Piczo

Just Running

Do you ever wonder how seemingly normal, otherwise-well-rounded people find their way into endurance sports? Of course there will always be genetic anomalies out there who can burn endless miles without even trying. But where does the rest of the field come from? How does a person look at something like a slow paced long run- the out-of breath feeling of being untouchable from the rest of the world, followed by the creeping night fatigue. How does someone look at something like that and say, “hey, that might be something I’d be good at”? Or even scarier - “hey, that might be fun.” At some point over the last year of my life, everyone has thought that I, Julie Garner, am crazy. I did, after all, jump on an airplane and head to live abroad in Japan for an entire year at the ripe old age of 15. But even before my big adventure, I took on another task that has forever changed who I am. I started running. Now I'm sure that doesn't sound like much, but it is, it really is. It isn't just any running either. I run long and hard runs, that often find my legs asking for a divorce. When people find out where I run and for how long, they just think I'm utterly deranged. At home, my Track coach would remark everyday that even his best and daring runners wouldn't undertake the courses I liked. And these 'courses' and routes are what made the country of Japan, which is 73% mountainous, the perfect country for me. It's true, I run the mountains for fun. Now don't get the wrong idea. I'm really a terrible runner. I seriously have the speed of an old lady on a Sunday morning. Before I started running last year, my mother would say that I run like a retarded turtle. Even now, after more than a year of running, I run like I have a sack of potato's on my back. But you know, I figure if you really love something, it doesn't matter that you aren't good at it and what not. And I love running. It's weird, because before I started running, I was the biggest 'avoid physical activity at ALL costs' kind of person. The dinner table and the couch in front of the television, went way back with my butt. Running rotation in gym class often prompted 'sick days' at school. Now after all that has happened, I can't imagine what I would be doing without running. That brings me to running in Japan. Like I mentioned earlier, Japan is 73% mountainous, a sane runner's worst nightmare. But for me, absolute heaven. Since I am a pretty busy person, I only get in running about a hour 3 or 4 times a week. Though if it was my choice, I'd run everyday. My current host house, the Kato residence, is in a more industrialized section. Yet I have already scoped out huge mountain trails, and a riverside run, a mere 5 minutes away. Though I have been told not to run up the mountain without a Japanese person, curiosity has always gotten the best of me. On top of the hill near the Kato's I was given a front seat at the most incredible view of Kochi City. My city. And when I dragged along my host parents, I pointed out each and every house and town I had been able to call home during my exchange year. Immensely impressed at my navigational skills, they complimented me profusely, and also breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I didn't get lost every time I went out exploring on a run. Since the Kato house isn't too far away from Tosajoshi, my school, I also run at Josei Park. Josei Park is the 'big' park on the area surrounding Kochi Castle. The castle is situated on a hill, so that instead of running around the pond at the bottom, I find myself training on running up the steep ancient steps of the castle. Sometimes I like to think about who else might have run this way. I even make stories in my mind about Samurai's running up to warn the Castle of an approaching enemy. And always at the bottom, I smile as I run through the 400 year old gates, and look up at the gorgeous castle, almost twice as old as my country. The best host family house for my tiring hobby, was the house of the Osaki's. Just a few feet away from the house is the start of a long steep hill up Kouda Mountain. It's not actually called, Kouda Mountain, but I don't actually know the name. Since I ran it so often, I'm pretty sure people who lived around the area, we're calling it Mt. Running Gaijin. Kouda Mountain is fascinating. I never get bored running up, the dusty deserted road to Kouda Tunnel. It's a little dangerous, since the road is as ancient as the mountain itself, and there is no sidewalk. But there are hardly ever any cars, and I have never seen anybody undertake the long steep walk up the mountain. Looking back on it now, I know my other 3 host families would have NEVER let me go on this run, but the Osaki's were never a worrisome family. They knew right off the bat, that running was what I like to do. And they weren't going to stop me because of a little worry. When I first scoped out the area leading to the road up the mountain, I was afraid that straying off the dirt path would get me hopelessly lost. One side of the mountain overlooks Kochi City, which is the side I usually run on. But eventually, I tempted fate and took a dusty path off the road. I found myself climbing an incredibly steep slope, along side what looked like an abandoned cemetery. Here in Japan, cemeteries are very well kept, so I was very curious as to why this one was so out of order. I later learned that the reason is because it's about 400 years old, and no one bothers to take care of ancestors from that long ago. I fell in love with this road alongside a mysterious and peaceful cemetery, and didn't want to question it to much. When one reaches the top of the road, the trail leads into a deep thick forest. With lots of energy, I ignored my mind begging not to follow the road. Instead, I listened to my gut, and my love for adventure. Soon I found myself jogging down the mountain in a deep untouched brush in the lush green Shikokuan mountains. I crossed over rotting wooden bridges, and paralleled alongside of a gushing creek filled with the most crystal clear water one could imagine. In the middle of the afternoon, my mind was at ease from the sounds of crickets and birds, in the sound that I only ever hear during the late summer nights in America. It's times like these when I realize how lucky I am, and how much I truly do love running. I think only runners know the feeling I'm about to describe. It's like when you are running, the whole world stops, and for a few minutes, a hour, or however long you run, all the problems of the world are forgotten. And even if they aren't forgotten, and you still think about them, running makes it feel like nothing can catch up with you. Because for those minutes that the body is moving to the run, you are untouchable. The only person who can control what happens is you. You decide when to stop and go, how fast or slow, and where and when you explore. There is so much more to the feeling of running, but I can't get it out the right way. Running in Japan, hasn't always been very easy. My first host family, the Masaki's, lived right in the middle of the city. Back then, I did not do much exploring, and was really limited to the busy mall areas. I was also forbidden to run at night, because the Masaki apartment is close to a few famous bars. The times I did get to go out at night, Drunks were very visible. I wasn't dismayed, though, and I joined the Tosajoshi Track and Field club. Unfortunately, it wasn't the kind of running that made me happy. I don't like being limited to just the Stadium Track, because I'm too adventurous to be stuck in monotony. By the move to my 2nd family, the Oono's, I had stopped the Track team in favor of a more cultural club, the Japanese Harp, the Koto. I had figured that when I moved to the Oono's, I'd get more time to do running. This was not the case. My host father was very strict, and did not allow me to do much exploring. I was not allowed to run at night, or even if darkness began falling. Since I arrived home at about 4:30, with the sun slightly going down in the wintertime at 5. Running was made impossible. My host mother knew that I needed to run, so she secretly helped me get in a few early morning jogs. I was content with these runs, but I didn't get to scope at the whole area around my host town. Which is something that saddens me even 4 months later. I'm never going to be a competitive runner. I don't like competition, and I'm cetainly not fast enough or string enough for it. So why do I run? I run to live, and live to run. It's as simple as that. And you know, honestly, I'm probably one of the most fortunate runners in the world. After all, not many people can say that they get to run through an ancient Japanese castle, or that their favorite training spot is a 400 year old cemetary.

The Gokiburi Escapeades

I like to think of myself as a really STRONG person. I think it really comes in the package upon accepting a year assignment as an exchange student. But there are other things that make me believe this. For instance, I run good long distance runs 3 or 4 times a week, in addition to the occasional 40 KM bike ride. I also bike about an hour a day to and from school. But besides the physical side, there is also the fact that I left my Mom and Dad for a year at the age of 15 to live in a country I knew next to nothing about. And I've never been homesick once in the whole 10 and 1/2 months I've been gone. Yet, despite my strength, I have officially been beaten down. I know that I use that line alot, like when I talked about Synchronized Swimming, 6 days a week of school, massive and sudden Typhoons, but this time I really really mean it. First think about the elephant and the mouse. Now think about the gaijin and the cockroach. And this is my story. On June 21, 2007, after a delicious dinner of some strange Japanese dish that I don't even know the name of, I sat watching the terribly boring Japanese television with my host family. My current host family, the Kato's are really wonderful people. I love this family very much, especially because I'm back to being the baby of the family, like I was with the beloved forst host family. I never suspected that being the youngest in the house would also be the most fun, but that's a different story. So while the news was blaring on about some useless news, probably something about singing Sushi, slow Nato production, or something incredibly Japanese and stupid, the members of the family began gathering up their dishes. The routine is that when we are finished, we say our mandatory prayer and thank you for the meal, then we take our dishes into the kitchen to be washed by Okasan. I performed the task, and then skipped back into the eating area to watch some more television. It's not as though I really like TV, but I do want to spend as much time with my host family as possible. A few minutes after everything was cleared away, and while Okasan was cleaning, my 27 year-old host sister, Michiyo, left to get her Driver's Ed homework. I sat quietly, while Michiyo returned and Okasan made her way into the sitting area. When she entered Michiyo and I both looked at her as she entered the room. She came in with a huge smile on her face, and I could tell she was eager to tell us something. Instead of making eye contact with he, which is a crucial way for communication I've discovered, something caught my eye. Michiyo spotted it as well, because she let out a tiny gasp. Upon closer look, I discovered a Gokiburi, or cockroach, the size of a small bird racing across the wall. I screamed as loud as my vocal cords would allow me. Otosan jumped in his seat at the sound of my voice, while Okasan looked horrified. Michiyo, in a trembling voice, pointed to behind Okasan where the little bugger was training for an Olympic meal in sprinting. Okasan, acting fast, slammed the sliding door hard against the wall, trapping the Gokiburi in a tight spot. I sat in horror in my seat, trying to hold in the pee that has accumilated from nowhere and sprung from fear. Okasan rushed off to the kitchen to get the Roach Killer, while the rest of us sat in total shock. She was back in the sitting room, in a a few seconds. In her hand she held a long spray can that was bright red and bestowed the picture of a dead roach. I could tell from the way that she clasped the canister, that she had alot of experience in the Roach killing field. She looked to the rest of us, with a face so serious and dangerous, that I found myself even more scared. In a deep, but passionate voice, she said, "Everybody ready." Before I could say, "No let me get away first," she slid open the door to where the Gokiburi awaited to restart his race. I jumped so high, that the chair I was sitting on did a flip backwards, and screaming, I ran into the nearest corner. Michiyo followed me, but she was significantly quieter. Okasan, sprayed the Roach Killer with such passion, that I saw in her eyes the old Samurai spirit of the Japanese. She carried her Katana, a rolled up newspaper, and 30 mm assault weapon, also known as the Roach Killer. The cockroach, though physically unarmed, was using its menacing disgustingness to full effect in an effort to thwart all plans. The Gokiburi slowed up, but still raced on towards the spot, where Michiyo were huddled. I found myself in a hug type fearful huddle with Michiyo, but as I saw the thing approach me, I let go. Instead, I grabbed Michiyo's back and thrusted her towards the approaching beast, as if to say, "Take her, I'm much too cute to die!" Michiyo quickly caught on, but before she could do anything, Okasan raced towards us spraying the can with all her might. All she needed was one of those white and red headbands, and she would be the perfect this day and age Kamekaze Roach Killer. Still screaming my head off, I watched as the spray, finally began to kick in. Okasan reached us within milliseconds, and whipped out her Katana. She began the paper efforts but the soldier was quick and well trained. Finally, she had struck him with a force, so powerful that it would have caused instant death to a human. But we aren't dealing with humans, rather bugs that apparently could survive a Nuclear War. And now he was in trouble. Having caught the full blast of the spray and receiving blow after blow with the heavy Katana newspaper he began his decline. Seizing the moment and complete with mighty war cry, Okasan sprayed him with a full blast, just above his head. Not a single centimetre of the area did she neglect. After the smoke had cleared she surveyed the damage. The lone soldier was mortally injured but amazingly still alive writhing in agony from the poison gas attack. The Gokiburi probably did not die instantly, but when Okasan reached it, death was probably the only thing it could have wished for. Another casualty of war. Thus far, in my 4 host homes, 3 have had cockroaches. And none of the families seem to take them as seriously as I do. I guess it's because since roaches enjoy the Kochi weather of humidity and constant heat, there are just too many to worry about. I have not had a good relationship with the cockroaches in Kochi, though I don't reckon I ever really will get along with these little suckers, wherever I go in this world. I had forgotten that with the lights out late at night, the cockroaches emerge sleepy-eyed from their slumbers and roam free about their territory with relative impunity. They are weird creatures as I am beginning to understand. The thing is they are not inherently evil like Mosquitoes and Horsefly's yet their shape and amazing quick bursts of speed scare and repulse me. They are at least 1000 times smaller and weaker than me. When chased down they attempt to flee rather than stand and fight. (Not that I fight either- but my shreiks force someone do fight.) These points alone should guarantee my safety but it doesn`t. Why is this? If it is true, that Gokiburi are the only thing that would be able to survive a Nuclear attack, then guess what? I don't want to survive. What I've discovered is that while everyone has a fear of some sort, spiders, ghosts, snakes, whatever, I am deathly afraid of Gokiburi. My first and horrid memory with the Gokiburi was back in September with the Masaki family. I was laying in my bed, reading Harry Potter, when suddenly I heard a clicking sound. I put the book on my chest, to have a look, and was immediately scared out of my wits. Peering up at me, just a foot away from by head, was a little bigger, trying to appear innocent. Now picture it in your mind. Big sleepy gaijin, peacefully laying down reading a book, nodding in and out of sleep, and certainly not bothering anyone. While suddenly, out of nowhere, this repulsive little mongrel decided to take an after dessert evening stroll right across the hill, that was my chest. I was too scared and shocked to scream, but I did fling out of bed and start racing at hypersonic speed through the apartment. Mind you, I was in my underwear, but it didn't matter. I reached Otosan and Okasan's room door and slammed on it a few times. Otosan opened up, still half asleep, but alarmed at my sudden burst of energy, "What's wrong?" In Japanese, I screamed at the top of my lungs, waking up the entire city of Kochi, and probably all of Western Japan, "COCKROACH." Alarmed, he waddled straight into my room, where the little bugger was making it's escape. I was not the only one in my underwear, and I think once the cockroach saw Otosan Masaki, it knew to run away. Otosan Masaki, often referred to as Captain Jack, was not going to let the little thing get away without a flight. So Captain Jack, with the assist of Harry Potter, began beating down on my mattress and trying to catch the Gokiburi. It was not the in the spirit of the Samurai, like my 4th host mom, but more or less like the drunk pirate he pretends to be. Unfortunately, though now in the least bit suprising, he failed, though he keep it quiet, knowing I would never sleep again with a beast roaming around my room. So he swore that he killed it, but couldn't reach under the bed to get it. Liar. I'd also run into a cockroach with the Osaki's, my third host family. I watched it crawl throught the hallway, while my host sisters laughed at it. My host Mom said something like, "Oh Gokiburi." Meanwhile, I did my best not to cry. I think maybe I am the only person in the world, or at the very least Japan, that is utterly scared out of wits at the idea of a Gokiburi. Perhaps because, it is not considered a normal thing to have Gokiburi the size of small household pets running rampantly thorugh the house in America. But it is just another mystery unsolved about Japan. Back to June 21, when the Gokiburi was utterly destroyed by my beastly Samurai host mom. I breathed easily, knowing that the little bugger was dead. Usually I would feel sympathy for how painfully it died, but honestly, I didn't. There is just something so foul and disgusting about Gokiburi, that I can't even describe it. After the incident occurred, we all sat back down at the living room table and discussed what had happened. Everyone roared with laughter at the how scared I was. Okasan laughed at the idea, that I'm about 5' 8", queen of stupid and dangerous things, like Bungee Jumping and stuff, but am deathly afraid of little black bugs. Otosan admitted he had never seen someone move so quickly at the prospect of being attacked by a bug, quite possibly .001% of my size and weight. He also said that I sounded like I had come from the Excorcist movie. At some point, it became more than a joke, and was getting me annoyed. Michiyo was angry that I was willing to sacrifice her for my own neck. There was no point trying to get around this one. All in all, I realized that this would definitely go down in Kato family history as the time that Energetic Julie ws annihilated by a Gokiburi. Thinking that the worst had yet to come, I made the biggest mistake that I tend to make quite often here in Japan. I let my guard down, because honestly, I do not think I will ever really learn. About an hour after the first Gokiburi incident, I asked Okasan if I could enter the shower. She nodded, as I got up and headed to the 2nd floor where my pajamas and towel awaited for me. As I reached the 2nd floor, I saw something out of the corner of my eye move. Or, I reasoned, I THOUGHT I saw something out of the corner of my eye move. The alarm bells began blaring in my mind, but I reckoned that it was just a figure of my imagination. I moved forward, laughing at such a silly idea that another Gokiburi had appeared. I even let out a nervous, yet silly little chuckle, at how foolish I could be. What really were the chance I'd be forced into battle with not just one, but two Gokiburi in one night? Such nonsense. And then... Standing right smack in the middle of my door way, all my bad Karma I have obtained since birth combined with the anger of the great Gokiburi God materialized into the most gruesome black and wretched little beast. I would have vomited, but my mouth was being occupied by the loudest scream ever known to man kind. My legs were frozen, as I shrieked and made eye contact with the horrible thing. Finally, I found movement in my legs, and I began sprinting down the stairs, still letting out an earth-shattering yell. As I raced down the steps, I heard say to Michiyo, "Another one?" Finally I found the words to stutter, "Go-Go-GoKIBURI!" Okasan, reached into her Samurai armor, and pulled out the Katana and Chemicals. The Samurai fire in her eyes was back and in full blare, as she pushed me aside and hurried up the stairs. I followed her, as she hurried to cacth the beast and murder it. On the second floor, she looked around and couldn't spot the little bugger. And I realized that it had disappeared. But before she could question my sanity, it made an appearance. And thus, so did my screaming. Okasan sprayed the can with all her might and chased the beast through my room, tearing through my luggage and laundry bin. The only other sound that could be heard beside my skreiks, was something like 'Smack... Spray... Smack... Spray.' this particular little bugger was tougher to kill, on the count that it was sent by the Gokiburi god with extra protection. But Okasan, in all of her Japanese power, caught up to the little beast and murdered it. And I vowed to pray to the Japanese God of the Samurai. Meanwhile, I ran downstairs and jumped into Michiyo's arms, begging for her to protect me from it. I was so out-of-breath from the screaming, that I was nearly crying. Michiyo, tryed to console me, while fighting to not split a cut from laughing. Within 5 minutes, Okasan hurried downstairs holding an elegantly crafted coffin of tissues for the fallen war hero. Soon Okasan and Michiyo were back to nearly wetting themselves at the fact that a little Gokiburi could really beat me to the pulp. Otosan, who had been sleeping, prior to the second incident, made his way down the stairs. "Julie, I think you should call your mother," he said. I looked at him and asked him why, nervously thinking about bad reasons why I should be forced into calling home. He grunted, and in the middle of a yawn, replied "Because she probably heard your scream and is worried about you."

Making the World A Smaller Place

Six degrees of separation is the theory that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. Hence, six degrees of separation is somewhat synonymous with the idea of the "small world" phenomenon. There is much skepticism in the theory, but after living life as an exchange student, I'm a firm believer. Our story begins in the year of 2004, with 2 girls, one Japanese and one American. These two girls had absolutely nothing in common, from lifestyles, schools, nationalities, friends, activities, and those are just the main things. But there was one thing. They both had a dream, to spend a year in another country. And both sought out the Rotary International program to help make this dream come true. Both girls had different reasons for wanting to spend the year abroad in a foreign and unknown country. In Kochi, Japan, Yurie Hirosue, had heard nothing but good stories from past exchange students, and she wanted to become fluent in the language, she had spent to much time struggling in. The American girl, whom I will call Zoe, was interested in studying abroad to to escape home and furthur her interests in her host countries culture. As fate would have it, Zoe's host Rotary club and Yurie's club had a long history of sending kids to each others district. The connection between the Northern North Jersey and Shikoku Rotary club was old and famous for it's world-renowned Short Term exchange program. Kochi, Japan agreed to accept Zoe into the program, in exchange for Montclair, New Jersey Rotary's acceptance of Yurie Hirosue into their program. So in August 2005, Zoe and Yurie left for their big adventure, a year abroad as a Rotary exchange student. When Yurie arrived in New Jersey, she knew absolutely no one, except her first host family, which also happened to be Zoe's family. But she was in luck, as her host Rotary hosted two other girls from Germany and Argentina. Barely a few days after the girls landed in America, they were given a welcome barbecue, where Yurie met her tow best friends for the first time, Judi from Germany and Ale from Argentina. And here is where my part of the story begins. Ale's first host family, was the Garner's in Verona, New Jersey, which happened to be my family. The Garner's got involved in Rotary, when I began babysitting for a Rotarian's family, and began questioned the Rotary Youth Exchange. I had made the decision to study abroad without really thinking it threw, but knowing in my heart that it was the right thing to do. When Rotary asked that our family agree to host Ale, in exchange for my going abroad, there was no way saying no. And it turned into a great experience for everyone, though things didn't always work out. Anyway a few weeks into Ale's stay with our family, we decided to invite the other Montclair Rotary kids for a barbecue. It was then that I met Yurie Hirosue, who would later go on to change my life. At the barbecue, as well as the countless other times, Ale, Judi, Yurie, and I hung out, I couldn't help but sit in amazement at the whole thing. It's like the world is so big and so different, and yet here I am sitting at a table with girls from 3 different continents. I grew very close to these girls, celebrating Yurie's birthday party at Zoe's house, and attending a few Rotary meetings with them. So close, in fact that in my Rotary interview, when I was writing down my countries, I thought about Yurie when I write down my last and final choice, Japan. And well, to state the incredibly obvious, I got Japan. On August 17, 2006, I arrived in Kochi, Japan. As fate, and perhaps luck would have it, I was placed in Yurie's city and school. And nearly a few days after I arrived, still knowing no Japanese, I met Masasko Ichihara, Rotex student from Kochi, who did her exchange in San Francisco, America. The 3 of us, Yurie, Masako, and I became the best of friends in Tosajoshi school. And after about 10 months, 3 out of 4 amazing host families, living and loving my exchange to Japan, I asked Masako why she became an exchange student. She told me that it had something to do with hearing stories from another former exchange student, another Masako, who lived in America for a year. I had heard all about original Masako before, so it was a shock to hear it from now Masako. In November of my exchange year, I entered the Tosajoshi Koto club. The club leader, Chiake Yamanaka, who would later go onto to become my very best friend in Japan, helped me learn how to play the 13 stringed Japanese Harp. It was hard work, but I fell in love with the club and my fellow club members. One day, my fellow Ko Ichinensee, Taco, came in carrying a letter written in Japanglish from the Sempie, or Senior, Masako. Masako was studying Spanish at a University in California, America. Taco asked me to help her with the English part of the letter, because her English is not so good. I asked her who Masako was, and she explained that she was a Koto club member, who took a year off to study as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in America. When she arrived home, she was made the leader of the club, and became well-liked from the younger students. Taco then asked me if I knew her, because we were both Rotary Youth Exchange students, but I could not say that I did know her. Things are still getting weirder in the connection department. Last week, at Koto practice, my fellow Ko Ninensee, Casami, stopped played her instrument and decided to strike up a conversation. She was very worried about something though I wasn't sure what. In a saddened voice she began, "Julie, I'm worried about my cousin. Do you know anything about Essex County, New Jersey?" I looked and a big smile spread across my face, "That's where I come from." Casami breathed a heavy sigh of relief and smiled, "Julie, do you think you could make sure my cousin stays safe. She is going to Essex Country." "Who is your cousin? And why is she going to Essex country?" Casami explained that her cousin was Marina Yamasaki, next years Rotary Youth Exchange student to America. I was shocked because I had known that Marina was going to America, but I had no idea that she and Casami were cousins. I promised Casami that I would make sure to the best of my ability that Marina was okay. The next day another girl, Ayaka, who is also going to America chased me and Yurie down in the hallway. "Guys, I got an email from my host school! Do any of you know anything about, Montclair, New Jersey?" All Yurie and I could do was smile. The story, I figure, will never really be over. As long as their exchange students from around the world going abroad, making friends, and becoming apart of host families. But I think it just goes to show that we Rotary Youth Exchange students are making the world a smaller place, slowly but surely. Take for example, and two people from the story. I'll use Ale, from Argentina, the student my family hosted in 2005, and my first host sister in Japan, Naoko Masaki. Now I don't know if the two will ever meet, talk, or become acquaintances. Yet they share a common bond, greater than they will ever know. Me. And if you don't believe in the ideas of 6 degrees of separation, I reckon you should go and meet an exchange student.

