Mazu no Shuumatsu wa Chotto...

So my first two weeks in Japan, have gone really well! I am living with the Shimoyama family in Kawagoe. The family consists of Mom, Dad, and 16 year old Sister, and Dog.

Wow; the first weekend was so rough! So, it was the first Saturday of March, and all of us JSP (Japanese Studies Program) students had met our host families. I was sitting with Mom and Dad (Sister had cram school), and it was probably one of the most awkward hour-and-a-half of mah life. Mother would make some conversation, Dad was silent, and I was really completely unprepared for real Japanese conversation. The rest of the weekend was just as uncomfortable, and consisted of me hiding in my room, trying to avoid converstaion "opportunities." Though, I couldn't escape meal times. I would shuffle out of my room, sit at the table, and stare down at my plate as I quietly shoveled my food into my mouth. I really couldn't get out of there fast enough.

The following day, I went out with Sister to Ikebukuro. As excited as I was to go to Ikebukuro, I was totally not looking forward to speaking with my host sister. However, it wasn't as bad as I thought! We were actually able to converse a bit, though most of the day consisted of Sister following me around while I window shopped. We even did Purikula together (really fun photo booth thing) before we went back! However, once we actually got back to the house, I once again, shuffled off to my room, and sulked about not being able to speak Japanese. It was such a terrible feeling to want to express myself, but not be able to convey it in a foreign language!

Four days of being in Japan, and I was already sick of everything Japanese. Everything from the food, the language, and even their lack of microwaves. The rest of Sunday I spent wandering around town looking for Western food and trying to sleep, as I waited for Monday. Finally, Monday rolled around, and I left for my first day of class. I got onto the train, and apprently ended up on the wrong one, which stopped one stop before the one for my school. As I waited in Kawagoe-shi, a train pulled up and another JSP student walked out, having gotten on the same wrong train that I had. My whole face lit up as I hurried over to greet him, finally being able to speak English again and be understood. It was one of the greatest feelings ever!!!

For the rest of the day, I was so happy to be around Americans. From then on, I haven't had trouble enjoying Japan and using Japanese (though, it took another week for me to get comfortable with speaking with my host family. Basically, you're gonna be misunderstood and not able to say A LOT! The sooner you come to accept this fact, the easier it is to initiate converstaion). I'm back in love with Japan and look forward to understanding more about its people and culture! I can't wait until TIU opens up for the Japanese students; then perhaps I can make some actual Japanese friends! However, for the moment, I am very content with my American ones, and it allows me some time to get accustomed to the way of life before I introduce natives into my circle.