February 9, 2009
On the 18th, the Kochi Rotex organization had a half-year party for me, which was very special for me because it made it clear to me that I really was half way through. On the 19th, my host father took me to the Kochi North Rotary anniversary party, where I met my third host family, the Masaki's, whose home I would be moving in to at the end of that week.
I still go to Koto club as usual. I'm doing very well and am now playing with the middle school 2nd and 3rd years now, not only with the middle school 1st years. I'm very proud of myself, haha! In January, we had a recital for Traditional Japanese Dance, where me and the girl who is going to America next year on exchange danced to the traditional song of "Sakura, Sakura." It was a great experience, and I wore an elaborate kimono. It was great!
I feel like I'm repeating myself when I write this, but January also felt like it went by quickly. Usually January is a slow month for some, being after the holidays and slowly getting used to the day-to-day again, but somehow I was equally, if not more busy in January than I was in December. I moved to my third host family on the 25th of January, which was a nice and refreshing change to my days. In Japan I will have had four host families by the time I leave, changing after about three months. I think this is the perfect number. Of course there has been a host family that I really did not want to leave, and the three months felt like three days, but there also was a host family where I was excited for the change. It is the perfect amount of time, because I get to experience four different families and ways of living. Any more families and it would be overwhelming to have to move so often, and any fewer and I might not experience any other lifestyles of the Japanese.
School is moving along, but it seems to have lost its charm that it had when I first started. Still not understanding anything is getting old; both because all of my teachers speak in the regional dialect spoken here, in Kochi, that is difficult to pick up on (imagine someone doing an exchange in Texas or somewhere with a heavy accent and completely different words used after studying standard English), but also because I am studying a language with three alphabets and 2,000+ characters. I sit down to memorize more characters and sometimes I feel a heavy sense of futility. I think, "What is the point of memorizing these characters when there are so many, and an individual character has so many meanings and pronounciations?" Three times a week, teachers tutor me in Japanese, but I get the feeling they don't really know how to teacher their language. I don't blame them, I don't know how I would go about teaching English, but a lot of my studies is self-motivated, and being the only exchange student in my entire prefecture (state), some days it's hard to give myself the kick in the pants that I need.
My diet is wonderful - I am so delighted that Japanese cooking is so healthy AND delicious! There was a part of me before this exchange that didn't think that was possible. I'm learning Japanese cooking from my host mother and I love it. This, along with several other aspects of Japanese culture, I will take home with me to America.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Whitney McGinn -- Czech Republic
February 13, 2009
The month of January was really crazy for me. In the begining of the month I switched families for the first time. I was really nervous but it turned out to be really easy and I love my new family. Also this month with the help of my family I have been making big improvements in my Czech language. It still needs alot of work but it is deffinatly getting better. I have been spending all my free time with my family and friends and recently joined a girls indoor soccer team. I've realized here that its important to keep busy so that Is what I have been trying to do! So far the new year has been really great for me.
The month of January was really crazy for me. In the begining of the month I switched families for the first time. I was really nervous but it turned out to be really easy and I love my new family. Also this month with the help of my family I have been making big improvements in my Czech language. It still needs alot of work but it is deffinatly getting better. I have been spending all my free time with my family and friends and recently joined a girls indoor soccer team. I've realized here that its important to keep busy so that Is what I have been trying to do! So far the new year has been really great for me.
Daniel Gally -- Brazil
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hope all is well. This is my monthly update.
Everything is fine with me here. I did a trip to Rio de Janeiro and I recieved three months worth of allowance from rotary before I left. Everything is working out well, I started school this week and I am ok.
Hope all is well. This is my monthly update.
Everything is fine with me here. I did a trip to Rio de Janeiro and I recieved three months worth of allowance from rotary before I left. Everything is working out well, I started school this week and I am ok.
Brittany Cruise -- France
Saturday, January 31, 2009
I must apologize yet again for my lack of updates.
December;
The month started off with a new host family. I moved from a little village just outside of Besançon to practically right in the center. My new family is extremely nice, but we don't do a lot of things together. Not like my last family anyhow. The parents work a lot and come home late during the week, so most of the time it's my younger host sister and I. We get along fairly well, so it's been nice. School is going great, with the language barrier having been down for a few months December was easier and easier. Christmas time wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I spent Christmas eve with my host family now, and spent my Christmas morning and the rest of my vacation with my first host family. I was extremly happy about that, because my first host family and I really got along. They really welcomed me as a part of the family and even brought me snowboarding with them.
