A look back at 2011

Here's me sitting in front of my computer at night during winter break trying to upload all my videos from 2011 in Japan and trying to write at least one blog for December.
I'm also sick. Again. I mean wtf.

I know I haven't been very good at keeping up with this blog, or my pictures or videos lately. But I had a good excuse, I didn't want to.
No I'm just kidding, I've been busy. Being an exchange student is like having a double full time job. There are full time jobs, but those don't describe this, because even when you get home, you are still an exchange student. You are an exchange student 24/7, 7 days a week. No breaks, no vacations. You can't just say, I wanna take a break, and then fly home for the weekend like a college student could. No, you must stay in your country all the time, no penalty box.
Anyway, I'm still enjoying it. I have to say my favorite parts are going out with the other exchange students to Karaoke, a restaurant, or just wandering a city. It's fun. And it's the closest thing I get to a break from being an exchange student. Because well, around the other exchange students you can let your guard down. You can relax, be yourself. Especially in a society like Japan, where the nail that sticks out gets hammered down?
So lets talk about these exchange students a bit. I may have mentioned them before, but let's face it. I'm way to lazy to go back and read my past blogs.
There are, 4 Americans (including me), 2 Canadians, 2 Mexicans, 2 Danish, 1 Swede, 1 from Finland, 1 Taiwanese, and a Korean kid, but he never really hangs out with us. And I absolutely adore them all. They are the best people on the face of the earth. Because each of them has such unique personalities. The best part is that when we get together, we can all understand and comfort each other because we are all going through the same thing. And I've said it before, like the old saying goes, you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. Well, exchange students are like family, you can't pick who you get stuck with for the year. And it's funny because everyone has their own little spot in our strange mis-matched family. Oh I do enjoy their company. I don't know how I will ever live without them when the time comes to go home. I will miss them the most.
And I'm sure, anyone from rotary who might perchance read this if I submit it to the website, they would say, "Oh! You shouldn't be hanging out with other exchange students so much! You should make friends native to the country!" Well, here's the thing about Japan. The people are friendly to you, but when it comes to inviting you to go places, it's like you don't exist. Believe me, I'm trying to make friends. I have plenty of friends in school, and in Kendo club. But outside of school, it's like they don't exist. Also the fact that Japanese kids, are ALWAYS studying ALL THE TIME.
So other exchange students are my way of stress relief.
In other news. I would like to write about how I myself feel I have changed, but to be really detailed I would have to go back and read past journals to point out things, and like I said before, there's no way in hell I'm doing that. I think, the thing that's mostly changed about me is how I react to certain situations, also I curse hell of a lot more, I care less about some issues I used to care so much more about. I have a different sense of humor and laugh at different jokes now. I've become almost a completely different person, but I can't describe it very well. I guess when I go back home people will be able to tell me in detail how I've changed.
There are still some things that have stayed the same with me. I'm still lazy as fuck. Maybe even more so. Nosy people still annoy me, I still won't drink soda, or alcohol. I still think Twilight is the worst shit on the planet, and I refuse to wear the color pink. They say some things never change.
All in all, sometimes I sit and just think, and it always leads up to, who am I? What kind of person have I become? Would my past self be happy, or upset at me. I figure that if still hold those morals of good and know right from wrong, then the rest I don't have to care about. Of course that sounds a bit selfish, and maybe I am sometimes, but I've also discovered I've got a huge heart and want to help so many people in the world when I get back home. I want to do something of impact. And then I also learned I can be a pretty jealous person when it comes to people around me. I blame it on being a Leo.

I realize I didn't write about my experiences or reveal anything of interest in this journal. Too bad. Maybe there will be some stuff in the pictures or video. Well then, my entry for December is done. I have atleast one blog per month, and that is good enough for me.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas, and everyone will have a safe and Happy New Year.
I will be back in January.
At least once.
I promise.