Weekdays

Thurs., Feb. 19
Laura, our teacher guide, met us at the airport and took us to Denny's for a meal. Since the portions were huge, Miyu and I shared a dish. After that, Laura took us to Boehm's Chocolate Factory, where we bought some souvenirs. We also visited Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington's most popular natural attractions, and the Outlet Collection, a large shopping mall.
　 　

My first taste of American food at Denny's!

　Nice to meet you!
　 　



Fri., Feb. 20

We gathered at the Study Center this morning. Laura taught us how to protect ourselves and the difference between "R" and "L" sounds.  For lunch , I ate the sandwiches I’d made with Abbie the night before. In the afternoon, we went to a discount store called Target. It’s like Musashi or Aeon Mall in Niigata—a store that sells everything. I mainly bought food as souvenirs.

In the evening, we all got together for a welcome party . We ate dishes prepared by each of our host families. After dinner, we played a “Yes/No” question game. It was fun getting to know the other host families, too.

　Assorted Chocolates

　Question Time !




Mon., Feb. 23

In the morning, Laura taught us about American money at the study center. In the afternoon, we first went to a doughnut shop called Krispy Kreme and shared some doughnuts together. We even got to watch them make the donuts. They were very sweet and delicious. Next, we went to a large shopping mall called The Tacoma Mall . Since we had free time, I browsed various shops. I was surprised to find a Kura Sushi there.

Before dinner, Arthur brought me a book, so we read it together. I was happy to finally eat rice again at dinner.

　Sweet Doughnuts

　Tacoma Mall



Tues., Feb. 24

In the morning, we went over the questions we would ask at the fire station . In the afternoon, we went to the fire station. First, we asked the questions we had prepared, but the answers were a bit hard to understand. After that, they let me try on a firefighter’s uniform, put on an air tank, and ride in a fire truck. I also got to try spraying water. I thought the firefighters were amazing. It was a lot of fun.

　It's so heavy!

　Putting out fires with a handsome guy!



Wed., Feb. 25

We visited the police station and Federal Way City Hall . A staff member gave us a tour of the facility. I was able to understand what they were saying better than I did at the fire station. We were shown an actual holding cell and even got to ride in a police car. It was a valuable experience.

When we got back to the study center, Laura gave us some bread.

Before dinner, I showed my host family the souvenirs I’d brought for them. We talked about Japanese characters and food. I was happy to see the kids playing with the souvenir stickers. After dinner, Abbie gave me some strawberry ice cream. It was delicious.

　Photo with Our Guide

Got arrested!


Thurs., Feb. 26

We left the study center early in the morning because it took about three hours to get to Leavenworth, a German-style village. First, we visited a glass studio and looked at the beautiful glass products. For lunch, we ate at McDonald’s, which tasted almost the same as in Japan and was delicious.

In Leavenworth, we looked around many shops. I especially loved the Christmas ornament shop because it was so cute and exciting. I found a sweatshirt I wanted to buy, but it was too expensive, so I decided not to get it. Instead, I bought some accessories and cookies as gifts to thank my host family. Since there were many cute items and many high-end stores, I think it is better to bring extra money . In this town, if you spend over $100, you can receive a free gift. However, Miu and I did not spend over $100, so we couldn’t get one.

　Many Beautiful Glass Pieces

　Spicy and Delicious

　With a Horse



 Fri., Feb. 27

At the study center, we learned about American holidays. For Easter, we experienced an activity where we searched for hidden candies around the room. For Halloween, everyone dressed up in costumes, went trick-or-treating, and received candy. I dressed up as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz” in a costume borrowed from my host family.

For lunch, we ate Thanksgiving dishes made by each host family. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the mashed potatoes. Some of the host families also gathered together, and we enjoyed eating and talking with everyone.

In the afternoon, we had some free time, so Laura took me to Target. I was happy because I had wanted to go there again.

After having lunch with us, Eloise and Chris went to their grandparents’ house in Idaho, a neighboring state. I was surprised to hear that they went there by plane, which made me realize once again how big America was.

When I got home, I played with Arthur and Lydia while Abbie was making dinner. After their bath, I helped them get dressed. I had a headache all day, and at night I felt like I had a fever. My temperature was 37.9℃, so I went to bed early.

