Fuji TV and Asakusa

I'm loving this family more and more. Just, I don't really know how to explain it. They accepted me so well, like they had knew me from the start. They are a bit strict at times but what family isn't?
Since I've arrived here they are always trying to do things with me and have brought me into their family.
So I will tell you all the wonderful things that have gone on since arriving last week!

So the first day was a bit uncomfortable (like all of the moves were) due to crying and the fact that I and basically moving into a strangers home. But having met this family (not just the parents) before on a couple of occasions the blow was softened. I was really comfortable with this family from the start. Once again , they remind me so much of much family. I really like that haha. The rest of the week (until Wednesday) was just basically: go to school, come home, laze around and wait for food. Though I must say I really like being home alone for the first time in a long time. I've missed that. So on Wednesday night host mama, and two host sisters and I went to their aunts house for dinner. I'm not sure what the aunt's story is but it seems that she lives alone in a big house with a bunch of cats; Crazy Cat Lady. She is a very nice lady who is the spitting image of my host mother. We ate and had a great time. The feeling I get when I'm at that house is so warm and cozy. Before we had left to go to dinner my host mom told me to bring some underwear. I was really confused and she explained that I could take a bath at their aunt's house. I declined as it felt a bit awkward. I saw the bath once I got there and immediately regretted my decision. It was such a nice bath (  *o*). So that night was very nice. Then on Friday everyone lazed around at home and watched "Spirited Away" on TV while eating ice cream. Just very cozy.

FUJI TV


On Saturday, we had planned to go to Asakusa because there was a famous shrine that I have yet to visit. It, unfortunately, was raining but my family insisted we go somewhere else. My host father, mother, sister and I ended up going to Odaiba by car and visiting a TV station. We got to see all of the memorabilia from shows that they have shown on that station and got to see the set of the morning show that is always on when I wake up and a few of my favourite variety shows. There was also a bunch of signatures from foreign guests that have been on their show which included Big Bang, Will Smith, Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, and Tommy Lee Jones.  It was really cool.

There I am :D

The famous Rainbow Bridge in the background.

The building was 25 stories high :|

For Tonya! They had a bunch of photos and actual stuff from the show on display!

Also for you Tonya

We also took this great picture.

Yes. We are bugs.

Laughs were had. After we visited the station they brought me to see the giant gundam. Now, I'm not a big fan of the gundam series BUT when you see an 18m high, possibly controllable, space accessible  fighting machine you can't help but get excited.

Can I b Gundam nao?

As we drove home my host mother, sister and I all fell asleep. That day, it turns out, was my host mother's birthday. We bought her flowers and went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate with the family and their aunt and uncle and aunt's friend (not really sure her connection). We had great food and sang happy birthday (the whole restaurant did!).

Then, after eating, we decided to go rent some movies. I ended up getting the two newest Ghibli movies ("The Borrower Arrietty" and "From Up on Poppy Hill") and Paranormal Activity 2 and 3. We went home and my host sister and aunt's friend decided to watch Paranormal Activity. Everyone aside from my host father and us three left the apartment (either to go home or go to the other house) and started to watch. It honestly isn't a scary movie as such and it just has cheap scares. Either way, when the movie got quiet, we all got a scare when my host mother decided to call us. I screamed a lot louder than I should have. My host father went to bed halfway through the first movie but the three of us who were left over decided to watch the other one as well. We ended up going to bed around 3.

ASAKUSA

The next day, Sunday, was sunny and hot. So, after cleaning the house, we decided to go with the former plan from Saturday and go to Asakusa. We took the train and as we did we looked at things to do in Okinawa. I'm so excited to go with them! We got to Asakusa and it felt as if I was in Kyoto again. Lots of Japanese souvenir shops and shopping streets with ceilings. We visited the shrine and ate some fresh senbei (rice cracker).

Pagodas are cool

Busy street

Also this guy

This boy reminds me of Sokka (so does his Dad)

We also did omikuji (fortunes) and I got the best one! Score!

This shrine is gaijin friendly :D

We prayed and before the praying area (I don't know what to call it. An alter?) there was a quite large pot like structure. People would place incense in it and the would move the smoke to some part of their body which was either in pain or if they just generally wanted it to get better. In the process of this, the smoke got in my eyes. Very much so. So I guess my eyes will get lazer vision now.

C'mon lazer eyes!

Sweet. As we were walking on the street before the actual shrine area we could see the Tokyo Sky Tree. The, now, tallest structure in the world.

So old and so new.

We decided to go get some food and my host sister and I got Maguro Soba (fresh tuna and noodles). It was apparently a shop specialty as you got three different flavours when you ate it. First it was just regular soba and broth. Second, you got a different taste when you add the wasabi and tuna to the broth. Third was when you add some soba oyu (hot soba broth) and add the rest of the contents into the broth which turned into a very lovely soup.

We left the populated area and when to a very interesting building which looked upon the city. Very nice views.  

As we were going home my host father suggested we ride a rickshaw. I have been in Japan for 11 months, been to Kyoto twice and not once have I ridden one. I was a lot more excited then I should have been. It was just a 10 minute ride but our (girl) "driver" was very nice and brought us to a place where they based the food area of "Spirited Away" on. 

We then went home and I napped. I was so exhausted. I was awoken and was told that we were going to their aunts house again. Yay! I got my bath stuffs and excitedly waited! We (host mother, host father, two host sisters, host aunt and uncle and I) all ate together and conversed. Then the time finally came. I was able to get in the bath! And what a wonderful bath it was. I can't wait to go there again. Their aunt is so sweet.

I'm not very good with words and the way I have worded my feelings may be a bit awkward. However, I am so glad to be in this family. Everyone is so kind and tries to make me comfortable. I'm glad to have all these wonderful people as my last host family. It really nice having a family that actually wants to do stuff with me.

And now its Tuesday and school is getting shorter and shorter as we approach summer break. I literally have to be in school for a maximum of 2 hours. I must say, its quite lovely.

I also went to Disney with the exchange students last Thursday and on the 16th I'm hanging out with all of my school friends. I'll either make a video (probably not) or write a blog entry about it. Look forward to it!