wow. Y-Team '08. next year, Team Skydive!

So I said that I would update this, and it looks like it hasn't happened in...a long time.

For those who care, it's been 4 months to the day (and I'm pretty sure the time) since it happened.
For those who care but don't understand, let's keep it that way, you don't need to know.
For those who don't care, whatever.

So I got home from Japan on the 28th of July or so. There were a lot of things going on with my flight. Looking back, it's kind of hilarious, but at the time it was awful.
My flight from Narita to San Francisco was almost delayed *gasp* 8 minutes because they had to check this guy's bag. That should have been foreshadowing about what would come. o.O Don't understand? Keep reading.

So, I got to San Francisco (side note! In the Narita airport, I was trying to find a place to buy onigiri for the plane ride and I asked one of the workers there in Japanese, she said my Japanese is "beautiful". XD And then in San Francisco, I spoke with another Japanese person, who was more my age, and it was AWESOME!), and got to my plane on time, and sat down. Then we were told that the fuel was leaking, so we had to get OFF the plane and everyone was pissed. I found another guy from Maine (he lives in SoPo) and we went to customer service together and almost got to stay the night in San Francisco (I say almost "got" to because if I had, I would have probably been able to stay the night with Krystal in Oakland - I haven't seen you in almost a year Suna-yah! Miss you!), but the airport decided that it would be better if we got a flight into Washington DC that night and then spent the night there, and got the earliest flight to Portland possible. So that's what we did.
After way over 6 hours in the airport, we got on a new plane and landed in Washington DC at 2 AM. The airlines offered me a hotel, but I knew that if I went to the hotel, I would miss my flight (yes, they have wake up calls, but I would either sleep through it or ignore it), so I crashed in the airport. Awesome. I wanted pizza for breakfast, but stupid people didn't serve it that early. Anyway, I bought a toothbrush, toothpaste, hairties (my hair was DISGUSTING), etc. in the morning and took care of myself as best as possible. And FINALLY landed in Portland. woop!

A few days after I got back, I went home. And by home, I mean Y-Camp. *smiles* I had a GREAT two weeks. My cabin was a 2 week cabin, and they were just amazing. One of them was Camper of the Year last year, and they were all pretty much friends when they got there from last year (except one who was friends with one of the other girls, so she was accepted right away). Pretty much nothing too big. I didn't have to step in on anything. They knew I was there for them, but they were able to take care of things themselves. All in all, they had a great time, which is the most important thing (and why I'm there). I love it when campers have a good time. Because I remember being a camper.
There's some things that counselors who were never campers don't really let their campers get away with. Like rest hour, most cabins have the lights off and the kids all in their own bunks. I say, as long as the girls aren't bothering the other cabins, the light can be on (unless someone other than me wants to sleep or feels sick), and they can be on each other's bunks (3 is the limit for top bunks). Let them be kids, right? I mean, campers hate rest hour enough as it is. I might as well try to make it as bearable as possible.

I came back after camp, and miss it SO bad. omg. Seriously, I love that place. *sighs* Oh well, I'm pretty positive Barry's going to invite me back next summer. \(^0^)/
AND...Rent in JAPAN is playing until AFTER camp ends! So I'm going to see about going to Japan, seeing Rent in Tokyo, and then taking the shinkansen to see some people. I have like 3 people who really want me to stay with them. I know it's the Japanese culture to tell people to come back anytime, but these people mentioned that I should stay with them weeks before I left. Emika's mom made me PROMISE to stay with them when I come back. *smiles* Still waiting on a letter from Emika, though! ^-^

I've been hanging out with people and working on my resume since I got back. Tomorrow I'm applying for a slew of jobs, so I'm pretty psyched. Also, I started to work on the Businesses That Care What Youth Think (I still like the title "Businesses Who Care What YOUTHINK", but the board voted against it) project, and I have to say, we have some serious work to do if the board really does want to get it going. Ainsley and I are meeting on Friday to create an action plan and get things back rolling (they kind of fell apart when I went to Japan - so one of the first plans of action on my agenda is a formal apology to all the people who the board contacted and never followed up with)! woop!

Once I get a secure job and paycheck, my friend and I are thinking about finding a place together, which would be really good. She needs it, and I need it, and we take care of each other. We have for years. *smiles*

I really must stop listening to Taylor Swift. It's shameful. I mean, it's better than listening to Hillary Duff or Britney Spears, but it's still not something that's...you know...good. lol.

Oh, and if you're wondering about my title. This year, I missed Team Skydive. And I was too young to do it last year. Pretty much, every year, anyone on Y-Team who wants to gets a day off together and takes a skydiving lesson. Thus, Team Skydive. SO going to do it next summer!!! XD

Keychains. Keychains. KEYCHAINS!

So here's what's going on.

Due mainly to issues with the school, I have decided to leave Tohoku High School, and, in effect, JFIE and the exchange program.

Because this is the busy season, tickets don't really become available until early August, which is good. Because it's the school and program I'm leaving, not the people. So this gives me a chance to solidify some of the relationships I've made here.

Like my relationship with Emika, who wants to go to karaoke and have a sleepover.
My relationships with Daizy, Josh, and Pi-chan (who I group together because we kinda just, go together, you know?).
My realationships with Miri (my host sister), Miki, Rina, Yu-chan, and Tomo. Who are amazing, and such great people in general. We did purikura today. Lots. It brought me joy.
My realtionship with my host family, which I think is really good. They have been a wonderful host family to me, and I'm definitely glad that I've met them.

If I haven't talked to you about issues in the program/why I'm leaving, I might tell you, I might not. Don't force it, don't ask me about it if I don't bring it up. Because if you do, I will be more reluctant to tell you than I may already be, and shy away from you that much more. Just a heads up.

So today we went to Sendai Eki and said goodbye to Saki, Yuka, and Ai who are now on their way to America for 10 months (Washington - the state - and California). I gave them my e-mail and promised them that I would try to visit because I'm going to college in California. w007.
Then, Miri, Miki, Rina, Yu-chan, Tomo, and I did purikura. It was fun and adorable because when Miki and I did pukikura together, she wrote on one of them that she'll miss me when she goes to Canada (on the 31st), and to not forget her. (^-^)
Then I spent a few hours trying to find the karaoke place that everyone else was at, only to kick myself when I realized that it was RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME THE WHOLE TIME. XD I am awesome. I'm taking after my mother.

Everyone left, and I searched for keychains that I could buy for my friends. Pretty much, my friends are all getting either a keychain, candy, or manga. Unless there's a special request (Krystal, you WILL get your Hello Kitty candy tin and your Emma manga - Heather, I'm looking for DBSKness, but be patient. People are more into Monkey Majik and Exile here than DBSK). I need to get something dish-wise for the rents, and probably something for the family (grandma, aunts and uncles on each side, brother, cousins...UGH!), or else I will be in very bad position.
I spent about $40 or so on keychains, cause I rock.

Um, what else? Oh! Jason Sensei took the exchange students and Tohei Sensei out for sushi on Thursday! It was AWESOME! Because my host sister doesn't like sushi or sashimi, or really fish in general. So I haven't had much of a chance to get it. *sobs* But I seriously love raw fish. And I will admit it freely.

Um, last day of school before summer break was Friday. Wow. There were so many tears because Josh and David are changing schools (Josh and David are in a different program, btw), I'm leaving, and the exchange students in ni nensei are leaving this and next month. So lots of crying.

I'M ON VACATION!!!! Which means...NO SCHOOL!!!! A chance to de-stress. Which is something that I DEFINITELY need before I go back.

