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!!!