January;
This past month went by very very fast. There were two other exchange students in my class and throughout my whole exchange and theirs we've been very good friends, they left this month to return home. That was a little saddening for me, but we had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together. Other then that, this month I recieved news from home about my college acceptance and I've been accepted to the university of my choice. Other then that it's been very cold, with no snow. Mostly sunny, but very cold.
I must apologize yet again for my lack of updates.
December;
The month started off with a new host family. I moved from a little village just outside of Besançon to practically right in the center. My new family is extremely nice, but we don't do a lot of things together. Not like my last family anyhow. The parents work a lot and come home late during the week, so most of the time it's my younger host sister and I. We get along fairly well, so it's been nice. School is going great, with the language barrier having been down for a few months December was easier and easier. Christmas time wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I spent Christmas eve with my host family now, and spent my Christmas morning and the rest of my vacation with my first host family. I was extremly happy about that, because my first host family and I really got along. They really welcomed me as a part of the family and even brought me snowboarding with them.
January;
This past month went by very very fast. There were two other exchange students in my class and throughout my whole exchange and theirs we've been very good friends, they left this month to return home. That was a little saddening for me, but we had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories together. Other then that, this month I recieved news from home about my college acceptance and I've been accepted to the university of my choice. Other then that it's been very cold, with no snow. Mostly sunny, but very cold.
Zachary Smith -- Brasil
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hi, I don´t remember if I sent a report for January or not but I know I have sent one for every month before that. Any way, I am doing terrific! I unfortunatly had to start classes again today after a much enjoyed second summer break in 7 months. I am learning how to make different brasilian sweats like Brigadeiro ( if you have never tried it,,,,,, well,,, it´s really good!). The other day I made typical American Bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for my family for breakfast which was a big hit. So it sum everything up, I am doing excellent, love my family, have tons of friends, and thank you again for all your help in getting me here. I have scheduled my return for Sunday June 21st. It was the last day that was good for my host family and was available.
Hope you're well.
Hi, I don´t remember if I sent a report for January or not but I know I have sent one for every month before that. Any way, I am doing terrific! I unfortunatly had to start classes again today after a much enjoyed second summer break in 7 months. I am learning how to make different brasilian sweats like Brigadeiro ( if you have never tried it,,,,,, well,,, it´s really good!). The other day I made typical American Bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for my family for breakfast which was a big hit. So it sum everything up, I am doing excellent, love my family, have tons of friends, and thank you again for all your help in getting me here. I have scheduled my return for Sunday June 21st. It was the last day that was good for my host family and was available.
Hope you're well.
Chelsea Choppy -- Venezuela
Friday, January 30, 2009
Everything is still going great with me. I just got back from a trip to Margarita Island with the Rotary Club here and it was beautiful. I went to beautiful beaches, ate local seafood and even swam with dolphins. Tomorrow morning I am going to Caracas to see Raffaele who was in New York last year. I´m really happy that I get to see him again and meet his family. I am doing really well in school here and just changed to my second family a few weeks ago and that is going very well so far. I don´t really have too much else to say right now other than that everyhting is going great. Take care....
Everything is still going great with me. I just got back from a trip to Margarita Island with the Rotary Club here and it was beautiful. I went to beautiful beaches, ate local seafood and even swam with dolphins. Tomorrow morning I am going to Caracas to see Raffaele who was in New York last year. I´m really happy that I get to see him again and meet his family. I am doing really well in school here and just changed to my second family a few weeks ago and that is going very well so far. I don´t really have too much else to say right now other than that everyhting is going great. Take care....
Monday, February 2, 2009
Danielle Willsey -- Italy
Friday, January 30, 2009
I would like to start off by saying that I am sorry for not sending my monthly letter, as i have no good excuse why I haven't. Its hard to say now everything that I have been doing, but I am alive and am constantly being stuffed with pasta from my host mother. I am having a great time although everything is very different than what I am used to, and am fairly accustomed to everything now. Italian was a struggle for me in the beginning but now I feel fairly comfortable, and I am able to make friends a lot easier. I am also very fortunate to have such a wonderful host family as they are always making sure that I am comfortable and am having a good time, and love to bring me to all of the churches built in Italy. So far they have taken me to Rome, Milan, Venice, along with other major cities in Italy, and we will be going to Florence in the Spring.
School was very hard for me in the beginning but now it isn't as bad and i get along well with the kids in my class. School is only until 12 or 1 in the afternoon so i get to go home for lunch, but we have to get up on Saturdays to go to school as well. It is also different because the teachers move around from class to class instead of the students, and each class is an hour long. Sometimes its a bit hard to stay awake, but so far I have been alright.
I know that this is a very vague outline about what has been happening but I also think I have hit all the main points anyway, and wish for more information I will send it...