And for the record, I will NOT let this blog rot. I have a feeling that I'm going to be travelling quite a bit in my lifetime (as my goal is to teach English lit in International and American schools around the world), so I will continue to update with my newest adventures in case people want to read about what's going on. And when I get a laptop, daily updates.

Countries I plan on living in at some point:
Japan (done, but I'm coming back)
South Korea
Costa Rica
France
Spain
India
Africa (ok, it's a continent, but I'm not sure what country(ies) I want to live in yet)
Jordan
Israel

Those are the main ones that I want to go to, but I will go to others. *smiles*

MUAHAHAHAHAHA ART-SCHOOL

...wow I haven't updated for quite a while. Hope everyone who's reading this is doing well!

I am exhausted. Today I went out with Ayumi (a student from Miyagi University). She showed me Sendai's Animate (there's Animates all over Japan), which is an anime/manga store of joy. She also showed me other comic shops, we did purikura, ate McDonalds (Mac), and FOUND ART-SCHOOL CDS!!!!!!!! *dies* I have been looking for them since I came to Japan almost four months ago!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE ART-SCHOOL!!!!! Their CD with Swan Song is equivalent to $30, so back at the CD store it remains. But I HAVE THEIR CD WITH MISSING!!!!! MY FAVORITE ART-SCHOOL SONG!!!!!!!!! IT IS MAGIC!!!!!!!
Hopefully this HTML will work, and you'll be able to see the video.



What else can I say? SUMMER VACATION!!! I HAVE ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL THEN!!!! Which is good because at this point, I really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really (I think you get the point) dislike my school. And I have karaoke plans for summer. Awesome. Miri (my host sister was talking about maybe Tokyo Disney?
And my host mom signed me up to sing Joss Stone's "You Had Me" at this massive music fest thing on the 27th. ...holy crap. But I'll do fine. Apparently, I'm really good at singing that song. Joss frickin rocks man.

I am becoming the purikura expert I've always wanted to be. Ayumi says that my decorations are really cute. And she LOVED Eclipse (who didn't? I didn't really like New Moon nearly as much, but that's mainly cause Edward was nai and it reminded me too much of...things...)!!! BREAKING DAWN ON AUGUST SECOND!!!! *foams at mouth* MUST...READ...

Seriously LOVE hanging with Ayumi. It's a really nice break from hanging with Japanese high school girls all the time. Don't get me wrong, they're fun to be with, but it is nice to have someone a bit more mature once in a while.

Tohei Sensei wants me to talk about the differences between American/Canadian schools and Japanese schools (high school) tomorrow to my class because most of the kids are leaving soon on their exchange programs. There's currently 14 in the class (not including me), and when summer break ends, there will be 5.
So, first period should be, interesting to say the least. :) Wish me luck!

I Wish I Could Understand The Art-School Interview on Youtube...*sobs*

Really quickly because it's 11, and I need sleep.

I bought a $30 CD today. But it's A Chorus Line IN JAPANESE!!!! And I've gotten such a good deal on other CDs I bought at Book Off that I deserved to splurge on a CD. So that makes it 5 CDs I've bought here. 3 in English. 1 in Japanese. 1 O-Zone (what language do they speak?) CD. I still can't find Art-School CDs, this has just gotten depressing. I mean, I know they're not popular, but HOW MANY CD STORES DO I HAVE TO LOOK IN BEFORE I FIND THEM???? *sobs* I needz meh Art-School. They're my favorite Japanese band and totally magical. youtube "Art-School sub" and you'll find a bunch. My favorite song is "Missing".
I must stop being a music junkie. I must stop being a music junkie. Why does this phrase look familiar? ^-^

We went to the video store today, and I found the first few episodes of that Mary-Kate and Ashley show in 2001 called "So Little Time" (the one where they live with their mom, they're parents are divorced, and they have the Spanish nanny, Manuelo), in JAPANESE!!! Can't WAIT to watch it!!!! I am completely ashamed of myself for this, but it's ok. Because I'm gonna watch "So Little Time" IN JAPANESE!!!!! XD

Saw Mao's ballet recital, and I have to say it was magical. Mao wore a hot pink and gold costume. I question his sexual orientation. ^-^
Rina, Mai, Ai, Emika, Joanna, Tashibu, Kazu, what's-his-face-whose-name-I-never-remember-but-it's-ok-cause-I-don't-really-hang-out-with-him-anyway-and-now-he-has-a-really-long-English-name, and a few teachers went.
Afterwards, Rina, Mai, Ai, Mao, and I hung out for a bit, and then people went home. Mai and I ended up eating Ramen and doing purikura. *smiles*

Wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow. *sighs*

I'm a Musical Fangirl. Yes I am.

You guys deserve an update.

I got up this morning wanting to rant about this, but it has nothing to do with Japan. Please bear with my musical theater fangirling. Thank you.
You know how I need to listen to music or have the TV on constantly? Yeah, because I can't stand it being silent, it drives me INSANE! Anyway, looking for Avenue Q stuff to listen to last week on youtube, I came across Avenue Jew (which has unfortunately been taken down), a crossover between Avenue Q and Fiddler on the Roof. XD I figured since a lot of Jews are reading this blog, you guys would appreciate this.
Some of the best (appropriate) quotes include.

Tevye: "Yes, this is my family. This is mine. This is mine. This is mine. This is...not mine. Who the hell is this kid?"

Brian: "Shalom, you must be new to the neighborhood. I'm Brian, and this is my wife Channukah Eve."
Channukah Eve (Japanese immigrant): "Shalom! I convert for green card."

Brian: "Channukah Eve, do you love me?"
Channukah Eve: "No." *walks away*

Jewish American Princeton: "What do you do with a BA in Yiddish?
Who the hell majors in that?"

I can't remember who said this, but it's magical. And directed to Ben Brantely (Times critic).
"We all eat bagels."
"We all have overbearing mothers."
"And thanks to critics like you, we all feel persecuted."
"So everyone's a little bit Jewish."

XD

And now, back to Japan. Yesterday I went to Sendai City with Leaha, an exchange student from AIIU/JFIE. She lives in Sendai, but is going back to Australia on the 28th (wow! next week!), so we decided to have a shopping fun day in Sendai. I must stop being a music junkie. I must stop being a music junkie. Since I came to Japan, I have bought 4 CDs. None of them in Japanese. wtf? However, I am still DETERMINED to find Art-School CDs and buy ALL of them! Even the ones I have downloaded.....^-^

Leaha says that I am a really good singer and was joking around (kinda, I think?) about me putting out a CD. lol.
Last time I went to karaoke at the sketchy place, I discovered that they have Seasons of Love (Rent), Fame (Fame), America (West Side Story), and You Better Shape Up (Grease) at karaoke. They don't have One (A Chorus Line), which makes me sad, but they have all those others!!! *does happy dance*

Yesterday, Leaha and I were talking about purikura, and the prices. How if you have more people, it's cheaper but you get less pictures. So we decided that people who do purikura by themselves must be the loneliest people ever, with no friends. Which lead me and Leaha to decide to do purikura by ourselves and then trade them. It is magical. So I need to finish my purikura book today. Because I LOVE IT. XD Oh purikura.

And Disney Princesses on Ice IS COMING TO SENDAI!!!!!! I WANT TO GOOOOO!!!! But it's like $60 or something for me. *sobs*

This past week was exam week. I had to take all of them, ugh. I didn't understand them. There were a few classes that made special exams for me. But I don't know. Apparently, I have to get a certain average to stay in the program? I'm not sure about the details, but it would be really bad to get sent back because I didn't understand the exams. But I don't think JFIE would do that, they're a really good program and wouldn't do that to me now. *smiles*

School is not good in general. There's a lot of problems between the exchange students and the teachers, and no art club or class or classroom. I really miss the smell of an art classroom. You guys who love art know what I mean. But Krystal, being awesome, suggested that I ask Rina (the artsy-type student in my class) where I can buy art supplies, because I REALLY want to work on my crafting again. I miss it! ^-^ Thank you Ms. Manzi for getting me OBSESSED with fimo clay!!!!

