Weeksdays

Thurs., Feb 19 
 Our teacher guide, Laura, came to pick us up at the airport, and we met her there. First, we had our first meal in America. The food was a lot, so we shared it. After that, we went to a chocolate shop called Boehm's. We watched how they make chocolate, tried some samples, and bought some souvenirs. Next, we went to see Snoqualmie Falls . After that, we went to the study center, where our host family was waiting for us. They showed us around the house, and we talked a lot. For dinner, we had waffles. Then, I gave them my souvenir from Japan.

Our first meal	A big waterfall	Host mother

Fri., Feb 20
 I got up and made lunch. I made a sandwich with cheese and turkey. Then I went to the study center and practiced the difference between the R and L sounds. I tried to speak English clearly when I talked with my host family. After that, we went to Target, a discount store. I bought some souvenirs for my family in Japan and a photo frame for my host family. Before the welcome party, my host mother and I made banana pudding together. At the welcome party, I was happy to try food that I can't eat in Japan. I also enjoyed talking with the other host families, and I had a great time.

Target!!	Welcome party

Mon., Feb 23
 We learned about how to use American money. It was a little difficult for me to understand, so I asked my friends for help when I paid and used coins. In the afternoon, we went to Tacoma Mall and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts . On the way there, Misa's host father sang songs, and we sang together. It was a lot of fun. The donuts were very sweet and delicious. There was also a Kura Sushi in Tacoma Mall, so it reminded me of Japan. After we got home, my host mother made pasta for dinner. I was happy because I could eat noodles for the first time in a while.

Krispy donut	Shopping together

Tues., Feb 24
 At the study center, we checked the questions we were going to ask the firefighters . At the fire station, we watched the firefighters change into their uniforms very quickly and saw many interesting things. It was a great experience. When I tried on the firefighter's uniform, I was surprised because it was heavier than I expected. I also got to use a fire hose. I had always wanted to try it at least once, so I was very happy. On the way home, I talked and played with Kokone's host sister. She was very cute, and we had a lot of fun.
Before going home, we went to my host mother's workplace and waited for her to finish work. After that, we went shopping at a supermarket. We bought some food and ingredients that I wanted to eat. For dinner, we cooked a Filipino meal together. My host father said, "Nice!" and praised my cooking, so I was very happy.

Heavy	Emergency	Fire extinguishing

Wed., Feb 25
 I got up early, ate cereal for breakfast, and my host mother gave me some hot chocolate, which I really like. That day, we visited the police station, the courthouse, and the city hall. I was surprised because they were all on the same property. I was happy to see many things that I don't usually get to see. We also got a lot of souvenirs. After we came back to the study center, we celebrated Rina's birthday. We shared some bread and wished her a happy birthday. Then we practiced songs and counting for our visit to a nursing home. However, we couldn't visit because the flu was spreading there. Instead, we went back to the study center and practiced our presentation for the elementary school. After we got home, we went out to eat sushi. I had salmon sushi and miso soup. It had been a long time since I had eaten Japanese food, so it made me want to eat more Japanese dishes.

Police station	I was arrested!!	Sushi

Thurs., Feb 26
 We met early in the morning and went to Leavenworth, a town that looks like a German village. First, we visited a glass factory. The lady there talked for a long time, and it looked like Laura wanted to leave early, so it was funny. For lunch, we had McDonald's. It tasted the same as in Japan. They also had a drink bar, which we don't have in Japan, so I thought it was nice. After that, we did a lot of shopping. There were many cute stores. Most of the shops only accepted credit cards. I bought a souvenir for my host family at a gingerbread shop. There were even real horses on the street, which was amazing.   After we got home, my host mother and I made tacos for dinner.

Horse	American McDonald's

Fri., Feb 27
 We learned about American holidays. I was happy to talk about Japanese holidays and learn about holidays in the United States. We dressed up in costumes and celebrated Halloween together. It was a lot of fun. For lunch, we ate traditional dishes that our host families made. Some of the food was delicious, and some had unique flavors. After everything was over, Laura took us to Target, where I really wanted to go. Before going home, my host mother, Misa, and I went to a Korean market. We bought some Japanese food ingredients. There were many Japanese snacks and frozen foods, so it was a lot of fun.

Trick or treat!!	Delicious food!

Mon., Mar 2
 We went to Green River College. I thought the cafeteria was amazing because it was very different from the ones in Japan. The campus was also very big. On the way back to the study center, Misa's host father made the car ride fun. We sang songs together, and everyone had a great time. He also bought drinks for all of us. The drink was really delicious, and I hope I can have it again someday.

So big!!	It was hard to sit down!

Tues., Mar 3
 We gave a presentation about Japanese numbers at an elementary school. I was happy because we could give our presentation in a fun way. We also ate lunch with the elementary school students. It was fun to listen to them and talk with them. During lunch break, we played together. It was a special experience because I had not played with elementary school students for a long time. We finished our presentation successfully and had a great time. After the presentation, we wrote the students' names in katakana. They were very happy, and that made me happy too.

Great!	３!	Cute!

Wed., Mar 4
　We made crafts to give to our host families. We worked on a photo frame and a journal. On that day, I finished the photo frame. My host family's house is mostly light blue, so I used a lot of light blue to decorate it.

Thinking together!!

Thurs., Mar 5 
  It was the day to visit Seattle. First, we went to the University of Washington. The building with the library was amazing because it looked like an art museum. It was much bigger than Seiryo High School. We went to the Space Needle. We couldn't go up to the observation area, but it was still very big and impressive. For lunch, I was happy because I could eat clam chowder, which I had wanted to try. Pike Place Market had many different kinds of shops, and it was fun to walk around. The Starbucks there tasted exactly the same as the one in Japan.

Delicious!!	sunny!	Pike Place Market

Fri., Mar 6
　We went bowling. It was difficult at first because I had not played for a long time, but I learned how to do it and got better. After I got home, I cooked dinner because my friend Kiara, who is the same age as me, was coming over. When she arrived, we made cookies together and talked a lot. After that, my host mother, Kiara, and I played games together. We had so much fun that we kept playing different games until 10 p.m.

It was fun!!

Mon., Mar 9
 On this day, we prepared for our final presentation and finished our journals. Before the Sayonara party, I went to my favorite place, Target. I was sad because it was my last time going there. I learned how to wear a yukata in Japan, but I couldn't put it on by myself, so Denise helped me. Everyone listened to our presentation about Sado and looked like they enjoyed it, so I was happy. The cheesecake was also delicious. My host family was happy to see the photo frame and journal that I made, and that made me happy too. After we got home, my host family gave me a present. It was something I had wanted, so I was very happy.

The Avery Family	Sado presentation	Delicious cake

   
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