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!

The Final Move

So yesterday (Sunday) I left my fifth host host family of 3 months into my sixth and final one. My previous host family (Fukaya) reminded me so much of my own family that it was really hard to leave. There were traits of my brother, sister, mother and father in just about everyone of the 7 members. That, and before I moved in with the Fukaya family, my host family was well... lets just say we didn't mesh as well as planned. I needed a family to support me because at this point I was a a very emotional and vital stage of my exchnage. And they just couldn't provide that. Anyway, in a sense the Fukaya family saved my exchange. At the time that I moved in with them, I really needed comfort. And thats exactly what they gave me. I was so happy with them. I really enjoyed my time with them and I definitely miss them.

However! I am now with the Shimada family. There is a mother and father, as well as three daughters. All around my age (14, 17, 20), so I really like it here. They are very sweet and I'm glad that they get to be my last family because I feel like they will support me with all of the ups and downs to come about leaving Japan. Also, in August they are taking me to Okinawa! I'm so excited! And for that reason today was the start of my diet! Haha I can't wait!

So I will be updating this blog a lot more often. I have forgotten how much I love doing it (even though it does not show through the number of blog entries I have). Please look forward to it!

The Japanese Hospital Experience (Minor)

Today I went to a Japanese hospital for the first time. If you have a hokensho (保険証: Insurance card) you can basically go to any hospital in Japan. This particular hospital's director is a Rotarian so all was good. I went and showed them my card and they gave me an information sheet to fill out. Like any other hospital in Canada, you had to give your name, age, birth date, current medications and any other illnesses or allergies that you have. Pretty straight forward. I gave the sheet back and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Almost an hour. Which was odd because the last time I went to a Rotarian operated medical centre, I was in and out in 20 minutes. This Rotarian doesn't like me, I guess haha. So this (cute) male nurse asked me questions about my medical history, what my symptoms were, and again about which medications I'm taking. Once again, pretty much the same as any other hospital visit. He then took my temperature (Fun fact: Japanese people, be they doctors or regular people, will only (unless you are a baby or something) take your temperature from your underarm. A very ineffective way, if you ask me) and asked me to pee in a cup. I hate peeing in cups. So after said action, I waited some more and then finally the doctor saw me. He basically told me everything I knew and did nothing (the nurses did everything, yay nurses!!!) except tell me I needed medication (I already knew this). So then we were dismissed and waited some more before we had to pay. Then we went to the pharmacy and waited again. I got my medication, paid and left. Now in Canada if I were to get the same medication, I would probably be on the antibiotic for a couple of weeks. Here, however, I only have to take it for three days. Yay! I hope it'll work. So all in all, a good experience. And only ended up costing me about $15!

Now I need to get ready to go to school. -__-;; What a pain lol

TL;DR: Japanese hospitals make you wait a long time. But they are cheap!

Japanese Cinemas!

It has been too long for an entry on this. I want to write more! I'm switching host families this Saturday so I should have internet. I actually promise this time I'll write a lot!
Starting with this!