And to end this entry...CONGRATULATIONS MS. HARVEY ON YOUR PREGNANCY!!! YAYYY!!!!

"I feel the earth move under my feet"

Ok, I`m going to make myself clear about this. I`m sorry if it sounds harsh, but it`s true. I don`t care if there`s another American in Sendai. Yay, someone went to Tohoku High as an exchange student before me. I`m not going to get in contact with you, I am not going to meet up with you or anything. I`m not using this blog to make random connections with people through the internet. That`s sketchy.
I have this blog so that my friends and family back home who don`t have livejournal or facebook can see what`s going on in my life. That is the reason anyone can comment, and that`s the reason anyone can see my blog.
Also, please don`t assume that I`m big into blogspot. Because I`m not. I`m a lj and fb person all the way (livejournal and facebook).

I cannot stop you from reading the blog, but please, I would rather recieve comments from my friends back in America. Thank you.

Ok, here`s a quick update.
I just survived my 4th earthquake. Afterwards, I was watching the news, and it showed the city, etc. during the earthquake, and all I could think was "kakkoi (cool!)! I lived through that!" lol.

We did the Haruhi dance yesterday for the retournees in san nensei, it was AWESOME! oh, and the retournee Japanese girls can crank dat solja boi...I think I want them to teach me so I can say I learned solja boi from Japanese schoolgirls...that would be magical.

Anyway, I`m going to eat something before those who raised me call my gorgeous cell phone.

Kettle Corn is Magical

I know what you`re saying. You`re saying, "I know that manga is pretty much life, liberty, and happiness for you, Erica, but did you REALLY have to buy the first 2 Mars, the 1st Peach Girl, and the first volume in a series of manga that you don`t know but appears to be about vampire childrens?" The answer is, of course, yes. Especially when they were only 105 yen each. You`re also saying, "Erica. You said that you would not buy any CDs unless you found Art-School CDs (which are REALLY hard to find, btw - Book Off does not have them *is sad*), so why did you buy the only Blue album that you didn`t have until a few hours ago? Especially considering that most of the songs are on the Best of Blue album you downloaded before you came to Japan." Because I`m a sucker for anything Blue related, and the manga were ONLY 105 YEN EACH!!!!!!!!!
Yes, I know I went to Sendai today to spend a relaxing day of window shopping with only the intention of buying one of the leftover Keith Haring shirts at Uniglo from last season (there are only a few styles left - the one I REALLY wanted was a small, I`m an extra large in Japan - I tried it on for kicks though. I gave it back to the lady saying "gomenasai! America-jin! XL size!" and she just laughed), but ended up buying the shirt, 4 manga, the Blue CD, kettle corn from the food import store (the one that we always get from Whole Foods with the red bag!!!!!! XD), other food items that were eaten throughout the day, etc.

So here`s my shortened version of British Hills. Pretty much, I`m going back in August for a camp there with the same people (minus Leaha, who is going back to Australia on June 29th) for a longer time. It should be freaking awesome. This was kind of a before the really long vacation one, I think? Anyway, there were 7 exchange students from JFIE (all girls) and an all girls Japanese middle school. We were there to encourage the girls to speak English, and to just have a good time during the weekend.
British Hills is a hotel type place where large groups of people can go. It`s themed like England, and there`s lots of people from England who work there. We got to hear the posh accents and the thick accents (I like the thick ones myself). Pretty much, when we weren`t doing activities with the girls (which mainly involved them practicing their English on us, although we DID teach them Duck Duck Goose and Stuck in the Mud - my knees are all bruised from diving on the floor to free people in Stuck in the Mud!!! oh Lyseth...I wish we had time to play Octopus. I wish I was at Project Grad when everyone played Octopus), I was chilling with Leaha and Ellen, both from Australia. Ironically (and awesomely) Ellen was my roommate during orientation, she was my roommate again! (^_^) We bought SO many familiar snacks from Ye Shoppe (including blow pops, toffee, the chocolate that looks like an orange, and Cadbury chocolate) and Leaha ended up bunking on the ground in between Ellen`s and my beds. I don`t know how long we stayed up till, but it was AWESOME.

Just some side notes.
I never truly appreciated the no smoking in restaraunts law that we have in Maine until today. I was in McDonalds eating my ice cream. I was sitting by the wall, the smoking section was on the OTHER side of the upstairs seating area, and I COULD STILL SMELL THE SMOKE. There was actually a cloud that you could see in the smoking section. No joke. So the next time you guys are in a restaraunt in Maine, just remember how AWESOME it is that we don`t allow smoking in them. Seriously.

Today on the bus ride home, Ami chan and her mom came on!!!! In case you don`t know, Ami chan is Miri`s little 2 year old cousin who lives next door. SHE IS THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!! She actually ended up staying with us through dinner and is still here. omg, she`s CUTE!!!!!!

I Want to Learn That Koda Kumi Song!!!!

This is going to be super quick.

I tried to get Miki, Miri, Tomo, Rina, and Yuu to go to karaoke today, demo (but) Rina and Yuu have club on Saturdays. Miki`s grandmother is visiting today, and Tomo has plans. I think I`ll try for a Sunday.

Tomorrow I`m going with Daizy and Josh to karaoke at Sendai City. Josh knows this place that if you go before 6, it`s unlimited time for 300 yen. And for another 300 yen it`s unlimited drinks. MELON SODA HERE I COME!!!! Ms. Manzi told me before I left America that I have an obsession with repitition, I guess I do. It`s fun.

I`m more into writing than drawing currently. It`s really funny because I`ll be writing in English and Japanese words will come to my head, but I know that if I post my crazy mix of English and Japanese on my lj (livejournal), my friends will be like, wtf mate? (yes, End of Ze World reference)

Am preforming the Haruhi dance with 4 other people (Emika, Mao, and two guys whose names I do not know) when the kids who went to America and Canada for a year come back in June. June will be crazy.
The weekend of the 7th and 8th I`m going to British Hills for a JFIE thing. The weekend of the 20th, we`re having the welcome back party for the kids who went to America and Canada. The weekend of the 26th, I`m going to my friend Mao`s ballet preformance. He went to England to study Ballet for a year, so his English is really good, we speak in like mix of English and Japanese. He`s really cool, and I`m glad that he remembered that I wanted to see the show. I think Tohei Sensei is going too.

Russians. They live in Sendai.

I GOT MY PHONE TODAY!!!!!!

And I have a story to go along with it. A story about how my phone is under the name of a random Russian man named Andre.

So today Daizy and I went to get my phone, and found out that I need to be accompanied by someone over 20 (as you are considered a minor in Japan until you`re 20). We were very distraught and called Oizumi Sensei and Jason Sensei, neither of whom could make it to Sendai City today. After some not as enthusiastic karaoke and Purikura, we got a brilliant idea. Why not ask one of the gaijiin walking around Sendai if they would accompany me to buy my phone?
So we went Gaijin Hunting. It was wonderful. Of course, the time that we chose to go Gaijin Hunting, the Gaijin weren`t around. Ironic, no? Eventually, we saw a very very tall white man walking alone. Daizy told me to go up to him (and you guys know me, I did), and ask him if he would come with us to buy my phone. So I did (Daizy ran away for a bit, until she realized that he didn`t brush me off, and then she came a joined us). Andre listened to my frantic "I need to buy a phone but I`m not old enough please come with me to buy my phone!" story, and was very nice about the whole situation. He not only agreed to come with me to buy my phone, but put the phone under his name (since that`s the only way a minor can get a phone - put it under someone else`s name)!!!!!
So now (I just realized that all my paragraphs in my story begin with the word "so"), I have a totally awesome phone (black with massive amounts of jewels and keychains), under the name of a very tall Russian man who has been living in Japan for 8 years. He only knows English because of his High School, but his English is AMAZING.