Caffeine High

I honestly do not think I've had a decent nights sleep in a month. But this week has been particularly difficult. There isn't any point in denying that it's my own fault. I've been so preoccupied with sewing and spending time with my 4th and final host family, the Kato's,　that I don't have any time for a computer at a suitable hour. But since I'm a bit addicted to updating this site, I needed to use the computer. So I found myself staying awake till all hours of the morning, typing new journal entries, researching Japan, and talking to friends on AIM. But there are other times when it truly isn't my own fault. Take for instance, the Gokiburi Escapade, and how World War 3 was waged with me versing a couple household roaches. After that I didn't sleep a wink thinking that at any moment, one of those little buggers was going to start crawling all over me. By each every following morning, I find myself trudging down the stairs, resembling a Zombie, and dreading the thought of a full day at school. To ease the pain, I usually drink a whole pot of 'American' coffee. This cures the sleeplessness, at the cost of giving me a wicked side effect. I suddenly become exuberantly giddy and twitchy from a Caffeine High. When I arrive at school, about 30 minutes later, I'm just as genki as ever. And on one particular 1st period at school, I sat down and began writing a journal entry, later to be typed, and the highlights of my week. Rereading it over again, after the caffeine has died down, and I wonder what honestly made me think to write something so insanely mixed up. ****************** On my Thursday, teaching class, with the new British teacher, Ruth, we were going new Vocabulary. The Japanese alphabet and the English alphabet are entirely different, so we spent most of the time trying to explain why there is an e in Cube, or who the sound of I in Japanese is nowhere near the sound of I in English. As I walked around the room, overlooking the student's papers, and helping correct spelling errors, I heard a small voice from the back of the room. The voice　was calling for some help in English, and I always give first priority to students who try in English, which is the point of the class. The student, Sayako, is very friendly, and loves to talk to me in Japanese. She's only about 13, and is always surrounded by squealing school girls who freak out in Kawaii's upon the sight of me. She, on the other hand, is one of the rare cases of Japanese girls who isn't afraid of big scary gaijinness. When I arrived, she stood up and pushed down on my elbow, in an effort to get me down to her level at the desk. She smiled at me and asked me to check her paper. I picked it up and began marking her spellings for cake, phone, and graph. I also noticed that pack of Japanese school girls had surrounded the desk around Sayako, and were chuckling merrily. I put down the paper, and saw Sayako pointing to my arm with a face of pure disgust. You see, I have just begun wearing the Summer uniform with short sleeves, exposing my arm hair (See The Great Plucking Incident) When she noticed I was looking at her, she asked me why I was wearing the Short Summer uniform, when I had not shaved. I was annoyed and told her that since I have blond hair, normal non-Japanese people, never EVER notice arm hair. Looking into my eyes, and she said, "You should start plucking or shaving. Everyone thinks it kemoi (disgusting)." And now I am back to hating middle school girls. **************************** The other day I went to the mall in Kochi. The one mall in Kochi. This mall is only still around because of the movie theater. The one movie theater in Kochi. So the prefecture has about 1 million people or something, and they have one movie theater. In America there are about 5 movie theaters within a 10 to 15 minute drive around my house. But anyway, that's beside the point. I went to the mall to look for some new patches. Since I've taken up a new hobby, sewing, I'm looking to get some cute patches to attach to my backpack. The mall has a little Craft store, and I'd remembered that there was a patch shelf in the store. After I bought some cute patches, I decided to hang around and do some shopping. In the big Jusco Department store, I bought three pairs of socks. I actually needed some socks, because mine have holes in them, which I haven7t gotten around to sewing yet. The reason I'm telling you about this purchase, is that the socks all have Manji on them. Manji is the cross with a the lines sticking out of it. In Western society, it is better known as a Swastika. The symbol as it is used in Buddhist art and scripture is known in Japanese as a manji (which literally just means "the Chinese character for eternally" 萬字), and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji. Balanced manji are often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures. I bought them, because of their Asian meaning of Universal Harmony, but I can't say I'm not worried what will happen when i bring them back into the Western World. After I bought my Manji socks, I headed to the Village Vanguard, which is like the Spencer's of Japan. I almost bought a clock with Sushi instead of numbers, but I asked myself, when am I ever going to use it? On the other side of the store, there was an exhibit displaying famous products of Okinawa, including the ever tasty Pig's Ear. I wanted to buy some packages for my friends and family back home. But will the American customs department ever let in Pigs Ear. I guess I ought to research that one. ********************************** Now that I consider myself highly conversational in Japanese, I essentially refuse to speak English. Don't think me insensitive, but in Japan they speak Japanese< not English. The problem is that alot of Japanese people refuse to believe that a gaijin can speak Japanese. Though most won't even bother talking to me, thinking that they will embarrass themseleves in English, there are quite a few people who hunt down Gaijin for English practice. At Tosajoshi there is one teacher, who I will refer to as Springsteen-Sensei,　who Has out right refused to speak Japanese to me. I first met him in November, when my Japanese wasn't so good. Not that he got the chance to figure it out because he only spoke English to me. He approached me in the hallway and asked if he could speak to me about an English conversation Speech contest, in which I was helping to judge. After he gave me instructions on what i was supposed to do and when, he began asking about New Jersey. He told me that he had been to the Garden State, 2　or 3 times. He also said that the reason he is an English teacher is because of his idol, New Jersey born, Bruce Springsteen. How Springsteen encouraged Springsteen-sensei to teach English, I don't know, especially since Springsteen doesn't speak English, but more like raspy grunts. Anyway Springsteen-sensei, was so amazed by the man, that he traveled all the way to Asbury Park to look for his idol. I think I knew then that he was a bit of a loon. Now every time he sees me, he tries to stop me and have an English conversation. On countless occasions have I told him that I will only speak Japanese, but he always ignores me. So I started to avoid him. But then he began going out of his way to find me. What's worse is that when I'm walking with my friends, and he can't get me away from the group, he walks with us. Then he heckles me with English and, which annoys the other girls. And if I'm in a conversation with the girls, he yells at them for not practicing English. The girls all ignore him, and walk away. Time after time, I've politely asked him to stop speaking English, but with no effect. Finally I lost it, and yelled at him, that I came here to learn Japanese and not speak English. He gave me a stern look and said that he needs to practice English, and I'm being uncooperative to his scheme. Now every time I see him, and he calls for me to talk, I say, 'Not unless you speak Japanese.' Thus I haven't talked to him in a long time. There is another Gaijin Hunter, that really annoys me. On one of my favorite runs, I tend to see him all the time. He is about 75, and when he sees me, it's like Christmas has come early. One time I was with another Gaijin, when he tracked us down. He talked for about an hour about how he wants to learn English more than anything, and that he is so glad that more gaijin are coming to Kochi. He was very nice, don't get me wrong, but like I said before, I'm here to learn Japanese, not speak English. Luckily, since he talked so much, I never had to open my mouth, and show him I could speak English, which was a big benefit in the months to come. Often, when I am alone on my run, he tries to wave me down. But I pretend not to see him and blast my IPOD so as not to hear him. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee on a run and had to slow to speedy walk. My annoying Gaijin Hunter sense were not working from the exhausting run, so when he　appeared at my side, from seemingly nowhere, sporting a big smile, I knew I was trapped. "Hi, you do remember i, right? I is learned English, and practice I want. You will listen okay? Please. I want practice very much, and running you is not. Okay?" I was exhausted and so not in the mood for the English language, because I have just started thinking and dreaming in Japanese. Speaking and hearing English will only hinder what I'm slowly progressing at. Plus, I knew that this guy would talk for at least an hour, so I made the decision to tap into my family roots for a bruel little joke. "Aa... monsieur. Como esta? Muy bien?our Bonjuer. Bon Appetite. Hasta Manana," I spat out in a mix of French and Spanish. The man looked at me like I was utterly deranged. I smiled and in Japanese said, "I'm sorry I do not speak English. I came Spai-ance." The old man frowned and apoligized profusely, and then walked away. When I ran on the same road the next day, the man would not meet my eye. He was really embarrassed. ***************************** My host father loves to drink. It's quite funny, actually. Because he such a interesting drunk. I am strongly against alcohol, because of seeing what it can do to people on personal experience, but Kato Otosan is hilarious. Sometimes he tries to speak English, which he is quite good at when he is drunk. When he is sober, however, he can barely get out a simple 'My name is...' A few weeks ago, he came home after a party, with a box of expensive Sushi, that he could not remember where he had gotten from. It was later confirmed that he stole it from one of the people holding the party. There was no harm done, because the person holding the party was even more drunk and had no idea he possessed a box of Sushi. That night, as we all sat around and ate the raw fish, Kato Otosan promised to take me to Mt. Fuji, but instead of me climbing it, he was going to take me up ON his back. Nearly 30 seconds later he was snoring in his chair with a piece of Tuna on his chin. Recently, after a bottle of something, he decided to teach me the Japanese kanji for all the different types of alcohol. It's just of those random things we learn, that will most likely have no purpose in life. Lately, I too, have been drinking alot. Every morning, my host mom makes a comment like, "Well you certainly do like to　drink, don't you?" as I gulp down a whole cup full of this drink, and began pouring another glass. It's totally true, I'm addicted to this particular drink, and I don't why, because I've spent most of life avoiding it. But I can't imagine, why, it's so delicious. Okay, I know what your thinking. But the drink I'm referring to is Gyuunyuu, or milk. haha. I drink probably about half a carton a day. I reckon it's much better then alcohol, because with my strength, I could carry Otosan up Mt. Fuji. Well, eh, maybe not. ******************* My fingers are throbbing, and now the keyboard had some blood stains on it. No, I'm not one of this weird teens who enjoys cutting themselves, I get high from other things, like running, and my latest hobby, sewing. What a dork. I started sewing at school, where Mortita-sensei, the Home Ec. teacher, bought me a Yukata fabric, and all by myself, I have been slowly sewing my very Yukata. At first I hated sewing with a fiery and burning passion, but now, it's quite enjoyable. Well, not really. But at nighttime, instead of spending hours in front of the computer (or sleeping) I've been downstairs watching TV and spending time with my host parents. And when I do this, I have lots of time, and two free hands, so I've taken up sewing patches onto my back pack. It's coming out quite well, actually. I also sewed a Hello Kitty patch on a Trucker Hat for sunny running days. My host mom was so impressed that she said it looked like I bought the hat from the store. Except that no store would sell the insane colors of the hat. All the more reason I like it. On my backpack, I sewed Julie in Japanese Hiragana, which has 4 characters. When I showed my teachers, they all shifted uncomfortably and told me that I might want to add another letter or take one off. Finally someone explained that the number 4 also means death. I couldn't help but roar in laughter. Japan never ceases to surprise me. ******************* Okay so the caffeine has definitely worn off. It's 4th period, Self Study in the library as I'm writing them. Thank god, next period is lunch.

Tales of a Toilet Scrubber

Some time ago I posted an article, titled, "Osouji." It was all about my experience as a Japanese student performing the mandatory act of school cleaning. Well, even though I moved up an entire grade, onto a higher respectful position, my cleaning duties have not ceased. In fact, now they are even more difficult. But this editorial is not about complaining. Partly because, even though I'm still scrubbing Squat Toilets with a slightly large toothbrush, my cleaning crew is the greatest set of girls in the whole school. Well, at least in my opinion. Thus I give you our story of the many Cleaning Adventures we have journeyed on together. ************************************************************************************* Chiake Yamanaka, captain of the Tosajoshi Koto club, and newly moved-up from dumb class to smart class, is the leader of the 6th Fukumoto-homu cleaning crew. There are 42 girls in Fukumoto homeroom, and from numbers 36 to 41 are placed in the 6th Cleaning Crew. Everyone in the homeroom knows that one of Chiake's closest friends in the classroom is also the Exchange Student. The two are rarely seen apart from each other, and don't seem to have much trouble with a language barrier. This is probably the reason why Fukumoto-sensei always puts the two together. And even though I'm number 42 on the list of students, the girls have taken to referring to my number as 36.5, because Chiake is number 36. Also in the cleaning crew are some other important characters. Tomoko Yoshimoto, or White Eyes, because when she falls asleep in class, her eyes roll into an eerie white glaze. Another student is, Booby, who is given this name in real life. This is because her nickname in Japanese is Boob, though she prefers the English version much better. Then there is Mute and Jack Bauer. We 7 girls make up the most exciting and insane cleaning crew in the whole school. When school first began in April, the 6th Cleaning Crew only contained 6 names, missing mine. I was not going to remind my teacher to add my name. And instead I quietly chuckled, and the first 3 groups were assigned Toilets, Classroom, and the Meeting Room, respectively. Unfortunately for me, my dear friend, Chiake, had other plans. When all the names were called out and assigned to places of cleaning, Chiake stuck up her hand high into the air and yelled, "Sensei, what about Judii?" I flinched and then turned around to shoot her the most gruesome and dirty look I could muster. Horrified at the prospect of offending her new best friend, but all the while trying hard not to suppress a laughter at ratting me out, Chiake just gave me a nervous smile. Fukumoto-sensei looked at me and said, "Julie, would you like to join the cleaning?" Now honestly, what kind of question is that? It's like when we were all little kids using the excuse, "But Billy did so." TO which, Mom replied, "Well if Billy jumped off a bridge, would you?" Of course not, woman, I'm not mental, but I'm 5 year's old and trying to get out of trouble. I looked around the classroom and my 41 other classmates all staring and waiting for me to worm up some excuse to get out of cleaning. In fact, I guarantee most of them would have helped me come up with a good excuse, because we all hate cleaning. But then staring at the teacher, and knowing that last year's horrible exchange students refused to do cleaning, and my inner Good Two Shoes personality took full control. "Yes Fukumoto-sensei, I will do cleaning if there is a cleaning crew that needs me." I made sure to add the needing part to allow Fukumoto-sensei the opportunity to get me out of it. Instead she smiled and said, "Wonderful! Chiake, Julie will be joining your group." This made Group 6 have one extra person, or one less toilet that the girls all had to scrub. Some of the girls in the group gave a cheer, at this aspect. When I turned around to look for Chiake, I was met with a pompous smile that translated from body language meant, "Haha sucker!" ************************************************* We started our cleaning tasks on the second week of school. The 7 members of the 6th Cleaning Crew had been assigned the Tosajoshi School Meeting Room. And of the 3 duties that the homeroom has, it is by far the most simple. The room is off limits to students, only used by teachers for large important meetings. And thus, is much cleaner than most rooms. Another benefit is that the teacher in charge of cleaning the room, is a wonderfully kind old Math teacher, who is nowhere near as strict as the other loons that teach at my school. Chiake and I arrived earlier than everyone else, and thus were given the most difficult job. Before coming to Japan, I was under the impression that the early bird always gets the worm, but here, that is not the case. Yet even the most difficult job for the Meeting Room, is really not all the difficult. Basically you just take this weird Swiffer type vacuum thing and slide it along the floor trying to collect paper frills and dust. The hardest part is maneuvering it along the chairs and tables. It takes about 10 minutes if 2 girls are doing it properly. After about 3 minutes of waiting for the other members to arrive, the teacher left the room ordering us to start our jobs, while he went to call the homeroom teacher and force the girls to hurry along. As soon as he left the room, I immediately began sprinting up and down the aisles. "What are you doing?" Chiake wondered out loud. I responded that I was getting the cleaning done as quick as I could. She took this to mean that I was trying to out do her in cleaning. And if I've learned one thing about the girls at Tosajoshi All Girl's High School, it's that they are really competitive when you least expect it. Suddenly, with a burst of sudden energy, Chiake fueled past me all the while Swiffer Vacuuming my area of cleaning. Now I was not about to let her beat me in a cleaning competition, no matter how stupid that sounds. Sure enough, we were soon locked in an epic battle, rip roaring around the fancy Meeting Room. And it wasn't exactly a clean race either, Chiake blasted me with her broad shoulders, then rolled her Swiffer Vacuum in front of me, causing me to trip and smack my head on a chair. I had a 2 second rebound rate, and was then chasing her with my Swiffer Vacuum. I ended up catching her foot, and she flew 6 feet into the air. As I victoriously rushed past her, laughing like a madman, she grabbed my leg. We were both on the ground, in horrid pain. Chiake was the first to moan, while I grunted and stretched my possibly broken ankle. Just then, the doors to the room slid open and in came a burst of laughter. The teacher and the other 5 girls all admitted that they had just witnessed possibly the funniest thing in their lives. The teacher added that since the other girls were not able to stay because of an after school class, he was going to dismiss Chiake and I. But, he added, it's just lucky he did not dismiss us. The room had never been this effectively clean in less than 2 minutes. ****************************************************************************** Our next duty was on the 4th week of the new school year. We were assigned to clean Fukumoto's home classroom, or the room we spent every day in. The way this is set up that one student gets the 'serious' job of scrubbing down the boards, while the other girls do the sweeping and desk shifting. Chiake, 36, as crew leader, was first assigned the boards. Thus 36.5, also got roped into cleaning the boards. Now this would be a fairly simple task, of taking chalk earsers and scrubbing the chalk residue off the board. Unfortunately nothing is ever easy when it comes to Japanese girls. Chiake and I split up the board. While I began, she stayed rooted to the spot and barked orders at me. "Judii, no, no, NO!" she yelled after I began scrubbing at the Kanji for the date. "I can see that they don't have chalk boards in America" was her comment a hearty sneeze I let out over enhaling some chalk. "It's like this, not that." She lectured about how I was going left to right, when I was supposed to be going right to left. Eventually, I turned around and threw a piece of chalk at her head. She got the hint and returned to her portion of the board. I was done in a matter of minutes. The green color of the board was clearly visible and quite clean. So as an extra help to Chiake, I thought, I would clear away the chalk and stamp out the earsers. I took the two blue and black earsers and headed to the hallway, with plans to stamp them out from the opening of the window. I opened the window, and stuck the earsers out the and began clapping. If I had dropped 10 bombs on Kochi Castle, it would have had less of an effect. Girls from all over the school came running to under the earsers. I couldn't understand what they were doing, until I realized that they all thought I was throwing them out the window. I tried to explain in Japanese that I was just cleaning, when a voice of pure rage sounded off from behind me, 'JjjjUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!' I turned around to see the fierociously looking cleaning drill Sergeant storming towards me. When she reached me, she grabbed the earsers and headed back in to the classroom. I raced after her, explaining that I was only trying to clean the earsers not throw them out the window. In the room, she pointed to a blue box with a little on switch. She couldn't explain to me what it was, because there was smoke coming out her ears. But I figured it out. And it is the single handed reason that I believe the Japanese society is 10x more advanced than that of my own. TUrning the little switch on, and rubbing the earser onto a little slit in the box, and all of the chalk gets sucked away. Pure brilliance. I was so enthusiastic, that I dirtied up one of the cleaned earsers just do be able to clean it again. When I was technology and cleaning happy, I returned to the spot where CHiake was re-doing my section of the board. She took one look at me, and said, "WHile you were out throwing earsers, I had to clean your section because it isn't very good." Then she cracked up. I stared at her, long and hard, all the air inflating from my face, and said in English, so she wouldn't understand, "You are a cleaning Nazi." ALmost immediately she turned around, and said, "I understand that." ************************************************************************************ My least favorite of all the cleaning duties took place in the 6th week of school. It was the 6th Cleaning Crew's duty to scrub down the 4th floor High School bathroom at Tosajoshi. I know I shouldn't complain, after all, the bathrooms at this school are really quite clean. It's one of the many perks in going to an all girl school. Still, when you find yourself scrubbing an in ground birdbath with a slightly larger toothbrush, complaining seems to just comes natural. There are quite a few jobs that the girls are assigned to in the bathroom. The easy tasks include the Mirror and Sink scrub, as well as sweeping the tiled floor. The less enjoyable tasks include Garbage, where one has to scoop out of the waste from the 8 stall garbages, and toilet scrubber. Over the course of one week, the girls participate in 2 of these jobs. In my first day, Booby and White Eyes were assigned to Garbage. While I was assigned the duty to wipe down the mirrors, windows, and sinks of the front part of the bathroom. Jack Bauer and Mute got the sweeping duties. Chiake, who, because of her duty as leader, was the own who assigned the tasks. When all was said and done, she looked down at the list and realized she had assigned herself to the more gruesome task of all. She whined really loudly, but then got the brush with no more complains. I tried to imagine how much of a stink I would put up if I had to scrub the toilets. But I didn't have to imagine it for too long. Scrappy and I were very quick in finishing up our cleaning, and it is polite to stay and wait it out for everyone else. But instead of waiting in the front of the bathroom, and being quiet, I decided to go annoy my classmates. I stood behind Booby and chuckled as she gasped when White Eyes dumped a right nasty fowl load into the garbage. Both of us tried not to throw up, especially Booby, because it was her cleaning duty. Then I skittered off to the spot where I heard of splashing around. Inside the last stall on the left, Chiake was grudgingly scrubbing the squatter. I roared with laughter at the expression of loathing on her face. Then as she stood up, probably to chase me out of the bathroom, I closed the stall door and held it for a few minutes. "JJJjjjUUUUUuuuuRRRRrrrrIIIIIIiiiii!" All the girls in my cleaning crew were in pain from laughter. When I finally let her out, she gave me a dirty look, and said, "You think that's funny. Just you wait." And then the next day, I was assigned the toilet duty. I think the only funnier event other than locking Chiake in a bathroom stall for the cleaning crew, was all the while begging and pleading not to do the cleaning. I got on my knees and cried to Chiake that it was unfair, and that I would never throw Earsers out of a window, beat her in Swiffer Vacuum races, or lock her in a bathroom stall ever again. In the cruelest expression she could muster, she handed me the brush and pointed to the first stall, then said nothing more. I won't go into the gory details, but when I was on the 4th stall, Chiake came to check up on me. Actually she probably came to shout more harrassing orders, but she could tell I was a broken Gaijin. She came into the stall, a pompous smile on her face, and made a remark, 'you are doing an awfully good job, perhaps we should put you on this duty tommorrow.' The brush was still in the toilet, but at the prospect of another cleaning of toilets, I flung my whole body up, brish in hand. The brush, which had just been soaked in water, sprayed CHiake with fowl Toilet water in an instance. She didn't even have time to scream, but instead she stepped back, right into the next stall. What made things worse was that she stepped right into another Squat Toilet, completely drenching her slipper. I hadn't even cleaning that toilet, which I was afraid of telling her. I watched her face, as it went from horror to disgust. I dropped the brush and ran over to her, "Chiake, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" And it was the truth, because I hadn't actually meant to spray her with toilet water. When I reached her, she looked at me, eyes open to a point that confirmed she was in shock. Then she let out a loud whail, prompting the other girls to come running. Actually it was loud enough for my family in the States to have heard of her. "What's wrong?" "Are you okay?" "What happened? Are you hurt?" CHiake and I remained silent, till I pointed down to her foot. The girls, afraid of the reprucussions of laughing at the cleaning leader, looked at me for more answers. I searched CHaike's face, praying she wasn't mad at me. And her mouth, cracked into a smile. I later found out, that I would be assigned to the toilet cleaning toilet for the rest of the week, just as soon as I helped Chiake dry her slipper. *******