Today I went to a Japanese Cinema for the first time!
I saw "逆転裁判" (Gyakuten Saiban/ Phoenix Wright). I went by myself because my school is in the middle of exams so everyone is still studying. I went to Ikebukuro to walk around and eventually go to the movie.
So I lined up (the box office was on the exterior) and checked the times for my movie. I said which one I wanted to see and confirmed the time. Then the worker showed me a laminated piece of paper of the seats in the theatre. I was a bit surprised at first but then I thought to myself "This is very Japanese; very organized". So, the worker suggested a seat for me and asked if it was ok, I said it was alright, paid, and received my ticket. Today was Thursday so for whatever reason my ticket was only about 10 dollars! Yay!
I was a bit early for the movie so I walked around, ate at TGI Fridays and then decided to take my seat.
At this particular cinema the 7th and 8th floor were movies. Each floor had two movies showing. I thought it was neat and an interesting use of space. I went to the 7th floor and looked at the confections. I decided to get a small popcorn because, unlike Canada, it was reasonably priced. The funny thing about Japanese theatres is a small popcorn is actually small! Anyway, I gave my ticket to the lady, she directed me to the room and I walked down the aisle. I was in K-14, located in the middle of the row, in the middle of the theatre. Yes! Best seat. I sat down, and listened to the theatre provided music and waited. I'm going to assume that all Japanese theatres play the main theme to whatever movie you go to before screening, because they were playing "2012Spark" by Porno Graffiti (Mom, please excuse the band name) on repeat. The movie started and like regular theatres commercials and a courtesy message were shown before the movie. Also, Japanese anti-pirating commercials are silly and full of lol. The movie started and I went into intense focus mode to actually try and understand what was being said instead of just remembering what happened in the game. The movie, like most Japanese movies, was quite long. Just a little but over two hours. But luckily the seats were comfy (for those who know, its like Topsail theatres in regards to the slope of the seats but the chairs are comfy and there is lots of leg room), and the floor was actually clean. I was very surprised. But once again; very Japanese. The movie ended and everyone left, all taking their garbage and leaving in an orderly fashion.
Thus ending my first Japanese Theatre Experience. I got a lot of looks from the fellow movie goers before and after the film. I'm guessing because it was in Japanese and I'm well... not. All in all it was a great experience! I saw a poster for the "Berserk" movie so that will be the next one I see! (I'm such a nerd! )
Once again I apologize for the very late blog entry.

New Family + Kyoto

Hi everybody!!
Its been a long time and I haven't kept up with my promise of writing in this every week. I'm sorry I have failed you. I have some free time now so I will reeeeally try to write in this every week!

So I have switched families. There is a mother, father, younger sister, younger brother and grandmother. Its really fun to have this kind of setting. It actually feels like a family instead of just being housed by someone. They have two two-month old kittens. They are so cute!

So on Sunday I got back from my class trip in Kyoto. It was a lot of fun even though I didn't understand a lot of the stuff that we did. I didn't talk much (mainly because I wasn't in a good mood) but I listened a lot and that has really helped with learning the language. Here is the link to the photos ! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150457029906147.422487.542111146&type=1&l=45d51a8f0c