My pre-paid plan not only gives me an e-mail but UNLIMITED e-mail for just $3 (300 yen)!!!!!!!!!!! I died. And am going to get off the computer to e-mail Josh about possible karaoke tomorrow. *does happy dance*

Also, CONGRATULATIONS PHS CLASS OF `08!!!!! You got through school! Now all you have to deal with is graduation rehersals!!! XP Have fun with Mr. Johnson freaking like he does every year!!! ^-^
And have fun at Prom for me everyone! I expect massive amounts of pictures on facebook!!!
Also, who posted pictures from Queer Prom? I want to see them!

Puppies. They make me smile.

Sorry I haven`t posted in quite a while. Things have been rather intense (like camping) here. I realized the other day that I haven`t heard any "...that`s what she said" jokes since I`ve been here. *insert sad face here* So I wrote "That`s what she said." on the back chalkboard in class.

Tonight I went to the TIS (Tohoku International School) dance preformance. It was amazing. There were some people who had no business being on stage (although I`m sure they are wonderful people, they just, you know, can`t dance or sing or whatever), but there were really AMAZING people as well! Sakura (a girl from TIS who`s half Japanese half Canadian) will post the preformances on youtube, so I`ll post a link when it becomes available.

Ummmm.....


JUNO IS COMING TO JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*dies* I don`t know if it will be dubbed or subbed, but I am seeing it a bazillion times. I freaking love Juno.

Daizy, Josh, and I found out that we can watch movies in the TIS library. We watched Animaniacs and George of the Jungle before we went to Izumi (where the show was - school got out at noon today), and have decided that instead of joining a club, we should make a "watch random movies in the TIS library" club. They have lots of Disney movies in Japanese...they even have THE PRINCE OF EGYPT IN JAPANESE!!!!!! It is total win.

I FOUND THE PEKO CHAN CANDY!!!!!!! So, those of you who know, I went to Japan for 3 weeks summer 2006, and became OBSESSED with this candy from Fujiya that I COULD NOT find until last night!!!! *does happy dance*

Also, vanilla ice cream with red bean paste in the middle surrounding mochi is my new favorite ice cream. Only 90 yen at Yaofuji.

Daizy, Josh, and I are getting my phone tomorrow! I`m bringing my passport, and if they ask for my address, we`re going to say that I still live with the Kimijiri`s. It`s so much easier to deal with. Yay! My phone! It will be pretty and shiny and all mine! We will fill it with Purikura! XD

rantrantrant MUSICALS magical Japanese girls

Quickly about my cell phone.

So I found out on Sunday when I went to buy my cell phone with Daizy and Josh that I need to go to Sendai City Hall (completely out of the way and lots of money) to get a stamp of my new address on the back of my Alien Registration Card in order to buy my cell phone. *sighs* Great. Daizy and I are planning on doing that on Saturday.
My phone will look exactly like David`s. The main company that does Pre-Paid phone service is Softbank (although I`d love an AU phone - they don`t do Pre-Paid, though and plans are 2 year agreements), and they only have 2 models for Pre-Paid phones. One that`s butt ugly, and David`s phone. ^-^ Daizy and I are going to put lots of fun things on it. Like sparkly things and Purikura. It will be awesome. And it has a SIM card so I can use my phone out of Japan. XD

Now the concert.
The Live would have been more awesome had people actually been dancing. Like they were just standing there while the music was playing. Josh, Daizy, and I were like, "wtf? DANCE!" So we were the dancing Gaijin. It was awesome.
The music itself FREAKING ROCKED!!!!!! XD Seriously, I want to buy like ALL the CDs THE BANDS ARE SO GOOD!!!!!! The live lasted from 5 - 10 or so. It was good funfun. But I think I`ll only go again one or two more times. Because the non-dancing really brought the Live down, but I want to buy CDs. ^-^

My host family doesn`t know the movie Mulan. Which is very sad. I will introduce it to them (I KNOW I saw it at the video store).

Oh, tomorrow I`m wearing my Spelling Bee shirt under my uniform, as tomorrow is the Second Annual Wear Your Broadway Musical Shirt Day!!! Very few people in Japan understand my love of musicals. Mainly it`s the adults who understand. Like Oizumi Sensei and the Music teacher (tomorrow I`ll post a rant about the schedule and how I can`t take Music or Home Ec. *pouts*). But....

YUU CHAN KNOWS RENT!!!!!!!!!

I died. With joy. She doesn`t really know the plot or anything since she hasn`t seen it, but she knows the name at least, and that makes me SUPER happy!!!!! Seriously. How do these people find me? Someone who knows Rent (Yuu), a male ballerina (Mao), and a girl who does traditional Japanese archery who also draws manga really well (Rina), IN THE SAME CLASS AS ME IN JAPAN???? XD Life is happy.

Also, the girl who sits next to me in Bio, I think her name is Yuuka. She is too cute for her own good. Why are all the Japanese girls who are nerdy with glasses SO FREAKING ADORABLE??? They are all too cute for their own good. It`s rather magical (yes, Dasha, I am starting to use your terms. AHH!!). XD

Not Japan Related

So as those of you who know me know, in Portland I am (was) a member of the youth activist group, YOUTHINK. Our mission statement is:

YOUTHINK is a youth driven organization that empowers young people in the city of Portland to speak and act on decisions that affect their lives.

Now, those of you who are new to YOUTHINK or are having a "what is that thing again?" moment, we are a dedicated group of young people in the city of Portland who are working to give youth voice in the community. We feel that a city where youth`s opinions are cared about is a city where youth give back to their community in positive ways.
On Friday, I missed (but was there for the planning of) one of the more revolutionary events in YOUTHINK`s history. The First (hopefully) Annual Youth Summit, where 150 youth in the city of Portland gathered to express their views on issues in the city. Here is an e-mail that I received from Ainsley (the director of YOUTHINK, and one of my very good friends/the sister I should have had ^-^) about how the Summit went. I`m so proud of all of this year`s YOUTHINKers, you guys did an excellent job! YEAH for shaking up Portland!

"Hello Friends of YOUTHINK,

With over 150 youth in attendance, the first ever Portland Youth Summit on Friday was an ambitious and groundbreaking pilot event! You can get some of the sights and sounds of the day here (we got remarkable press coverage!):

From the Press Herald:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187141&ac=PHnws

Photo of Congressional candidate Mike Brennan at our Youth/Adult "Power Lunch":
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=187143&ac=PHnws&pg=1

From Channel 6:
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=86763

From MPBN radio's "Maine Things Considered":
http://www.mpbn.net/radio/mainenews/080905youthsummit.htm

This week we'll be collecting feedback from various stakeholders on Summit successes and lessons learned for the future. If you hear anything that you think I should hear about or would like to discuss any aspects of the Summit, please be in touch.

In June, you'll hear about the Youth Agenda and Vision for Portland resulting from the Summit and our neighborhood conversations. Stay tuned...Thanks for all your support for past, present, and future YOUTHINK endeavors!
Ainsley"

Brought to You By Ultra Clutch Hairspray....

