Yoshiyuki's Bunkasai

My host brothers school had its bunkasai yesterday I wanted to make a blog entry about it.

His Bunkasai was bigger than mine, but I didnt get to see
what the rest of my classmates were doing.  So I am blogging about my host brothers.

The gate to the festival, made from cardboart i think...

Main stage, here i saw juggling, michael jackson dancing and a street brawl.

I don't know what it says but I liked the picture.  Probably something about food.

 Another poster.

The students cooked all the food, I bought bowl of yakisoba and a strawberry flavored churo for 200 yen (bout 2.60)

A view of how many people were there.

And finally I just really liked this picture.  Some things that I dont have pictures of is the class room events.  My host brother did a play, which he was the main character in.  Another class did a shadow play, and other classes did research projects on animals and countries.  In the end I had a great time.

First Month In Japan

The first month has flown by and I haven't really had time to do another blog post but here it is.

After arriving in Nagoya Station and meeting my host Mother we took the train to Obu-shi the city I am taking residence in.  We were picked up by Obaachan (grandma) and traveled a short distence to home.  Upon first entering the house the dog, Rubi, did what I will later come to loath... barking his head off.


After going through some of the AFS check list we had dinner and went to bed a little while later.  The next day I went to my host school and met Mori-Sensei the english literature teacher.  I my uniform was to be found etc. and I was informed that I needed to give a two minute speach to the entire student body.  After leaving the school the next week was of summer, where due to lack of entertainment I read all of the required reading for Mr.Albertson's class except the illiad and long nights journey since I didn't bring the books.

During this time I also visted the Great Ise Shrine (sadly no shrine madiens), and Nagoya City during a Matsuri (festival).  Sadly I don't have any pictures of the Ise shrine since I forgot my Camera however there are videos of the Matsuri dances below.

 

(love the outfits on this last one)

I also visted the Mayor of Obu-shi and made it into the news paper with some other AFS friends.

School started and I gave my speech, which went something like this. (Those taking Japanese better leave a translation in the comments)

"はじめまして
私の名前は　マイケル・マニングです。　私は　AFSのこうかんプログラムで　アメリカから　来た　留学生です。　私は　これから　すうかげつの　会だ　あんじょう　高校　あなたたちと　いっしょに　まなびます。　私の　アメリカの　高校の　名前は　Arts and Communications Magnet Academyで　びじゅつの　学校です。　　私は　たくさん　しゅみを　もって　います。　とうげいや　えや　ｽｹﾁや　ちゅうこくや　アニメせいさくや　コンピューのタプログラムや　ウェブのデサインや　ぶたいせっけいや　グラフェクのデサインや　ﾀﾞﾝｽです。　私は　また　あいきど　して　いて　いぜんは　サーカーや　クルインも　していました。　私は　三年　日本語の　勉強を　しましたが　また　たくさん　わからないことが　あります。　でも　あなたたちと　話すことを　たのしみにして　います。　私は　私が　あなたたちから　まなぶ　ように　あなたたちも　私の　ぶんかを　まなんで　ほしいと　思います。
ありがとう　ございました"

During school I have 2 english classes, 2 math classes, a classical Japanese class, Japanese class, Japanese history, 2 P.E. Classes, Cooking class, and Art class.  I have joined the kendo club and will see if i can get some pictures or video of that later.

At school we have already had our Bunkasai (culture festival) where my class made a haunted house.

 The next day we had Taiikusai, (sports day) where I completely failed at the high jump and got sunburn on my arms and legs.

 Picture from just outside the class room window. (I like the sky here)

School is kinda of difficult since I don't understand a lot but it is definately fun.  I will see to it to get more pictures of my school. For now here are some more pictures and a vlog I will add captions to them later ^^

The adventure has begun

I am finally with my host family! I have done many other things since my arrival but It will be confusing if I don`t start from the beginning.

Window seat yush!

For those who didn`t know I have never been on a plane in my life as far as my memory serves me.  The first flight was from Portland to LA with 1 stop in the middle.  Overall it was interesting because exciting, boring, and scary all at the same time.

