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