I Couldn’t Have Asked For A Better First Day Of School

Today was awesome! This morning I introduced myself in front of my homeroom class. Many were excited to meet me, not only that people came up to me and started conversations. There was one girl named あっき(makki{nickname}) who was the first to introduce herself. She taught me some new words. I understood math. Everyone was very nice. I just so happened to be sitting by two girls who take the same trains as me so we will ride to school together. The classes were confusing, for the most part I couldn’t tell which class I was in (maybe it was because it was a half day). I have in English class where my assignment is to memorize the “I Have A Dream” speech. I’m really looking forward to going back Thursday!!! (no school Wednesday

 

Please post your questions below.

Kishiwada City pt.2 (Danjiri museum)

danjiri is a festival that happens in Nara Kyoto and Kishiwada. Danjiri is both the name of the float you see below and the festival. Danjiri in kishiwada has been around for more than 300 years.

Danjiri is a festival were you pull a large danjiri float. It is ususually a calm celebration in Nara and Kyoto. Kishiwada is very unique because There festival in September is exciting fast and sometimes dangerous. Here is a short clip of Danjiri.



The guy on top is not dancing. Dajiri floats have not steering system so they need directors to navigate the people below. This video is actually a slower pace for the Masturi Danjiri festival.

Here is a Lantern for the festival kishwada city is filled with them.

Here is a giant drum that is in the front of the float.

Here is my host mom and me playing the drums on a danjiri model that was in the middle of the room. We are wearing Happi(sounds like Happy) coats. Each town/community in kishiwada has there own design. There are 23 town/ communities in Kishiwada.

video .....
=)

I'm pretending like I can direct the float

My host Dad demanded more action!!!

Some flags that you could find on a danjiri float

A scale model of what pulling a Danjiri looks like.

An outfit that the director(on top of the Danjiri) would wear.

Because Izumi is very close to Kishiwada we will expierence Danjiri too!!

Kishiwada city pt.1 (Kishiwada Castle)

Yesterday my family and I went sight seeing in a small city called kishiwada. It was very interesting.

This is kishiwada castle. It is very small compared to most casltes in Japan, but still has the characteristics (ie. moat, big gate). It burned down and was rebuilt 50 years ago, So it's actually just a replica of the original, but still very interesting.

Here is a scale model of kiswada castle.

Swords

Budda

Ancient Armor

Not quite sure, just as very beautiful picture.

Old caligraphy tools

Ancient map

Old Grain machine

Top Floor

Great view

Stone Garden below

My letter to a dear friend

Dear Rain,

It’s been hot here, I mean really hot. It’s been in the 90’ and 100’s easy and not only that the humidity has been horrible. Now after passive aggressively waiting 11 days since I’ve been here you’ve finally decided to rain. You started of gently and I really appreciated that but after a while you came down hard. Now you’re bringing a bad crowd in, lighting and thunder. Look I don’t know what your problem is but you need to cut it out!!! I like you I really do, but I don’t like your friends. They scare me. Anyways what I’m trying to say is maybe if you let your feelings out a little more then you wouldn’t have to come down so hard. Maybe you wouldn’t have to bring your friends around to intimidate even the bravest of people(Me). I understand people need time to change so I will give you time. I will let you get out all of your feelings tonight. Then maybe we can start new next time you come around(hopefully soon). I will try to be as brave as I can if you promise to really try next time. See I feel better already.

Love always,

Jessa

Helpful words and phrases

Words That have gotten me a little farther:

いいっただきます(Ittadakimasu):  always said before you eat and sometimes drink(depending on where you are).  pre-meal salutation.

ごちそさまでした(Gochisosamadeshita):  Just as important, this phrase is said to express thanks to the host after finishing a meal.

よろしくおねがいします(Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu):  Pleased to meet you

おねがいします(Onegaishimasu):  Literally means Please but is used after certain words to be polite

ください(Kudasai):  Please when asking for something

どぞ(Dozo):  Please ex. if you ask for something some one would respond with dozo as in please do or help yourself, or if you tell someone to go ahead of you you’d say please as in after you. Similar to Onegaishimasu it is said before words to be polite.

せんたく(Sentaku):  washing clothes

わかります(Wakarimasu):  I understand, I know

わかりません(Wakarimasen):  I don’t understand, I don’t know

おやすみなさい(Oyasuminasai):  good night (before you go to bed

おはよ(Ohayo):  good morning

こんいちわ(Konnichiwa):  good afternoon or a general hello

こんばんわ(Konbanwa): good evening(not to be confused with good night)

おひるね(O-hiru ne):  nap

おべんきょ(O-benkyo):  study

あつい (Atsui):  hot (weather) I haven’t had to learn anything else because it’s always hot, ALWAYS!!!