I survived my second earthquake. Last night we watched Hairspray until like 12:30 and then went to bed/I lied awake for a few hours cause I couldn`t get to sleep from thinking about things while Miri txted to her friends. And then the earthquake hit. And the first thing I thought was "s*** (my parents reminded me that there are children in my family/siblings of my friends reading this), I am NOT going to get even 5 hours of sleep tonight, am I?" XD Well, I don`t think I did. I almost fell asleep before Culture class today, but that`s ok. I came home and had a 45 minute nap before dinner. Obaasan makes amazing food. Dinner was wonderful. Breakfast was a cinnomon roll that I got last night at Jusco (the shopping center - we go every Wednesday), but lunch was awesome. OKAASAN CUT MICKEY MOUSE HEAD OUT OF NORI AND PUT IT OVER MY RICE!!!!!!! *dies* I couldn`t get a picture of it (my camera was at home), but Mai from ichinensei (first year class) got a picture on her phone and I`ll ask her to send it to me when I get my new phone (which will be before the concert on Sunday).Sunday night Joanna, Emika, Daisy, a bunch of others, and I are going to a concert. I don`t think the band is well known (I can`t remember their name, but they are SO F***ING AWESOME). Emika knows at least a few of the members so she always gets to go to these private concerts. It rocks. And Joanna and Emika said that I can sleep over if the concert ends too late (which is good - because Emika`s mom adores me, seriously, it`s pretty awesome - and she says that Jeff - my brother for those who don`t know/don`t remember - looks like John Lennon XD). *smiles*

Today I took out an account at the International School Library. I know I shouldn`t be reading books in English, but how can I resist when they have my favorite Amy Tan book, Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe, Shattered Mirror (the only Amelia Atwater-Rhodes book they have, at least they have one, but I really would like to read Midnight Predator again), and SO MANY OTHERS???? *literary geek brain vein explodes*

Mom, dad, since I`m going to the concert Sunday night, let`s talk another time. Happy Early Mother`s Day!!!

Daisy and I are planning on going to Izumi to buy my cell phone with a SIM card on Sunday before the concert. We actually found the PERFECT one last time we were at Izumi, so I`m really excited!!! XD

Oh, and thanks for all the comments, guys. *note the sarcasm*
Dean! Give people at lunch hugs for me!!! Missing the Latin Pow Wow Group! Good luck on the AP Tests everyone!
YOUTHINK - Good luck with the Summit! Yeah for youth voice in the city of Portland! :D
Everyone going to Queer Prom - HAVE A BLAST!!!! XD

Krystal`s Going to College!!!

My host family is so fricken awesome. They grow their own food. Seriously, they have rice patties and crap and grow their own rice, bamboo, and vegetables. It`s amazing. I love it. ^-^

Yesterday, about 16 people in the International Course went out to yakiniku, which was amazing. We had SO much meat!!!! XD I spent a lot more money than I should have yesterday, but it was so worth it. After yakiniku, we went out to karaoke, and then I met up with Miri and Tomo (who were at yakiniku but decided to shop around Izumi instead of karaoke), and we went to a book and music store before we had to catch the bus.

Ebi (shrimp) burgers at Mcdonalds in Japan are like a little peace of heaven on Earth. Seriously. They = love. But all I can think about now is Supersize Me (which we saw in Oral Communications class, to prepare ninensei - the second graders - for their exchange programs coming up in August). lol. I just need to remind myself that the Mcdonalds in Supersize Me was in America, not Japan. ^-^

Unfortunately, I brought my camera to yakiniku, but forgot to take pictures. Baka. Anyway, I should go because Miri and I are going watch a DVD soon! And I have udon to eat! Yay! Jya ne!


KRYSTAL!!! CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON GETTING THE $$ FOR COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!! XD *does happy dance*
Pack your bags, cause University of Hawaii at Manoa, here you come! *smiles*

Doing My Happy Dance

I`m only going to update quickly. I`m at Emika`s house for the next two days (until Friday afternoon), when I`ll be moving to Miri`s. *smiles*

A. I`m SO excited to be here at Emika`s! It`s really fun, being with Emika, Joanna, Emika`s CRAZY mother, her brother, and 4 dogs (2 are inside dogs, 2 are outside dogs). We had SO much fun tonight. Kazu from ichinensei (the first year class) came over and chilled with us for a while since he lives around here.

B. I can`t wait to go to Miri`s! She`s really nice, and it`ll be lots of fun to have someone to talk to/do things with!

Anyway, I have some homework for Jason sensei that I should do. Want to stay on his good side if I want to sing and have him play guitar at Sendai Station during the Jazz Festival this summer!

Also, I`m probs going to Mt. Fuji for the last week of summer vacation for the camp hosted (and paid for) by JFIE. Can`t wait!!! XD

Sendai City

So, yeah. I haven`t posted for a while. Things have been rather crazy in both my lives. My life in America and my life in Japan (as my closest friends well know). But here`s an update on what I did this weekend.

On Saturday, Daisy and I FINALLY had our day in Sendai City. She invited David to come along, which was also really fun. So in addition to getting my package from my parents (JUNO AND ECLIPSE!!!!!!!!!!!! XD - Juno can`t work here because my host family doesn`t have a DVD player that`s compatable with American DVDs, but that`s ok, I think I may be able to watch it at Daisy`s), I took the bus to Sendai City...BY MYSELF! XD
It was awesome because I knew that Sendai Station was the last stop, so I was totally fine. I found my way fairly easily. And then while I was waiting for Daisy and David to show up, I found a bookstore where there was a happy joyus amount of manga. Unfortunately, it was all bundled up into plastic wrapping, so I couldn`t look at the pretty Haruhi pictures. *insert sad face here*

Am still looking for the last 2 Fruits Baskets, however. I think I have yet to find them because I have yet to go to a Book Off, which Daisy promised to take me to the next time I am in Sendai. *smiles*

I WILL FINISH FURUBA BEFORE YOU SUNA YAH AND MINSU YAH!!!!! I WILL WIN!!!!! XD

So, yeah. Once Daisy and David showed up, we went to Karaoke at a really cool secluded place. I think it is my new favorite place to go. And it was only like $3 for 2 hours (plus food, but I don`t count it since i totally could have bought a cheaper meal at Family Mart and brought it with me). If you only have 3 people, 2 hours is fine for karaoke.

Then we went around shopping for a bit. I freaked with joy at every gaijin we saw. Of course. ^-^ And I bought a really cute yellow short sleeved sweatshirt. Short sleeved. Yeah, kinda defeats the purpose, but whatever. It`s cute and I like it. And I am wearing it now.
We also did PURIKURA! I LOVE PURIKURA! IT IS WONDERFUL! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! XD When I come back to America, I will have a very amazing Purikura book to show you all. *smiles*

Yesterday and today I just chilled around the house and town. I really should get more pictures of where I live since tomorrow is my last day in my host family`s home. Wednesday after school I am moving to my new host family`s home. Which I think is Miri`s family. I`m really excited about it, because even though she speaks almost no English, and I speak almost no Japanese (although Mao and Haruka insist that it`s getting better :) ), she adores me.

Anyway, I should go and start putting things in my bag. I have too many books. I love books.

Sakura Pictures!!!

They are posted!!! Enjoy them!!!