Host Family Happenings

There are some times when I think about everything I have been involved in here in Japan, and I can't help but be amazed. I could go on and on about all the fascinating things I have been involved with while an exchange in Kochi, Japan, but one of the most special things, at least to me, is the relationships I have had with my host families. I consider myself, probably one of the most lucky exchange students in the world, for this fact. Now, don't get me wrong, every situation, every moment, has not been easy. I think I'll save that for another time, though. In the meanwhile, I wanted to update about how my amazing families have been. ************* Captain Jack Sparrow and Masaki Okasan are, as always, genki. Genki is a Japanese words that doesn't have an exact English meaning. But I suppose it has some meaning in combining active, energetic, healthy. And when it comes to the Masaki's, I might also like to add a little craziness. Since my move to the 4th family, I haven't had too much time to visit the Masaki's, however, I managed to stop in today. Yesterday, Captain Jack texted me and asked me to come to his house today after school to discuss the upcoming Short Stay Students Dinner. A delegation of 25 New Jersey students are coming to visit Kochi for a few days, in which Captain Jack is in charge of the committee. He was so eager and proud when he was asked if he was up to the task of organizing the Kochi portion of the trip, but now that the event is nearly here, he seems nervous and quick to get angry. Last weekend, I emailed him and asked if he was ready for his big English speech, and he emailed me back that he hated English and that I ought to be doing the speech. Grr... So I went to the pharmacy a day later, and demanded an apology, to which I got something to that effect. But today, Captain Jack was fretting severely, as I walked through the sliding doors of the pharmacy. I was, as always, in an overly genki mood, and suddenly feeling very nostalgic. The weather was the same horrible humid disgust that I had been exposed to on August 17th, when I fist arrived in Japan and walked through those pharmacy doors. It was all coming back to me, as I took stroll down memory lane, only to wake up and see Captain Jack staring at me with an unreadable glance. He then explained that since he is the leader of the Short Term program, he has to do some the introduction speech alongside of his favorite gaijin daughter. He had it all written out and planned. He was going to say in English, "Good evening everybody!" While I was to say, in Japanese, "Minna-san Konbanwa!" Next he would go, "Welcome to Kochi!" and I was say "Yokoso Kochi-ni!" Then I would pause and say, "Otosan?!? Machigai. Anata wa Nihonjin desu yo. Nihongo shabate kudasai!" (Dad? There's a mistake. Your Japanese! Speak Japanese!" After he recited his speech idea, he asked me if it was as hilarious as he hoped. I admitted it was funny, but that most of the American kids would have no idea what he was saying. He didn't seem to mind, because he was going for the comedy in the Japanese. I took it upon myself to add a few extras, which I knew would be hilarious for the Japanese. After I tell him to speak Japanese, he then tells me to speak English, to which I say, "Muri, Muri, Muri! Eigo ga wasarechouta!" (No good, bad idea, unreasonable! I forget English!) What makes it really funny is that some of the words I use are Tosa Ben, which is the form of speech only spoken in the Kochi prefecture. In effect, I'm a gaijin who speaks like a total hick. Captain Jack and Masaki Okasan nearly wet themselves at my new creation, and I knew I had not let him down in the comedy department. We practiced the speech a few times, including in front of the Masaki's business partner, who roared at my hillybillyness. She then complimented my Japanese, to which both Masaki's agreed, "Julie is definitely a good speaker of the language." *************************** On Monday night I got a text message from Okasan Osaki. "Julie, how are you holding up in this weather? Next week the exchange students are coming. Can we count on you to help us out on Monday with communication?" I chuckled reading this mail, knowing that they expected a reply shortly after I was to read the email. Instead I snapped shut my phone, and ignored it. I had other plans. A week ago, on of the older grade girls who I used to do Synchronized Swimming with, invited me to come to the big concert show on June 27th. I couldn't say no. For one, when I had lived with the Osaki's, I had become the mascot for the team, coming to almost all of the practices to watch. I also ever participated in the insanely difficult sport, which caused a minor comedy and a few new inside jokes for the team members. Plus I wanted to see my host family, the Osaki's, whom I had not seen in just under a month. I'm totally to blame for this long absence. My life has been very hectic and crazy over the month of June. But making time for the Concert Show was a necessity. I decided, though, to keep it a total secret for the Osaki's. I wanted to sup rise Hikari and Maaako, and just show up watch there performance. So when June 27th rolled around, I left school and made the hour bike ride in the blistering heat to Kuroshia Arena and waited for over an hour for the show to start. In the lobby of the arena, I waited, until I saw a familiar 60's Type haircut walking my way. I sat on the bench, watching my host mom, look at me, but not really realize I was there. I smiled, but it had no effect. Finally, she did a whooping triple take, as I rolled my eyes that she didn't see me. "Ja-Ju- Judiii?" She took a look at me, and realized that I was in fact Judii. "Ahhhh! I'm so surprised! But how? Who? What?!?" she asked. I laughed at this point, explained that Aya, had told me that my host sisters would be having a show and that I really wanted to come watch it. And, I mentioned in a joking tone, none of the Osaki's had bothered to tell me to come. Osaki Okasan, ignoring the last comment, was so surprised, while so pleased that I came, that she didn't mention the email which I knew she wanted to yell at me over not quickly responding over. She found me a seat at the pool side, and then told me that she had to help prepare. Before she left, I caught her do a quick check that I really had come. As the rest of the family arrived, my presence seemed to cause more of a store than the upcoming show. Otosan gave me a huge hug, while Obachan sprinted towards me throwing question after question about updates in my life. Otosan told me all about how the 3 boys from New Jersey, that the family was hosting, would be sleeping on the floor in the living room. It was pretty funny for me to think that they had to host again. But they were such a good family, that I'm sure the boys will enjoy it. When the Concert Show started, I watched as the girls that I had often cheered and laughed at performed their very best in their portions of the show. Hikari opened the Show with an easy side swim to M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E. And Maako had a duet to 'Rock'n'Roll Is Here To Stay,' which she performed brilliantly, which came as no surprise. When it was all over, I caught up to my host mom, who was trying to get me to skip school on Monday to help the family out. But I really want to go school because it will be my last full Monday as a Japanese student. When Hikari exited the locker room, her eyes met mine, and a smile so warm was made, that I found myself really proud that I had come. **************************** There really is nothing like Rotary meetings with the Kochi Minami (South) club. It is probably the oldest club in all of Japan, which means probably of the world, because Japan has the highest living rate. The Katou family loves me, and I've become the baby of the family, probably because I'm like a ball of happy energy. Once I start talking, I never shut up, but I never cause problems. That is how the Kochi Minami Rotary club looks upon my host father, Katou Otosan. He is in his mid to late 50's, making him like a toddler, compared to some of the folks in the club. These men are known to drink, as well. I've been to a few of their meetings, all of which Katou Otosan came out drunk as skunk, and me refusing at least 20 offers to do Sake shots. They are awesome... Last night, the Minami club had the annual nightly Karaoke meeting. My host father insisted me and my host mother tag along, and that I should provide some entertainment. I was more than willing, to stand up in front of a bunch of Rotarians and sing in Japanese. No problem. Really, I'm not even being sarcastic. Really. I had written down that I would sing Pepper-Keibu, but I realized that the song was much to fast for my Japanese skills. Instead I opted out for Ashita Hareru Kana. So that, after the meal, I stood in front of the 100 club members and sang a song in Japanese. It's very difficult to read 3 different alphabets, while singing at the same time. Combined with the fact that my voice is truly aweful. The result: It was awesome! Even though the men laughed through most of it, because I held the microphone so far from my face and no one could hear me. When it was over, I discovered that I had saught the contagious Karaoke disease, and an idea began forming in my head. I just had to wait for Katou Stosan to have a few more drinks first. After, I was sure, he was pretty drunk, I asked him if he would do a duet with me. We would sing Pepper-Keibu, which is a song about 2 lovers trying to get a policemen, Pepper-keibu, to stop annoying them. We stood up on the stage, each holding a microphone and began, "Pepper- Katou!" I yelled and laughed into the microphone. My voice sounded like I'd been smoking most of my life. But at least I didn't sound like Katou Otosan. He didn't know the song very well, combined with the drunkedness, he decided to attempt a Pop song in Opera. We were soo bad, that if the men had not all been drunk, I am sure they would have booed us all the way to America. And yet, it was so much fun. We sang the whole song, and I even did the dance when the same came. All the while, Kato Otosan continued to attempt Opera, which probably wouldn't have been bad of I wasn't singing along side of him. The crazy thing is that most of it was written in Japanese Kanji, without Furigana subtitles, which is the one alphabet that I can read thouroughly. All in all, I did very well, and merited alot of compliments, even though many people throught I couldn't read the Kanji after not being able to hear me in my first song. Looking back, and I can honestly say that it was one of the most fun moments I have had in awhile. Oddly enough, Katou Otosan even remembered it the next day. "Julie, Pepper Katou had a lot of fun last night!" ******************** My 2nd host family, continues to pretend that they do not know me. Not that I am really making any effort. But, why should I? I look at how much love the other families have for me, and I think that I did nothing wrong. Except maybe, be me. Which from other experiences, shows that it is much better and doesn't ever cause problems. Tales of a Toilet Scrubber June 28, 2007Some time ago I posted an article, titled, "Osouji." It was all about my experience as a Japanese student performing the mandatory act of school cleaning. Well, even though I moved up an entire grade, onto a higher respectful position, my cleaning duties have not ceased. In fact, now they are even more difficult. But this editorial is not about complaining. Partly because, even though I'm still scrubbing Squat Toilets with a slightly large toothbrush, my cleaning crew is the greatest set of girls in the whole school. Well, at least in my opinion. Thus I give you our story of the many Cleaning Adventures we have journeyed on together. ************************************************************************************* Chiake Yamanaka, captain of the Tosajoshi Koto club, and newly moved-up from dumb class to smart class, is the leader of the 6th Fukumoto-homu cleaning crew. There are 42 girls in Fukumoto homeroom, and from numbers 36 to 41 are placed in the 6th Cleaning Crew. Everyone in the homeroom knows that one of Chiake's closest friends in the classroom is also the Exchange Student. The two are rarely seen apart from each other, and don't seem to have much trouble with a language barrier. This is probably the reason why Fukumoto-sensei always puts the two together. And even though I'm number 42 on the list of students, the girls have taken to referring to my number as 36.5, because Chiake is number 36. Also in the cleaning crew are some other important characters. Tomoko Yoshimoto, or White Eyes, because when she falls asleep in class, her eyes roll into an eerie white glaze. Another student is, Booby, who is given this name in real life. This is because her nickname in Japanese is Boob, though she prefers the English version much better. Then there is Mute and Jack Bauer. We 7 girls make up the most exciting and insane cleaning crew in the whole school. When school first began in April, the 6th Cleaning Crew only contained 6 names, missing mine. I was not going to remind my teacher to add my name. And instead I quietly chuckled, and the first 3 groups were assigned Toilets, Classroom, and the Meeting Room, respectively. Unfortunately for me, my dear friend, Chiake, had other plans. When all the names were called out and assigned to places of cleaning, Chiake stuck up her hand high into the air and yelled, "Sensei, what about Judii?" I flinched and then turned around to shoot her the most gruesome and dirty look I could muster. Horrified at the prospect of offending her new best friend, but all the while trying hard not to suppress a laughter at ratting me out, Chiake just gave me a nervous smile. Fukumoto-sensei looked at me and said, "Julie, would you like to join the cleaning?" Now honestly, what kind of question is that? It's like when we were all little kids using the excuse, "But Billy did so." TO which, Mom replied, "Well if Billy jumped off a bridge, would you?" Of course not, woman, I'm not mental, but I'm 5 year's old and trying to get out of trouble. I looked around the classroom and my 41 other classmates all staring and waiting for me to worm up some excuse to get out of cleaning. In fact, I guarantee most of them would have helped me come up with a good excuse, because we all hate cleaning. But then staring at the teacher, and knowing that last year's horrible exchange students refused to do cleaning, and my inner Good Two Shoes personality took full control. "Yes Fukumoto-sensei, I will do cleaning if there is a cleaning crew that needs me." I made sure to add the needing part to allow Fukumoto-sensei the opportunity to get me out of it. Instead she smiled and said, "Wonderful! Chiake, Julie will be joining your group." This made Group 6 have one extra person, or one less toilet that the girls all had to scrub. Some of the girls in the group gave a cheer, at this aspect. When I turned around to look for Chiake, I was met with a pompous smile that translated from body language meant, "Haha sucker!" ************************************************* We started our cleaning tasks on the second week of school. The 7 members of the 6th Cleaning Crew had been assigned the Tosajoshi School Meeting Room. And of the 3 duties that the homeroom has, it is by far the most simple. The room is off limits to students, only used by teachers for large important meetings. And thus, is much cleaner than most rooms. Another benefit is that the teacher in charge of cleaning the room, is a wonderfully kind old Math teacher, who is nowhere near as strict as the other loons that teach at my school. Chiake and I arrived earlier than everyone else, and thus were given the most difficult job. Before coming to Japan, I was under the impression that the early bird always gets the worm, but here, that is not the case. Yet even the most difficult job for the Meeting Room, is really not all the difficult. Basically you just take this weird Swiffer type vacuum thing and slide it along the floor trying to collect paper frills and dust. The hardest part is maneuvering it along the chairs and tables. It takes about 10 minutes if 2 girls are doing it properly. After about 3 minutes of waiting for the other members to arrive, the teacher left the room ordering us to start our jobs, while he went to call the homeroom teacher and force the girls to hurry along. As soon as he left the room, I immediately began sprinting up and down the aisles. "What are you doing?" Chiake wondered out loud. I responded that I was getting the cleaning done as quick as I could. She took this to mean that I was trying to out do her in cleaning. And if I've learned one thing about the girls at Tosajoshi All Girl's High School, it's that they are really competitive when you least expect it. Suddenly, with a burst of sudden energy, Chiake fueled past me all the while Swiffer Vacuuming my area of cleaning. Now I was not about to let her beat me in a cleaning competition, no matter how stupid that sounds. Sure enough, we were soon locked in an epic battle, rip roaring around the fancy Meeting Room. And it wasn't exactly a clean race either, Chiake blasted me with her broad shoulders, then rolled her Swiffer Vacuum in front of me, causing me to trip and smack my head on a chair. I had a 2 second rebound rate, and was then chasing her with my Swiffer Vacuum. I ended up catching her foot, and she flew 6 feet into the air. As I victoriously rushed past her, laughing like a madman, she grabbed my leg. We were both on the ground, in horrid pain. Chiake was the first to moan, while I grunted and stretched my possibly broken ankle. Just then, the doors to the room slid open and in came a burst of laughter. The teacher and the other 5 girls all admitted that they had just witnessed possibly the funniest thing in their lives. The teacher added that since the other girls were not able to stay because of an after school class, he was going to dismiss Chiake and I. But, he added, it's just lucky he did not dismiss us. The room had never been this effectively clean in less than 2 minutes. ****************************************************************************** Our next duty was on the 4th week of the new school year. We were assigned to clean Fukumoto's home classroom, or the room we spent every day in. The way this is set up that one student gets the 'serious' job of scrubbing down the boards, while the other girls do the sweeping and desk shifting. Chiake, 36, as crew leader, was first assigned the boards. Thus 36.5, also got roped into cleaning the boards. Now this would be a fairly simple task, of taking chalk earsers and scrubbing the chalk residue off the board. Unfortunately nothing is ever easy when it comes to Japanese girls. Chiake and I split up the board. While I began, she stayed rooted to the spot and barked orders at me. "Judii, no, no, NO!" she yelled after I began scrubbing at the Kanji for the date. "I can see that they don't have chalk boards in America" was her comment a hearty sneeze I let out over enhaling some chalk. "It's like this, not that." She lectured about how I was going left to right, when I was supposed to be going right to left. Eventually, I turned around and threw a piece of chalk at her head. She got the hint and returned to her portion of the board. I was done in a matter of minutes. The green color of the board was clearly visible and quite clean. So as an extra help to Chiake, I thought, I would clear away the chalk and stamp out the earsers. I took the two blue and black earsers and headed to the hallway, with plans to stamp them out from the opening of the window. I opened the window, and stuck the earsers out the and began clapping. If I had dropped 10 bombs on Kochi Castle, it would have had less of an effect. Girls from all over the school came running to under the earsers. I couldn't understand what they were doing, until I realized that they all thought I was throwing them out the window. I tried to explain in Japanese that I was just cleaning, when a voice of pure rage sounded off from behind me, 'JjjjUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!' I turned around to see the fierociously looking cleaning drill Sergeant storming towards me. When she reached me, she grabbed the earsers and headed back in to the classroom. I raced after her, explaining that I was only trying to clean the earsers not throw them out the window. In the room, she pointed to a blue box with a little on switch. She couldn't explain to me what it was, because there was smoke coming out her ears. But I figured it out. And it is the single handed reason that I believe the Japanese society is 10x more advanced than that of my own. TUrning the little switch on, and rubbing the earser onto a little slit in the box, and all of the chalk gets sucked away. Pure brilliance. I was so enthusiastic, that I dirtied up one of the cleaned earsers just do be able to clean it again. When I was technology and cleaning happy, I returned to the spot where CHiake was re-doing my section of the board. She took one look at me, and said, "WHile you were out throwing earsers, I had to clean your section because it isn't very good." Then she cracked up. I stared at her, long and hard, all the air inflating from my face, and said in English, so she wouldn't understand, "You are a cleaning Nazi." ALmost immediately she turned around, and said, "I understand that." ************************************************************************************ My least favorite of all the cleaning duties took place in the 6th week of school. It was the 6th Cleaning Crew's duty to scrub down the 4th floor High School bathroom at Tosajoshi. I know I shouldn't complain, after all, the bathrooms at this school are really quite clean. It's one of the many perks in going to an all girl school. Still, when you find yourself scrubbing an in ground birdbath with a slightly larger toothbrush, complaining seems to just comes natural. There are quite a few jobs that the girls are assigned to in the bathroom. The easy tasks include the Mirror and Sink scrub, as well as sweeping the tiled floor. The less enjoyable tasks include Garbage, where one has to scoop out of the waste from the 8 stall garbages, and toilet scrubber. Over the course of one week, the girls participate in 2 of these jobs. In my first day, Booby and White Eyes were assigned to Garbage. While I was assigned the duty to wipe down the mirrors, windows, and sinks of the front part of the bathroom. Jack Bauer and Mute got the sweeping duties. Chiake, who, because of her duty as leader, was the own who assigned the tasks. When all was said and done, she looked down at the list and realized she had assigned herself to the more gruesome task of all. She whined really loudly, but then got the brush with no more complains. I tried to imagine how much of a stink I would put up if I had to scrub the toilets. But I didn't have to imagine it for too long. Scrappy and I were very quick in finishing up our cleaning, and it is polite to stay and wait it out for everyone else. But instead of waiting in the front of the bathroom, and being quiet, I decided to go annoy my classmates. I stood behind Booby and chuckled as she gasped when White Eyes dumped a right nasty fowl load into the garbage. Both of us tried not to throw up, especially Booby, because it was her cleaning duty. Then I skittered off to the spot where I heard of splashing around. Inside the last stall on the left, Chiake was grudgingly scrubbing the squatter. I roared with laughter at the expression of loathing on her face. Then as she stood up, probably to chase me out of the bathroom, I closed the stall door and held it for a few minutes. "JJJjjjUUUUUuuuuRRRRrrrrIIIIIIiiiii!" All the girls in my cleaning crew were in pain from laughter. When I finally let her out, she gave me a dirty look, and said, "You think that's funny. Just you wait." And then the next day, I was assigned the toilet duty. I think the only funnier event other than locking Chiake in a bathroom stall for the cleaning crew, was all the while begging and pleading not to do the cleaning. I got on my knees and cried to Chiake that it was unfair, and that I would never throw Earsers out of a window, beat her in Swiffer Vacuum races, or lock her in a bathroom stall ever again. In the cruelest expression she could muster, she handed me the brush and pointed to the first stall, then said nothing more. I won't go into the gory details, but when I was on the 4th stall, Chiake came to check up on me. Actually she probably came to shout more harrassing orders, but she could tell I was a broken Gaijin. She came into the stall, a pompous smile on her face, and made a remark, 'you are doing an awfully good job, perhaps we should put you on this duty tommorrow.' The brush was still in the toilet, but at the prospect of another cleaning of toilets, I flung my whole body up, brish in hand. The brush, which had just been soaked in water, sprayed CHiake with fowl Toilet water in an instance. She didn't even have time to scream, but instead she stepped back, right into the next stall. What made things worse was that she stepped right into another Squat Toilet, completely drenching her slipper. I hadn't even cleaning that toilet, which I was afraid of telling her. I watched her face, as it went from horror to disgust. I dropped the brush and ran over to her, "Chiake, are you okay? I'm so sorry!" And it was the truth, because I hadn't actually meant to spray her with toilet water. When I reached her, she looked at me, eyes open to a point that confirmed she was in shock. Then she let out a loud whail, prompting the other girls to come running. Actually it was loud enough for my family in the States to have heard of her. "What's wrong?" "Are you okay?" "What happened? Are you hurt?" CHiake and I remained silent, till I pointed down to her foot. The girls, afraid of the reprucussions of laughing at the cleaning leader, looked at me for more answers. I searched CHaike's face, praying she wasn't mad at me. And her mouth, cracked into a smile. I later found out, that I would be assigned to the toilet cleaning toilet for the rest of the week, just as soon as I helped Chiake dry her slipper. *******

I'm Smarter Than You

At Tosajoshi, whole classes are split into a pretty effective according to test scores. And by test scores, I really actually mean brains. The Tosajoshi Ko Ninensee, High School 2nd graders, better known as my class, has about 280 girls, divided into 7 classes. There are 3 A classes, 3 B classes, and 1 accelerated Math/Science class. It's a great system because it really weeds out the morons from smart kids. And at Tosajoshi, it seems as though students are either one or the other. The school is actually a really prestigious school in Kochi and Japan. It was founded in the early 1900's, and remains the oldest school in all of Kochi. Originally is started off as a school that rich parents sent their daughters to. This was because it focused on manners and all the ways to be a good housewife. But it changed as soon as woman began aiming for higher education. It used to be incredibly hard to get into, because of it's high reputaation in getting it's studious sudents into great Universities. But with declining birth rates in Japan, combined with a lack of enthusiasm over going to an All Girl private school, Tosajoshi is accepting alot of average students. Because of the class system, of separating based on test scores, the girls who really study hard and want to get into a good University are kept together. They are also given a more difficult curriculum, and more help in planning for college and future careers. Oddly enough as it is, I've been placed into an A class. As a Ko Ninensee, I am a student of Fukumoto-homeroom, which is one of the top classes in the school. I consider myself really lucky to be placed into this class, especially because I adore my classmates. But when I was first placed in an A class, I thought it must really be some kind of joke. After all, my Japanese, is about the level of a 2 year-old. When I visited a B class, I very quickly discovered just why I had been placed in an A class. Honestly, anybody with a working pulse could pass a B class. Life in an A class is always interesting. Actually for me, it's quite boring. There is a stereotype about Japanese students that I was taught when I was only a 2nd grader. All Japanese students go to school 6 days a week, and study 24/7. They all wear glasses, have pimples, wear sailor suits and military uniforms, and dream of nothing but being smart. There is a lot of bullying as well. When Tanaka-san got a 95 on his Math exam instead of a 100, his classmates all made fun of him for being stupid. A classes at Tosajoshi, single handedly keep that stereotype alive. The gilrs in my class are all very smart and studious. They all want to attend prestigious Japanese Universities, and will not accept a life of being a common housewife. In addition to 6 a week of schools, with 34 classes, most of them also attend Cram school during the night hours. The average schedule of an A classer is as follows. 8:30 to 3:20 is spent studying at Tosajoshi. 3:30 till 7:00, club and sports practice occurs. 7:30 till 10 or 11 is spent at Cram School, continuing their already extensive study life. Bullying still exists, though it's not over Tanaka-san A. Bascially A classers make comments like, "Well at least I'm not in a B class." The problem for me is that all of my friends are A classers, and never have any free time to hang out. Still given the choice, I think an A class is much better. Because I take many different culture classes outside Fukumoto-homeroom, I encounter many opportunities to converse with B classers. When I converse with certain B classers, I can feel my IQ dripping out my ear. But I can't deny that it's extremely entertaining. My favorite B class, is the Ko Sanensee (High School 3rd year) class of Yano-homeroom. The top scorer of the class is also last years exchange student to California, Masako Ichihara. Now she is by no means the brightest crayon in the box, but she may as well be Stephen Hawking compared to some of her classmates. This certain class is actually well-known throughout the school for being the most brainless class. Most of the girls come from money, and have parents forcing them to go to a Private school. Some of the girls are children of famed alumni or respected teachers. I don't think any of the girls really wanted to attend Tosajoshi because of it's reputation in getting girls into college. I have a lot of friends in the class, so I don't mind hanging out with them. Plus the conversations I have with some of these girls are just utterly brilliant, and I mean that in a sarcastic way. "Judi, where do you come from?" "United States of America." "That's in California, right?" "Well, uh. It's actually it's own country. I live in New Jersey, which is close to New York City." "Oh so you are close to Ras Angeres?" "Um... well about 5 hours by plane." "Do you know Jack Bauer and Orlando Bloom?" "Who?" "Ras Angeres! Jack Bauer, you know from 24?" "The TV show?" "Yeah. Get me a date, can you? Why did you chose Japan?" "Um... I'll try. Japan was my third choice, but I really like it here." "Why? Everything is so Japanese! The only good thing Japan makes is porn." How I was supposed to respond to something like this?

