Bringing this up to date.

Here I am posting some things I wrote about every day since I got here.

8/15/11
So yeah, this house it pretty cool~ It's like a really old fashioned traditional Japanese house.

I have my own room which is nice. Two stories, so many rooms. The staircase is so STEEP. I almost fell, twice. I feel like a ninja using them lol. My siblings names are Taka (boy) and Yuki (girl). They are both so nice. My dad laughs alot, and makes jokes, I can understand some of them and they're not laughing at me which makes me feel better. My mom is so sweet. She knows the most english in the house, but that's like, a really teeny bit. Mostly I've been nodding and smiling and saying "Hai". I'm being so careful though. I'm afraid of doing something wrong. So yep. The next few days will be weird/funny since I can't speak. They ask me stuff in Japanese and I can understand, but like I can't say something back besides, yes or no. 

8/16/11

Today I went with my mom, brother and sister, to a friend's house of theirs. The lady was so nice,

and I saw the most adorable, tiniest puppy I'd ever seen in my life!! I was like. ouo It is sooooo cute! Er... kawaii desu, haha. We stayed at the house for about an hour, then when we went home, the lady gave us the puppy to take home! So I was like, what. From what I understood, we're only keeping it for a few days. And it doesn't have a name yet, they want me to name it. I don't know what lol. Never named a dog before... help. Haha. Yup, then we brought it home and played with it for a bit. It's so cute, it waddles around and is so funny when it walks quickly. It like, bounces. Then we ate dinner, and after I sat with my brother in the tatami room and watched some sort of anime. 

8/17/11

My mom took me to Ueno park, and the museum of art and the international museum of Tokyo. My first train ride in Japan, it was pretty neat. I got one of those cards you just swipe on top of the stall and go in. The trains are like the metro in Canada and France but they seem more advanced. Everybody is so quiet on the train. It's bad manners to to talk on the train, especially to talk on your cellphone. Then we had to stop to switch trains and had like 20 minutes between trains so we stopped at an instant... restaurant. I don't remember what the food was called. My mom was like "this is fast food" but it's way better than any fast food in America lol. When we got to Ueno park we got tickets to two galleries. The first one was Greek stuff, and I have already seen the stuff at the louvre and other museums so i was just kinda meh. The second one was ancient Japanese stuff which was really cool, and alot of it was actually Chinese stuff since that is what people brought to Japan. It was pretty cool. Then we were both tired so we decided to go home. It was so hot. When I got home I went to my room and stood in front of the AC unit. When I was out I was observing all the people and things they were doing and the clothes. All the girls are dressed so cutely. And they all have heels on. lol. Trying to make themselves taller. But there were tons of girls with knee-high socks on which is like, really dumb. Summer's not the best season to do that.

8/20/11

Today I took a 1 hour car ride into Tokyo with my mom, dad, and their friend. We went to this pretty fancy restaurant for lunch for which I was SORELY under dressed. I wish they would've told me. They mostly talked and I listened. I was observing clothes again and noticed there were almost no people wearing jeans in the city. I was and I felt sooooo out of place. I really need to go shopping. After, we went to the Kabuki theater which was really neat. it's like a play, but Japanese-style. It was from 2:30 to like 5:30 so a really long time. Then when it was over, it took us almost 3 hours to get back home. Tokyo in the middle of rush hour is TERRIBLE. I was trying to sleep in the car, but it was a rather bumpy ride so I kept being jerked awake. When we got home, we just got my brother and sister and went out to eat, so I really didn't get home 'til 10-ish. 

8/21/11

I fought with a packet of hi-chew. It wouldn't come out of the wrapper so I shook the packet really hard and it went flying across the room. then my mom brought me to a Japanese spa-place. I got like a face-massage and shoulder massage, it felt really good since my back has been kinda hurting lately. I've never been to a spa before so I can't really compare it to something, but it was nice. That took about 2 hours I think. Was refreshing. Then when we biked back (took bikes since it was close by) It had gotten cooler out because of the cloudiness. The bike ride was really nice in the cooler air. 

