HELLOOOO!
Sorry I haven't posted in like forever! I have changed host families and currently at my new host family's house I can not access internet for the time being. If you have something really important you need to tell me, contact me through email. I can check my email at school but I can not access my blogs or myspace or facebook. : ( Currently, I am at my first host family's host for the weekend and have been kind enough to let me borrow their internet. Hopefully, I will have the time to add some new pictures to my flickr. ; )
I have been extremely busy lately! Like I said earlier I have changed host families. I currently live with two boys and their mother. Their parents are divorced and currently their dad lives in Fukuoka. That also means my address has changed! If you want to send me something please ask my mother for my new address or ask me through an email! So my new host family is definitely a big change. Before I used to live with two girls and their mother and father. Nevertheless, I have been getting along fine with my new host family and they are "usually" very kind to me. haha. I call my older host brother, technically I am older than him, hanakuso which literally means booger. haha He is really into guitar, which I find amazing because I have been wanting to learn how to play and sometime he is nice and teaches me. The younger brother which is thirteen is really starting to warm up to me. He tries to make conversation even though my Japanese is bad and his English is worse. The mother is a little okashii (silly) and so is her sister, which makes her Yuuki(my older host brother) and Totan(his real name is shoken)'s aunt. Yuminechan(the aunt) has two daughter's, one(Aoi) is a ninensei(second year student) who is super cute and her boyfriend is super chill, hopefully I have time to make a blog about him later this weekend. The other daughter(I can't remember he name now) is going to college and is leaving for Canada later in October.
I have also recently gone to another festival. I can not remember the name of it right now but in English it is called the "Drunken Horse Festival". Teams of people dance in the streets and parade horses around. It is very exciting and even Victoria was able to join because her host sister was part of one of the teams. I have videos and many pictures that I hope to upload very soon.
So this is what I have been up to lately. I will probably post another blog this weekend.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
ps-Check my flickr for more pictures soon. Particularly the Hinokuni Masturi photos and Drunken Horse pictures. Also in early October KumamotoJo(Castle) is having a festival and I am definitely going to that.
pps- Sorry for the lack of updates and such. Hopefully this weekend will make up for it all!
ppps- Sorry for bad grammar I wrote this very quickly and didn't proofread. : (
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
What are you up to now?
Missing your dosage of my Japanese life?
Okay, I know, I've been lacking in posts. I just wanted to tell you what has been going down.
I've been very, very busy lately. You see I am going on a trip tomorrow to Kyoto and Osaka with Victoria, Wayne, a Hitsuyukon teacher, and a Chiharadai teacher. It will be a three day trip and we will visit many historical sites (including shrines and temples) and also the last day we have a "free day" to pretty much roam either of the cities. I've been preparing for that. But, no, that is not all I have been doing. I've been helping three students prepare for a Japanese competition. I must admit they are a lot of fun and I really enjoy talking to them. I'll get a picture of them up very soon. One of them has a speech on African Children's Day in Kumamoto, another is about how he has travelled to many countries, and the last written speech is on global warming. The last student is doing a recitation piece on Leonardo DaVinci. I thought that is was very interesting because in San Antonio when I was last volunteering at the Witte I helped with the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit.
So pretty much this is what I have been doing including roaming the city, going to festivals with Madomi, and teasing Hina. Trust me, Hina many be short but she is a lot stronger than me.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
ps- I am working on a blog about a "small" festival I went to. Oh, and also the day I get back I am going to the Hinokuni Festival, which is suppose to be huge.
pps- Check out my flickr, those photos have excellent quality and a real look into my Japanese life. If you click on SincerelyClarissa below the photo it will take you to it. All my photos have a somewhat detailed description, including the one posted on this blog.
ppps- Last thing, I promise, if you want to ask me anything specific post a comment, I'll be more than happy to answer.
Okay, I know, I've been lacking in posts. I just wanted to tell you what has been going down.