New Jersey Meets Kochi Pt. 1: My Species

Living in Japan for just under 11 months has given me the greatest opportunities and experiences than any one could ever ask for. But there is one thing that has bothered me about my life here, from Day 1 thru probably the rest of my time in Japan. Especially in Kochi, where there are very few foreign people, I often find myself being treated differently. Not badly, or much better, but just totally and 100% different. I can't go out anywhere without being pointed out, stared at, or talked about because I'm not Japanese, but rather a foreign person, or gaijin. To be frank, I feel like the Japanese make me out to be another species. In these past 10 and half months, I have also been a student at a Tosajoshi High School, where I have been surrounded by Japanese teenage girls. Japanese teenage girls and American teenagers have almost nothing in common. I love my life here, the life of a Japanese school girl, so you can imagine my shock at the feeling of being surrounded by 25 American teenagers. For once in a long time, I was Julie, with the emphasis on the L. But there was much more to the shock. I think the real reason that I don't want to really go home is because I was afraid. My life in Japan has made me a different person. I'm no longer than studious, shy, quiet teenage girl. Here, I happy and LOUD, outgoing and not afraid of anything. I suppose that when I land back in America, that quiet girl could come back, however after the 3 days I spent with the 25 American teenagers, Japanese Julie never failed me once. I guess to begin, the North Jersey Rotary district and the the Shikoku, Japan Rotary district have a long and strong bond of friendship. Over 30 years ago the districts began a short term exchange student program. At the end of June thru mid-July, New Jersey teenage Ambassadors are sent to Japan. They arrive in Osaka, then travel and quickly tour Kyoto. They only spend one day in the ancient city, before they move onto the best city in all of Japan, Kochi. Okay that is a little biased. After 4 fun filled days in Kochi, they spend 3 in Ehime, 2 in Hiroshima, 3 in Tokushima, and 3 in Kagawa. They experience 4 different families, each in about 3 days, in 4 different prefectures of Shikoku. Basically they truly do get a fairly decent aspect of Japan in 21 days. What is amazing is that all they pay for is airfare and hotel in Kyoto and Hiroshima, the rest is splurged on by Rotary. Back in April, I met the co-founder of the program, Sven Johnson, who was visiting friends in Japan. He listened as I told him all about my exchange and what a success I had made it. Then he told all about his program, the Short Term exchange, as I would be helping to assist in it over the summer. To be honest, I was a little hesitant to the idea that a 21 day trip for teenagers could really make a difference. Sven told me the story of how the program was founded. Mr. Johnson was asked by Ross Redmond, the District Governor at that time, to attend the 1978 International Rotary Convention in Tokyo, Japan. Also at that time was a form of relating Rotary Clubs known as "Matched Districts". Having met the District Governor of Rotary 2670, the Shikoku island district, they decided to go to Shikoku island and see some sights along the way. One evening Mr. Johnson, Mr. Redmond, the District Governor of Club 2670, discussed the prospect of having a short term exchange program for students. The Japanese governor contended that it would probably be too difficult with the school schedules of most kids in Japan. But they worked the possibility of a summer program for students. After spending a few more days in Japan, the Americans returned to their country with nothing set in stone. About one month later, the New Jersey Club 7470 received a telegram from Shikoku's District 2670 saying that their students would be coming over shortly. I chuckled while listening to this, knowing that this was something very Japanese. It was an amazing success, and the following summer American students were sent to Japan. Today this tradition continues between the two districts. Since, the students second destination was Kochi, the local Rotary insisted that I help and tag along with the delegation. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit unwilling to at first. I had heard some horror stories from short term hsot families of the past. I was afraid to be associated with American kids who took advantage of their lovely and volunteering host families. But my first host father, Captain Jack, had planned the entire trip, and he wanted to make sure that the kids had a good time. In his words, "because you are fluent in 2 languages, I need you to make sure they don't die or embarrass themselves too much." I was so pleased that he called me fluent in Japanese that I couldn't say No. On July 1, 2007, my host mom and I took the bus into the city. I was decked out in my lovely uniform, and rehearsing the lines of my speech with Captain Jack Sparrow. The dinner didn't start till 5, but I was to arrive at the hotel at 4. I was the first one there, so I waited with my host mom. Then Captain Jack barged through the door wheezing and sporting a white suit with an American flag tie. He looked like an utter dork, and he asked me what I thought. I told him he looked like a dork. He shot me a look, that I interpreted as being purely nervous. I said goodbye to my host mom, as he and I sprinted through the hotel towards the room. Inside, he hustled around making sure the preparations were ready. The hotel had prepared the National Anthem and the Japanese National Anthem. Soon the other two leaders of the program, San-san and Fujita-san had arrived. San-san is this burly Japanese man who can't speak English for rice. And Fujita-san is fluent in English, and knows that I can speak Japanese. Yet she flat out refuses to speak Japanese to me, even though I have spent most of my exchange begging her to speak Japanese. Now I just refuse to speak English to her. Captain Jack once said that being in the same room with the two of us having a war in in 2 different language is like redoing World War II. Usually I'm the loser of the battles, because she's been taking English for forever, but I can keep up with her pretty well. Anyway we all got into a group and discussed the happenings. The adults spoke Japanese for San-san, but as soon as I was included Fijita-san went into English. That was until San-san yelled at her to speak Japanese, because my Japanese is a million times better than his English. She still repeated everything in English for me, to which I always spoke over her. I know that that was probably rude, but I'm tired of being free English practice. Captain Jack and I practiced our speech, and had San-san on the ground rolling in laughter. I had a strong Tosa-ben dialect, which is the dialect of Kochi. Soon enough, the phone rang, and Captain Jack grabbed and we were racing through the hotel again. This time it was to greet the American students had just arrived in front of the hotel. I was stopped by the governor along the way, who had heard about what a fabulous exchange student I had been this year and wanted to talk to me. I felt bad, but Captain Jack, literally yanked me out of the conversation as we sprinted towards the entrance. The students had begun exiting the bus, by the time that they arrived. They all stopped dead in their track to see a goofy looking Japanese man in an American tie dragging around a foreign girl in a Sailor outfit. We were speaking in Japanese, so the American mostly assumed I couldn't speak the language of English. That was until Captain Jack had my directing the students to bring their luggage into a room just outside. I ushered the crowd to the Mt. Fuji room, where some of the grumpy looking girls suddenly surrounded me. I got a terrible first impression of the group when one girl said, "you speak Japanese?" I answered honestly, "Only a very little bit. I've been here for 10 months, and I didn't study it before hand." She gave me a look then said, "10 months and you only speak a little bit." Of course I only speak a little bit, would you prefer me to say I'm highly conversational which is the truth. I just don't want to act like a show of around kids that I hope to make friends with. Instead I retorted, "Well I'd really like to know how much you speak." And it was then that I knew that shy little before Japan Julie was no going to be coming out for this trip. First I directed them into the dining area, and helped them find their names tags. Their names were written in perfectly clear Roman lettering, while the tables were written in Japanese Kanji. It wasn't hard to just match the picture with the sign on the table, but obviously some of the kids had to make rude remarks. All I could do was shake my head and think 'this is Japan, with a different alphabet." But I watched as some of the truly lost kids asked me for help, which I was more than happy to give. I got one girl settled into her table, and she called me over. She was very kind as she fired me with various questions about my exchange. She was utterly amazed by me, and was so kind. For the first time, I felt like my first impression of this group may have been wrong. Upon talking to her some more, I later discovered that she knew a little bit of Japanese, and I spent much of the rest of the Kochi part of the trip helping her with her Japanese. At the table where my third host family, the Osaki's, had found a seat on, 3 boys were sitting. I wanted to make sure that the Osaki's had a good experience with their hsoted students. But I watched as the tallest boy got up and introduced himself to the family. I was impressed. So I went to talk to them and discovered that Luke, Hershed, and Austin were generally really cool guys. They didn't have all that much in common, but I knew from speaking to them that that would really enjoy the Osaki's. Especially crazy Obachan. I finally got settled into my own seat, when Yurie and Masako arrived. Before I could even begin to laugh with them about school or something, Captain Jack called me up onto the stage. Together he and I began out welcome speech. He began with "Good Evening everybody!" and I said, "Minna-san Konbanwa!" Next he went "Welcome to Kochi!" and I said "Yokoso Kochi-ni!" Then I paused and said "Otosan? Machigau. Anata wa Nihonjin. Nihongo o shabete kudasai" (Dad? You're wrong. Your Japanese. You are supposed to speak Japanese!) {side note: I used Tosa Ben, or Kochi ben, which means I sounded like a total Hick from Kochi} Captain Jack replies "Aah soo? Demo Judi wa Americajin. Eigo shabete kudasai!" (Oh boy your right! But you're an American, so you need to speak English.) I crinkled my face with concern then wave my hand "Muri! Muri! Muri! Eigo o wasachuu!" (No good! Can't do it! No way, Jose! I forget English) {again in strong Tosa Ben} That was our welcome and opening to the Welcome Dinner for the students. It was followed by the National Anthems. I was utterly amazed watching the two countries and their national anthems. The Star Spangled Banner was played first. I felt so out of place, because I put my hand on my heart and sang to it. Even Captain Jack attempted to hit some of the high notes with me, which caused him and I to fight to not break into a fit of laughter. The rest of the students and their leaders stared at the flag in respect but did not sing or place their hand on their hand. As soon as the Japanese national anthem began, the hall was flooded with voices from all the Japanese, singing about their glory for the emperor. Perhaps this is considered wrong for an American, but I sang along as well, because I always do at the Rotary meetings. I don't think there is anything wrong with the fact that the American kids didn't sing along, but it was interesting to see how the 2 two different cultures view their national anthems. Next the Shikoku governor of Rotary climbed the stage for the worlds most boring speech ever. It was truly horrible, and wouldn't be if it wasn't for Fujita-san's translations. His speech began with welcoming the students and the host families, in English. Then in Japanese he spoke about how the programs such as this short term exchange are strengthening bonds and providing understanding of all the different cultures in the world. Then he began talking about how the students need to show respect and be good to their host families because they are representing their country and being welcomed into the Japanese one. In Japanese, I listened as he said the speech in an incredible polite form making slight references to the wrong doings of previous exchange students, which I later learned was referring to last years long term exchange students in Kochi. In Japanese, the speech was well done but somewhat boring. Fijita-san translated into really rude English, which I could tell was bothering many of the students. I made a slight note to go around and make sure that all the students knew what was actually said afterwards. The speeches concluded with Captain Jack and I toasting in Japanese and English and prompting everyone to dig into the 'Western food.' Captain Jack picked the Western food, and because his idea of Western food is slightly wrong, most of the kids didn't really eat anything. I, however, was very happy. There was Karage, which is like fried chicken, and shrimp, and Egg and Squid sandwiches. I piled things high on to my plate, started to dig in, and then was called to help Captain Jack. When I returned, my delicious plate had mysteriously disappeared, which left my heart broken. Masako and Yurie called me over. We all put on our long term youth exchange student Blazers and walked around, handing out our busines cards. Yurie also gave out some spare pins to some of the kinder students. I started to talk to some other kids, but I didn't get too into anything. Soon, after everyone had attempted or didn't eating the meal, Captain Jack and I were back to joking. We had rehearsed this skit. I said, "Otosan, neckutie desu. Doko de kaita ka?" (Where dod you buy your necktie?) Captain Jack says, "America!" Then I slap him on the head and say, "Obaika." (Slang term for stupid American) Our next skit, Otosan asked me what state I come from. I proudly yelled out, "New Jersey!" Then he smiled and in a Japanese accent said, "What exit are you from?" Many of the American kids laughed and it seemed to lighten the sir alot more when they could understand their own jokes. The next speaker was San-san, and he went over the itenarary for the Kochi portion of the trip. Afterwards we pretty much dismissed everyone. Many of the kids came and talked to me after that. I think that fact that they knew I was from New Jersey seemed to make everything a little more real. Somebody told me that alot of the kids were sort of intimidated by this tall blue-eyed pretty girl in a Japanese uniform, who got alot of attention because she was able to speak the language and impress all the Japanese. But since we all had much more in common than we thought, it was much easier to talk amongst each other. They began introducing themselves and asking me if I would be helping them tommorrow and the next few days in their stay in Kochi. My current Otosan, came from behind and told me we had to get going. I told the other exchange students I would be seeing most of them really soon.

New Jersey Meets Kochi Pt. 2: 4 American Teenagers

Late last month, my host counselor, Sakioka-sensei, arranged for his wife to come pick me up from school on July 3. He and his Rotary club, Royal Rotary of Kochi, wanted me to help out in translations for the Short Term students. The group of 25 students and 3 leaders was supposed to have lunch with Royal Rotary to exchange banners. When they invited me, I felt honored. I mean, most Japanese people, including Sakioka-sensei, have this thought that no Gaijin is able to speak Japanese. But I can speak Japanese, and have only just decided to be honest and accept that I'm a fairly strong speaker of the language. At noon, on July 3, Sakioka-ssensei's lovely wife picked me up in front of the east gates at Tosajoshi. Captain Jack had asked me if I would attend the Short Stay Student's morning portion of the day, where we would be exploring Katsuruhama, Kochi's famous beach and the neighboring Aquarium. After the Welcome Party, I told him that I would rather attend school, as I wasn't impressed with the students. Something I later regretted because I discovered that first impressions are not always the most important. I also wanted to attend my last Tea Ceremony class, where the teachers were found crying and wondering out loud if I would able to stay and finish the program. They showered me with compliments, like how I had the makings of an incredibly talented and spiritual Tea Ceremony artist. I promised them that I would continue practicing the Way of Tea. Afterwards I had my finally sewing class, to which I sewed a Happy Cat bag to go along with the Yukata that I had previously sewed in other class periods. At about noon, along with my school counselor, I waited for Sakioka-san to pick me up from in front of Tojo. When she arrived, I immediately showed off my Japanese skills. She drove me thru the city and to the Asahi Royal Hotel, the tallest building in Kochi, and home to the Kochi Royal Rotary club. Her husband, my Rotary counselor, Sakioka-sensei, warmly welcomed me in Japanese. I was shocked, normally Sakioka-sensei, speaks only English, though I don't mind because he gets easily frustrated with English and switches into Japanese within minutes. It's actually quite funny. He showed me a Welcome sign for the students, which I recalled was the same one he used when I had arrived in Kochi. A feeling of nostalgia over swept me. We waited for the bus full of American teenagers, and joked around in Japanese. When the large bus arrived, I noticed that one of the boys on the trip had purchased a Horse head and was waving at people from the window. Annoyed, I greeted the few kids who came off the bus with smiles on their faces. The leaders quickly ran towards me and demanded answers to where they could find a bathroom, what was going to happen, and other things like that. I amazed myself, at suddenly taking charge of situation. Normally, and as planned, I was supposed to let Sakioka-sensei take care of the short stay exchange students. But I watched as he suddenly got overwhelmed by the English language, so I took over. I directed the 3 leaders and 25 students to follow me and we got on the escalator to the 3rd floor. Upon arrival, I pointed out the bathroom for some leaders and students, and get the rest of students settled into their seats. I looked to Sakioka-sensei and he gave me a big thumbs up, which I took to mean thank you. When everyone was seated, the meeting was about to begin. I did not, however have a seat, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Then some of the kids, that I did not have a chance to talk to waved me over. The smallest girl, who I had learned lived in the next town over from my own, led the group in asking if I would just with them. I was shocked, but I smiled and pulled up a chair. The large table with kids, who I later learned were Jody, Mary, Austin, Hershed, Luke, Demetrious, and Drew, asked me a million questions. For the few minutes before the start of the meeting, I was telling these kids all about my school, showing them my newly sewed Yukata, and assuring Drew that the Japanese school systems were not any farther than American ones. At some point, I was utterly blown away in shock. Jody, who I had learned went to Verona schools and was going into her Freshman year at Verona High School, my school, asked me if I had any relatives. I told her I had a sister, Shannon, who was in 2nd grade. The amazing thing is that Jody's cousin is one of Shannon's good friends, and also Jody's best friend is the big sister of my sister's ex-boyfriend. She knows Shannon REALLY REALLY well. I once typed something of 6 Degrees of Separation, and this is a prime example of it. But my antics with Jody were nowhere near finished on this day. I continued talking to the kids, slowly beginning to like each and every one of them. Maybe, I wondered, that first impression I got was entirely wrong. Jody seemed like such a sweet kid, and I was shocked when she told me she was 14, and she was shocked to know that I was only 16. The other girls also seemed really lovely, and really interested in Japan. They asked me alot of questions about the food that they had eaten, the customs that they had run into, and the life of Japanese people, that they had only experienced in 2 nights with their host families. Before I could begin to get into everything, the meeting started. Sakioka-sensei attempted a speech in English, asking everyone of the students to introduce themselves and the town that they had come from. Many of the kids could do this in Japanese, but somebody told me that the other kids would make comments like 'Showoff.' I briefly wondered what those nasty kids had said about my Japanese. haha. Afterwards the leaders, Gary and his wife, Adrian, were asked to exchange banners with the Royal Rotary club president. Then the anthems were played, again having the Japanese sing the song, while the Americans did nothing. Sakioka-sensei was supposed to continue with another speech, but I could tell that he was nervous and fed up with English, I was almost surprised he didn't make me get up and do it. Instead, he called the waiters to serve the meal. The meal was quite Westernized in my opinion. Sure the pasta had shrimp, but it was missing it's famous seaweed topping. There was also plain old Sandwiches. I was annoyed when some of the short stay students complained that they couldn't eat alot of the Japanese food. Okay, fine, so the sandwiches had squid and octopus. As we were eating our meal, my table mates continued to ask me questions about what it is like to live in Japan. And what struck me as odd, is that they were all generally interested. Amazed, even. They listened in awe as I assured Drew that the school systems were not better or worse, just incredibly different. How Japanese girl are incredibly immature, but always exciting to be going to school with. They laughed when I told them about my language mistakes, especially about the time I told my host Mom she had a lot of nipples instead of yawns. Jody and a few other girls took my advice when I showed the right way to handle chop sticks. And Luke and Demtrious were amazed when I told them why one should NEVER put the chop sticks face down into the rice. I was happy sharing all my knowledge about Japan, but I was even happier that they short term exchange students were truly interested. Perhaps, I pondered, this program will really work in the promotion of peace through understanding. Alas, when I suggested that they all study abroad as long term students, most of them roared that I was nuts. They all seemed to wonder how anyone could give up a year of High school for this kind of thing. I didn't even bother answering. Needless to say, even though, I was really impressed with about half of the delegation. There was still another 12 or so kids that I took an immense disliking to. One girl in particular, whom I will call Johanna, made me a little bit repulsed. As we ate, she told me that her host family had taken them shopping. Johanna quickly learned that anything she touched or looked at in the remotest of wants, would prompt her host family to buy it for her. I didn't have a problem with her, until she admitted that she began pointing out anything that she might like, demanding her family to buy it for her. She said that even though she felt bad that they were splurging so much money on her, at the same time, she really wanted to them to buy her all this stuff. I was disgusted with her, but stayed quiet thinking that she was the kind of student that made these programs turn into problems. When we were all finished with lunch and dessert, it was time for the group to go to a Japanese High School. The Short Term Students were all in white Rotary uniforms, while I was, of course, in my Tojo Sailor suit. The High school was Nishi Koukou, the best school in Kochi for English students. As we were leaving, Sakioka-sensei, made a truly hilarious comment to me. He said that while all the Short Term students may stand out because of being Gaijin, I REALLY stand out because I'm a gaijin pretending to be a Japanese student in a uniform. He thanks me for my help at the meeting, and then I went with Jody and some new friends on the bus heading to the school. I was definitely the hottest thing on the bus. Even the kids who were rude and obnoxious, seemed to want to talk to me. Even if it was only to be rude and obnoxious, which it was. The rest pounded me with questions about Japanese schools, as that was our next destination. I was more than happy to tell them everything. Even though i felt like a bit of a Know-It-All, my fellow exchange students did not think that. Most were truly interested and wanted to know what it was like. As we arrived at Nishi Koukou, I led the students off the bus and into the school. Even though it wasn't my school, I knew exactly what was supposed to be going on. I directed them to get slippers, none of which would be the appropriate size for Gaijin feet. Then we walked down the long hallway and were showed into a waiting room. A large Japanese teacher with a think Australian English accent greeted us all. He explained that we would be assisting in an English class. Then he separated us all into 3 groups. Since I was not part of the delegation, I had not been assigned a specific group, which left me the prerogative to join any group that I wanted. Yet what amazed me was that lots of the short stay kids were begging for me to join their group. I thought, at first, it was because they all needed a translator, and maybe it was in the beginning. But as time progresses, I totally felt like I was again part of a group. A group that liked me not because I looked like a strange creature, but because I was me. I was among people like me again, American teenagers, and not Japanese teenagers. I thought the transition would have been harder than it was, which was partially the reason i don't want to go home. You see the last time, I was around American teenagers I was shy and bookish. But around the Short Tern students, I was pretty much leading the show. It felt new to me, but at the same time exciting. I ended up joining in with a group that I didn't like too much. I only joined it because Captain Jack was the leader of the group, and gave me a look that obviously signaled for help. Our first task was to help the High School Senior student in the accelerated English class practice and perform Romeo and Juliet. It was a watered down and much easier to understand version, but it was nonetheless, Shakespheare. The girls that I was assigned to help were Mercutio and a servant. They wanted to practice English, and I Japanese. So I spoke to them in Japanese, while they spoke in English. Mercutio was the most quiet and shy little Japanese girl I ever seen. Both girls were 19, 3 years my senior, and at least half my height and weight. They both were glasses, which looked as though they were straining their faces. Since the assignment was to teach the girls how to act the part as well as speak it, I had a hard time with Mercutio. Mercutio is supposed to jump in front of the sword to protect Romeo from Tybalt. And then he is supposed to die dramatically. I decided to work on a dramatic death scene, in which Mercutio's clung to his wound and breathed and cursed for a few minutes after his death. Even though his death was supposed to be quick. So picture this 4 foot, scrawny Japanese girl playing an English character of an Italian character, and doing the most dramatic and drawn out death possible. Everyone was laughing, except for Mercutio, who slowly fell to the floor and moaned and cursed at Tybalt. The Short Stay kids nearly wet themselves from laughter. After our play, I tagged along with another group as we went to hang out in an English classroom. Out of nowhere this nasty boy from the group, came up to me. He demanded to know what town I came from and I proudly said Verona. Then he started cursing me out and calling the school mascot, the Hillbilly, the biggest lame name over. I know I would have let it bother me if I had not come to Japan. Instead I laughed at him and said, "Aren't you pathetic? Coming all the way to Japan to attack a rival school mascot. Loser." Then I walked away laughing, surprising ven myself. The students had set up games and desks for talking areas. I was supposed to tag along with the Short Stay Kids, but I found some Gaijin ALT's, or assistant English teachers who were working at Nishi. I wanted to talk them about life in Kochi. WHen I returned, I then spoke to the English teacher in Japanese and was called fluent on many occasions. She told me that she had earlier heard a rumor that a student from a rival school was roaming the halls. Then she tried to take a cheap shot at my Tojo, and I fought with her over it. Tojo is the best school in Kochi, hands-down, no questions asked. I walked around and watched some of the stuff the Nishi students had prepared for the Short Stay Kids. One desk had set up a chop stick practice booth, another was playing with animal sounds in English and Japanese. The Short Stay kids all wanted a picture with their new Japanese friends, when the bell rang. Captain Jack asked me to lead the Short Stay students back to the main room, which I agreed to. But first I took a long cut around the school. By every classroom we passed, I waved and made the Nishi students laugh and nearly wet themselves. Soon the Short Stay kids were doing the same, and causing the students to flood in Ecstasy over waving to a Gaijin. Back in the room, we met back up with the other Short Stay students. They had similar stories of insane Japanese students, dramatic Mercutio's, and chop stick horrors. When we were finsihed with Nishi KouKou, the bus arrived and we were beckoned to return. Outside, a small group of girls was cleaning the courtyard, and the American students wondered why. On the bus, I explained that every other week students are supposed to perform a small cleaning duty for the school. I then thanked the students because if I hadn't been allowed to tag along with them, I'd be scrubbing toilets. The leaders were amazed at the immense differences in the school systems, and we began a long conversation about them. Shortly, we arrived in front of the meeting spot. Many of the host families had already gathered and were waiting with their kids. As I got out, many of the families stopped to look at me. Many even wondered out loud why there would be a student dressed in a Tojo Uniform. I exited the bus with Luke, Austin, and Hershed, so the first people I talked to were the Osaki's, who had come to pick up the boys. I was tempted to ask them I wasn't invited to dinner to help them, but I stayed quiet. As the Osaki's and their exchange student left, one of the Short Stay leaders came up to me. She asked if I would help translate something to Captain Jack. She wanted me to get her constipation medicine for the one of the students. I knew Captain Jack couldn't hand out medicine freely, as it is against the law, even though he is a pharmacist. Plus he would never EVER let me live down the fact that I had to ask him for constipation medicine. Even though I would have made it clear it wasn't for me. Instead, I decided to just give her some of my own. And why am I putting this down? Because thinking about it, and I can't help but chuckle at having to fork over constipation medication for some American students. I was supposed to walk home, after everyone had been picked up. But Captain Jack ordered me to take a Taxi back. When I arrived home, I quickly changed into some sweat clothes for a nice long run. But just as I was leaving the house, Captain Jack called my cell phone. I missed the call, so I called him back quickly. One of the Rotarian's from the club today, who was hosting 2 girls, was so intrigued by the fact I speak Japanese and was more than willing to help the Short Term Students, that he begged Captain Jack to take me with him for dinner. I told Captain Jack it would be fine, even though I did not ask my host parents. He promised to pick me up in front of my house, but I argued for him to pick me up in front of the super market close to the house. Every time he comes to one of my host houses, he demands to do a little investigation. It's kind of cute, because he truly makes remarks about the living conditions and stuff. He really treats me like his daughter. I didn't even realize until later that night, when someone else pointed it out for me. After the call, I had to do an hour bike ride to my host parents Company to ask for permission, as neither knows how to answer cell phones. They bother thought it would be a nice idea, and told me to enjoy myself. I love having host families that aren't strict in the least. Back in front of the supermarket, I waited for Captain Jack to pick me up. When he arrived, I jumped into his car, and we headed back to his pharmacy. I happily caught up with Masaki Okasan and told her all about the kids on the trip. Then at 7:30 we set off for this French Japanese Fish place. I love Kochi City at night, even though I'm rarely allowed to go out at that time. When we arrived, I was shocked in that the 2 students were none other than Jody and Mary. Jody and I immediately began talking about Verona, my sister, and all of the other happenings of this year. The girls' host parents were amazed when I would translate into both languages, and flourished me in compliments about fluency. With all the compliments I've been receiving, my ego is going to go through the roof. Dinner was served in various dishes. All of it was seafood, like squid, catfish, and scallops. But the main course was a delicious portion of Sea Bass. I was in heaven. But I realized, to my utter shock, that Jody too was eating everything. Mary looked at the two of us like we were crazy. I was so proud of Jody, because even though her chop sticking stills were terrible, the fact that she was trying everything amazed everyone. At one point, as her host father was trying to explain the right way of using chop sticks, I pointed out just how lucky all of us are. I mean we all paid only about airfare and insurance to be able to have the experience of living with Japanese families and absorbing the true culture that most tourists never get to see. It is true that a year long exchange is much more enriching, but still I give credit to anyone who can handle doing the short Stay as well. I pointed out that it America, Jody could easily learn how to use Chop Sticks. Yet being about to say that she learned how use chop sticks from a Japanese person in Japan, is much better. Jody and Mary both agreed. Then Jody said that the entire deleigation was astounded by me. most of them all were considering going for a full year because they had seen how amazing of a time I am having. This, I considered, to be my greatest contribution of the day. As we began finishing up with out Sea Bass, the host parents asked me what my favorite Japanese after school activity was. Besides Koto, I told them I loved Karaoke. Thus it was decided that we would all be heading to a Karaoke Bar. Along the way I kept Captain Jack in laughter as I joked in Tosa Ben, the Kochi dialect, and shocked the host families with my language skills. When we arrived at the Bar, I was disappointed that it wasn't like the typical Karaoke Bar, with private rooms. THis was an actual get on the stage and sing in front of everyone. Plus the owner was practicing already. He was full-blown drunk and singing Frank Sinatra. As soon as he saw 3 American gaijin girls, he began hitting on us. I thought Captain Jack was going to hit him. I just laughed and sat down at the table with Jody and Mary. I showed them how to pick songs and that we would all pick something to sing together. They looked at me like I was utterly deranged. I knew no one would have done anything if I didn't start it off. So the waitor in charge of the songs was ordered to put in "Ashita Hareru Kana" my utmost favorite Japanese song. Captain Jack, who had only been to Karaoke with me once before, snickered at the prospect of seeing me again. We went together back in November, and I essentially refused to sing from embarrassment. But I managed to shock the whole bar. I stood in front of everyone beliting out the song in Japanese. It's really difficult to read and sing in Japanese at the same time, but I did a damn good job. I looked back and saw Captain Jack's chin on the floor. Jody and Mary also looked at me like I was amazing. While I sang, I watched as their initail shyness disappeared and the requested a song. The rest of the people in the bar, muttered at the fact that I could read Japanese. But nobody was as suprised as I was. As soon as I was done, Mary and Jody rushed at me. They begged for me to stay and sing Stayin Alive from the Bee Gees with them. I knew it was a hard song, but I agreed. And knowing I wouldn't be able to sing it, I did something else. I began shaking my little non shakeable hits, boucing around, and having an exciting time. Captain Jack was initally shocked, but later he was laughing so hard that I was sure he was going to split a gut. When the Bee Gee's finished, I requested Shakira. I was in a dancing mood. I danced until I was in pain, and Captain Jack ran off to the bathroom from laughing too hard. Jody was really into it at this point. She was screaming into the microphone and laughing and dancing. We were having such a brilliant time, that we ignored Mary's annoyed face. WHen the song was over, the drunk Owner attemped Under the Boardwalk. After him, the 3 of stood for Larger Than Life, from the Backstreet Boys. It was something we all knew, and kicked butt at when singing. It was the most pathetic thing I'd ever seen. On the table were some tasty Japanese snacks, and I beckoned Jody and mary to try them. I couldn't believe it when Jody actually tried the dried Squid, and LOVED it. I made a mental note to tell her she was the coolest gaijin in the room. BEsides me of course. She then pulled me aside, and told me that I ought to be careful with Captain Jack. She said she couldn't help noticing that everytime I open my mouth, I cause him to burst out in laughter. "You make him so happy!" she said. It's funny, because it really is true. I haven't lived with his family in 8 months, yet he still considers me like a second daughter. It came as no suprise to anyone, when Captain Jack and I provided the grand finally of the night. We both sand Yesterday from the Beatles, arm in arm. Jody said it was the funniest thing ever to see his big tall foreign girl with the short loud Japanese guy screeching the Beatles. Anything with Captain Jack is pretty funny. Unfortunately time had gotten away from us, and we had to get going. Captain Jack ordered me a taxi back to Mama, my host town. I told my new friends I would see them tommorrow and left feeling really happy. Looking back on the day's events and I can't help but be amazed. Being around my peers again has helped me to remember who I was before Japan. I was painfully shy, and awkward about my weight and looks. I had friends, but we were all bookish introverts. I never complained, because I was happy being that person. Or so I thought. And yet, I look at myself now. I talk more than anybody in Japan. And to anybody and everybody. I can speak Japanese, which opens so many doors for me. I'm tall and thin and always smiling and laughing. And the best part is that being around American teenagers again, did not revert me to the old shy Julie. I was the one who has been Japanized. And wouldn't have it any other way.