The first day we all met at Tokyo station for 8:25. We got on our shinkansen (bullet train) and headed off to Osaka. On the train all we did was eat. Endlessly ate. We also played cards and a lot of people slept (because some students had to wake up and leave for Tokyo around 3 in the morning). When we arrived in Osaka we were met by a tour guide and brought to a bus. The bus took us on a short sight-seeing trip around Osaka. We were then given free time on a popular street. We met a popular comedian in the middle of filming a show. It was neat. I'll be on TV (maybe)! After our free time (which we spent eating more, taking purikura pictures and sight seeing) we all met up again and attended a stand up comedy show.  As difficult as understanding Osaka's accent and Japanese in general is, I enjoyed the performance. It was really funny! But I did sleep through most of it. After about 4 hours of comedy, we got onto the bus again and were taken to our Ryokan (Japanese-style hotel) in Kyoto. Our room was wuite lovely. It had tatami floors and futons to sleep on. Supper was brought to us and my roommates and I ate together like a family. Once again I just ate and listened to whatever they were talking about. Its really frustrating being able to understand what is going on but even though you want to contribute, you just can't. You don't have the ability to do so. This is why I am even more determined to learn Japanese. That night after supper my friends asked me if I wanted to go to the bath. Little did I know that they meant the public bath. I was really worried and self conscious but in the end it was really fun. I thought of it very professional. Everyone just does what they need to do and then they relax in the bath together. It was a really nice and comforting feeling. After the bath every one just hung out in their friends room until our curfew. As we lied down in our futons, we talked about many things. I just listened nd enjoyed the noise until I nodded off to sleep.
Day two started bright and early with one of our level 2 representative saying "good morning" on the P.A.. Our breakfast was a very Japanese styled one with rice, miso soup, fish and an arrangement of vegetables. On this day we were going to a shrine to perform a dance. So we got on the bus and headed off to the shrine around 9:00. When we arrived at the shrine, we were taken to this storage area of sorts so we could organize our costumes and warm up. It was raining on this day so we had to perform on a stage instead of a field as originally planned. We went outside in our sports wear and practised on the stage until around 12:00. People we watching us practise and there was a foreign couple that was fixated on me. I say them later and just smiled and they smiled back. Though I now wish I had talked to them to say that they should watch our performance at 1:30. We put on our costumes and our make up. They were ridiculous to say the least but really interesting. Before we performed we were taken to a part of the shrine where Maiko (shrine priestesses) purified us with blessed water. After this a Priest took us to another place and blessed us (I'm not really sure but it felt very solemn). We also saw a lot of people get married at this shrine. Japanese weddings are so beautiful. I had overheard that it was a foreign woman and Japanese man, which was interesting. So we lined up for our performance and then the drums started. I was very nervous, as was everyone else but it went off without a hitch! Aside from the fact that I messed up a little but I don't think anyone noticed. Relieved, the performance ended and we took group photos. We all went an changed into our regular clothes and ate in the storage room (of sorts). We then cleaned up and left. It was a great day and was very fun! When we returned to the hotel we did the same thing as we did on the first night.
Day three started the same as the previous. But today was different, we were given a free day to go around Kyoto and sight see and shop. We left at 8:30 and caught a bus to the Kyomizudera Shrine. Here, there were many souvenir shops and rickshaws. I really wanted to ride one, but they were around $60 for an hour or something like that. We went to the shrine (at the top of a very large hill) and walked around. The shrines in Japan are just so beautiful. The nature there is so preserved and its like you are entering a totally different world within the busy city. After the shrine and buying lots of (heavy) souvenirs, we walked around the city where we ate and shopped. We ate cake, ramen, candy, more cake and more unhealthy food. It was great. When we returned to the hotel after being lost for about an hour we immediately took our bath. Then we had supper. After supper we were given free time to go about the city once again. It was really fun at night! My group ended up running back to the hotel because we didn't pay attention to the time. So tiring. Night was the same as the rest.
The fourth day was the day we were to return home. We got everything ready, said good bye to the wonderful staff and once again hopped onto the tour bus. I was under the impression we were to be going straight home but to my delight we went to a famous shrine! If you have ever seen a 10 yen coin then it is the shrine that is pictured on it. We took a class photo and were once again given free time to look around and shop. I, of course, ate a lot again. Lots of ice cream. I regret nothing. I bought more souvenirs and we returned to our bus to go to the station. On our ride there, it became eerily quiet. Everyone on the bus fell asleep. It was a nice change from all the screaming this class does. Before going home we went to a hotel by the station and were fed. Very white food. It was nice change! haha. We got on our train and relaxed. Once again everyone slept for a good bit of the ride. We arrived in Tokyo at around 4:00. I took my heavy luggage and headed home by myself (because I had lost my friend I was supposed to go home with haha) It was nice to just relax by myself. I like being in Tokyo by myself. I arrived home and immediately went to my room and collapsed on the bed. For whatever reason I was still horribly exhausted. That night (along with every Sunday night with this family) we went out for dinner. I had tempura udon. So yummy. I came home after that and went to sleep after skyping with the family.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I want to return to Kyoto and Osaka by myself (or with friends) one day soon.

UPDATE! (how many entries will be called this?)

SO I have been really bad with keeping up with this blog! But I am moving host families today so I will try and write every Sunday and Friday and anytime that something interesting happens!