I have an amazing Charmmy Kitty (who is, yes, BETTER than Hello Kitty - Bess, you will one day realize this and then BEG my forgiveness for your mistake all these years) bag that my cotton candy came it. It was magical amounts of joy.
After we went to the sakura viewing, we all decided to go to karaoke and then purikura. Because we rock like that. So Oizumi Sensei went home, and the 9 of us went to karaoke for an hour and a half (because Emika and Joanna were going to a party, it started at 6, but they were late), and David showed me which bus I need to take to get home from Sendai City. If I get off at the Family Mart area, then I get to pay about 40 yen less than if I get off closer to my house. I`m thinking of seeing how much less I have to pay if I get off across the street from Tohoku High School, which would only be a 15 minute walk or so to home. And it`s TOTALLY safe to walk around at night. Like, think North Deering near the Falmouth border safe. So I could save some money doing that. *smiles*
Now I just need to figure out when the bus comes on Saturday, because Daisy and I are planning to go cell phone hunting. I want to buy a cheap one, with a SIM card, and a pre-paid plan. Those are my requirements. A good bonus would be Windows Mobile, which would enable me to get on the internet and therefore connect with Skype. But it`s definitely not necessary.

Today, the kids at school had their routine medical checkup. Emika and Miri were all sad about the shots they had to take. Apparently, Emika cried, poor thing. I just hugged her and was all, "daijoubu, daijoubu!". But, yeah, while they were having their medical checkup, Josh, Joanna, David, and I had a massively long lesson with Jason Sensei where we did fun game type things. *smiles*

Anyway, I should go, it took forever to upload those pictures! XD Hope you all are well!

Let me know when the Sea Dogs start playing! I want to beg my parents for a Sea Dogs...something! *looks over at mom and dad*

What do you do with 1000 yen in the middle of nowhere? SPEND IT ON FOOD!!!

How can you unexpectedly spend 1000 yen in one day while living in the middle of nowhere in Sendai?

Well, I will tell you.

400 or so on re-stocking your candy supply and a cold green tea.
300 on the takoyaki that a random man sold in a random stand set up outside the grocery store that you went to to re-stock your candy supply (I promised myself that I would buy takoyaki at every available opportunity. I LOVE TAKOYAKI!!!! XD)
100 or so at Family Mart on a rice ball

and when I say "or so" I mean it was more.

so, yes, you can do it! it is possible! and because the food here rocks so hard, it`s really hard NOT to spend money on it!!!






TAKOYAKI!!!!!!!!!
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01177/photos/japan_takoyaki1.jpg

"...Because they were telling us in health class that pregnancy can often lead to an infant."

Summer Vacation Goal (even though it doesn`t start until the end of July): Go to as many Zepp Sendai concerts as possible.

Bought a purikura book today, must fill it with pictures (well, purikura).

Am going to a さくら viewing picnic with my class on Sunday!!!! XD Sensei is picking me (and hopefully Haruka - she`s still not sure if she can go) up at Tohoku HS on Sunday at 10 and taking me (us) to Sendai Station (仙台えき), where we start our adventure.The jocks of Tohoku HS are the baseball team. This does not cease to amuse me even though I found this out last week.

Also, spent time at school for quite a while, I didn`t get home until quarter to 6, but it was mad fun yo. And, yes, I just said yo.

Emika is amazing. She`s Joanna`s host sister, and shorter than me!!! *does happy dance* We already have plans to go to the ocean and the pool during summer vacation as well as purikura and karaoke!!! She`s OBSESSED with Korea and wants to live there, meaning that she knows DBSK and Shinhwa. While I don`t listen to them much, it`s exciting to know there`s someone else here who knows Korean boy bands (most of the people here are more into Koda Kumi, Mika Nakashima, Mr. Children, and Monkey Majik - not that I`m complaining, because they`re all very good artists - it`s just a little taste of Maine with Minsu-yah and Suna-yah here in Nippon). *smiles*

And in case you were wondering about the title of this. I am suffering from Juno withdrawl. I love that movie so much. XD

Karaoke Pictures!

Karaoke pictures are up!

Scratch my wanting to be a professional baseball game cheerleader. I want to be in the karaoke music videos that they make. XD

I also want to be a Purikura master by the time I leave Japan. I WILL DO IT!!!! FIGHT-O!!!!

KARAOKE!!!!

KARAOKE!!!!

First off, apparently I`m good at singing Joss Stone, which is something I`ve been concerned about for a while, mainly because of the awesome soul voice she has and the fact that I know I can never compare to her. But I do have a good range, so that really helped. So, yes, I am good at singing Joss Stone and Skye Sweetnam. *smiles*

THEY HAVE BUDDY HOLLY!!!!! I died with joy when I looked him up thinking I wouldn`t find anything. I sang That`ll Be the Day, and my life was so happy. ^-^
They also have mad amounts of random music, like Billy Idol, Paul Anka (I took a picture of the Paul Anka bit in the book where you can see music because it reminded me of Gilmore Girls ^-^ I isn`t in love with that show. nope. *looks around room*), and LOTS of Elvis Presley. While amusing, I was dissapointed with some parts.

Karaoke Music Dissapointments:
1. no The Donnas - not surprising, but dissapointing nonetheless. However, when I was in Tokyo at the CD store with Miho during summer `06, I did see The Donnas in the American music area, so there`s hope!
2. no P!nk - I`m sorry, but WHAT? P!nk = AWESOME. Seriously, those who deny it are crazy, because not only does P!nk do fun songs like "Get This Party Started" (which is fun without the whole snob bitch part that Avril Lavigne did for "Girlfriend" - which they had - "Girlfriend" made me lose all respect for Avril), but P!nk also does songs that are important like "Dear Mr. President" and "Stupid Girls" and songs that are relatable to lots of different people like "Just Like a Pill", "Family Portrait", and "Hazard to Myself". *shrugs* oh well, I will bring P!nk to Japan, and life will be joyus.
3. they HAD High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and Corbin Bleu. I am concerned for the American music in Japan.

But whatevs. They still had lots of awesome other music there including
Bowling for Soup (no "Almost", but they had "1985" and "Girl All the Bad Guys Want")
Buddy Holly (mentioned with happiness above)
Blue (for those who don`t know, they are a British boy band who can sing from England who never released in America. they are my guilty pleasure - despite being broken up now - and I love them a lot)
Spice Girls (you know I had to mention them ^-^)
Skye Sweetnam
Evanescence
Green Day
Good Charlotte
Colbie Callait
BoA (*insert duh here*)
DBSK (*insert duh here*)
Koda Kumi (*insert duh here*)
Utada Hikaru (*insert duh here*)
Monkey Majik (*insert duh here* - also, I really should have found a way to the concert last night, I heard it was amazing, but probs mad expensive to get there and then the tickets, etc)
Joss Stone (only 3 songs or so, but great songs!)
Kelly Clarkson
Rihanna
Aretha Franklin

I can`t remember what else they had, but all in all, it was wonderful.

And we paid for unlimited drinks, so I had massive amounts of melon soda. I also had Takoyaki and fries. Most. Awesome. Meal. Ever. XD MAD love for the Takyaki, fries, melon soda combo!

The karaoke day ended with Haruka and Joanna singing BoA`s Japanese version of Every Heart (which most will agree is better than the Korean version), and Haruka and I got to sing Brand New Beat. *smiles* I is a happy girl.

And now that my music rant is over (although I could do more, and you know it! - thanks dad for giving me my love of music), oyasuminasai!

