Taiko on Christmas

Taiko was fun yesterday! I have to learn 2 more songs which makes it a total of 5 two I remember for the most part. One of them shouldn't be too hard. Another one I have to learn by May so I can play during Golden Week. 100 or more people will all play that song together. The last one, I got yesterday, will be the most difficult. The composer, who is a perfessional taiko player, will come in and teach us. After practice I stayed for an hour and a half talking to everyone. One of my taiko aunts got me Cotton Candy for Christmas. I was so happy I screamed.  Then Oni Sensei gave me lots of sweets lol. I have so much fun there I'm a little sad that we have to take a winter break, But I'm also happy, because going to taiko was the perfect way to finish the Christmas day. Today Yoshida-san, the lady who always gives me ride to practice, will pick me up. She will teach me how to play the Fue (Japanese Flute).

What a Great Day Today.

I had fun with my next host sister today. She showed me how to get to school. Then we went to Tenoji for window shopping. In Tenoji we found a cooking/baking studio where we got a free ticket to come in an try sometime. After that we ate the most delicious Chinese food I've ever had in my life. Then we went to Namba where she took me to the "America Village." I didn't know such a place existed. It was very interesting. We talked about fun things we're going to do together like going bowling, or to karaoke, having Christmas and new years parties, baking, dancing etc. We eventually made our way back to the house where we ate good sweets and watch a little TV. Then my next host dad drove me home. When I got home, one of the neighbors stop by to drop of an early Christmas present and a card. I was very glad not only because I received the present but also because I could understand the card. It read:

“Jessany-chan, Your Japanese is very good. It’s been great knowing you. You’re always energetic. Please do your best!! I hope you enjoy your presents.” – Watanabe Nao

Today was truly a great day. Tomorrow I will go to Wakayama with my host mom and grandma for a shrine festival. This one will be really big. I’ll even get to witness Sumo wrestling :) I can’t wait!!

Tea Ceremony and Nara

My Sensei's mother does studies Sado(tea ceremony) so they were nice enough to have me and Maprang(another exchange student over). We wore Kimono's drank bitter tea and ate a very sweet a delicious red bean treat.


(Note: my Kimono is very formal, Maprang's Kimono is very casual)



Me, Maprang and Taro-kun

Me, Taro-kun, Obachan(grandma, who taught us tea ceremony) Momo-chan and Maprang.

Note: Pretty much all older ladies, that you are friendly with, are Obachan. It''s very confusing!!

Also Kun, Chan, San, Sama are all titles that go at the end of names to decribe your relation to other people.

This is in Nara City. Nara is the former capital of Japan(before Tokyo and Kyoto).

I forgot the name of this building in Japanese but it means big east temple. There's a huge budda inside.

Me and my friend chiho lighting incense out side of the temple.

Large Budda

Note: If you can't tell how large it is check out the heads at the bottom of the picture.

Nara is considered sacred and deer are considered sacred, so there are many dear in Nara. They come up to you and wait for you to feed them. It was really scary but kind of fun at the same time.

This budda is very special. It's been said that if rub it and then touch a part of your body (that is sick or injured) that it will be healed.

Me and Chiho

This hole is the same size and shape of the large budda(aboved). It's been said that if you pass through it you will gain wisdom.

Note: I wasn't going to do it but then my Sensei said "Challange?" I had to twist my body but I made it through.

Karaoke and Wataiko

Today was a great day! I went to Karaoke with friends. This was my first time going since I've got here. There are so many good songs here I don't understand why people don't just start breaking out dancing.
After Karaoke I went straight to Wataiko (Japanese Drum). Today was my official star date. It was hard but super fun! I already love my wataiko family. They are very nice. It's like a big group of aunts and grandmas and 2 brothers lol. Some women even asked me to call them Oba-chan(very friendly word for grandma). After class we sat in a circle. I enjoyed talking with them and they enjoyed feeding me Japanese cakes and candy and calling me cute. Hey no complaints here ;) It was kind of weird when they compaired me to Whitney Houston though. I'm very excited to go back next Saturday ♥

Today was AWESOME!!

I had a great time today my host parents took me to see Danjiri!! It was awesome and I got some good videos(coming soon hopefully).
Afterwards we went for treats. I got a vanilla ice cream bowl with sweet beans and rice cakes it was delicious!!
Then I was lucky to stumble on to a discount book store. I bought some mangas to study Japanese. The best part is it's by my house and my bus pass will get me there!
Tomorrow we're going to Namba to watch my rotary club secretary do flower arangement then my host parents are going to show me around Umeda!
They are going to show me a great view of Osaka. I also get to pick lunch. Sweet!

New Class Schedule

Yes finally some Japanese classes!

Monday 月曜日
1 Cross cultural understanding
2 Biology
3 English grammar
4 Home Economic
5 Math I
6 P.E.
7 Call/PW (english class)

Tuesday 火曜日
1 Music
2 Music
3 Math I
4 World History A
5 Japanese
6 P.E.
7 Call/PW

Wednesday 水曜日
1 Japanese
2 Earth Science
3 English Reading
4 Math A
5 World History
6 Japanese
7 Cross Cultural Understanding

Thursday 木曜日
1 Health
2 Home Economics
3 Japanese
4 Computer
5 English Reading
6 Integrated Study ( English class)
7 Long Homeroom

Friday 金曜日
1 Call/PW
2 French
3 P.E
4 Math A
5 Math I
6 English Grammar
7 No 7th period!!!

I think that Wednesdays and Fridays will be my favorite days, because Wednesdays I have two Japanese classes and Fridays are pretty easy going.

more observations

Middle names do not exist here. People have their family name and their first name.

A lot of things are more advance

ex.

• The fridge talks if you leave it open for too long


• The car GPS systems have build in TVs and a camera for rear view


• The bath tubs are heated


• The toilets are plugged into the walls and they clean and blow dry your bum


• The buses talk


• some buildings talk lol


• There are a lot of things that talk


• one word PURIKURA!!!


• Etc.

Electronics are not cheaper here

It is very acceptable to bathe with others of the same sex

Many things in Japan are MADE IN JAPAN

There is a dollar store equivalent except it's awesomer!!

Last weekend I took a trip to Himejii for Rotary orientation. I met the other exchange student from the Kansai area. There were 16 girls and 4 boys. We stayed at a temple where the last Samurai was filmed. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully I can post more pictures soon. ( I have already uploaded them all to my facebook.) We have to learn Amazing Grace (along with another song in Japanese) for the Christmas party, since I'm learning how to play guitar the rotary is expecting me to learn Amazing Grace. Also they are encouraging me to take the Japanese language proficiency test (level3) sometime during my exchange year.

がんばります!(I'll try my best!)