Weekdays

Fri., Feb 21st

  This morning, I ate oatmeal with John. He played Beatles songs on his guitar for me, which was a nice start to the day. Around 8:30 a.m., Shirlee drove me to the study center. At the study center, Laura taught us about staying safe in America and how to count American coins. American coins are a bit tricky because they're similar in size and color, unlike Japanese coins. 

 Later, from 6 p.m., to 8 p.m., a welcome party was held. It was great meeting everyone's host families. Each family brought a homemade dish, and we all shared a meal together. Shirlee made delicious spaghetti. All the food was really good. We played some mini games, and the prize was Oreos. I talked to many people at the party, which was fun.

At the Study Center	Welcome Party

Mon., Feb 24th

 We went to Tacoma Mall and tried Krispy Kreme doughnuts. They were much sweeter than I expected. Unlike Japanese doughnuts, they were sweet but looked cute.

 Afeter that, we went to the shopping mall. We shopped at accessory stores and clothing shops. Yui's host sister joined us and showed us around, explaining the different stores, which was fun. We looked at one store, but the prices were too high, so we just browsed. For lunch, we bought Chinese food and the four of us shared the meal.

Sweet and Colorful Doughnuts	Stretchy Cheese

Tues., Feb 25th

 This morning, we worked with Laura to come up with questions for our visit to the Fire Station. In the afternoon, we went  there and asked the questions we had prepared. The firefighters answered all our questions very kindly.

 Outside, they showed us the inside of an ambulance and a fire truck. They had many different tools for their job, and they explained how each one was used. One firefighter let me try on a fire suit, and it was incredibly heavy. I thought it would be difficult to wear a firefighter's uniform and work if I wasn't in good physical condition. We experienced firefighting training while wearing heavy clothing, and we were able to knock down one fire cone.

Fire Hose Experience	With the Fire Department Staff

Wed., Feb 26th 

  We went to the Federal Way Police Station, Courthouse, and City Hall. At each place, we asked questions we had prepared. Sometimes people spoke fast, so I couldn't catch everything, but I understood more than when I first arrived in America.

 At the police station, I went inside a jail cell. I also saw some police dogs that looked strong and smart. At the courthouse, We wore a judge's robe, and at City Hall, we met the mayor, who told us many things. It was a valuable experience.

Caught?!

Pretend to be a Judge	Ask the Mayor

Thurs., Feb 27th

 It was a day for sightseeing. Alissa drove us to many different places. First, we visited a glass art shop. They had many unique glass crafts. After that, we went to Leavenworth, a German-themed village. From the village, we could see the huge Cascade Mountains. For lunch, we ate at McDonald's, which wasn't very different from Japan. However, the McDonald's building had a cool German design.

 Next, we walked around the German village and went to a Christmas ornament shop. The shop had so many ornaments that it was hard to choose what to buy. We checked out as many stores as time allowed and bought some souvenirs. Finally, the four of us enjoyed boba tea together.

Vivid Artworks	Cascade Mountains

Christmas ornament

Fri., Feb 28th 

 We experienced American holidays, such as Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, For lunch, we had Thanksgiving food. The chicken and mashed potatoes were delicious. My host father came to join us.

 In the afternoon, we all dressed up in costumes for Halloween. I was Dracula, and Laura gave us a lot of American candy. For Easter, we searched for hidden candy around the room. I was happy when I found the very last one.

 We also made egg noodles with Laura. It was hard to make the dough, but it was still fun.

Thanksgiving Meal	Halloween Costumes

Mon., Mar 3rd

  This morning, we visited Green River College. It has students from many countries. The college had a large store inside, and we saw many goods with the college's alligator symbol. A student from Hong Kong showed us around the campus.

 In the afternoon, we returned to the study center to practice songs for our visit to a local senior home. At the senior home, we talked with the elderly people. I was surprised when I mentioned table tennis, and one elderly man said he played it when he was a student. We also gave a short presentation in Japanese and sang some Japanese songs.

At Green River College	Talking at Senior Home

Tues., Mar 4th 

 We went sightseeing in Seattle. We visited the University of Washington and saw its library and campus store. The university was huge and very impressive. On the way to Seattle, we stopped to take pictures with a creepy troll statue. After that, we bought souvenirs at the gift shop at the Space Needle. It was great to see Seattle's famous landmark.

 Next, we went to Pike Place Market, a big market essential for Seattle sightseeing. Many shops sold cookies, honey, and chocolates. I bought some Chukar Cherries (chocolates with cherries inside) as souvenirs. At a fish shop, we tried some delicious salmon. We all bought Seattle T-shirts at a clothing store, visited the famous Gum Wall, and saw the very first Starbucks store. We saw so many famous Seattle spots in one day.

 On our way back, we went shopping at Uwajimaya. This store sells many Japanese products, and it also has souvenirs unique to Seattle.

At the University of Washington	Mini Space Needle	Seattle Design Socks

Wed., Mar 5th 

 It was a craft day. We started making a photo frame and a journal for our host families. The journal is like a diary in which we write down our memories with our host families. Decorating it with colored pens, stickers, and paper was fun. Since we have to write it in English, it is a good idea to plan what to write in advance. It was only the first day of crafts, so I couldn't finish everything. This work took more time than I expected.

 After coming home, I cooked Japanese food for dinner. I made onigiri (rice balls) and Japanese rolled omelet. My host family said it was delicious and asked me to make it again, so I cooked it for them another day. I don't think I made it perfectly, but I was happy they liked it.

Decorating	Rice Ball and Japanese Omelet

Thurs., Mar 6th

 It was a day for our elementary school visit. We gave the number presentation we had prepared. The children really enjoyed it. I was nervous at first, but after visiting many classes, I got used to it. The children were so happy when I wrote their names in katakana .

 We had lunch with the children in the lunchroom. In the afternoon, we gave presentations in a few more classes. Visiting so many classes made me tired, but I was happy we successfully completed all our presentations.

Cheerful Children	With Everyone in Class

Fri., Mar 7th

 This morning, we continued with our previous craft day work. We kept working on the journal for our host families. I had so much I wanted to write, so that I couldn't finish it that day. Laura's niece, Katrina, came to the study center and helped us with the crafts.

 In the afternoon, we went bowling. Thanks to Laura's coaching, I got a strike! Laura is really good at bowling, so it was really helpful to learn tips from her. Getting  just one strike made me very happy.

Fun Bowling !	I'm so beautiful !

Mon., Mar 10th

 It was finally the day of the Sayonara party. In the morning, we continued working on the gifts for our host families. It took some time, but I managed to finish the photo frame, journal, and badges. For lunch, we brought ingredients and made nikujaga (a Japanese meat and potato dish). It was really delicious and a big success.

 In the afternoon, we prepared for the party, and practiced our presentation for the host families and everyone who helped us. As the final presentation got closer, we changed into a yukata . I was worried if I was wearing it correctly, but I managed. The final presentation made me nervous, but it went well. After that, I gave my host family the photo frame, journal, and badges I had worked so hard on. We also gave Laura a surprise letter and the gift we had prepared. Finally, we ate really delicious cheesecake and chocolate cake that Yui's mother Alissa made. I had a wonderful time with my host family.

Presents for Host Family	Thank you, Laura