8/22/11

We went to play tennis for 2 hours about. We had an instructor who was trying to teach me how to swing better. I told them I'd been playing a long time, but the technique for playing is different here in Japan. Different from what I learned back when I had tennis lessons/ played. So yeah now I know the Japanese way of playing tennis. He made us do some practice hitting and stuff and at the end we played a game. Sorta. I always have the problem of hitting the ball too hard so it goes far. Oh yeah, it was an indoor tennis court. Interesting. That was really tiring.
8/23/11

After I had lunch, My host mom took me to a big shopping center in the next city over, Omiya, and I got some clothes. Japanese clothes. We took the car and the traffic was pretty bad, but I did get some pictures and video. Then on the way back from the shopping center we stopped to pick up my school uniform finally. (I did say before, it's kinda plain but it'll do.) Then we were home for about an hour, my dad came home and then he, my mom and I went to a bicycle shop and they got me a bicycle! It's going to be my main mode of transportation from school and back. Also, Every japanese bicycle has a basket on the front. It's pretty convenient though. So yep, now I have my very own japanese bike. Then we got home and got my brother and sister and grandma, and went out bowling! We played two games. I came in 4th the first game and last in the second game. I really fail at bowling. It's nothing like Wii bowling. After we went to a restaurant and had dinner. It was pretty cool I was actually holding up some conversations with them. I'm really getting along with my sister too, it's nice. Then they were talking to the waitress, about how I am staying here for a year. She was like EHHHHH? And she totally flipped out when the spoke to me in Japanese and I responded. She was impressed. And my host mom was proud. She was like, "oh yeah she's been studying every day." So today was really good for me. I feel like I bonded with my family more and we're becoming closer. It's a good thing. I feel like I'm going to be really sad when i change families. I hope that's not for a long time.

Plus in the car my host mom was asking me when's the best time to visit Florida? That would be so cool if they came to visit next year when I'm home! Ahh that made me happy that she even thought of that.

First night in Japan

Arriving at Narita airport was somewhat of an adventure for me. Challenge accepted. Following the passengers out of the gate wasn’t too difficult. Of course I had to stop in the bathroom and see for myself. Yes the toilets talk to you. Afterwards to customs where I spent a good ten minutes filling out customs and immigration papers. Got through customs pretty quickly. Then I had to get my baggage which also wasn’t too difficult, it’s bright green, you can’t miss it. After that it was a bit tricky finding my way out of baggage claim. At this point I started to worry and hope someone was there to greet me. I walked out the doors and to my happy surprise; there were a bunch of people waiting for me with huge colorful signs. It was a relief to see them. Greetings exchanged, lots of bowing and こんにちは (Konnichiwa) はじめまして (Hajimemashite). It was also a great surprise when one boy started speaking with me in English. He was a Rotex who’d been to America a few years before. We got in the car and headed home. At this point I was dead tired. Exhausted. I hadn’t slept a second on the plane and my eyelids felt like lead. I wanted to stay awake though, so I could watch the scenery but after a half an hour in the car I was knocked out. The car ride took about an hour. When we got to the house, my host Mom was waiting at the front. My first experience with a Genkan. That was fun. The house is a traditional style Japanese house and quite large. We got my suitcases into my room and then went back out to go to a restaurant. My first night in Japan and we went to a Chinese restaurant. There were many people there, my family, and other members of the Ageo Rotary Club. I tried all the food there, including Jellyfish. It was rather crunchy, which I didn’t expect by the looks of it. None of the food was bad, just some tastes I had never, well, tasted before. Everyone introduced themselves to me and were laughing and having a really good time. I was fighting to keep my eyes open. My Rotex sitting next to me was very understanding. Finally we left and went home. Using the toilet here is really difficult. It’s not your average pull trigger to flush toilet like in most of the rest of the world. This toilet is high tech. The cover lifts up by itself, something turns on when you sit on it, and there is a control panel covered with buttons next to it on the wall. It’s not like I haven’t been forewarned about these things either. I’ve seen videos, pictures, heard stories, etc. Not to mention all the captions are in Japanese and I can only read so much. Luckily for me, there is a handle on the toilet just for flushing. These are super-toilets though, seriously. They do everything apart from cleaning the kitchen sink. Anyway, afterwards we celebrated my birthday with some cake and tea. It was really good, but I was full from dinner and at that point all I wanted to do was fall into bed. I really like my family, they are very nice. My mom and brother know some English, limited but okay, I don’t mind. I’m here to learn Japanese, not English. My dad is funny and my little sister is cute. I think we will get along just fine. So now, I finally got to go to bed. I was knocked out in under five minutes. It felt good to sleep. And that is how my first night in Japan went.

Loneliest 14 hours of my life.

Okay so, I made it to Japan in one piece.
This blog is everything I recorded in my little journal while traveling.