かわいい {Kawaii):  cute

たべもの(Tabemono):  food or eat

すきです(Suki Desu):  I like

ありがとう(Arigatou):  thank you

Journey to Nanba

No special Editing

Rotary Speech

My Very First speech in 日本語 it's a little choppy but it did the job.

My First Address

2-9-26 Yayoi-cho
Izumi-shi, Osaka
Japan 594-0061

under my name you should put:
c/o Mr. Kanai

Rotary Meeting District 2640

 

   

In Front: Mike(Nebraska), Agathe(France) Andrea(Germany), Ninna(Denmark), District Governor Mariko Yoneda, Me, Emily(Washington), Amandine(France), Lauren(Minnesota)

In Back: Host Families

My mom is behind the district governer.

Yay Rotary!!

No sweet and sour sauce in Japan

Yesterday afternoon before the district meeting we went to McDonalds. It was very interesting. I secretly took pictures, because I thought people would think I was weird for taking pictures in McDonalds. In retrospect that sounds weird.

 

Before they take your order they bow.    

They don’t have sweet and sour sauce (sadly for me)

Here is a big mac for about $2.10 Here is a small drink.

Because I wanted chicken nuggets I had to get a kids meal, so I have a McDonalds toy for who’s ever willing to come get it.

Mr. Bread Guy

last night we went out to eat and now all I can hear is the bread guy in my head saying:
Cheesy Pan, Garlic Pan, Gohan(rice) Pan, Shiroi(white) Pan, Melon Pan, Gomu(sesame seed) Pan, Ichigo(strawberry) Pan, Bacon Pan, Croissant Pan, e.t.c. Oh my that was good pan. I ate so much which was unfortunate because I had the best Salisbury steak of my life it was very good. All I kept saying was おしです！！！because it was so good and that's all I really know how to say. I couldn't finish it as matter of fact I only took 2 bites.

In Japan there is no such thing as a doggy bag. My dad decided that he would be brave and for the first time ask if they would wrap it up. Lucky for me, they did!

Hocus Locus?? Oh No-cus!!!

Every morning since I've been here I've heard this distinctive sound. I just assumed that the sound came from extremely loud birds, until yesterday. Yesterday morning as I was running bath water I decided to explore and take a look in the back yard. Just as I peeked outside I noticed a creature that looked like a humming bird. Of course I couldn't see clearly so I ran to get my glasses. To my surprise It was not humming bird. It was a large fly the length of my middle finger. I freaked out, I closed the door, I looked again, I closed the door, I looked again. I thought I was hallucinating. Well I later found out I wasn't. Later as we walked Koko, Chisato pointed out all of the dead locus as I cringed. I guess they are a very common summer insect. They are very popular and even young boys enjoy catching them. Maybe one day I will build up the courage to catch one.

Accepted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Yeah I forgot to mention to some that I was accepted into Hamline. I will be attening Hamline upon my return.

Observations In Japan

Observations:

The lunch boxes are small(about 1/4 the size of American lunch boxes)

Characters that are popular for children in America (lilo and stitch, care bears e.t.c.) Are popular for teens in Japan.

The Cars have a camera on the back so it's easy to view while backing in. everything is more compact.

Children stare at me funny(lol).

Hello Kitty is very popular(bonus for me!!)

They have McDonalds

There are a lot of bikes

No one locks their bike

Things I didn't expect to find in Japan:

seven eleven

claires

subway

starbucks

forever 21

fried chicken(my grandma made)

pizza(my grandma made)

Spaghetti(my grandma made)

Dole(the brand)

Frosted flakes

  My host Family is very nice and pretty diverse. I stay with my grandma and grandpa because they have extra rooms in the house. My mom dad sister and brother live down the street in a condo. everyone speaks at least a little English except my brother Hiroki and my Grandma. Somehow I can understand my Grandma for the most part(ok about half the time). They have tried to speak English to me, but starting today they will speak Japanese. I only anticipate the it will be harder from here. I'm ready!!!!! I have picked up some practice books from the book store. They are first grade level. That means as of now 7 year olds speak better Japanese than me lol. Since Chisato is leaving for Minnesota on Monday I have inherited her seventeen magazine collection, Sweet!!!!!

My room

View from my room. My room

My desk.

Panic button to Alarm neighbors

My First Day

At the airport. We went for drinks. We walked around.

We went to a shopping mall.

we ate Udon

This was a new experience for me, an outdoor mall.
It's certainly hot enough.

Seattle to Japan

Lauren and I were upgraded to first class. First class = Best Flight ever!!!

There were screens to watch TV, movies, play games and track flight.

A very nice Japanese flight attendant took this picture.

All you could see were clouds. Some clouds looked like cities.

First streched of land we seen since we left Washington. 1 hour before we landed.