Thursdays = Joyus

Every Thursday at 4:30, the exchange students plus Haruka and Emika will go to Miyagi University and chill there with Miyagi students and teachers, Japanese and foreign. First, we`ll watch Japanese TV shows and/or movies (the ones we saw yesterday included a TV show about an American in Japan asking random people on the street to tell their "trouble" or "I`m beaten" stories in Japanese and English. There are definitely some hilarious responses from gaijin and nihonjin. XD
I think my favorite was when a Japanese girl was talking about her teeth in nihongo, and when asked to talk about it in English, said "No parents in my mouth."!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST. QUOTE. EVER. I love it SO much!!!
After we watched the randomness, we went into this reception type room where we had cookies, tea, crackers, and orange qoo and talked. I spoke with this amazing woman from Atlanta, Georgia who is teaching English at Miyagi. She is pretty much amazing, she speaks English and Spanish fluently, knows enough nihongo to get by, and a little bit of Swahili. I also talked with a Japanese girl who studied at a school in Newfoundland to learn English. We talked about Fruits Basket (YAY FURUBA!!!), as we are both big fans. But because she`s Japanese, she`s FINISHED with the series!!! I told her not to give anything away as I`m planning to read it in Japanese when I become fluent enough!!! For those Furuba fans in America, the next volume comes out in July!!!! Be happy!!!!
btw, I named my stuffed dog Shigure. *smiles*
After the trip to Miyagi, I come home in time for my new favorite Japanese show. It plays from 8 until about 8:40-8:45 without commercials. It`s a drama about this baseball player who recently moved from the city with his family to Hokkaido, and it`s wonderful. You can already tell that he`s going to fall in love with the shy quiet girl who plays clarinet. His best friend is hilarious, and I love his dog. XD
AND THE THEME SONG IS BY MR. CHILDREN!!!!!! Not that I love Japanese music or anything.....
So while I can`t understand what`s going on at any given point, I get the gist of the story and will be able to use it to evaluate my progress in Japanese (I hope). Unfortunately, the other show that I like, about a girl who wants to be a dancer, plays on Friday mornings while I`m on my way to school, so I can`t watch it. *insert sad face here* But whatevs. I`ve still got my baseball drama. *laughs*
Also, Rina from my homeroom wants to show me her sketchbook on Monday!!! *does happy dance* She likes the 3 pictures I`ve drawn in my sketchbook so far. And the watercolor colored pencils are amazing. You were right, Panda, they do blend a lot better than regular colored pencils!!!
The girls at school think that my small face and I are adorable. XD
We haven`t really started classes yet, but will on Monday. I had 2 study sessions with Jason sensei today and have homework to get started on for Monday.

KARAOKE TOMORROW!!!! XD
Have a great day, ya`ll!!

"This man is gay AND European!"

I just finished lunch. My first day of school was rather overwhelming. I didn`t understand what was going on at the ceremony or anything. Since it`s the beginning of the school year in Japan, there was a lot of, well, beginning of the year stuff. It felt like September, lol.
After school, Haruka and I were hanging out with Joanna (exchange student from Australia, we`re going to karaoke, Haruka, Joanna, and I, this weekend), and she told me something that I`m still giddy about.

We get to choose our classes. ALL our classes. Within certain boundries, of course, I can`t take classes in the other programs, I need to stay in the International program curriculum. But I can take any class I want in the International curriculum in any grade I want. Meaning, I DON`T HAVE TO TAKE GYM OR MATH!!!!!!!!!!

Let me just type that again, it feels so good to type. NO GYM OR MATH!! NO FREAKING GYM OR MATH!!!!

Now I can handle no art class. They don`t have art class at Tohoku High School (a very sports oriented school. I`m still confused as to why they put me here as well, ^-^). I can deal with no art class, I can do art at home. As long as I don`t have to take gym or math my life is filled with the chorus of a thousand angels. I`ll be picking my classes tomorrow (a half day as well, Thursday is the first full day of school), so I`ll let you all know how that goes.

And check out my photobucket for more pictures.

Also, mom and dad, I got my American Express card today. I just need to wait until the office in Maine is open to activate it. Joy.

Japanese Samantha Brown?

This needed logging. I`m currently watching this show that Ojiisan put on, and it has a host who looks remarkably like the Japanese version of Samantha Brown!!! I have pictures that I`ll put on photobucket later today. Maybe she`s doing Passport to Asia instead of Samatha Brown?
*doesn`t watch the travel channel in America at all* *really* *looks around* Samantha Brown and Anthony Bourdain? Who are they? ^-^

Photos!!!

I just uploaded massive amounts of pictures onto photobucket for you all to see.
My screen name is LittleRoxie, and the album is a public one so you don`t need a password to check out what I`ve been doing in Japan so far. *smiles* I`ll let you all know when I upload more onto photobucket.

Just a fair warning, while there`s many of you who still think of me as "Baby Erica" or something similar, I will be 18 tomorrow. Some of the pictures in my album may seem, shocking would be the word Caitlin would use, to someone like my grandmother (who thinks one of my favorite movies, Dirty Dancing, the original, is innappropriate for me), but I assure you that my pictures are nothing out of the ordinary for me.
So for my friends reading this, I`m sure you all think I`m crazy, but I know that there will be some people who think my album has some questionable content (not like the webcomic ^-^) in it.
So, fair warning.

Anyway, http://www.photobucket.com
sn = LittleRoxie
album = Japan

Enjoy!

BIG FREAKING BHUDDA!!!!!

There`s this massive Bhudda statue near where I live. Think the Big Native American in Freeport only 12 floors tall on the inside with room after the 12th floor for the head. So, yah, I`ve kinda been obsessing over its brilliance, and then today Ojiisan and Obaasan TOOK ME TO THE BHUDDA!!!! XD I went inside, and the entrance is A DRAGON MOUTH (yes, Shanti, be jealous)!!!!! It was wonderful. My life became very happy at that moment. ^-^ *does happy dance*

"And all shall know the wonder of purple summer"

I found my new life goal. I want to be a cheerleader at a professional Japanese baseball game.


Yes, they exist. The cheerleaders, as well as the games.

Pie. Yes, I still love to say it.

I know it`s been much anticipated for those who are reading the script of my life while in Japan, so here it is.

Cast for Erica`s Nihon World:

はるか - my host sister, Haruka is going into 2nd grade at とほくこうこう (Tohoku High School), and enjoys her club activity, which is cheerleading. Haruka has been ill the past few days, and is currently on drugs prescribed by her doctor and sleeping much of the time. However, she is very funny and loves the idea of having a host sister (me), who she lovingly calls おねえさん (oneesan, meaning host sister in Japanese)

おじいさん - my host grandfather, Ojiisan spends much of his time in the vegetable garden in the front and back of the house. Ojiisan knows some English and is working hard to improve his English speaking skillz. He is very friendly and loves to speak to me in Japanese and English.

おばあさん - my host grandmother, Obaasan is an excellent cook. She loves the bag I gave her from LLBean, as do her friends. While Obaasan does not speak English at all, I can tell that she is a kind person who wants to help me in my Japanese any way that she can.

Unfortunately, I don`t have the rest of the cast list yet. A general rule in theater is that you need to be patient while waiting for the cast list, as it is in the hands of the director who ends up where in the cast. Unfortunately, I am not the director of this play yet. The director is currently a combination of my host school (とほくこうこう Tohoku High School) and JFIE (the Japan Foundation for Intercultural Excahnge). Sadly, Hillary isn`t directing this play either. She did a wonderful job with Small World. Congratulations again to PHS One Acts for making it to States! You guys rock! XD
The rest of the cast (my homeroom teacher, classmates, etc.) will be posted shortly, hopefully early next week, as school starts on the 8th.

Just very quickly, I wanted to point out that while Ojiisan told me how to use the heater in my room, I have found a better way to warm my living space. I have these 2 massive windows that pretty much take up one wall space. I decided today to see how the greenhouse idea would work in my room, and I`m pleased to say that there`s no better way to get a room warm than by leaving the curtains open so the sun can pour in. *smiles*

The other day I woke up to snow! While it didn`t stick and only lasted for a few moments, I was still very happy. However, I am slowly getting used to the idea of spring in April (have fun in mud season to all you in Maine!!!!). The sakura trees should start to bloom sometime next week or the week after. The ones in Tokyo are already in full bloom, but since I live in the north, I have to wait a bit. I don`t mind though, it`ll be nice to see the stages of the sakura blooming.