New Jersey Meets Kochi Pt. 3: Bouncin' 'Round My City

te last month, my host counselor, Sakioka-sensei, arranged for his wife to come pick me up from school on July 3. He and his Rotary club, Royal Rotary of Kochi, wanted me to help out in translations for the Short Term students. The group of 25 students and 3 leaders was supposed to have lunch with Royal Rotary to exchange banners. When they invited me, I felt honored. I mean, most Japanese people, including Sakioka-sensei, have this thought that no Gaijin is able to speak Japanese. But I can speak Japanese, and have only just decided to be honest and accept that I'm a fairly strong speaker of the language. At noon, on July 3, Sakioka-ssensei's lovely wife picked me up in front of the east gates at Tosajoshi. Captain Jack had asked me if I would attend the Short Stay Student's morning portion of the day, where we would be exploring Katsuruhama, Kochi's famous beach and the neighboring Aquarium. After the Welcome Party, I told him that I would rather attend school, as I wasn't impressed with the students. Something I later regretted because I discovered that first impressions are not always the most important. I also wanted to attend my last Tea Ceremony class, where the teachers were found crying and wondering out loud if I would able to stay and finish the program. They showered me with compliments, like how I had the makings of an incredibly talented and spiritual Tea Ceremony artist. I promised them that I would continue practicing the Way of Tea. Afterwards I had my finally sewing class, to which I sewed a Happy Cat bag to go along with the Yukata that I had previously sewed in other class periods. At about noon, along with my school counselor, I waited for Sakioka-san to pick me up from in front of Tojo. When she arrived, I immediately showed off my Japanese skills. She drove me thru the city and to the Asahi Royal Hotel, the tallest building in Kochi, and home to the Kochi Royal Rotary club. Her husband, my Rotary counselor, Sakioka-sensei, warmly welcomed me in Japanese. I was shocked, normally Sakioka-sensei, speaks only English, though I don't mind because he gets easily frustrated with English and switches into Japanese within minutes. It's actually quite funny. He showed me a Welcome sign for the students, which I recalled was the same one he used when I had arrived in Kochi. A feeling of nostalgia over swept me. We waited for the bus full of American teenagers, and joked around in Japanese. When the large bus arrived, I noticed that one of the boys on the trip had purchased a Horse head and was waving at people from the window. Annoyed, I greeted the few kids who came off the bus with smiles on their faces. The leaders quickly ran towards me and demanded answers to where they could find a bathroom, what was going to happen, and other things like that. I amazed myself, at suddenly taking charge of situation. Normally, and as planned, I was supposed to let Sakioka-sensei take care of the short stay exchange students. But I watched as he suddenly got overwhelmed by the English language, so I took over. I directed the 3 leaders and 25 students to follow me and we got on the escalator to the 3rd floor. Upon arrival, I pointed out the bathroom for some leaders and students, and get the rest of students settled into their seats. I looked to Sakioka-sensei and he gave me a big thumbs up, which I took to mean thank you. When everyone was seated, the meeting was about to begin. I did not, however have a seat, so I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Then some of the kids, that I did not have a chance to talk to waved me over. The smallest girl, who I had learned lived in the next town over from my own, led the group in asking if I would just with them. I was shocked, but I smiled and pulled up a chair. The large table with kids, who I later learned were Jody, Mary, Austin, Hershed, Luke, Demetrious, and Drew, asked me a million questions. For the few minutes before the start of the meeting, I was telling these kids all about my school, showing them my newly sewed Yukata, and assuring Drew that the Japanese school systems were not any farther than American ones. At some point, I was utterly blown away in shock. Jody, who I had learned went to Verona schools and was going into her Freshman year at Verona High School, my school, asked me if I had any relatives. I told her I had a sister, Shannon, who was in 2nd grade. The amazing thing is that Jody's cousin is one of Shannon's good friends, and also Jody's best friend is the big sister of my sister's ex-boyfriend. She knows Shannon REALLY REALLY well. I once typed something of 6 Degrees of Separation, and this is a prime example of it. But my antics with Jody were nowhere near finished on this day. I continued talking to the kids, slowly beginning to like each and every one of them. Maybe, I wondered, that first impression I got was entirely wrong. Jody seemed like such a sweet kid, and I was shocked when she told me she was 14, and she was shocked to know that I was only 16. The other girls also seemed really lovely, and really interested in Japan. They asked me alot of questions about the food that they had eaten, the customs that they had run into, and the life of Japanese people, that they had only experienced in 2 nights with their host families. Before I could begin to get into everything, the meeting started. Sakioka-sensei attempted a speech in English, asking everyone of the students to introduce themselves and the town that they had come from. Many of the kids could do this in Japanese, but somebody told me that the other kids would make comments like 'Showoff.' I briefly wondered what those nasty kids had said about my Japanese. haha. Afterwards the leaders, Gary and his wife, Adrian, were asked to exchange banners with the Royal Rotary club president. Then the anthems were played, again having the Japanese sing the song, while the Americans did nothing. Sakioka-sensei was supposed to continue with another speech, but I could tell that he was nervous and fed up with English, I was almost surprised he didn't make me get up and do it. Instead, he called the waiters to serve the meal. The meal was quite Westernized in my opinion. Sure the pasta had shrimp, but it was missing it's famous seaweed topping. There was also plain old Sandwiches. I was annoyed when some of the short stay students complained that they couldn't eat alot of the Japanese food. Okay, fine, so the sandwiches had squid and octopus. As we were eating our meal, my table mates continued to ask me questions about what it is like to live in Japan. And what struck me as odd, is that they were all generally interested. Amazed, even. They listened in awe as I assured Drew that the school systems were not better or worse, just incredibly different. How Japanese girl are incredibly immature, but always exciting to be going to school with. They laughed when I told them about my language mistakes, especially about the time I told my host Mom she had a lot of nipples instead of yawns. Jody and a few other girls took my advice when I showed the right way to handle chop sticks. And Luke and Demtrious were amazed when I told them why one should NEVER put the chop sticks face down into the rice. I was happy sharing all my knowledge about Japan, but I was even happier that they short term exchange students were truly interested. Perhaps, I pondered, this program will really work in the promotion of peace through understanding. Alas, when I suggested that they all study abroad as long term students, most of them roared that I was nuts. They all seemed to wonder how anyone could give up a year of High school for this kind of thing. I didn't even bother answering. Needless to say, even though, I was really impressed with about half of the delegation. There was still another 12 or so kids that I took an immense disliking to. One girl in particular, whom I will call Johanna, made me a little bit repulsed. As we ate, she told me that her host family had taken them shopping. Johanna quickly learned that anything she touched or looked at in the remotest of wants, would prompt her host family to buy it for her. I didn't have a problem with her, until she admitted that she began pointing out anything that she might like, demanding her family to buy it for her. She said that even though she felt bad that they were splurging so much money on her, at the same time, she really wanted to them to buy her all this stuff. I was disgusted with her, but stayed quiet thinking that she was the kind of student that made these programs turn into problems. When we were all finished with lunch and dessert, it was time for the group to go to a Japanese High School. The Short Term Students were all in white Rotary uniforms, while I was, of course, in my Tojo Sailor suit. The High school was Nishi Koukou, the best school in Kochi for English students. As we were leaving, Sakioka-sensei, made a truly hilarious comment to me. He said that while all the Short Term students may stand out because of being Gaijin, I REALLY stand out because I'm a gaijin pretending to be a Japanese student in a uniform. He thanks me for my help at the meeting, and then I went with Jody and some new friends on the bus heading to the school. I was definitely the hottest thing on the bus. Even the kids who were rude and obnoxious, seemed to want to talk to me. Even if it was only to be rude and obnoxious, which it was. The rest pounded me with questions about Japanese schools, as that was our next destination. I was more than happy to tell them everything. Even though i felt like a bit of a Know-It-All, my fellow exchange students did not think that. Most were truly interested and wanted to know what it was like. As we arrived at Nishi Koukou, I led the students off the bus and into the school. Even though it wasn't my school, I knew exactly what was supposed to be going on. I directed them to get slippers, none of which would be the appropriate size for Gaijin feet. Then we walked down the long hallway and were showed into a waiting room. A large Japanese teacher with a think Australian English accent greeted us all. He explained that we would be assisting in an English class. Then he separated us all into 3 groups. Since I was not part of the delegation, I had not been assigned a specific group, which left me the prerogative to join any group that I wanted. Yet what amazed me was that lots of the short stay kids were begging for me to join their group. I thought, at first, it was because they all needed a translator, and maybe it was in the beginning. But as time progresses, I totally felt like I was again part of a group. A group that liked me not because I looked like a strange creature, but because I was me. I was among people like me again, American teenagers, and not Japanese teenagers. I thought the transition would have been harder than it was, which was partially the reason i don't want to go home. You see the last time, I was around American teenagers I was shy and bookish. But around the Short Tern students, I was pretty much leading the show. It felt new to me, but at the same time exciting. I ended up joining in with a group that I didn't like too much. I only joined it because Captain Jack was the leader of the group, and gave me a look that obviously signaled for help. Our first task was to help the High School Senior student in the accelerated English class practice and perform Romeo and Juliet. It was a watered down and much easier to understand version, but it was nonetheless, Shakespheare. The girls that I was assigned to help were Mercutio and a servant. They wanted to practice English, and I Japanese. So I spoke to them in Japanese, while they spoke in English. Mercutio was the most quiet and shy little Japanese girl I ever seen. Both girls were 19, 3 years my senior, and at least half my height and weight. They both were glasses, which looked as though they were straining their faces. Since the assignment was to teach the girls how to act the part as well as speak it, I had a hard time with Mercutio. Mercutio is supposed to jump in front of the sword to protect Romeo from Tybalt. And then he is supposed to die dramatically. I decided to work on a dramatic death scene, in which Mercutio's clung to his wound and breathed and cursed for a few minutes after his death. Even though his death was supposed to be quick. So picture this 4 foot, scrawny Japanese girl playing an English character of an Italian character, and doing the most dramatic and drawn out death possible. Everyone was laughing, except for Mercutio, who slowly fell to the floor and moaned and cursed at Tybalt. The Short Stay kids nearly wet themselves from laughter. After our play, I tagged along with another group as we went to hang out in an English classroom. Out of nowhere this nasty boy from the group, came up to me. He demanded to know what town I came from and I proudly said Verona. Then he started cursing me out and calling the school mascot, the Hillbilly, the biggest lame name over. I know I would have let it bother me if I had not come to Japan. Instead I laughed at him and said, "Aren't you pathetic? Coming all the way to Japan to attack a rival school mascot. Loser." Then I walked away laughing, surprising ven myself. The students had set up games and desks for talking areas. I was supposed to tag along with the Short Stay Kids, but I found some Gaijin ALT's, or assistant English teachers who were working at Nishi. I wanted to talk them about life in Kochi. WHen I returned, I then spoke to the English teacher in Japanese and was called fluent on many occasions. She told me that she had earlier heard a rumor that a student from a rival school was roaming the halls. Then she tried to take a cheap shot at my Tojo, and I fought with her over it. Tojo is the best school in Kochi, hands-down, no questions asked. I walked around and watched some of the stuff the Nishi students had prepared for the Short Stay Kids. One desk had set up a chop stick practice booth, another was playing with animal sounds in English and Japanese. The Short Stay kids all wanted a picture with their new Japanese friends, when the bell rang. Captain Jack asked me to lead the Short Stay students back to the main room, which I agreed to. But first I took a long cut around the school. By every classroom we passed, I waved and made the Nishi students laugh and nearly wet themselves. Soon the Short Stay kids were doing the same, and causing the students to flood in Ecstasy over waving to a Gaijin. Back in the room, we met back up with the other Short Stay students. They had similar stories of insane Japanese students, dramatic Mercutio's, and chop stick horrors. When we were finsihed with Nishi KouKou, the bus arrived and we were beckoned to return. Outside, a small group of girls was cleaning the courtyard, and the American students wondered why. On the bus, I explained that every other week students are supposed to perform a small cleaning duty for the school. I then thanked the students because if I hadn't been allowed to tag along with them, I'd be scrubbing toilets. The leaders were amazed at the immense differences in the school systems, and we began a long conversation about them. Shortly, we arrived in front of the meeting spot. Many of the host families had already gathered and were waiting with their kids. As I got out, many of the families stopped to look at me. Many even wondered out loud why there would be a student dressed in a Tojo Uniform. I exited the bus with Luke, Austin, and Hershed, so the first people I talked to were the Osaki's, who had come to pick up the boys. I was tempted to ask them I wasn't invited to dinner to help them, but I stayed quiet. As the Osaki's and their exchange student left, one of the Short Stay leaders came up to me. She asked if I would help translate something to Captain Jack. She wanted me to get her constipation medicine for the one of the students. I knew Captain Jack couldn't hand out medicine freely, as it is against the law, even though he is a pharmacist. Plus he would never EVER let me live down the fact that I had to ask him for constipation medicine. Even though I would have made it clear it wasn't for me. Instead, I decided to just give her some of my own. And why am I putting this down? Because thinking about it, and I can't help but chuckle at having to fork over constipation medication for some American students. I was supposed to walk home, after everyone had been picked up. But Captain Jack ordered me to take a Taxi back. When I arrived home, I quickly changed into some sweat clothes for a nice long run. But just as I was leaving the house, Captain Jack called my cell phone. I missed the call, so I called him back quickly. One of the Rotarian's from the club today, who was hosting 2 girls, was so intrigued by the fact I speak Japanese and was more than willing to help the Short Term Students, that he begged Captain Jack to take me with him for dinner. I told Captain Jack it would be fine, even though I did not ask my host parents. He promised to pick me up in front of my house, but I argued for him to pick me up in front of the super market close to the house. Every time he comes to one of my host houses, he demands to do a little investigation. It's kind of cute, because he truly makes remarks about the living conditions and stuff. He really treats me like his daughter. I didn't even realize until later that night, when someone else pointed it out for me. After the call, I had to do an hour bike ride to my host parents Company to ask for permission, as neither knows how to answer cell phones. They bother thought it would be a nice idea, and told me to enjoy myself. I love having host families that aren't strict in the least. Back in front of the supermarket, I waited for Captain Jack to pick me up. When he arrived, I jumped into his car, and we headed back to his pharmacy. I happily caught up with Masaki Okasan and told her all about the kids on the trip. Then at 7:30 we set off for this French Japanese Fish place. I love Kochi City at night, even though I'm rarely allowed to go out at that time. When we arrived, I was shocked in that the 2 students were none other than Jody and Mary. Jody and I immediately began talking about Verona, my sister, and all of the other happenings of this year. The girls' host parents were amazed when I would translate into both languages, and flourished me in compliments about fluency. With all the compliments I've been receiving, my ego is going to go through the roof. Dinner was served in various dishes. All of it was seafood, like squid, catfish, and scallops. But the main course was a delicious portion of Sea Bass. I was in heaven. But I realized, to my utter shock, that Jody too was eating everything. Mary looked at the two of us like we were crazy. I was so proud of Jody, because even though her chop sticking stills were terrible, the fact that she was trying everything amazed everyone. At one point, as her host father was trying to explain the right way of using chop sticks, I pointed out just how lucky all of us are. I mean we all paid only about airfare and insurance to be able to have the experience of living with Japanese families and absorbing the true culture that most tourists never get to see. It is true that a year long exchange is much more enriching, but still I give credit to anyone who can handle doing the short Stay as well. I pointed out that it America, Jody could easily learn how to use Chop Sticks. Yet being about to say that she learned how use chop sticks from a Japanese person in Japan, is much better. Jody and Mary both agreed. Then Jody said that the entire deleigation was astounded by me. most of them all were considering going for a full year because they had seen how amazing of a time I am having. This, I considered, to be my greatest contribution of the day. As we began finishing up with out Sea Bass, the host parents asked me what my favorite Japanese after school activity was. Besides Koto, I told them I loved Karaoke. Thus it was decided that we would all be heading to a Karaoke Bar. Along the way I kept Captain Jack in laughter as I joked in Tosa Ben, the Kochi dialect, and shocked the host families with my language skills. When we arrived at the Bar, I was disappointed that it wasn't like the typical Karaoke Bar, with private rooms. THis was an actual get on the stage and sing in front of everyone. Plus the owner was practicing already. He was full-blown drunk and singing Frank Sinatra. As soon as he saw 3 American gaijin girls, he began hitting on us. I thought Captain Jack was going to hit him. I just laughed and sat down at the table with Jody and Mary. I showed them how to pick songs and that we would all pick something to sing together. They looked at me like I was utterly deranged. I knew no one would have done anything if I didn't start it off. So the waitor in charge of the songs was ordered to put in "Ashita Hareru Kana" my utmost favorite Japanese song. Captain Jack, who had only been to Karaoke with me once before, snickered at the prospect of seeing me again. We went together back in November, and I essentially refused to sing from embarrassment. But I managed to shock the whole bar. I stood in front of everyone beliting out the song in Japanese. It's really difficult to read and sing in Japanese at the same time, but I did a damn good job. I looked back and saw Captain Jack's chin on the floor. Jody and Mary also looked at me like I was amazing. While I sang, I watched as their initail shyness disappeared and the requested a song. The rest of the people in the bar, muttered at the fact that I could read Japanese. But nobody was as suprised as I was. As soon as I was done, Mary and Jody rushed at me. They begged for me to stay and sing Stayin Alive from the Bee Gees with them. I knew it was a hard song, but I agreed. And knowing I wouldn't be able to sing it, I did something else. I began shaking my little non shakeable hits, boucing around, and having an exciting time. Captain Jack was initally shocked, but later he was laughing so hard that I was sure he was going to split a gut. When the Bee Gee's finished, I requested Shakira. I was in a dancing mood. I danced until I was in pain, and Captain Jack ran off to the bathroom from laughing too hard. Jody was really into it at this point. She was screaming into the microphone and laughing and dancing. We were having such a brilliant time, that we ignored Mary's annoyed face. WHen the song was over, the drunk Owner attemped Under the Boardwalk. After him, the 3 of stood for Larger Than Life, from the Backstreet Boys. It was something we all knew, and kicked butt at when singing. It was the most pathetic thing I'd ever seen. On the table were some tasty Japanese snacks, and I beckoned Jody and mary to try them. I couldn't believe it when Jody actually tried the dried Squid, and LOVED it. I made a mental note to tell her she was the coolest gaijin in the room. BEsides me of course. She then pulled me aside, and told me that I ought to be careful with Captain Jack. She said she couldn't help noticing that everytime I open my mouth, I cause him to burst out in laughter. "You make him so happy!" she said. It's funny, because it really is true. I haven't lived with his family in 8 months, yet he still considers me like a second daughter. It came as no suprise to anyone, when Captain Jack and I provided the grand finally of the night. We both sand Yesterday from the Beatles, arm in arm. Jody said it was the funniest thing ever to see his big tall foreign girl with the short loud Japanese guy screeching the Beatles. Anything with Captain Jack is pretty funny. Unfortunately time had gotten away from us, and we had to get going. Captain Jack ordered me a taxi back to Mama, my host town. I told my new friends I would see them tommorrow and left feeling really happy. Looking back on the day's events and I can't help but be amazed. Being around my peers again has helped me to remember who I was before Japan. I was painfully shy, and awkward about my weight and looks. I had friends, but we were all bookish introverts. I never complained, because I was happy being that person. Or so I thought. And yet, I look at myself now. I talk more than anybody in Japan. And to anybody and everybody. I can speak Japanese, which opens so many doors for me. I'm tall and thin and always smiling and laughing. And the best part is that being around American teenagers again, did not revert me to the old shy Julie. I was the one who has been Japanized. And wouldn't have it any other way.

