Thanks to everyone for reading my blog and giving me feedback. Your comments have been very helpful these past few days and I’ve used much of your advice already and will continue to do so. Things are already starting to look up and I’m feeling a bit better. I’ve found that when I listen to Japanese or speak my mind can think of nothing else, so I try to pay as close attention to the language as I can. This has the added benefit of wearing me out faster so I go to bed earlier too.
Yesterday I visited my high school. The delay is frustrating but I really liked the campus. I took several pictures and when I go back Monday for orientation round 2 I will take more. They have testing all week so I can’t talk to any students yet but they’ll show me my locker and my classrooms. I’m supposed to get a schedule too. At my meeting yesterday, they told me that I can’t do any team sports because it’s not fair to the other schools, but track may be okay. I really hope that I can run, but I’m already planning on trying karate or judo or kendo if I can’t. I’m also trying to get into calligraphy for my art class.
I’m planning on making at least three more photo albums by the end of next week. The first will be my pictures from out outing to Tokyo. The second and will be a photo tour of my house, school, and city. I think that most of you would enjoy seeing a Japanese household and how much differently it’s run. Tsuchiura is a big city, about 70% bigger than Evanston, so there are lots of places to see. I have a map in English and I plan to fill my tip by visiting as many places as I can, getting a sense for what this city has to offer me. Today I visited the library. It’s small, American’s value their libraries much more. But tomorrow or the next day I want to go back, this time with my kanji dictionary and try getting through a Japanese magazine article. I’m excitied.
Today we went to a Red Lobster for lunch. You know how in America at a Japanese restaurant they give you chopsticks and a fork? It was the same here. We were given both chopsticks and silverware at Red Lobster. Very strange. I found it hysterical. My family was interested in me being interested. I also found a nice open parking lot to play Frisbee in. My host brothers are very athletic and picked it up really quickly. They want to learn forehand but I can barely teach it in English, maybe later I’ll have the skills.
Keep up the feedback. Thanks again.
8 comments:
I'm so glad to hear things are looking up. You are very resilient and the homesickness will get better (already is).
I think it's funny that they disqualify you from team sports for being an American. Do they think that all Americans will school the Japanese just because we are naturally more athletic? We're not all Michael Phelps (although, you might be)
Sounds like everything is supersmall there. I can't wait for the more photos.
Oh and karate sounds awesome. When I see you next year, I want you to be able to break a couple of bricks with your head. That's what they do in karate right?
glad you're feeling better. keep in mind, Hassan started out having a tough time and ended up loving it more than anything, so keep looking up, bud!
also, take kendo, that sounds really cool, there's a kendo club at carleton im thinking of joining
finally, if you're teaching forehand remember to tell them to squeez with their thumbs, lots of people do't realize tehy need to apply that downward pressure (don't ask me why, they just don't get it)
aanyways, i have to run to the dentist, so i'm out
peace
the more you think and keep busy the better everything will be. you're going to have (and are having) the best experience ever. there's so much to do, right?
it's weird about the team sports, but everything sounds really awesome with your host family.
I'm glad you're feeling better. Keep up that positive attitude. I miss home too.
The Americans have the natural advantage? Tell it to the Chinese! Go USA!!
Haha, I'm still amazed scott. You can't try out for team sports, figures. But I hope you'll be able to teach them a lesson in track.
Hope to hear more soon-
PJ
Lots of love from this side of the Pacific, including from former ETHS teachers who have now connected us, and have nothing but fond memories of you and, because of you, high expectations of me. Thanks!
Post a Comment