I Can`t Stop Listening to Spring Awakening!!

This is going to be super fast because I`ve been online for about a half hour!!! I need to get off!!

Anyway, I`m here in Sendai and it`s pretty sweet. My host grandparents are awesome, and love to help me learn my 日本語. My job around the house is the same as in America. Do the dishes after every meal. School starts on the 8th, but I have my orientation on the 7th (my 18th birthday! HOLY CRAP!!!!). I met two of the exchange students at my school from Australia. One is on the international campus. The other is on my campus. They`re both really nice and friends wth my host sister (Haruka). Haruka showed me pictures of when they all went to karaoke together (they`ve been here for about 3 months already). In August, Haruka is going on a 10 month exchange to Canada, which should be really cool. I told her about Y-Camp last night, and she was so interested! I think I may have her and some others apply to be counselors for summer `09! w007!

I also drank Qoo. My life had meaning once again.I have yet to find the peko chan candy that I love so much, but I WILL!!! *punches fist in the air*

Also, my host family is impressed by how many different Japanese foods I know. ^-^ ありがとう Hanguk Kake!!!! XD

4 Days!!!!

So I meant to post this last week, but completely forgot.

I've been kind of concerned about this program, partially (mainly) because I need to get a C in all of my classes to stay in the program. Well, that wouldn't be a problem if math wasn't a required course. I had straight As pretty much from Junior year on in High School, excepting math. I could study for 2 1/2-3 hours every other night for my math class and still scrape by with a low-mid C. That's when math was taught in English. *laughs*

I expressed my concerns to my exchange program, and received this e-mail which really took a load off my back. *smiles*

"I inquired with the Japanese office regarding math classes and they suggested that you talk to your coordinator about this upon your arrival. You may be able to opt out of math class if you take something else. Some of our past students have chosen to take lighter course loads than normal so that they can focus on learning the language and doing well in the classes that they do take. Your coordinator will be able to provide you with more detailed information on this. For the time being I would suggest maybe making a list of questions that you have for your coordinator so that when you arrive you can make sure they get answered."

In other news, I saw my best friend tonight for what may be the last time in 10 months. It was very emotional, and while I may see him again on Tuesday, it's not a guarantee. *sighs* Don't get me wrong, I'm really really excited for my trip. I'm just going to miss him a lot.

7 Days!!!!

Wow, the days are really getting away from me! I had an amazing graduation/goodbye party on Saturday, and I want to thank all of the people who attended for making it wonderful. I'm going to miss you all, and of course, a great number who couldn't attend as well.

Saturday I also recieved my Visa and an acceptance letter to a really good college. *smiles* So it was a good day. Today, I got my itinerary for my 2-3 day orientation in Tokyo before I go to Sendai, it should be really fun. I'll be with about 30 other students who will study all over Japan. I'm really excited about my placement, my host family looks adorable!!! And just for you, reader of my blog, I am posting pictures of my host family, bask in their cuteness!!!

I'm going to be living with my host grandparents, because my host parents are divorced (which is weird in Japanese society, they put a lot of emphasis on family culturally). My host sister, Haruka, will pick me up every morning (they live down the block and spend a lot of time at the grandparents' house, and vice versa) and we'll walk to school!!! XD

18 Days!

The day before yesterday I got my Certificate of Eligability in the mail, which I sent off yesterday with my visa application among other things to Boston, where it will be decided if I am able to obtain a Visa to go to Japan or not. *smiles* It feels like things are coming together. Once I (hopefully) get my Visa, I'll be a lot more relaxed.

There's also a pre-travel orientation on the phone this week, it seems interesting and fun since I'll be on the phone with someone else who's going on an exchange as well.

18 days!!!! XD

Visa and 28 Days!

I just got an e-mail from the exchange program, and my Certificate of Eligability is in the mail! Once it arrives, I can apply for a Student Visa!! *does happy dance*

28 days!!!! I'm getting very impatient. ^-^

Visa and 33 Days!

I got an e-mail last night from the program. I had e-mailed them about my visa documentation, because the program gets the certificate of eligability for me, which is what I need to get my visa. 33 days to go, and I don't have my visa stuff. It's kind of a concern for me, more than the clothes and stuff that I need while I'm there, 'cause without a visa, I can't get to Japan.

Anyway, I got an e-mail last night from the person who hooks me up with the Japanese partner of my exchange program, and it said

" Thank you for your email. Waiting for visa documentation to arrive is always a bit difficult for students and their families. In preparing for such a big excursion it can be very anxiety-provoking to think that one of the most important aspects of your trip, getting the visa, has not yet been taken care of. However, the paperwork has always arrived in time for students to apply and receive their visas before their departure. Unfortunately there's not a lot that I can do on my end so we'll just have to sit tight and be patient. I will of course inform you as soon as I have any new information regarding your certificate of eligibility.".

So I'll have to "sit tight". Wish me luck. I hate waiting, lol.

33 days!!!!

34 Days

I've got 34 days until I embark on the biggest journey I've ever taken. Let's see the weather in Sendai for this week!

Today:
0 degrees C, 32 degrees F
light snow showers
humidity: 65%

Thursday 2/21 (tomorrow):
5 degrees C/41 degrees F - high
-1 degrees C/30 degrees F - low
chance of rain
30% chance of precipitation

Friday 2/22:
9 degrees C/48 degrees F - high
2 degrees C/35 degrees F - low
clear

Saturday 2/23:
6 degrees C/42 degrees F - high
-5 degrees C/22 degrees F - low
rain
80% chance of precipitation

Sunday 2/24:
0 degrees C/32 degrees F - high
-5 degrees C/22 degrees F - low
chance of snow
40% chance of precipitation

Monday 2/25:
4 degrees C/39 degrees F - high
-4 degrees C/24 degrees F - low
chance of rain
30% chance of precipitation

It'll be a little warm for me there (for those who don't know me, there's no sarcasm at all in that sentence. I'm totally serious), but that's ok. *smiles* It doesn't get too hot in the summer, and that's my main concern, as I can't deal with heat. My main concern weather-wise is that I wanted to see snow (I LOVE snow, my friends think I'm crazy. ^-^) and that it's not too hot in the summer. Sendai's latitude is the same as Washington D.C.'s, so while it's not Hokkaido, it's still amazing, and I'm so lucky to be going to Sendai as opposed to a city on the southernmost island, Kyushu, which I would physically not be able to handle at all. :D

34 days!!!

Placement!!!

Last night I learned where I'll be in Japan, which is REALLY exciting!!!

I'll be in Sendai City, which is pretty much a bigger version of where I live now. Only in Japan. And a little warmer climate. ^-^ 1 million people and a thriving downtown area right near the water. There's also an island with Pine Trees!!! Coming from the Pine Tree State, that's really exciting to me for some ungodly reason, lol.

I also found out that I'll be at Tohoku High, and I think I found the website. The uniforms are ADORABLE, so I'm posting them. I'm glad they're so cute, since I'll have to wear them for 10 months. ^-^

The school seems pretty into sports, but that'll be ok. I'm hoping they have a good art program. Also, while searching the website, I found a picture of a girl on a horse!! That made my life SO much more joyus. I love horses. *smiles*

http://www.tohoku.ed.jp/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendai
http://www.city.sendai.jp/kikaku/kokusai/english/index.html