I would like to start off by saying that I am sorry for not sending my monthly letter, as i have no good excuse why I haven't. Its hard to say now everything that I have been doing, but I am alive and am constantly being stuffed with pasta from my host mother. I am having a great time although everything is very different than what I am used to, and am fairly accustomed to everything now. Italian was a struggle for me in the beginning but now I feel fairly comfortable, and I am able to make friends a lot easier. I am also very fortunate to have such a wonderful host family as they are always making sure that I am comfortable and am having a good time, and love to bring me to all of the churches built in Italy. So far they have taken me to Rome, Milan, Venice, along with other major cities in Italy, and we will be going to Florence in the Spring.
School was very hard for me in the beginning but now it isn't as bad and i get along well with the kids in my class. School is only until 12 or 1 in the afternoon so i get to go home for lunch, but we have to get up on Saturdays to go to school as well. It is also different because the teachers move around from class to class instead of the students, and each class is an hour long. Sometimes its a bit hard to stay awake, but so far I have been alright.
I know that this is a very vague outline about what has been happening but I also think I have hit all the main points anyway, and wish for more information I will send it...
Cathryn Salamone -- Japan
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Around the beginning of December, my host family and I participated in a Rotaract event held at a local nursing home. We did the mochi tsuki, which is the process of making mochi, or japanese rice cakes, during the New Year period from December until the beginning of January. It is done by taking rice and mashing it with a wooden hammer in a stone hearth until the rice molds together and becomes one large rice ball. We made individual rice cakes with anko, or sweet bean paste, inside them. It was a great event and it felt great to help out during the holidays. We gave the rice cakes to the nursing home residents, and I think they greatly enjoyed our prescence there.
On the 10th I went to a Christmas party hosted by the English night class that I help out with on Mondays. We had traditional japanese food and it was a lot of fun. To spread the cheer, I sang a few Christmas songs, and finished with everyone singing "Jingle Bells". It was a great night. On the 19th was the Nishi (West) Rotary Club Christmas party, which was very big and included all of the Rotary members and their families. Also with Rotaract, myself and the past exchange students who went to America last year from Japan made my Grandma's chocolate chip cookies (she gave me the recipie and I converted it to metric units...I was so glad when they tasted great because I wasn't sure if I did my math right...) We wrapped the cookies in nice wrapping and sold them to raise money for the children in Cambodia. On Christmas Eve I attended the Higashi (East) Rotary Club's Christmas party, which, although this was my third Christmas party, it was the most meaningful to me, because it was on Christmas Eve and this was by far my favorite Rotary Club in Kochi City. I had a great time again, and as always, great food!
I continue to go to Koto club, and even went a couple days during Winter Break to keep myself occupied. And I continue to have Japanese Dancing on Thursdays as well.
I had another fever for a weekend but I was better by the following Monday and didn't need to miss any school. Despite the cold weather, I haven't been sick since.
I have to apologize for being so late with this report...to be honest I just completely forgot about it! December, like November, went by incredibly fast. It proceeded to get colder as the month went on, and I kept adding layers underneath my uniform because neither the house, nor the school has heating. I can say that I'm pretty well adjusted now to living without heat...I know to layer up and wear socks and a sweatshirt to bed. Christmas was difficult to get through, because although the commercial aspects of Christmas were blatantly present here in Japan; the TV commercial Christmas Jingles, the santa hats, the Christmas lights in the park, when Christmas Day arrived it was like Christmas never happened. On Christmas Day, my host parents went to work, some kids went to school (I had koto practice scheduled for that day), and by no means was it a holiday. It was weird to ride my bike to the corner store and see the roads filled with cars and people on bicycle going to work or school or wherever they had to be, just like on any normal day. But it passed thankfully, and the New Year's was a much bigger deal, thank goodness. But I will explain more about that in my January post (which will be sent soon as January is about to end...again my apologies for this being late!)
All in all though, December is really sort of a blur to me. I established a routine of going to school, going to koto practice for three hours and riding my bike home, eating dinner, studying, and then going to bed. It is said that December and January are the hardest months, and I'm very happy that I made it through them and that I'm passed the big hill of my exchange year. I'm making deeper relationships with my friends because I'm learning more and more of the language each day. There are days that I feel like I'm completely fluent and that I've known Japanese for more than only a year and a half, and then there are days where I feel like I've made absolutely no progress at all since my arrival here, that I've "plateau-ed" in my language learning. But I take each day by the day, and I learn something new about myself and about life with each passing month.
