, so it was fun, even just watching. We bought matching
T-shirts at a gift shop.
Fri, Mar 1
Laura, who used to be a
teacher guide before. came to see
us. She taught us how to throw a bowling ball well. She said that after we throw the ball, we
must think, "I'm so beautiful!" She was a really powerful woman. At lunch time, we
ate a hamburger at the restaurant, Red Robin, which the Mayor
recommended. We shared the hamburgers together. In my opinion, I prefer Red
Robin to Johny Rockets because the onion ring was very delicious. In the
afternoon, we went bowling. I played it for the first time in 10 years, and
I also played it with my friend for the first
time in my life. I really enjoyed it.
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Lunch at Red Robin |
I'm so beautiful! |
Mon. Mar 4
In the morning, we practiced
the presentation that we were going to do later. In the evening, we
changed into a yukata and prepared the hall for the Sayonara Party.
Alissa made a chocolate cake and a cheese
tart for us. She also made lemon sauce. I was glad that she remembered that
I like lemons. We practiced a lot, so I was able to enjoy the
presentation. After we gave Alissa presents, she also gave us
presents. Each present suited our tastes and was very nice. I got three pairs of socks
from my favorite movie, and I was very happy with them. Then I gave Cindy and Jan a special photo frame and
thank-you journal.
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I made them! |
Sayonara Party |
Cake by Alissa |
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