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!)

Bunkasai

Some of the things I seen at my school festival. My favorite is the boys dancing to Beat It 6mins in, but it's all very entertaining. I ♥ Sumiyoshi Highschool!!!

Friends I commute with

My Modified uniform Kimiko(Nickname: Makki)

Left to Right Reina Chiharu Kimiko and Me

It's a long ways so it's nice to have friends to commute with =)

School Uniform

This is my gym uniform. The Blue writing is my schools name and the black writing is my name. The shorts are for the summer the pants are for the winter. They both have my name on the as well. Gym is pretty awesome!! It's three times a week. Monday we create a dance wednesday we run and friday we play volleyball.

This is my uniform before my friends pimped it out by rolling the sleeves, skirt and adding high socks.





This is a charm my host mom gave me it represents safe travels.

My highschool name.

My bento(lunch) box. Yay Kitty-chan!!

It is very small but a lot of food is packed in. My water bottle is in the back round. Every one has insulated water bottles. My Water bottle keeps my water cold for 10 hours easy.

What’s up with the Exchange rate??

So last I heard (2 weeks ago) the exchange rate for America to Japan was

.83 cents to every 100円 (Japanese Dollar)

I’m sure that’s the lowest it’s been in awhile especially if it’s front page news worthy

I wonder how exchange rates are determined. I’ll have to do some research.

Anyways bottom line:

Bad for American exchange students, good for everyone else.

I guess I’ll have to do my shopping at the ひゃくえん (dollar store equivalent but they’re dollar store are sooo much better!!!(In my opinion))

More Observations

There are palm trees here

Osaka has had record temps many times since I’ve been here

People here do not have middle names

Home Economics is still popular here (We made pop! =D and also I was surprised to find out my host brother knows how to sew which is very awesome!!)

The teachers move from class to class (which is seems to make more since in my opinion)

Rotary Club:

Izumi Rotary club has been very kind. They bought my uniform which is also very nice. I’ve just received the last pieces and it looks awesome!! I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow.

School life:

School has been fun. Everyone in my home room is very nice and I’ve made friends.

The teachers are very supportive. I met two English teachers from America and one from Jamaica.

They gave me some tips and told me if I need anything the doors always open.

Sumiyoshi is a great school. It is one of only two international schools in Osaka.

Family:

My Family is very nice I love them!!

My mom is especially supportive. Yesterday I was really frustrated but I talked to her and that seemed to make everything better.

Today she brought me to a production that her shrine put on, all I can say is WOW!! what an interesting show. It was so good, but I forgot to bring my camera. I would try to explain it but you’d never believe me (and also I’m too lazy to write)

Next week her shrine is having a mini festival She said there is going to be cotton candy. I was so excited when she said cotton candy that I could hardly contain myself. I thought I would have to say farewell to cotton candy for a year. I WAS WRONG (YES)!!!!