Around the beginning of December, my host family and I participated in a Rotaract event held at a local nursing home. We did the mochi tsuki, which is the process of making mochi, or japanese rice cakes, during the New Year period from December until the beginning of January. It is done by taking rice and mashing it with a wooden hammer in a stone hearth until the rice molds together and becomes one large rice ball. We made individual rice cakes with anko, or sweet bean paste, inside them. It was a great event and it felt great to help out during the holidays. We gave the rice cakes to the nursing home residents, and I think they greatly enjoyed our prescence there.
On the 10th I went to a Christmas party hosted by the English night class that I help out with on Mondays. We had traditional japanese food and it was a lot of fun. To spread the cheer, I sang a few Christmas songs, and finished with everyone singing "Jingle Bells". It was a great night. On the 19th was the Nishi (West) Rotary Club Christmas party, which was very big and included all of the Rotary members and their families. Also with Rotaract, myself and the past exchange students who went to America last year from Japan made my Grandma's chocolate chip cookies (she gave me the recipie and I converted it to metric units...I was so glad when they tasted great because I wasn't sure if I did my math right...) We wrapped the cookies in nice wrapping and sold them to raise money for the children in Cambodia. On Christmas Eve I attended the Higashi (East) Rotary Club's Christmas party, which, although this was my third Christmas party, it was the most meaningful to me, because it was on Christmas Eve and this was by far my favorite Rotary Club in Kochi City. I had a great time again, and as always, great food!
I continue to go to Koto club, and even went a couple days during Winter Break to keep myself occupied. And I continue to have Japanese Dancing on Thursdays as well.
I had another fever for a weekend but I was better by the following Monday and didn't need to miss any school. Despite the cold weather, I haven't been sick since.
I have to apologize for being so late with this report...to be honest I just completely forgot about it! December, like November, went by incredibly fast. It proceeded to get colder as the month went on, and I kept adding layers underneath my uniform because neither the house, nor the school has heating. I can say that I'm pretty well adjusted now to living without heat...I know to layer up and wear socks and a sweatshirt to bed. Christmas was difficult to get through, because although the commercial aspects of Christmas were blatantly present here in Japan; the TV commercial Christmas Jingles, the santa hats, the Christmas lights in the park, when Christmas Day arrived it was like Christmas never happened. On Christmas Day, my host parents went to work, some kids went to school (I had koto practice scheduled for that day), and by no means was it a holiday. It was weird to ride my bike to the corner store and see the roads filled with cars and people on bicycle going to work or school or wherever they had to be, just like on any normal day. But it passed thankfully, and the New Year's was a much bigger deal, thank goodness. But I will explain more about that in my January post (which will be sent soon as January is about to end...again my apologies for this being late!)
All in all though, December is really sort of a blur to me. I established a routine of going to school, going to koto practice for three hours and riding my bike home, eating dinner, studying, and then going to bed. It is said that December and January are the hardest months, and I'm very happy that I made it through them and that I'm passed the big hill of my exchange year. I'm making deeper relationships with my friends because I'm learning more and more of the language each day. There are days that I feel like I'm completely fluent and that I've known Japanese for more than only a year and a half, and then there are days where I feel like I've made absolutely no progress at all since my arrival here, that I've "plateau-ed" in my language learning. But I take each day by the day, and I learn something new about myself and about life with each passing month.
Dan Gally -- Brazil
January 20, 2009
Hello everyone. First of all please excuse the length of time it has taken me to write to you, I know I should have written sooner. Things are going great here in Brazil. I really love it here and my family is very good to me. They all know about what happened in Spain and there are no problems. I just got back from travelling with my family for a few weeks. We went to the beach near Curitiba and Rio Grande do Sul. I recall from a story in the May orientation that Mr. Dwyer has visited Brazil, and may be familiar with these places. Portuguese has been very easy to learn due to my Spanish and at this time I can converse pretty easily with everyone.
I think this year will be really great, and once again I would like to thank you all for helping me participate in this program and for going out of your way to help me get a second chance.
Thanks again -- Dan Gally
Hello everyone. First of all please excuse the length of time it has taken me to write to you, I know I should have written sooner. Things are going great here in Brazil. I really love it here and my family is very good to me. They all know about what happened in Spain and there are no problems. I just got back from travelling with my family for a few weeks. We went to the beach near Curitiba and Rio Grande do Sul. I recall from a story in the May orientation that Mr. Dwyer has visited Brazil, and may be familiar with these places. Portuguese has been very easy to learn due to my Spanish and at this time I can converse pretty easily with everyone.
I think this year will be really great, and once again I would like to thank you all for helping me participate in this program and for going out of your way to help me get a second chance.
Thanks again -- Dan Gally
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