So, yes. I am finally moving host families.... I really don't want to. I love this family. I actually love them. They could not have been a better first host family. I am packing now and I am really sad. I know I will still see this family... but its not the same. But recent news in this family is that I'm going to be a host aunt!!! My host brothers wife is pregnant! I'm so happy! I can't wait until the baby is born. I'll be the first white person he or she sees! (That is a weird aspiration, Hali). I didn't realize how much stuff I've accumulated in the past two months. Just. SO. Much. Stuff. I'll have to send some home. The house I'm moving to is only I little bit away from where I am currently. But I'll have to bike to the train station in the mornings. Meaning I'll have to wake up earlier... not looking forward to that. But I love riding Japanese bikes, so its ok. They are really thin and the handles are weird but I'm kind of use to it now after riding one once or twice. I'm really all over the place with this entry. I'm sorry.
Last night I had my last supper with all of my host family. (Mother, Father, Brother, Brother and Sister-in-law) We had sashimi, vegetable tempura, panko deep fried JUMBO shrimp, tofu, and a bunch of other dishes in the really nice private part of a restaurant.

LOOK AT THE OXYMORON 

Have I ever told you I LOVE tofu?

 We took the first and last family picture together. When I decided to say how thankful I was for their hospitality and over all niceness (wow that is an actual word?), I broke down and cried. I am truthfully sad to leave this home. It was the perfect balance of independence and family feel. Of course I am excited to meet and live with my new host family (I'm becoming an older sister for the first time ever!) but I will always have a special place in my heart for the Yamashiro's.

I love you. I will miss you so much. Thank you.
大好き。寂しくになります。心から、ありがとうございました。

Update!!!!

I have been so busy lately I haven't been able to do anything with vlogging or blogging! But today I have a day off (even though I"m going out later) I swear to god I have more of a social life here than I did in Canada. Its exhausting!!I am uploading a video today so look out for that (www.youtube.com/teaforbunny)
So with the school festival over with, we are now practising for out performance in Kyoto. Its our class trip and we get to stay in a traditional Japanese hotel. I'm so excited!! It means that there is either a huge indoor bath OR a huge outdoor bath. I must say I'm very excited. But that is in November so I will be with my second host family unfortunately and fortunately. I love my host family so much!!
Oh yes, this weekend past, my cousin came to visit from Akita. So on Thursday evening, I ventured down to Ikebukuro and met up with her. We ate okonomiyaki. Which is quite possibly the best food ever. It roughly translates into "anything you like; fried", Its also described as a savoury pancake. So delicious, I swear I could eat it everyday.

Being cooked it doesn't look appetizing. But then.....

...ITS TURNS INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL CREATION

So we stayed out until 2:30am singing karaoke. It was awesome. Then we woke up at 7ish and went in search of food. I had a panini and starbucks blueberry scone. So lovely. We went arounf all of Tokyo and didn't really buy anything. So we went to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Shibuya, and Harajuku. We were so exhausted!!
We got back to my place around 10 and my host mom and her friend waited for us at the station. She is so nice! We ate garigarikun and then went up to bed. In the morning we had to go to a Rotary thing then after we went for sandwiches at this small cafe near the rotary function with my Counsellor. It was very delicious. After we went for sushi. I ate whale.  And I must say... it was disgusting. It was really fatty and just gross. After that we went to karaoke with my host dad, host mom, and counsellor. My host mother is very good at singing enka! My host dad was drunk so he sang a bit too. The next morning my cousin left and it wasn't really sad because we plan to meed again in the winter!
On that day I decided to meet some other Rotary students in Oomiya. It was interesting haha. I got lost in the station but found out they were literally 600m away from where I entered the station and ended up walking around for a half hour in search of them. We ate okonomiyaki after taking purikura. It was really hard to find the okonomiyaki place but this nice couple took up there. Times were had and then we went home.
All in all my life is pretty busy here. It is a nice change.

Today I don't have school so I went to the Rotary meeting. Got money, got paid. But I didn't eat anything even though it looked better than last time. My tummy hurts :(
So I'm going down to Ikebukuro to meet a Rotex (a person who went on the exchange program with Rotary but is now back in their own country.) that I met last weekend. I'm excited!!!

I will update as much as I can!! I'm so sorry!!