My mood the best way I could describe it.

After my flight and some getting lost in the airport with another AFSer we waited for the hotel bus.

After a one night oreientation we finally were getting ready for our big flight.  At the oreientation i met the exchange students going to Japan and China, however China`s flight left at 3 am so I don`t have any pictures of them.

The bus to the Airport. 

 My sister asked me to take a video of the international flight.

11 and a half hours later.

After we landed we got on another bus, little did we know we would be awake for another 6 hours.

 Yay energy drinks!

Thought it was a great idea at the time.

Finally we arrived at the hotel and had dinner.

 After dinner we were greeted with a dance!

 

The Orientation was 3 days long and we weren`t allowed to go outside.  However, It was the nicest hotel I ever stayed at... 

that said we got 3 huge meals everyday and had no real time or way of exercising.  I felt like a fat pig.  The dicussion went for about 2-3 hours each if it wasn`t for our voulenteers I would have been bored to death.

I was part of group 7 and volunteers were great since they both had common interests as us.

After the orientation we had a long bus ride ahead of us.

Beginning of a 8 hour bus ride.

A quick glimpse at Tokyo bay

Finally after 8 hours I met my host mother, took my first train ride (not lightrails) and arrived at my host family.  So far it has been great and I am already learning how to cook Japanese food.

Good bye everybody I got to go!

However I am not necessarily leaving you all behind, everyone can see what I am up to on this blog as well newsletters I will be sending out to a select few.  I will be taking a ton of pictures and now and then a vlog to post on here now and then so be sure to look for those.  I have been packing and am almost!  Done due to the program being delayed I have to carry three letters explaining why my certificate of orientation is out dated, hopefully they won't be wrinkled in my carry-on background.  Other then that I am very nervous upon entering the country however I know it will be one of, if not, the best experience of my life.  Everyone be sure to check on my blog as this marks the beginning of my adventures in Japan.

The time of coming is near

So yea... Today is the 10th of August and I leave for LA Airport on the 17th.  Everything is slowly falling into place and soon I will be on my way to Japan!  Over the past few months I had become worried this date may not arrive due to multiple illnesses.  Currently I am confident it won't effect my plans.  Today I have a bon voyage picnic with the other host students.  I look forward to seeing them and how they are coping with the up coming trip.  Hopefully I might learn a few tips from them since I have never been on a plane (as far as my memory serves me) if anyone has suggestions feel free to leave a comment or something.  One last thing I would like to again thank everyone who has helped me get this far, it really is a dream come true.  I will most definitely try to share the experience as best I can through this blog, pictures, and vlogs.  This blog will get a lot of use in the next few days so be sure to visit to see how my adventures are going!

Second Pre-Departure Orientation

This morning I attended my second Pre-Departure Orientation.  Compared to last one, it was much more diverse.  Last PDO there were 5 students going to Japan where as this year there were only two.  The content was mostly the same with a few variations.  The coolest thing though was meeting the exchange students that had come to America.  I spoke with one of them during lunch who was from Japan (I didn't catch his name) and it turns out I will be going to the same province he is from!  Although, he didn't recognize the name of the city I will be living in, I am sure it will be nice to know another ASFer in the area.  After the Orientation  when we are leaving there was a mix up where I ended up leaving the car keys in one of the rooms the Orientation took place.  Because we had stayed a little later (and hunted for the keys) we ended up getting delayed by about 20 minutes till someone with keys to the building could let us in again.  Once again I am getting excited about leaving, and all the stress I am sure will return when the departure date gets closer.  Wish me luck!

I am still going!

With the earthquake that had devastated Japan, about a month ago, I was contacted by AFS notifying me that the year long exchange had been cancelled.  However, I was invited to attend the six month program departing in August.  For the last couple weeks I have continued to fundraise which will make the exchange less of a burden on my family's allowance.  So far I am just 4,000 dollars for the entire exchange to be completely financed through fundrasing!  I thank everyone for their support for my dream and their patience to hear news on this matter.