New Jersey Meets Shikoku Pt. 4: Cheesesteak With Chopsticks

On Wednesday morning, I had to make a decision. Masaki-san had invited me to assist the Short Term students in their final day exploring Kochi. Or I could go to the last full day of school. At school, we would be doing swimming lessons, as well as I my last full day. But as I looked out the window at the pouring rain, knowing that school was going to be full of boring classes where the students were studying, and I was stuck in Self-Study, I made my decision. I got on the 8 o'clock bus, for the first time ever, and took it to the middle of Kochi city. I was supposed to be at the meeting spot at 8:45, so I was in chaos when the bus stopped, a half a kilometer from the point, at exactly 8:40. Plus I had to go to the bathroom. In a motion, that would make even Superman, intimidated by me, I ran to the nearest convenience store, used the bathroom, bought some gum, all in under 2 minutes. Then I sprinted as fast as I could and made it to the meeting spot at 8:47. Amazing. When I arrived I climbed into the Short Stay Student bus, and immediately noticed that barely anyone had arrived. The girls that were there screamed my name in delight that I could come with them. Then they threw a bag of candy at me and bellowed something about it being Fourth of July. Still out of breath and now annoyed that I sprinted and acted like a fool, I said, "well yeah, 4th of July. Yesterday was the 3rd." Some of the girls cracked up at that and reminded me that it was America's birthday. I couldn't believe that I had completely forgotten. I sat down and ate one of the most delicious candies, a butterscotch Dum-Dum. Something else I have to add to the list of things I miss from back home. Soon, many of the exchange students began arriving, all seemed to be delighted to see me coming along. When everyone had arrived, Drew, sat next to me. The leaders decided to do a count off to see who had arrived and who hadn't. The students yelled off their numbers up to 25. Then when everyone was finished, Drew yelled out "And Julie!" I laughed, but I felt really happy. Soon we were off, headed for the ancient caves of Ryuugado. It is is normally like a 45 minute drive, but it only felt like 5 minutes. Me and Drew sat upright in out seat and turned around talking to Austen and Sam. Alot of other students sitting around us were talking eagerly. Sam asked me if I knew any good Japanese nursery Rhymes, so I told them the story of the Box Girl, which is my favorite story. Then I told them some other ones, and we agreed that Japanese fairy tales are definitely not Disney approved. As I was giddily chatting away with some of the cool kids, I heard someone call my name. I looked to the back of the bus, to where the kids that I didn't like were sitting. There was a large group of boys and one nasty girl, looking at me. "Where are you from?" Annoyed I snapped, "Verona, why?" The girl took the lead, "Do you know So and So? She's such a bitch. Everybody who comes from your town is like that. A bunch of Guido losers. Your football team is the worst. We keep having to play you guys for our homecoming, and your team ruins everything." I looked at this girl and replied, "well obviously since I'm here, I'm not particularly fond of my town either. But all the same, why does it matter? Do you really think I care that the HILLBILLY football team beats you guys." Then I went back to the conversation with Austen and Sam. I realize that even though I've changed so much for the better, not everyone else has. Shortly afterwards, the leader, Mrs. Adrian Goodman, asked if she could talk to me. She wanted to know if I would be willing to talk to her son, who was considering a trip abroad teaching English. Then she told me that she had a little cultural faux pas. She and her host family went to the Kochi Starbucks, and demanded a coffee. But since the place hasn't been opened yet, the store clerks were unsure of what to do. She laughed as she told me this, but I secretly suspected she was morbidly embarrassed. When we arrived at the caves, almost seconds after we exited the bus, 2 new boys came to talk to me. I met, for the first time and certainly not the last time, Robbie and Rob. I immediately took a liking to these guys, as we walked in a large group up to the cave. The cave is situated up a steep slope, with an elevator or steep rocky steps. The students immediately went for the elevator. But I, being little miss Genki, called for everyone to take the steps. I even raced Rob up them, but lost dearly. When we got to the top, we single filed into the cave, which is about 1.9 KM up into a mountain. I was between Rob and Robbie, who were perhaps the two funniest guys I have ever met. They kept taking cheap shots at each other, and it was brilliant. We walked through the cave, as I listened to the student scream about how narrow and tight it was. How it was wet and cold. How at any moment the walls could cave in and they all would die. With Sam and Austen I made fun of Fujita-san's terrible English, as she tried to explain how rocks forms. And tried to smack Robbie when he asked me to look for Batman's Mobile. And on top of everything, I started to have a little bit of crush on Robbie. When we exited the cave, I made the rounds and asked everyone if they enjoyed it. I got alot of mixed responses. When the group began to walk down the steep steps back to the base of the cave, we stopped at ome of the stands selling things. At the bottom, I showed the students the most horrible thing ever. There is a museum dedicated to the famous Kochi bird, Rooster with a Long Tail. It's case is small and horrible. Everyone whined about animal mistreatment. Then downstairs in the gift shop, we sampled delicious treats known in the Kochi region. At 11:45, we were to meet at the bus. In the meantime, I helped translate and explained what somethings meant to certain people. I couldn't believe how excited I was to be around teenagers like me again. At 11:30, I headed for the bus, passing the Sword shop along the way. More than half of the delegation bought swords, which I think is stupid. How are they honestly going to get them through customs? I also helped Luke make a Kanji name for himself. Back on the bus, the count off began. This time, it was me who yelled, "And Julie!" Our next destination was the most famous restaurant in all of Kochi. It is said to be over 100 years old, and the current owner is the 5th generation. Because it is so old, the pond in the back filled with goldfish, is said to have fish over 100 years old. I hope they weren't offended when I told them I didn't believe it. Inside, Jody, Drew, and I tried to get seats with each other. But it filled up so fast. Instead I sat at the end of the table with big Rob. We were served these enormous Bento boxes filled with little Japanese food portions. Rob and I talked about so much. He told about his interest in Japan, so I told him all about what it was like to live in Japan. He took such an interest in my exchange, that I felt bad talking to death. Robbie came over to listen to us talk, and soon other were coming over to listen to me. Weird, right? I then was entertained by Rob and Robbie having an arm wrestle. Rob is about 6 foot, 180 pounds, while Robbie is about 5' 6" and a 120 pounds. You can tell that it was very entertaining. After I had to explain the point of no sneakers and the identification keys, we all get back onto the bus. Our next and last destination of the day was the ever boring Tosa Paper Making Museum. There we made paper. That's it. Seriously. But actually it turned out to be incredibly awesome. I hung out with ROb and Robbie the whole time. Rob embarrassed Robbie pretty badly, when he told him to stop flirting with me. And I, realizing it may not have been Robbie, changed the subject quickly. Throughout the museum, we continued to do incredibly stupid gaijin things. We watched as a random Japanese guy, astounded at a group of Gaijin, came and presented the leader with some delicious treats. I turned to the leader, who was utterly shocked at the random kindness of the Japanese, and said, "Welcome to Japan." Then we played one of my favorite past times, Drink Machine Guessing. Basically what you do is go up to a drink machine, and since you can't read anything, pick the most edible looking thing. Since I can read the labels, it's no longer fun for me. But I watched as Robbie got Apple Tea, Jody got Black Coffee with a splurge of some sort of flavored milk, Becky got a mix between Milk and Coffee, and Rob got, in his own words, "some foul milk strawberry thing with chucks of crap floating in the middle." Early we had made the paper, where you stick your hands in a huge vat of water filled with paper. It actually feels like wet toilet paper. Then you collect some of the substanct and pile it onto another layer of the substance. It's impossible for you to mess up, and yet Robbie managed to do it. His substance broke in midair, and destroyed the person below his. Rib and I roared in laughter. Another instance, Masaki Otosan called to see what we were doing. In the phone, I spoke in Japanese. Apparently according to Rob and Becky, I also did various bows when Masaki-san said something good. Also in America the hand motion in America for 'that sticks,' means in Japan, "that's wrong." So most of the students were wondering out loud what I thought smelled so badly. It was hilarious for me. When it was time to return to the meeting place, Rob and RObbie asked me what I was doing that night. I had nothing to do, so they invited me to come over with Becky and Sam and help them cook a delicious meal for their host families. I was so happy, I couldn;t turn them down. But I ploored them to ask their host family first. When we arrived at the meeting point, I was ready to say goodbye to everyone but Rob pulled me into a Taxi. I was all set to have dinner with them and their host families. I just had to call mine first. The Katou's had no problem with me spending time with my new friends, so everything was great. At the Okamoto's house, Rob and Robbie's host house, we drew up a list of food. Rob and I would stay behind and cook the meat, while Robbie, Becky, and Sam went to a food store to get the rest of the stuff we needed. I can't cook at all, but I had a hard time imagining ROb and Robbie booking a delicious meal. But the two assured me everything would go great. Meanwhile, me and Rob bonded over 2 pounds of raw meat. We talked about some funny things. How we both like Star Wars, and Japanese. I hadn't really had a fun conversation in 11 months. But I kept an eye on the clock, knowing that we had to get a move on or we wouldn't be in time. Japanese are a little bit anal about eating times. I have yet to be placed in a house where we didn't start eating at promptly 7. When Rob, Sam, and Becky returned, we started the meals. Rob and Robbie wanted to cook the whole thing by themselves. But the femininity took control. Becky, Sam, and I knew that we would either be poisoned or wouldn't be eating to New Year if we let the boys do the whole thing. The meal was to be Rob's famous Cheesesteak and Teriyaki Meat. While Rob was in charge of Potato Salad and Salad and Potato Wedges. Things were going pretty well, until I noticed the clock. It was nearly 7, and we weren't half way through. Plus I began to listen to the host families wondering out loud if they were going to be poisoned, or if they were planning to eat before Christmas. I felt bad, but I turned into a total Kitchen Nazi. I started freaking out at Rob for putting the Tomato's in the salad. Because everyone knows not to put the Tomato's first. Sam hald a meltdown, when she realized that her potato salad was lacking COOKED potatoes, even though she had already placed the Mayo in it. Rob, redeemed himself by saying that we could just wash off the potato's as Mayo is dilute able or something life that. Rob took a place in front of the grill and beasted out a barbecue meat, which he wanted everyone to eat as Teriyaki. So I felt bad, having to slobber on the Yakiniku sauce, requested by the Host families. Let me tell you, cooking is no piece of cake. But we did it. After we served the host families questionable Potato salad, spicy inedible Potato wedges, Teriyaki meat that the Japanese wouldn't touch without Yakiniku sauce, and a hunk of the world's most delicious Philly Cheesesteak, the girls were free to eat. The boys insisted that the chef eats last and would clean up. Though we were all a little nervous about letting them alone in a kitchen for a long time. The Japanese families raved about how food the Philly Cheesesteak was which was 100% true. I have never eaten one so good, but I don't think you should listen to me. After all, I also thought the Potato salad was quite delicious, and nobody else would touch that. We were all sitting in the tiny backyard of the Okamoto's enjoying the atmosphere and being with each other in Japan. When the boys had finished up with the cleaning (or perhaps hid all the dishes and garbage from view) they came out and ate with us. We all talked about the events of the great cookout. Then I noticed that we were leaving out the host families. So I devised a communication game between the two parties. I also find it fun to talk about street signals. The average Japanese will fight to the death to prove that the light is blue, when clearly it is green. It was fun to listen to them argue about it, and I remembered the various arguments I had participated in before finally accepting that it was blue. Afterwards I had them talk about animal sounds in Japanese and English. Okay so maybe Dogs don't actually sound like "woof-woof" but they REALLY don't like, "wan Wan." I watched as the things that make up my two worlds collided and laughed at the differences. When we all shared some good laughs, Robbie and Rob decided to trek to the nearest Conveni for some fireworks. Since we were all missing the big ones America has in celebration of her birthday, we couldn't resist setting off a few sparklers in Japan. And since there is no age limit to firework sales, we were very able to buy some and set them off in front of the Okamoto's. It was so exciting, being surrounded by American teens in my favor tie city in the world, Kochi. It was America's birthday, and I was getting the chance to celebrate it with my new friends. There were only a few things that could have made it better. The first was an Anpanman cake, which we all feasted on in celebration of the July birthday's. The second was giving my email to Robbie, and have a feeling I would be hearing from him soon. Okamoto-san drive me home, after I said a heartfelt goodbye to my new and amazing friends. Boy that was fun.

A Footlike Dilemma

Picture the year, 1872, the place is Shimbashi, Tokyo, Japan. The event that took place would forever change the history of Japan and the world. The country's very first railroad between the Shimbashi and the Port of Yokohama departed for the first time. Those very first passengers to board the train, did so in a very Japanese manner. Before stepping into the Train compartment, they all removed their shoes, because they had always been taught to remove their shoes before stepping into an area with a roof overhead. They left their shoes in the Shimbashi station. Over 130 years later, not much has really changed about Japan. Sure, they wear shoes on trains, but not many other places with an overhead roof. From the moment I arrived in Japan, I had been really willing to follow all the cultural rules. Arriving at the Masaki's apartment that first time, I didn't even flinch, when they told me to take off my shoes whenever I enter the house. Not to say that it seemed natural, but I wanted to do anything I could to follow all the rules. Sometime in mid-October, I stood waiting my host father at the doorway, shoes on and ready to go. From the kitchen, he called me to come help with translate some English for him. I stepped onto the wooden floor and into the kitchen, wearing my shoes. As soon as I entered, every single Japanese alarm bell went off in the whole building. My host father, uncle, and grandmother, immediately went into Code Red Mode as they scanned the area for the problem. When their eyes arrived at my feet, they all began having minor tantrums and pointing towards the door way. I quickly noticed my mistake and took my shoes off. Then I placed them at the doorway and headed back the kitchen, eager to fix any bad feelings. I apoligized profusely, and they all assured me that it was no problem. As long as I never committed that gruesome act against Japananity again. Now as a Westerner, one most likely has a conflicting view on the topic of shoes. The simple act of shedding shoes is just a nuisance, for one. I mean, why take them off if you don't have to? Soon enough, one will most likely be leaving and then having to put them back on. My biggest dilemma, at least in my first few weeks of Japan, was not knowing whether or not I'd ever see the shoes again. Occasionally at nice restaurants, a little cubby is provided for you to place your shoes in, usually far away from where the table is located. I would constantly worry about someone stealing my shoes, because I have a really big feet and I'm not sure that I could find shoes my size in Japan. But after a few weeks of living here, I quickly learned that nobody would steal even a wallet full of money, let alone some gaijin's big shoes. There was still another footlike dilemma that seemed to occur in those first few weeks. Because you aren't allowed to wear shoes in the house, many hosts hand you a pair of slippers. I applied my preconcieved thoughts from home that slippers are usually a nightime foot wear. And that hosts were only giving me the slippers to protect the inside of their house from the touch and smell of feet. From this thought, I had this whole theory that my first family hated me because of the smell of me feet. I really forgot that we all come from different cultures and have grown up with different thoughts. Like the fact that slippers are actually just indoor shoes, not odor protectors. Now that I have my slipper worry all sorted out, I have a few bones I'd like to pick with slippers. For the record, I strongly dislike slippers, and that will probably only change when they begin to make ones that fit. Slippers is actually just a code name in Japan for Barbie shoes, which don't exactly cover big Gaijin feet. And then there is the problem that none of the slippers have backs, to hold in the foot. I could tell many horror stories about this, the worst being the time I lived with my 2nd host family, the Oono's. The Oono house was brand new, and thus the family was very strict about keeping it clean and orderly. Everyone was required to wear slippers, and even had their own special pair. Mine was a pair of grey with yellow flowers sprinkled across the top. They were also 2 centimeters too small, but no one seemed to notice. One afternoon, my host Mom arrived home with about 20 bags of groceries. I ran out to help her, slippers stationed on my feet, as she handed me a heavy bag filled with eggs and and potato chips. The worst inevitably happened, as I climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor. My foot casually slipped out of the shoe, while in mid air. Though my toes fought for dear life to stay inside the slipper, it was a losing battle from the start. I toppled over head first, instantly crushing the eggs and potato chips. I still have a bruise the size of Kyushu on my left leg, but all anyone seemed to care about was the destroyed grocey bag. Sometimes guests won't give slippers, and I'm faced with other footlike dilemmas. I have terrible circulation in my feet, so that in the winter time, I feel somewhat tortured. I lose circulation in my foot, and freeze. Then there is also that problem of being a pack rat. I pretty much hold onto everything I own. This includes socks with more holes than a block of Swiss Cheese. I've been lucky in that some host mothers have actually sewn the holes, probably because they were embarrassed for me. Other occasions, I just have to sit on my feet and hope that nobody notices. And what happens if your feet stink? THough, honestly, the biggest problem, is that I probably think way too much into this whole dilemma. Nonetheless, shoe removal, is no longer a nuisance. Look at it from a Japanese prospective, after all. Why spend thousands of hard-earned Yen on carpets and nice floor, only too tread dirt and other outside problems all over it. The Japanese men realized that they could never stop spitting, urinating, and vommitting in public places, but they could at least do something to keep this stuff out of the house.

Pieces of Myself in 8 Wishes

A young farmer named Mikeran discovered on his farm a robe which, unbeknownst to him, belonged to a goddess named Tanabata. Soon after, Tanabata visited Mikeran and asked if he had found it. He lied and told the goddess that he hadn't but would help with her search. The goddess could not return to heaven without her robe, so she was stuck on Earth with Mikeran. Eventually the pair fell in love, were wed and had 3 children. However, one day Tanabata noticed a piece of cloth which had once belonged to her robe on the roof of Mikeran's hut. Tanabata, missing his life, returned to heaven with her children, telling Mikeran that he would be able to get to her if he weaved a thousand pairs of straw shoes and planted them under a bamboo patch. He did so, and once in heaven, was not greeted very friendly from his father-in-law. The celestial god, Tenkou, was angry that a mere farmer had kept his daughter way for so long. He refused to allow his blessing, unless Mikeran could complete various tasks, which were impossible for mortal men. With the help of Tanabata, Mikeran all but succeeded. He failed in the last task, which sent a huge river between the two lovers. Both were heart broken that they could not be together. But the God's tok pity on them and turned them into stars, allowing them to meet once a year. On the 7th day of the 7th month, Magpies forms a bridge over the Milky Way and allow the lovers to reunite. This is the story of Tanabata, an ancient and beautiful Japanese holiday. To me the previous story is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. It's like an Asian story of Romeo and Juliet, only it has somewhat of a happy ending. Because the 7th month of the year roughly coincides with August rather than July according to the formerly used lunar calendar, Tanabata is still celebrated on August 7th in some regions of Japan, while it is celebrated on July 7th in other regions. July 7th, or August 19th, 2007 is called Tanabata in Japan. Tanabata originated more than 2,000 years ago with an old Chinese tale called Kikkoden. Though Kikkoden is very different from the various stories in Japan about Tanabata, this is where the holiday comes from. It's a Japanese tradition wherein people write their wishes on tanzaku papers, colorful, small strips of papers, and hang them on bamboo branches. It is said that the Kamisama, who allowed the lovers to meet once a year read these wishes. People also hang many kinds of paper decorations on bamboo branches and place them outside their houses. My current host family, the Katou's, are no exception to the traditions of celebrating this beautiful story and holiday. On July 6, Okasan brought home a long piece of Bamboo, which I thought was really strange, In school, we were learning a little bit about the festival, but not much about the Bamboo aspect of it. Okasan explained to me that we would be posting our wishes on the tree in hopes that the Kamisama would answer our wishes. Most of the time, only one wish is allowed to be posted on the tree. However only 5 people were going to be using this Bamboo, so we should write out the number of wishes of our most lucky number. I watched as my host siblings wrote words like 'Make me beautiful,' 'I want to go to Tokyo University.' So I thought about it and began writing writing some of my own. On a bright blue piece of paper, my most favorite color, I wrote out the wish that I would like to have happen now. Though in honestly, even if by some Kamisama divine intervention, it would be impossible. The words I wrote, in Hiragana and Kanji, spelled out my hopes to one day achieve fluency in the Japanese language. I hope one day to be fully able to understand everything that is going on, rather than just pieces of things to put together.I love the language, and I love the people. In my heart, I know that no matter what, I will be back in Japan one day. I don't think I have any other choice not to come back. I have a life here, family, and friends. Things will change, there is no doubt, but I think that I will be welcome back. And I hope at that point I can come back with fluency in this incredible difficult language. My next paper was written, still in the mindset of my previous wish of Japanese fluency. As I sat at the Katou family dining room table, watching Michiyo, my host sister, write away some more of her interesting wishes, seeing Okasan zonked out watching the ever boring Japanese news, and noticing Toshiki, my host brother, contemplate how he could squish the spider crawling by his hand, the next wish flashed clearly in my mind. I knew exactly what was going on in the Katou house, I could go into the refrigerator without causing trouble, brush my teeth in the sink and use the family toilet. I am apart of this family, even if only for 3 months, just as I was a part of the Masaki's and the Osaki's. And then I think of life outside the host family house. At school, I am a member of the Tosajoshi Kokou Ninensee class. I have just as many friend here in Kochi as I did in Verona, America. With all these people, my host families, friends, teachers, Rotarian's, and just anybody I meet on the street, I share a special bond with. A bond that I hope to God will not disappear when I get on that airplane in August. Thus for my second wish I wrote, "atarashii tomodachi to hosto famirii wa jurii o wasarenaitai." These new people that I havegrown to love and respect, I hope, will never ever forget me. In school, we had done similar wish writings. All of my classmates had asked to find love. Actually many of them were very created. For example, Chiake wrote out something to the effect, 'I hope I will be matched with an individual (male) who suits both my personality and taste.' There were quite a few, 'I hope that Orlando Bloom, Daniel Radcliffe, Keifer Sutherland, and or Johnny Deep asks me to marry him.' I thought it was about time I asked for a little love for myself. "I wouldn't mind having a boyfriend." Wishing is not as easy as it sounds. I think if I ran into a genie, I'd have a really hard time. Not because there are alot of things that I wish for, but because of the opposite. I don't really have many things to wish for. I sort of cheated and bent over to see Michiyo's recent written out wish. She asked the gods to grant her the strength to pass next year's test to become a lawyer. Every single student in Japan writes out wishes similar to this, concerning tests, school, and future plans. I figured that I'd better write out something to this sort of wish. I wrote out that I hoped my final year in High School would be even fun as the one I was having at Tosajoshi, or at least the same kind of fun. I also asked for entrance to the American university, San Diego State University. Even though I'm not totally sure I'm going to end up going there, I better get a head start on the Kamisama, I figure. Then there was the mandatory wish. Okay it's not mandatory, but everyone who is at a loss of what else to write, will drop down to the level of this. Or raise up to this level, depending on how you want to view it. I wrote it for a few reasons. It's true, I was really at a loss of what to write, but also I am a bit of a dreamer. Still, I felt like a contestant at the Miss American Beauty Pageant, I begged the Kamisama for World Peace. My host father also wrote this wish a few days later. But I knew he was getting desperate to fill out 7 cards of wishes. One of his wishes was, "I hope Julie, Michiyo, and Okasan stay as beautiful as they are right now for the rest of their lives." Still wondering what else to write, I began thinking about home. My sister is heading off to China in a few hours, and I hope she has a wonderful time while staying safe. I've been in Japan for about 11 months, and even though alot has happened back home, alot has also NOT happened. For instance, none of my family members has gotten really genuinely sick. I hear alot of stories from exchange students around the world who have to return home early to be with sick family members. I felt like the only proper thing to write out was something about this. I thanks the Kamisama for keeping my family and friends in good health, and also begged them to continue their health protection over everyone I love. The 7th wish come much easier than first 6. I think I'm lucky enough to be able to say that I'm good at a fair few things in life. But what I think I'm best at, and what's more even enjoy the most in life is traveling. At the age of 16, I can say I've done more traveling than most people have in their lives. I've been everywhere on the East Coast pretty much, California, Utah, Colorado, Mexico, the Bahamas, Australia, and Japan. Maybe it really is the good grace of the Kamisama that has given me so many traveling opportunities. So my 7th wish was to always be the same traveler I have been, never letting any trip pass me up, and learning and understanding while exploring new and incredible places and cultures. I had written out 7 wishes, that, upon reading a second time, reflected everything about me, in only 7 flimsy brightly colored pieces of paper. Even though Michiyo and Toshiki had stopped writing their wishes at number 7, which has recently been adopted as the lucky number in Japan, I did not want to stop until I reached 8. For as long as I can remember, the number 8 has been my favorite and lucky number. So, as my host siblings created the number of wishes they felt to be a lucky number, I, knew I had to do this as well. The problem was that I don't need anything else. I'm happy with everything I have in life. From the monotonous morning coffee, archaic rusted school bike, the greatest friends in a wonderful homeroom class, to my Mom and Dad in America and host families here in Japan, to this very website. In a complete change from who I was before Japan, I'm a really happy person. Not much makes me upset or disappointed. And from these thoughts, I discovered my 8th and final wish. I wrote in English, because I wasn't sure the proper way to do it in Japanese. But when it was finished, my host family smiled at me, because they understood fully. "I hope that I will always be happy with whatever life gives me." On July 7th, I looked up into the night sky. Though I didn't see a Magpie bridge, or 2 lovers blissfully seeing each other once again, I secretly hoped that everything worked out for them. I'll be in the same position soon, of seeing some people after an entire year. But for now, I'm happy.