　Trick or treat!

　Everything was delicious



Mon., Mar. 2

In the morning, we visited Green River College. It was amazing because the campus was much larger than those of Japanese universities, and there were many college goods available. I was impressed by the grand scale and atmosphere. In the afternoon, we went back to the study center and practiced our presentation.

After returning home, I played with the kids in the backyard. We enjoyed playing on the swings and in the sandbox.

　Clothing Items

　Which book should I choose?




Tues., Mar. 3

We visited an elementary school for one day and gave six presentations in total. I was a little nervous and worried before our first presentation. However, the students were eager to talk with me and listened happily, so I enjoyed giving all of the presentations. After the presentations, we taught the students how to write their names in katakana . The students were friendly and energetic, so it was easy to talk with them. We also ate lunch with the students, and played together during lunch break. I was happy because many students talked to me and held my hand. It was a very fun day, but I was exhausted.

On the way home, I went to H-MART, a supermarket that sells food from Japan, Korea, and other countries. I bought Japanese ingredients there and made onigiri for my host family. I made three kinds: tuna mayonnaise, pickled plum, and salmon seasoning. It took more time than I had expected because it was difficult to make them while explaining how to do it. I asked Eloise to try to make one, but it was not easy for her. I learned that some people from other countries do not like seaweed because Eloise, the twins, and my host mother did not like it very much. However, Eloise said, “The tuna mayonnaise one is delicious,” and she even put the leftover tuna mayonnaise onigiri in her lunch for the next day. I was very happy.

　Egg Hatching

　Everyone Held Hands

　A Goodbye Hug

It’s not easy.

　A Lot of Onigiri




Wed., Mar. 4

We spent the whole day making a booklet and a photo frame for our host families. I used Abbie’s favorite flowers and made the photo frame with my host family in mind. I was happy because I managed to make a cute photo frame that I really liked.

For dinner, I made Japanese curry that I brought from Japan. Abbie helped me cut the ingredients, and we made curry together. Chris said, “It’s delicious,” and went back for seconds, so I was happy. I also enjoyed eating curry because I had not eaten it for a long time. It was so good that I had two or three refills.

　Completed

　The curry rice was absolutely delicious.




Thurs., Mar. 5

We went sightseeing in Seattle, which I had been looking forward to for a long time. First, we went to the University of Washington. I was surprised because the library was huge. After that, we saw the Fremont Troll and went to the Space Needle. I bought some souvenirs there.

For lunch, we ate clam chowder and white fish. They were absolutely delicious. I was happy because I ate famous clam chowder in Seattle. In the afternoon, we went to Pike Place Market, a major market in Seattle. We also visited the famous Gum Wall and the first Starbucks store. I bought many souvenirs there, so I was very happy. In fact, I bought the most souvenirs there during my whole trip.

I had a great time and wanted to go there again. After that, we went to Uwajimaya, an Asian grocery store. I was happy because I met some Japanese staff there and got to chat with them.


　Fremont Troll

　Clam Chowder

The First Starbucks Store　


Fri., Mar. 6

In the morning, we continued making our journals at the study center, but I couldn't finish it because I only made a little progress.

After lunch, we went bowling. Laura was very good at it. Thanks to her coaching, my score got better in the second game than in the first game. When I got a strike, Laura celebrated with me, which made me very happy. It was a very fun bowling experience.

　Coaching Us

High-fiving with Laura　



Mon., Mar. 9

In the morning, I finished my journal. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it, but I was happy with how cute it turned out. After practicing our final presentation, we ate pizza together before the Sayonara Party. After 6 p.m., our host families all came together, and we had the Sayonara Party.

Denise helped me put on my yukata for our presentation. I was nervous about the presentation about Sado Island, but everyone enjoyed it, so I ended up enjoying it too.

After the presentation, we gave some gifts to our host families, Laura, and our teacher. We also took pictures together. Alissa had made some cake for us, and we ate it together. It was delicious. I was also so touched to receive a gift from the Nutt family. I realized that my homestay was ending soon, and I felt a bit sad.

　Presentation

　A Gift for Laura

　Open wide!


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