8/13/11 8:11AM. FTL Airport
I'm waiting to board my flight to Atlanta. Saying goodbye to my mom and dad and brother was really sad. I didn't cry though. As a matter of fact, I haven't cried at all yet. It's so weird, I think there is really something wrong with me. Incapable of crying. I got through security okay and didn't lose anything. Just saw a plane taking off into the sunrise. There are lots of people speaking French around me? I can understand them. Woo. It's 9PM in Japan, I'll try to sleep on the flight.
12:15PM. Atlanta Airport
Sitting at my new gate in the airport waiting for my Tokyo-Narita connection. Wifi is not free, makes me upset because I really want to talk. Reading a skype convo from the other night instead. Laptop's out on my lap, and I'm smiling like an idiot. There are people next to me speaking Japanese... I understand! Yay!! Still really really want to talk to someone back home. Got a weird combo of feelings going on. I'm excited by my heart is heavy. Hopefully soon I can contact. Watching the Crew 497 Summer Adventure now.
8:30PM EST. Somewhere over Alaska. Been on the plane some 7 hours or so. Haven't slept yet. I'm really tired though. So far I've watched movies: Diary of a Wimpy Kid- Roderick Rules, 2012 (not a good movie to watch at this moment but lol), 13 going on 30, and The Blind Side, watching that in Japanese. Heh. I have an aisle seat and there's a kid in the window seat but no one in the middle, which is nice. Even though I'm watching movies I am SO LONELY. Got a wrap in my hands, was a birthday gift from someone. The crew CD made me tear. Food on the plane is surprisingly good. It's Japanese food. Yum. A song just played in the Blind side that I recognize from my friend Michael's video. Made me tear. Still can't sleep.
10:30PM EST. Bering Sea
Just thought about how it's still light outside here but it's dark already back home. Remembered everyone is at the Bon festival now, watching the candles on the lake and the fireworks... I wish I could be there, with them. I hope they're enjoying the Bon festival, and remembering me. Been think of everyone the whole flight. Listening to Chester See now. Kinda making me even more sad, but his music is so beautiful.
8/14/11
12:50AM EST - 1:50PM Japan
About 3 hours left on the plane. watched The Rescuers. Really tired. Found the BTR album on the Delta system. No TV show though, bummer. I woulda (turbulence) liked to watch them. They always manage to make me smile. Songs'll have to do for now.Worldwide is really appropriate for this situation... Really really tired.
2:45AM EST - 3:45PM Japan
Off coast of Japan, hour away from Tokyo. Listening to Japanese music to try and make me excited. Still no sleep. Loneliest 14 hours ever spent. Don't know what feeling.

Constant frustration.

I know when you read about something you're like, oh psh, whatever I can handle it. But then when you experience it it's a whole 'nother story. This is turning out to be more frustrating then I thought it would. Other RYE students must feel it too. I understand that my friends don't understand the magnitude of this exchange. They're all like, oh it's just a year, you'll come back, and we'll all be happy again. I can deal with that, but it is really not the case. They also don't understand that I will inevitably change. I will be a different person when I get back. This Beki that is leaving in 9 days will not be the same Beki that returns from Japan. Albeit will be a positive change, but I will not be the same.
I should probably be spending every night out with friends instead of sitting at home in my room listening to music that makes me sad even when it isn't actually sad music. I don't think facebook-ing or chatting online with friends counts either. 
One of my friends wrote a quote that I found really appropriate to this situation."The internet is like a wall. Without webcams, you can't even see how the other person is really feeling. They act like they're happy but behind that screen, they're crying like mad." -Xiao
I can't even estimate the amount of change though. I'm not scared of it or anything though. I mean, bring it on Japan. I can't wait to come back and have the habits of a Japanese person. It seems so cool.Goodbye old me, hello Japanese me.

This journal has been random and I apologize for constantly complaining.
Just feeling a little lost... like always.
I promise the content will be more interesting when I'm actually in Japan.

Took me three hours to write this. Sheesh.

Late night contemplation.

Huh, first post of August.
Wow it's August. Soon my birthday, then my departure. Pretty crazy.
Got my visa in the mail today~
Well, yesterday actually. It's currently 3:00 am EST.
I also got another email from my host family. They were a bit surprised when I sent them my email composed entirely in Japanese. I think they were proud though. I still have to write back. I just take a while to formulate these emails properly. Use proper grammar and formalities, the technical stuff. I found out I have siblings too. That was very exciting. And I feel less nervous now.

It's been pretty hectic around my house though. I'm preparing, cleaning my room for the kid staying here, whilst separating things I need for my own trip. Haven't started packing yet though. That and my parents are driving me up a wall. I know they're just stressed about this whole thing. Trying to plan a going-away-party isn't easy either. Looks like my mom will only allow me to have a few friends over and that's it. There are of course other things bothering me that I would really like to take care of before I leave, and before the opportunity is gone. Once again my impeccable timing has caused me some serious heartache. But this isn't relevant to the context of my blog so I'll leave it at that.
Night time is when I have the best time alone to think and write.
It's a new habit for me to just lie in bed in the dark with headphones in and just think.
Well, don't have much else to say. This is turning out to be a short post.
Ah well, I'll go lie in the dark and contemplate some more.

10 days.