My First Yosakoi Practice

My first practice for the Yosakoi team took place on Sunday night, July 8, at Kochi Ryou School, a mere 5 minutes from my host house. I'd like to say that it was the first time I'd really gotten involved in the Yosakoi scheme, but really it going back much further than that. It could either start last August, when I was receiving my first mail from my first host father, a man who invited me to call him Captain Jack Sparrow. He mentioned that his daughter, Naoko, was enjoying the Kochi famous festival, Yosakoi. Since I was so eager for anything about my new life in Japan, I absorbed all of his words. I researched Yosakoi, and learned it was a huge and famous dance in the Kochi prefecture of Shikoku, Japan. Yosakoi (よさこい) is a unique style of dance started in the city of Kochi in 1954. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music. The choreographed dances are often performed by large teams. Along with a number of professional yosakoi schools and town dance teams, yosakoi is also a popular event during the sports festivals held by Japanese elementary, junior, and senior high schools. In the dialect of Tosa province (modern-day Kochi Prefecture), "yosakoi" means "Please come at night." But I didn't look to much into it, because I saw that the dates were August 9th thru the 12th of the next year. I had no intention of staying in Japan that long. I was even considering coming home in June, so that I would have more time to work in the summer and enjoy my time of being a High School Senior. Boy have things changed. In November, I was in love with Japan. I lived with the most wonderful host family, was quickly picking up the language, traveling more than other exchange student in the country, and wondering whether or not I was really Japanese. I still had wanted to get back to have a little bit of a working summer, so I settled on late July. When I told Captain Jack, he freaked. He told me that I was thus far shaping up to being the best exchange student that the Kochi Rotary had ever hosted. Everyone wanted me to stay and participate in Yosakoi, especially since it was the city I was beginning to loves biggest festival and most exciting time. I thought about it some more, considered whether I really wanted to stay a full year just to participate in a dance festival, or go home. And you know what? I made the best decision possible. I reasoned how many time am I ever going to be an exchange student in Kochi, Japan and getting the opportunity to watch this incredible festival. Plus I knew in my heart, that leaving was going to be alot harder and staying as long as I could would make even more wonderful memories. So I contacted the travel agency and asked to return on either the 15h or the 14th of August, which would give me a few days after the festival to say goodbye and technically be gone for an entire year. The Travel company gave me a flat out No, because of the Visa situation. It was only after my Mom emailed them and mentioned that I wanted to participate in a dance festival, that it was agreed that I could stay till the 13th. One day after Yosakoi finished. 6 months after I set the date with Yosakoi in mind, I have never ever regretted that decision to stay the entire year. Upon moving into my current host family, the 4th and final one I will have this year, I asked if I could dance in the festival. It was the only thing I really ever asked for from anyone this year. And the Katou's were more than delighted to allow me to get on a dance team. The only problem was finding one that was close to close to the house for those late night practices. Everyday on my way to school I passed the flier for the Dancing team in my host town. My host town is, funnily enough, called Mama. So the team was called 'Dancing With Mama.' It was about Y25000 (about $225) to have a professional teacher, a place on a team, a costume Yukata, and a great time. It's actually probably one of the cheapest teams in the league. I was happy to sign up for it, and was shocked when my 27 year old host sister, Michiyo, also decided to sign up. When I went to pay my host father for signing us up, he refused to take my money. He said just seeing me dance was paying him back enough. And now, after the first practice, I understand what he meant. After Katou Otosan's big birthday party, Michiyo and I headed to the Kochi Ryou school for out first practice. Neither of us had any idea of what we should be expecting, nor did anyone else. We had only found about the times, from 6 to 9, the night previously. When we walked into the gym, a few things happened. First I made a note, that Michiyo and I were probably the only 2 people between the ages of 15 and 30. The rest were either in elementary school, or mothers of those kids. And when the kids saw that their latest teammate was a 16 year-old tall, blue-eyes, brown Gaijin, well, they certainly WERE surprised. They all suddenly stopped running and just stared at me with their mouths on the floor. Michiyo, god bless her ignorance, turned to me and asked me why they were staring at us. All I had to say was, "Gaijin." When the shock slowly ceased from the crowds, Michiyo and I waited quietly for the practice to begin. The teachers all stood in front of the gymnasium and introduced themselves, then talked about the success of last years team. They they had us all move to the back of the gym, so they could perform a broef demonstration. As soon as the fast paced, Japanese style music began, I knew I had signed up for embarrassment. I watched as a group of 10 little skinny Japanese dance instructors performed a fast-face, bopping, AMAZING, talented, (the list could go on and on...) Throughout the whole dance I whined to Michiyo, that I would never be able to do it. She snorted at me, mesmerized by the fabulousness of the dance. I continued to whine, and freak out, until it was over. No words describe how incredible it was. Michiyo turned to me and told me to stop whining, that they were professional dancers and would teach us how to dance. It was my turn to snort. Michiyo had never seen me dance. Luckily for her, or she would never have signed up to do this. It's not really as though I'm a skinny white girl in a black woman's dance studio. Or Shakira on some sort of Tranquilizers. Oh no, it's much worse than that. But don't get me wrong. I love dancing. It's one of those new qualities about myself that Japan has brought out of me. Along with being okay about being naked in front of a bunch of other woman at the Onsen, singing Karaoke at a bar, or doing a speech in a language you can barely speak in front of 2,000 people. Added to the list, is dancing. I love to dance, I don't care who it is in front of or with, I just dance. (It might be also that the Japanese are just too polite to tell me that I look like a total fool and am representing my fellow gaijin in a horrible manner.) Anyway, even though I love to dance, the fact that this particular dance was a million times more challenging than what I was used to, as well as that I had to be shyncronized with a large group of other people, cause a bit of a dilemma. Briefly, I pondered whether Michiyo could get her money back when she realized she couldn't dance with me, unless he wanted to die of shame. But I laughed at the stupidity of that thought. The least I could do was try. And try I did. I was whisked to the front of the row, where the teacher nearly lost her eyes as they popped out to an alarming rate upon seeing me. She asked if I could speak Japanese, and I told her only a little bit. Quickly realizing that i should have told her I'm highly conversational, because she suddenly saw me as free English practice. By the 3rd attempt to tell me to "Up hand!" I told her to just speak Japanese. We started off with the first position, where we point out Naruko, or tradition Yosakoi clapper, high into the air. Then as soon as the song begins, we fling backwards. It is followed by a serious of moves which would cause anyone to get serious whip lash. I however, was determined, to fight and do well. But I'll admit, by out first break, an hour and half into the practice, I was jumping for joy. I didn't do as bad as I thought, which isn't saying much. But I know that the girls behind were laughing at something that was going very badly. Though it could have been the teacher's attempts at English. It's funny because after I told her stop speaking English, she started speaking difficult Tosa Ben, in hopes of me asking her to go back to English. What's funny is that I speak better Tosa Ben, then I speak regular Japanese. This definitely caught her off guard. Michiyo and I talked about the practice. She told me that even though it was very very difficult, she was happy that it was a traditional Japanese dance gone 21th century. She also expected to lose weight in this Yosakoi Boot Camp. Back in the practice, we ran through the first 20 seconds over and over again. No one could get this one particular move, where you have to do this hands move. It kind of reminds me of the Karate Kid's 'Wax On, Wax Off.' Only the dance sensei is this short little lady, that it is the product of evil Shoguns and bad English speakers. She's is very very very VERY strict. After picking on me for a good 5 minutes, she realized she wasn't going to break me down. I was too busy holding laughter, at her imperialistic dance routine. She next moved onto this old man, who was doing his very best for an old man participating in a dance routine that was beasting an athletic 16 year old Gaijin. I felt really genuinely bad for him, and I waited for her tell him to drop and give her 100. She was really intimidating to the Japanese, but I found her incredibly amusing. After out second practice round, had the 75 dancers split into 3 teams and perform at 3 times.This was so we could watch each other. Since not many Kochi people get the opportunity to see a gaijin, they all decided to stare at me. So I got nervous and did horrifically. Next I got to wacth Michiyo, and she wasn't bad, as I suspected from the start. But I eagerly anticipated the third group, which was full of elementary school children as young as 5 years old. I figured that they had to be worse than me. When will I ever learn? (Yes I know I keep saying that in ever column, but I really do never learn.) These kids kicked butt. I'm too embarrassed to go into details. I just know they deserved a pat in the back, a high five, and a box of chocolates, instead they got yelled at from the teacher for being too slow. You should have heard what she yelled at us over. Practice ended, and oddly enough, I was excited when they handed out the schedule. Michiyo was under the impression that there would be practice only once a week. Actually we have practice, 4 times a week. I'm not complaining, it's alot of fun. Well sort of. And with all these practices, I might even not look like a total and utter fool come Yosakoi. That may be dreaming a little too big...

Class Matches Ko Ni.

The days till I head home are decreasing. My parents back home, are probably really happy about this. But everyone here in Japan, including myself, is sad. I want to get going home, but at the same time I never want to leave. The last week of school was marked by various events, including the always exciting Class Matches. I wrote about the Class Matches back in March, when the Tug-of-War team of KouKou Ichinensee kicked butt. But now a few months later, one grade higher up, a Koukou Ninensee of Fukumoto homeroom, and happier than I have ever been in my entire year abroad, I participated in another Class Match. Class Matches are probably one of the most fun things Japanese schools have over their American counterparts. But not all schools have them. And if they do, it will only be once a year, as opposed to the twice a year that Tosajoshi has them. Basically what happens is that the entire school is broken down in to two schools, the Middle School and the High School. Each school has 3 separate grades, each with 5 or 7 homerooms. During Class Matches all the classes in their separate school battle each other in a series of competitive athletic sports. The whole point of the vent is to bring together the students of their respected classes. For instance, the winners of the Volleyball game will suddenly become really close friends after they have won all their games. In Japan, they also believe that a little healthy competition is not a bad thing either. However, Japanese girls don't believe in just a little competition. If you are given the choice to play a game of basketball with a Japanese girl pumped on kicking your butt, or to enter a room with the sum of all your fears, spiders, aliens, ghosts, axe murders, the Carpenters, or whatever. I bid you you to take the room of fear. It is probably a lot of safer. That being said, I do very well in Japan, because I'm a little over competitive when I want to be. A few weeks ago, Fukumoto-sensei wrote out all the activities for the class matches on the board. She needed 10 girls for Badminton, 5 girls for Basketball, 12 for bother Dodge ball and Tug-of-War, and 5 for Ping-Pong. Last year, as a Kou Kou Ichinensee, I didn't get o pick what sport I would get to for the Class Matches. I sort of got stuck on the Tsunahickey (Tug-of-War) team with all the misfit girls. And that turned out to be the greater time I had that week (See Class Matches column in the archives) I decided to take a similar approach to this Class Matches, by letting someone pick for me. I would have been more happy if I got to do something with Chiake, but she and Nao had already made a pact to do Badminton. As the spots quickly filled up, Chiake noticed I hadn't written my name down for everything. She assumed that I was not going to do anything because she had found another partner. So she asked Nao if she could find a new sport and partner so that she could get me to do Badminton. I was more upset with her that she had done this, than happy she had thought about me. But I signed my name next to Chiake's, all the while profusely apologizing to Nao, who didn't seem to mind at all. Chiake, on the other hand, seemed a bit gloomy. I reminded her that it was her own fault that she volunteered to take me on as partner, and she smacked me and told me that it wasn't that at all. But it was the fact that after class matches, I would only have to come to school for one more day. Then I would be done as a Tosajoshi student. I had been full aware of this fact, but it had not upset as much as I would have suspected. I had been trying really really hard not to think about it. I figure the less I make it seem real, the less sad it will be when the time comes. But hearing it again from my best friend here in Japan, tore open a hole in my heart. On the morning of July 12, the Fukumoto-home girls assembled into their classroom. After Fukumoto-sensei took attendance and gave us a few notes for our parents, we all were ordered to put on our Gym uniforms. The Summer uniform is really quite cute. It is white with the Tosajoshi Plum Blossom flower over out Heart with our name right below it. My uniform has belonged to the past exchange students, thus it says Urete, which is the name of the exchange student from 3 years ago. I also have 2 pairs of uniform, which came in handy when Haruka realized her pants couldn't fit her. I was more than happy to lend her Urete's old pants. When we were all finished, Fukumoto-sensei handed us all our own head ribbon to distinguish what class we were in. We got probably the cutest on in the school. It was light Orange with white stripes. We all write out our homeroom and our number. When we were finally finished, Chiake, Nao, Mai, Booby, and I headed to the Gym/ Auditorium. My homeroom class was supposed to sit on the second floor while the opening ceremony began. The principal came out and said a few welcoming words and cheers for the students to do their very bests. Then we all sang the song of Tosa, or the Kochi anthem. When we were finished the games had begun. Chiake, Mai, Jack Bauer, and I decided that we could really use some Badminton practice, so we headed into the courtyard and began the practice. The weather was beautiful but it was July, so within minutes the 4 of us were covered in sweat from our fierce competition. I think all of us, after seeing each other play, were a little bit worried. We were truly terrible. Not that we were really all that surprised, because after all, we were all members of an A class. The A class are always the smarter kids in the school, while the B class are, well, not. And according to the Physical Laws of the Universe, which states important things like the how E=MC2, gravity is what keeps us on the ground, and most importantly that all smart kids just can't be all that good at athletics. After some more, eye opening practice time, the 4 of us gloomily headed into the gym, where our first match was to begin. We were first versing Yamasaki-homeroom, a B class, of younger students. We met up with the other girls on our team, 10 in all, and discussed our losing strategies. Sure, we had no hope, but no one really cared. Instead we spent the moments before for our first match laughing and joking around. We watched the teams before us and made fun of ourselves. We cheered for people in our grade, and booed the younger kids after the whooped our favored teams. It came almost as a shock, when the announcements came on and called our class up to play. The 10 of us, arm in arm, skipped up to the court laughing and not worrying about the upcoming matches. What happens is that 5 games are played, with 2 people to each versing team. Whoever wins 3 of the matches advances on to the next round. After a round of Rock-Paper-Scissor to decide who would be going in what order, in which CHiake lost and got us stuck as the last team. That became a pretty crucial factor in the final round. Mai and Jack Bauer played the first round, and to every one's surprise, won. The only reason that they won though, is because the opponents had never played the form of Badminton that the High School kids play. So that when they served they kept getting fault's. In the end, we won, and didn't even have to lift one racket. Even more surprising, we won the second round. Yet again, we didn't even have to lift a racket. The Yamasaki-home girls still could not figure out why the ref kept giving points to the opposing team. During the time that my team members stood out on the court, trying hard to suppress laughter at the stupidity of the Yamasaki-home girls, CHiake and I had turned into the Cheer leaders. I was embarrassing myself by screaming at the top of my lungs and jumping around like a Mexican Jumping Bean, while Chiake was attempting to stomp out the We Will Rock You song. We must have looked like the biggest fools in the whole school, but we didn't care. After all, we had each other. Finally, someone came and explained to the Yamasaki-home girls the rules of Badminton. And thus, we Fukumoto-home girls girls lost the next two matches. The score was 2-2, and the final match which held Chiake and I verses two beefy Butch B-classes girls. Suddenly, the insanely stomping Chiake got quiet. I peered over at her and I saw her hands shaking and a fear of losing appear in her eyes. I asked her what was wrong, and she replied, "We must honor our teammates. We can't lose this match." I really hate when they do this. And it seems to happen quite often when you associate yourself with a Japanese person. They get all uptight and bent out of shape about losing and dishonoring and disgracing ones team. Me? I'm competitive, but I know if I lose it isn't about dishonorment, it's about being the worse of two teams. Annoyed, I smacked her on the back, and told her to cheer up, after all, I was the best Badminton player in America. She laughed and said, "well then Americans must really suck at Badminton. Remember I just practiced with you." How is that for a compliment? Chaike and I played VERY well. So it came as no surprise, when we won. Winning wasn't the best moment of the whole match. I think, for me at least, the best moment was when the score was tied and for the final point, we had the serve. The Birdy was in my hands and I could serve it when I was ready, but I wanted to make sure CHiake was ready. I looked over to her, and met her eyes. She no longer had the look of fear, but more a look of, "Okay let's kick the a** of these little punks." When she realized I was looking at her, she smiled, the warmest and most eager smile I had seen in a long time. It was then that I knew just how much I meant to these girls. I'm not just the exchange student, I'm one of them. Chiake is my best friend, here in Japan, and I hope to god that doesn;t change when I head back. When I served the Birdy, the other team volleyed back to Chiake for a few rounds. Then it was hit to me. Taking a chance, I lightly tapped the Bird over the net. We got the point, and the win. The other 8 girls ran out onto the court, screaming and cheering. They tried to lift Chiake and I into the air. But Chiake and I are about twice the normal weight and height of the other girls. The teachers, foreseeing a few broken arms, put a stop to it. But we didn't need to be lifted anymore, Chiake and I were already on a high. Knowing that we only won, because of the stupidity of some B class girls not knowing how to play Badminton, the 10 girls all decided that we needed some more practice. So for about an hour, we practiced volleying and serving in the courtyard. The sun was scorching our skin, and we were all moaning about the heat and the sweat. Needless to say, practice didn;t go as well as we hopped. But it was fun, and that is all that really counts. AT one serve, White Eyes hit the Birdy into a tree. No one could get it, not even me, the second tallest girl in the whole grade. However, when I hoisted Minami on to my shoulders, we were able to reach the Birdy. It was really funny, but merited a good getting yelled at by the teachers. Well at leat, Minami and White Eyes, the teachers sort of ignored me thinking I couldn't understood them. That was until, I jumped in and told them it was my idea. They were far to shocked that I could speak Japanese, to do anything but stare at me in awe. By 11, when our second match, was to take place, the majority of us were sun burnt, sweat-covered, and exhausted to even pretend like we had a chance at the next match. We were versing a Kouko Sannensee B class, who had already dominated in the Volleyball tournament (our team got knocked out in the first round.) And as suspected, we got crushed in the first two matches. Mai and Jack Bauer actually had to move this time, rather than stand their laughing and thanking god for the rules of Badminton. The lost 5-1, while Minami and White Eyes lost 5-0. Even though, Chiake and I were meant to go last, the remaining girls all voted to allow me and Chiake to take the place of the third team. I think the girls still held on to a little hope, at least from a morale booster, which was Chiake and I. Luckily, as in the first match, since it happened so quick, the other students couldn't come watch the Gaijin play. In my first Class Matches, nearly half the Middle School insisted on watching me pull the rope. I'm getting really tired of being trested like a different species. But I'm lucky in the respect, that my amazing classmates don't treat me like this. Instead, I am just one of the girls. Chaike and I fought really well. Our opponents were former Badminton players, so it was unfair from the start. Nonetheless, we fought, and kept the score really quite even. Upon the final serve, in which, I hit it into the net instead of over, giving the other team the win, we had kept the score at 4-4. I felt horrible, and found myself being really Japanese. I ran off the court in tears (actual live huge drops of water) and bowed to each and everyone of my teammates, profusely apologizing for my failure. God, what has happened to me? CHiake stood beside me as we bowed and begged for forgiveness. The other girls all sort of laughed, I reckon it must have been pretty funny to see this big crazy gaijin begging for forgiveness for something as insignificant as a sports game. When we were done, we walked off the court with our heads held high and laughing it all off. And you know? It really didn't matter. As we exited the gym, we were met by Chika and Ri-chan, captain of the ping Pong team. They were cheering and laughing, and we all assumed they had won their match. Chika burst in laughter and admitted that they had gotten DOMINATED by Chu Ichinensee Middle Schoolers. And no one was surprised. For all of us, the matches were unofficially over. The afternoon was going to be spent with the winning teams advancing on the the final rounds until the championships. And then the following day would be spent watching Tug-of-War. We all headed back to our classroom, where we ate lunch together. Chiake fell asleep in her BEnto box filled with food, while other girls ate in just their bras. The air conditioners are only used when studying is going on. It is used as sort of a treat. Since Class Matches aren't study hours, the Air Conditioner would not be used. It was horrible. But I have gotten used to this scorching hot humid and terrible weather that Kochi is known for. I ate my Bento box, in silence, as did all the other girls. We weren't upset about the Class Matches, but we were just plain exhausted. It was only after I finished eating, that I realized this was my my last lunch time as a Japanese student. As the bell rang, to call the victors back to the gym for the final rounds, I stayed behind with Sleeping Chaike, Mai, Booby, Jack Bauer, and some other girls. We talked for 2 hours. Booby and I had a a telephone conversation in English, in which I taught her all the curse words and how to use them. We also played a game, in which I have discovered is alot of fun with the Japanese. Animal Sounds. The girls were in stitches and wondering how a dog sounds like woof woof, a frog sounds like ribbit ribbit, and a horse like neigh neigh. I felt the same when they all taught me the sound for a from. Gero Gero. Gero Gero. You can;t in good faith tell me that's how a frog sounds. Another friend from an unathletics homeroom came in and interviewed me on life in an American school. All of my friends sat around and listened in pure awe, occasionally making remarks like, "that's brilliant," or "how stupid!" After a long day of exhaustion from the heat, fun games, and competitive spirit, the bell for last period rang. Everyone returned to their homerooms, where we were given the summer homework. After about 40 minutes of going over what we were supposed to do and read, Fukumoto-sensei dismissed us all. Before I could return home, however, I was going for my first and only swim class at Tosajoshi...

With One More Month To Go

Currently, Southern and Western Japan are experiencing a massive typhoon. In my own host city, Kochi, the greatest city in the whole world or at that very least Japan, in my very biased opinion is being dumped on by buckets of liters of water. Last night, my host mom sat me down and told me what might happen this Sunday, when the typhoon hits us head on. We might have to shutter in the windows, cut the power and wait out a very dangerous storm. I suppose this should be scary, but really I had another thing on my mind. I wasn't worried about a killer typhoon that could wreck havoc of Kochi, I was worried about something far scarier. Today, Friday the 13th of July, marks the one month mark until I have to return home. In a way that fact excites me, I miss being treated like someone who isn't retarded because she isn't fluent in the language. But on the other hand, I love this country and way of life more than words can say. Leaving is going to hurt alot more than I had thought it would. I actually thought it would be quite simple in a way. You see, in my first two weeks of the exchange, I had massive heat stroke and serious questioning of my sanity. What would possess anyone to do what I did? And above all, how was I going to survive an entire year away from my life? 11 months later, and those answers don't even need to be given. Moving to Japan can be the most invigorating escapade to engage in for someone like me, born and raised in the West with certain set-in-stone ideas that contradict nearly everything Japan has to offer. But then, and true it the word, moving anywhere can and will be adventure, as exchange students all across the globe find out everyday. Paris, France is as unique to someone from Tulsa, Oklahoma as Manchester, England is to St. Petersburg, Russia. What works well for those folks in Townsville, Australia most definitely won't work for someone in Althens, Greece. And let's face it New York City is a foreign country to everyone. But relocating one's entire life to Japan involves taking a step into a whole new world, that preconcieved notions mean absolutely nothing. A whole new world where Western knowledge of social attitudes, cultural beliefs, religious customs, and business practices are about as useful as the ability to touch your tongue to the nose. And the world 'alien' in every context of the definition, from little green man from outer space to long lost foreigner in a strange land, suddenly applies to you. 'You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!' Rod Sterling meant to say Japan instead of the Twilight Zone. Like I said, moving anywhere in this wide open and yet such small world is an adventure of epic porportion and a learning experience unlike the lessons you get in a school classroom. But consider this; the citizens of Barcelona, Sydney, Ottawa, Berlin, Munich, Athens, Rome, Wellington, and, yes, even New York, have something very similiar in common. Not in a brotherly sort of way. More like at a family reunion, when you acknowledge you're 3rd cousin by marriage or something to that effect. What do you have in common? You are somewhat family and you agree that Great Aunt Maud's Potato Salad came from the toilet. In essence, we may be strangers on the street that pass each other without even the bat of an eye, and yet we share something in common. Sure it's not enough for a Frenchman and an American to admit they are infact related (god forbid!) But it is something. Think about it, we all share a common ancestory- springing from that is our Judaic/ Christian ethic, a long good portion of history including Alexander the Great, being a commonwealth of England (well most of the world has at least), the Black Plague, and the Industrial Revolution. The lovely Japanese have not shared anything, in regards to history and culture, with the West. In fact they only opened up their country to the rest of the world, unwillingly in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration. (This could be disputed as American Commodore Matthew Perry had arrived in Japan 1854 with guns and an offer to modernize.) And thus this is why, Japan and the West have had virtually nothing in common, except for perhaps, the sharing of a planet. There isn't anything wrong with this. They are just so incredibly different. And pretending they aren't is just a waste of time. Take for example, the West and Japan's view on nakedness. Japan has always traditionally been more excepting of the state of nakedness. What else would explain where the ideas of an Onsen, or public bathing and how they came about to be so popular? While in the West, the idea of being naked in front of people is an idea so atrociously taboo. Japan was never influenced by Adam and Eve's nakedness in the great 'Fall.' They never had their religion, such a major factor in the Western ancestors daily life, tell them how wrong it was to be naked for people other than one's own spouse. In fact, only since recent times with the influx of foreigners coming to Japan and being horrified at Mixed Bathing, had the country started to discourage it. Though same gender bathing will never ever go out, because it is just too rich in history of Japan. This all being said, each nation on the planet had different and unique customs. But we all have something in common. We are all human, whether this be good or bad. And with that little detail similarity we can all think and see these differences. And with successfully living in Japan, Outsiders have to recognize Japan for what it truly is. Strange, at times, but completely normal by Japanese standards. I have just one more month is this strange land. I'm going to make it the very best of all.

Surviving the Typhoon

Currently, I'm sitting here typing this at my computer in a room with windows covered by metal shutters. Like a prison, only the shutters for keeping things out, not me in. Outside these shutters, I can hear a sound that resembles that of a Bullet Train, as well as another sound which reminds me a bit of Niagra Falls. I have a flashlight by my bed, a full bottle of water, and have taken 2 sleeping pills, because I would NEVER be able to sleep through this. It's loud and above all, it's scary. According to the Meteorological Agency, my city, Kochi, as well as the majority of South Eastern Japan is experiencing the biggest typhoon to strike the country in July in about 10 years. I grew up on the East Coast of the United States, and in my memory have only lived through one hurricane. I was 9 year's old when Hurricane Floyd tore about New Jersey. The only thing I really remember was my Mom calling my Dad a little bit scared that the drains were not draining properly. Then we looked out the back window and saw that our entire back yard was flooded. The Little Tyke toys were floating away, while my trampoline was barely visible above the water. True to this, we got a lot of water, but we didn't get the full effects of the storm. The heavy and powerful winds, that tear apart properties, the utter chaos, and wondering if things will ever go back to being the were. After having to live through a typhoon, I am thankful for never having felt the full effects of that storm. There isn't much point in denying that I am scared. Not overly freaking out 'we are going to die!' scared. But just a little jumpy when an especially strong bluster hits the house. Perhaps I am being a little bit over dramatic. In fact, my host family is acting like this is totally normal. That there is nothing to worry about. My host sister, Michiyo, keeps trying to calm me down with words like, "this happens every year to Shikoku. We are all prepared, you should't be worrying so much." Now don't get the wrong idea. That I'm a big chicken, or an especially whiney little brat. I wasn't scared when I woke up this morning to a knocking on my door. I was planning on taking the bus to Matsuyama to see my exchange student friends, Bron and Sara. The knocking belonged to my host Mom, who came to inform me that it was impossible. Even if I stayed an extra night in Matsuyama, the highway would probably not be properly fixed. The typhoon hadn't even reached Kyushu, or Southern Japan, where it was supposed to hit first, and already Kochi was drenched in water. We probably would not be able to anything at all. The day looked to be boring. And thus, I fell back asleep almost as soon as my host mom left my room. The typhoon was the last thing on my mind. When I woke back up at about 11:30, I slowly got ready for a day of boredom. Downstairs I had my daily coffee, and 2 cups of Milk. And since it was nearing lunch time, my host Mom brought out a delicious Azuki bean paste filled Taiyaki for me and Otosan. The storm was truly the last thing on anyone's mind. Then at about 2 in the afternoon, I sat on my computer typing an email, and occasionally looking outside. The tree right of my window, was being flung dramatically side to side in the winds. I would have ignored it, had it not been for a sudden banging in the courtyard of the house. When I looked, I saw that the heavy pots had been flung from the second floor and into the dirt where they shattered. The wind began howling a sound, that sent a race of goosebumps swirling up my spine. Interested, I peered out the window on to the darkened neighborhood. I witnessed the the neighbors television antennae doing curious bending motions, a few large bins began whipped across the balconies, and windows covered by a darkened shutter. Within minutes I heard a shout of fear come up from downstairs. Then my host Mom raced up the steps, covered in water, and demanding everyone to shutter up the windows. I pretended like I didn't hear her because I couldn't understand her, but I watched as Michiyo ran to the window above the stairs, open it, and then slam a long heavy metal shutter over the area, before shutting the sliding glass. She turned to me and said something like, "well what are you waiting for?" By then, my host Mom, who had just departed her own room saw me standing there in confusion. She ran into my room, slid open the window and pulled out the same heavy looking metal thing I had seen Michiyo use. It was a Metal shuttering for the protection of the window from outside forces of nature. And even though, everyone seemed to get back into relative easy and simplicity after shutting all the windows in, I could not. I was now freaked out a little bit. THe typhoon was predicted hit during the night hours, and probably damage power. My host parents decided to have an early dinner, where we all sat chewing in silence listening to the winds outside the metal shutters. It was really scary, and even though Michiyo and company had told me not to worry, I could tell they were a bit freaked out themselves. Right after the meal, my host mom asked me to get into the shower before we lost power. So I followed her advice, and when I was finished, I noticed that at 7 everyone was about ready for bed. They all informed me that there was nothing to do, as the power would go out any minute. In my room, I got on the computer and blasted the music trying to zone out the winds. When my eyes became to heavy to function, I turned on the Air Conditioner to zone out the winds and fell asleep, secretly hoping that everything would be okay. The typhoon that killed three people and injured more than 70 in Japan weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday, as it brushed by Tokyo and headed for the Pacific Ocean bringing heavy rain, strong winds and landslides. It caused alot of damage on Shikoku and Kyushu, where the eye passed over slightly. My host city, Kochi's main rivers flooded over causing many highways to be closed. The Western part of my prefecture used many of the evacuation procedures that they had been training for. The storm was weakening with winds of up to 126 km per hour (78 mph), but forecasters still warned of landslides after heavy rain pounded swathes of residential areas, forcing thousands to evacuate from homes. Man-yi, the name of the typhoon, which approached Japan's southern Okinawa islands late last week, has killed three people. It was a category 4 on Friday, when it struck Kyushu. Television footage showed high waves pounding the shoreline of Kyushu. But seeing it with my own eyes was even scarier. The following day, I took a train with my host sister and brother along the coastline. I'd never seen such high waves in my life. Everything was flooded, houses were damaged, and the effects fot eh storm were visible in everything. The next morning, I was shocked when I woke up. The sun was shining brightly, probably the nicest I had ever seen it shine. The sky was blue, and there wasn;t a cloud to be seen. There was no evidence of the typhoon that ravaged Japan in the weather, but looking around at the neighborhoods and it was all very clear. I was just happy it was over.

Riding the Gomen-Nahari Line

I woke up the day after the massive typhoon, in a bad condition. The night before, as the typhoon churned off the coast of Kochi, we briefly lost power. Even though it returned quite quickly, my air conditioner decided not to come back to life. So that morning I woke up to the feeling of being overheated into a room that was pitch black. This was because the metal shutters were still covering the window, not allowing any sunlight to creep through. I had also assumed that the remnants of the storm would still be hammering Kochi, so today would be a very boring day. How wrong! The first thing to conform this was when I opened my door. I thought I must have instantly died and been welcomed into heaven. The brightness was blinding. The shuttered Windows had been opened, and the angelic appearing Sunshine was pouring in like Butterscotch. Plus I know heaven isn't going to be that welcoming for me. haha. My host mom, seeing me come out of my room, greeted me as warmly as the sunshine, and slid into my room to open my own shuttered windows. I thought I had been blinded, when the sunshine filled my previously darkened room. In the sky, there was only a few lazy clouds to offset the deepest and cleanest blue I think I have ever seen. There was no demented winds blustering television antennas and flinging trees across the lawns, there was clouds the greyest and most ominous as there were before, and most importantly the sky was no longer dumping water onto my Kochi. In essence, the storm appeared to not have existed at all. When I headed down the stairs for my usual morning routine. Coffee. I walked into the living room and into Michiyo on the phone. I hear her ask for a reservation, but I didn't listen into it too much. Instead I went straight for the door. The weather certainly didn't show much evidence of a typhoon, but surely the damage to properties would. Sure enough, the drains were nearly flooded over, and their were thousands of leaves and branches combined with mud in the middle of the streets. All in all, though, it wasn't quite as bad as I suspected. Back inside, I drank my coffee with Toshiki, when Michiyo came into the room with Okasan. They announced that Michiyo, Toshiki, and I would be going on the Gomen-Nahari line. This, semi-private line running from Gomen to Nahari is fairly new. And it isn't very well known except in toursit magazines about Kochi. It make a stop at about 15 different (EXTREMELY small) stations while running along the mountain sides, through rice paddies, and along the crystal clear Pacific ocean. It brings ut the best in the Kochi prefecture, traveling through the countryside as well as into the towns, which are slightly poorer than the rest of the Japan, thus are not very modern. The houses are the traditional Japanese type, and thus very nostalgic for the typical Japanese person. I had never ridden on the Gomen-Nahari, but it was on my list of things to do here in Kochi while I was living here. So when I found out we would be going on the train, I was more than happy to jump on to the idea. Michiyo informed us that she got the idea because she wanted to see the coastline, after the typhoon. I also thought this would be a pretty cool idea. At 9:30, we set off for Kochi Station, and arrived just barely in time for the train out to Gomen. For the record, Gomen in Japanese means Sorry. Even though the Chinese characters aren't the same as the apology characters, people all over Japan joke around about this shere silliness of it. One station is now called Arigato, which means thank you. Imagine the next meeting of the Kochi Prefecture stationmasters’ association: Thank You stationmaster: “Thank you for coming. Sorry, but which station do you represent?” Sorry stationmaster: “Sorry. Thank you, Thank You.” Thank You stationmaster: “Sorry?” Sorry stationmaster: “Sorry.” Thank You stationmaster: “Oh, Sorry! Sorry, Sorry. Thank you.” Gomen has been around for a long time, but officially turning the pair into Thank You Station and Sorry Station was the idea of Takashi Yanase, 85. Mr. Takashi is famed for his original thinking, being the creator of the cartoon superhero Anpanman, a bean paste-filled roll of bread which fights crime with superhuman powers. The obvious question, at least to anyone non-Japanese, is: Why? There’s no answer to this. Not unless you have lived around the Japanese long enough to just understand. But Mr. Takashi had other influences on the line as well. In an effort to promote it for tourism, he also drew a character for each of the stations on the line. I'm not totally sure how many stations there are, but there is at least 15 different characters. At Kochi Station, the three of us boarded our train, a small car with an open deck. The car itself was covered in silly sea characters. What shocked me was that I could name all of them in Japanese. I can't help thinking that exchange students in Europe, probably don't know their host language word for Blowfish, Octopus, Eel, and Bonita Fish. But that's what living in Japan for 11 months will do to a person. On the train, I decided that I was going to take lots of pictures of the Kochi prefecture. When we reached the Gomen station, the three of us got up and went to stand on the open air balcony, looking out onto the sea. Even the weather was scorching hot, it was impossible to stay inside for long. We were all enjoying the scenery of Kochi, from the luscious mountains to small country side town. As we pulled through each station, I tried to get a snap shot of each of the characters, but had a hard time because of the moving train. When we passed over rivers and came close to the coastline, we all grew silent. It was undeniable that the coast was wrecked by the typhoon. The rivers, normally the color of water, clear and not shaped, were a murky brown and flowing at an ominous rate. The places where the rivers flowed into the ocean were brown as mud, and becoming dangerously high. It was visible in every part of the coastline, that a typhoon had just recently come through. What was even more thought provoking was the waves. Since the typhoon was still churning off the coast of Tokyo, farther North in Japan, the waves were still being effected. I had never seen such high waves before. I couldn't help but think about those crazy surfers that run around the world looking for this kind of action. Kochi is known for its surfing on days without typhoons, so try to imagine what it was like with one. We did pass one area, where a few brave souls were attempting to surf. I only got to see them for a few minutes, but they were being tossed around and crushed pretty bad. On the return journey, they were no longer out there. But the three of us did not let the damage get us down. We laughed and cheered as we approached small towns. My taking shots of the Station characters become sort of a game, and everything I missed Michiyo and Toshiki would crack up, then cheer when I got the shot. We passed through tunnels, under the famous green Shikoku mountains, where we could reach out and feel a rare feeling of being cold. From our hands hanging off the side of the balcony, a slight sunburn was starting to appear. I had early tried to smother myself in Sunblock, but I'm too white for the Kochi sun. After a few pictures of the 3 of us, Michiyo, getting overly heated went into the car for the air conditioner. I stayed outside, trying to get more shots of the Station characters and admire the dangerous waves and overflowing rivers. TOshiki stayed with me. Eventually, we reached Nahari, and exited the train. Michiyo and Toshiki were starving, so we went and bought lunch at a local Supermarket. I got a Tuna Onigiri and Bean Paste Ice Cream (Azuki) Outside the station we ate our lunch and waited for the man who ran the bike rental place to return. When we were finished, we rented bikes and went for a small ride around Nahari. Nahari is really too small for anything special, and all the fun attractions were hour bike rides away. We only had one hour to spend because Michiyo and I had to get back for Yosakoi practice. Annoyed that there wan't much we could do, Toshiki led us through the narrow streets of Toda Town and onto the beach. Toshiki and I whipped off our shoes and ran for the water, both knowing that swimming was much too dangerous. We just got our feet wet, while Michiyo built a sand mountain. Just off the beach were cement girders used for breaking Tsunami type waves. We watched as these huge brown waves hurled and were crushed by the girders. Even though they are a bit of an eye sore, without them, Nahari and TOda would be washed away for sure. Looking at the time, and taking in the fact that we were all hot and tired, it was decided that we should head back to Kochi. First we stopped at a Shinto Shrine and prayed to our ancestors. Back into Toda, we biked alongside of a huge place, where people were coming in and out of it. One man told Michiyo that he and his family, as well as half the town had spent the night there. It was the town evacuation shelter. I think that was when we realized just how bad things really were for this part of Kochi. When we arrived back at the station, we did some shopping while waiting for the next train. Toshiki bought me a vile of Coral and a pin for my blazer, while Michiyo treated us all the famous Kochi ice cream. Famous because it is probably the weirdest ice cream in the world. Michiyo got Pumpkin flavored, while I tempted Roast Sweet Potato. Toshiki chickened out of Eggplant and ordered Green Tea (a popular Japanese flavor, here considered normal.) On the train, we zoned out and drifted in and out of sleep. Everyone was slightly sun burnt and tired. Still I managed to get in a few pictures of the stations that I had previously missed. The ride was a little boring, and it came as a relief when we got back into Kochi City. We biked back home, where I took a little nap before dinner. My body was exhausted, but as soon as I was finished eating, Michiyo reminded me about Yosakoi practice. Oh god.

In The Mountains With Gaijin

Today, I went up into the mountains surrounding Kochi for a barbecue with my fellow Tosajoshi gaijin. The pre-story is that, Craig Delaney, fellow English teacher, at Tosajoshi, had been trying to plan a little Sayonara party for me and Paula for quite a few months. But everyone is so busy, and the only date that we could do it was July 16th, a Japanese National Holiday, Sea Day. Since it was far past the time Paula could properly have a going away party, and much closer to the time of my departure back to the states, we decided it just sort of be a going away part for me. On Monday, after I woke up, I went for a run through Kochi City. It was brutal, as the sun beat down on my head and I barely stayed out for an hour before I felt like I was going to die. Returning home, I took a shower, ate a Rice Ball for lunch, and then watched the Mama Yosakoi team practice from last year. I've been sucking so bad at practice, that the coaches suggested I get a better feel for the dancing by watching the video. Seeing last years routine has strengthened my belief, that this year is MUCH MUCH MUCH more difficult. The previous team was called, "Dancing With Mama," and as they danced through the streets, they continually called out, "Dancing With Mama." I'm sure none of them really knew what they were saying, but as an English speaker, I think I'd be close to mortified. Agreeing to tonight's party was actually a bit difficult. Not that I didn't want to go, but I would be missing tonight and tom morrow's Yosakoi practice. The teachers have been brutally hinting that I can't afford to miss the practice. But I think some things are more important. So at 3, I biked to the center of the city and waited in front of Mos Burger, for Craig's wife to pick us up and drive us to her home. Paula came trotting down shortly after I arrived, and next came Ruth. I introduced the two, almost completely forgetting that they had never met before. I had become pretty close to both of them, so it was weird for me. We waited for a little while, and I asked Paula about Craig's family. I met his son back in September, but I had never met his wife. Her name is Nobako, and she speaks better English than probably I do. His son understand English, but doesn't like to speak it all that much. In the car, I introduced myself to Craig's family, not taking my eyes of his 6 year-old son. What a cutie! In the car, Nobako told us all about what it is like to live in the mountains, as we drove up a steep and narrow rode overlooking the city. She and Craig bought land there a few years back because it was so much cheaper, but it's far! Japanese woman normally go to the Supermarket once a day, but Nobako can only go once a week. When we reached the top of the mountain, I declared that I wouldn't mind going down to town once a week if I could live up here. It was absolutely beautiful. Bright green with wildflowers flowing in the distance. I've spent my entire year in the city, with crowded narrow streets, houses virtually on top of each other, smells, and just plain excitement of city life. But up here, I got a nostalgic feeling. The houses were not as close together, and it didn't even look like the Japan that I have come to know. For me, it was the neighborhood that I grew up in, with a more mountainous scenery and friendlier people. Craig's gorgeous 2 story house was wide and open, with a big garden and a great view. When we arrived, he greeted us all from his tiny Japanese-style grill. He was roasting corn and chicken, and I wondered what he could be making. Rei, his son, ran off to show us all his bug collection, while the rest of us hung around talking. None of the 3 Gaijin girls could stop raving about what a wonderful place Craig had. Inside, we got drinks, even though I asked for my specialty drink, water, I got some Italian 'Hard' Water. Later on in the night, when we opened up a can of American caramelized popcorn, Paula pointed out something hilarious to me. 'Look at this American girl, surrounded by a Brit, a Japanese, a Half, and 2 other Americans. Drinking Italian water, frantically popping in her mouth some American caramelized corn, eating a Mexican style dinner, in the mountains of random middle of nowhere Japan.' Now how is that for cultured? The 3 Gaijin woman all went out side to check on the garden, where we had Rei try to drop Earthworms on our head from his 2nd story window. Ruth, who is a shy and quiet person normally, seemed ever more quiet tonight. She may have been frightened by Paula, who can be quite scary at times. haha. I began to feel like we may be leaving her out of the conversations, and I felt generally bad. Paula and I, waiting for supper, talked in the garden about everything. I really like working with Ruth, and with Paul, when he worked at Tosajoshi, but no one can replace the sense of humor of Paula Fabian. She had me roaring as she made fun of the Japanese culture. Inside, dinner was about ready. We all sat down at the table, and ate a meal for organic than Kanji name (Tree Pear, I am Vegetable) Craig came from California, what can I say? The first course was this smoothie type soup thing. I don't rmemeber the name, but the ingredients are any random vegetable laying around and a bunch of Tomato's in a blender with ice. It was superb. Then we had Paula's delicious salad, Guacamole chips, and corn on the cob. I strongly considered declaring my allegiance to the Vegetarians, until we got the main course. Craig brought out a the chicken and some Tortilla. We made some delicious Chicken Tortilla's with Guacamole, Lettuce, Jalapeno, and cheese in the middle. Now there isn't much of a point of sharing this with the world. But when you have been without Southwestern/ Mexican food for over 11 months, you kind of just find yourself wanting to write it all down. It was that good of a memory. Meanwhile, at dinner, we all talked about working at Tosajoshi. Craig and Roth found out that she makes 1/3of what Paula used to make, because her company takes a big chunk out of her salary for holding her visa. If I ever come back to Japan, I vowed never to do it while working for a private language company like Ruth is. She has been here for 5 years, first working for Nova, which is currently undergoing criminal investigation from the Japanese government. They treat their employees like dirt, barely paying them, and threatening them with their visa's. She switched over to Kochi's Evergreen English school, which is better, but still is withholding a huge chuck of her paycheck. Afterwards Nobako told us all about her exchange to America. She was stuck in Idaho with a family of Mormon's. She liked them alot, but admitted that she didn't get to do really anything. Her school was so religious, that they didn't even have a Prom. Afterwards she returned to Japan, and then kept traveling to English speaking countries all around the world. She once took her 80 year old friend to England. This is because after World War II, the friend worked in a Cafeteria for Allied Soldiers in Kochi. A platoon of British soldiers was stationed here, and this woman met a young Englishmen whom she developed a major crush on. It was such a cute story, until she found out that he had died before she could have reunited with him. Craig and Paul also talked about all the foreigners who had been in Kochi for the last year. I nearly chocked on my Tortilla listening to the story of the Acupuncture doctor preferred my most foreigners in Kochi. He went to North Carolina in America to visit a friend, and since his specialty is working with plants, he discovered a whole new variety of greenery in America. He tried everything to see if it would work in his profession, including trying to Tempura Poison Ivy, which nearly killed him when he ate. I realized what a horrible person I am when I sat listening trying to supress the laughter at this strange fact. Rei sat around listening to the adults have the conversation, while scheming how he was going to get dessert. He ran off to go visit Grandma and Grandpa. I asked Craig if Nobako's parents lived nearby, and he told me that these grandparents were the families next door neighbors who had taken a liking to little Rei. Only in Japan, I thought. When we were all finished with dinner, Rei senses were alerted. Within seconds he came running back to the house, carrying a huge watermelon. Here watermelon is EXTREMELY expensive, and thus seen as a delicacy dessert. While Craig was cutting it, it rolled off the table and splattered onto the floor. But like all good Americans, we picked up the pieces and ate it. Though Craig and Paula have been away from the states too long to know about the 5 second rule. When we were all finished with dessert, coffee, Rei was back holding a big case of fireworks. The group trekked outside, all the while aware that we only had a few minutes to get down to the bus station to take us back into the city. It was still light, so we decided against the fireworks. Instead the group opted to hear my speech, which I had been nervously bringing up on occasion. Paula and Craig thought it was OKAY, but Ruth thought it was utterly brilliant. I officially decided that the British are nicer than Americans. Paula, did, however, give me some great ideas for how I'm going to perform my speech. I think I will end up using a Kamekaze headband. The rain started to fall, and glancing at the clock made us realize we had to get to the bis station. I said goodbye to Craig's family, probably for the last time and thanked them for the dinner. They drove us down to the bus station, that would have gone unnoticed if it wasn't for the two bright drink machines. The rain was coming down so heavily, that it was dangerous to wait outside. The bis finally arrived, and we hurried up inside, waving to Craig and his family. The 3 Gaijin girls sat and talked on the bus ride back to Atago in Kochi City. I sat in the front, watching at the bus driver nervously inched his way along the mountain pass in typhoon like weather. When we made it back, we walked through Atago to Obiyamachi. I was supposed to ride my bike back, but I was afraid of the thunder and lightening and my camera getting soaked. We all ended up running to about 50 bus stops looking for a bus back to Mama. But it was a holiday, and none actually existed. I ended up biking back, in the thunder and lightening. Just another thing to add to my list of stupid things I have done.