I've been very, very busy lately. You see I am going on a trip tomorrow to Kyoto and Osaka with Victoria, Wayne, a Hitsuyukon teacher, and a Chiharadai teacher. It will be a three day trip and we will visit many historical sites (including shrines and temples) and also the last day we have a "free day" to pretty much roam either of the cities. I've been preparing for that. But, no, that is not all I have been doing. I've been helping three students prepare for a Japanese competition. I must admit they are a lot of fun and I really enjoy talking to them. I'll get a picture of them up very soon. One of them has a speech on African Children's Day in Kumamoto, another is about how he has travelled to many countries, and the last written speech is on global warming. The last student is doing a recitation piece on Leonardo DaVinci. I thought that is was very interesting because in San Antonio when I was last volunteering at the Witte I helped with the Leonardo DaVinci exhibit.
So pretty much this is what I have been doing including roaming the city, going to festivals with Madomi, and teasing Hina. Trust me, Hina many be short but she is a lot stronger than me.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
ps- I am working on a blog about a "small" festival I went to. Oh, and also the day I get back I am going to the Hinokuni Festival, which is suppose to be huge.
pps- Check out my flickr, those photos have excellent quality and a real look into my Japanese life. If you click on SincerelyClarissa below the photo it will take you to it. All my photos have a somewhat detailed description, including the one posted on this blog.
ppps- Last thing, I promise, if you want to ask me anything specific post a comment, I'll be more than happy to answer.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Drum Roll Kudasai (Please)! : )
My surprise as promised!
A video, finally!
A Day At Chiharadai Highschool
Filmed and Produced by Me, Kurarichan!
Also, if you are interested...
My Arrival in Kumamoto
A video, finally!
A Day At Chiharadai Highschool
Filmed and Produced by Me, Kurarichan!
Also, if you are interested...
My Arrival in Kumamoto
Friday, July 18, 2008
HOW TO 1
For all those people planning to visit Japan, here is a
HOW TO RIDE THE BUS
One of the four reasons you are probably riding the bus is:
1. You fell off your bike so now they are too scared let you ride it to school.
2. You don't have car or bicycle.
3. Your car/bicycle/legs are broken.
4. Your destination is way to far to ride your bicycle/walk.
I had to learn this the hard way so I thought I would share this with you.
1. When you first board the bus you need to do one of the two things:
-If you have a card, insert it into the card reader (it says card in katakana)
-If you don't have a card, take a ticket from the ticket dispenser
2. Find a seat
-If none are available you must stand, either hold onto a ring or a pole. (By the way, the poles are much more stable and
comfortable.
*Remember- Ojiisan and Obaasan (Super Old men and women), pregnant women, women with new born children, and injured
people have priority seating.
3. Keep track of your fare
-If you inserted your bus card, it automatically keeps track of your fare.
-If you took a ticket, it will have a number on it this number will match up with a display in the front of the bus and that is
the fare you owe.
4. Paying your fare
-If you are using a card insert it into the card reader in the front of the bus as you exit. The display will tell you how much
you owe(if you don't have enough on your card) or how much money you have left on it.
-If you are are using a ticket, insert your money in the slot to the front of the bus including your ticket. (There is also a
change maker in the front of the bus if you need it)
5. Exit the bus
I don't know if this will help you in your adventures but I wish someone would have told me this.
GOOD LUCK!
Clarissa
PS- This isn't my surprise.
HOW TO RIDE THE BUS
One of the four reasons you are probably riding the bus is:
1. You fell off your bike so now they are too scared let you ride it to school.
2. You don't have car or bicycle.
3. Your car/bicycle/legs are broken.
4. Your destination is way to far to ride your bicycle/walk.
I had to learn this the hard way so I thought I would share this with you.
1. When you first board the bus you need to do one of the two things:
-If you have a card, insert it into the card reader (it says card in katakana)
-If you don't have a card, take a ticket from the ticket dispenser
2. Find a seat
-If none are available you must stand, either hold onto a ring or a pole. (By the way, the poles are much more stable and
comfortable.
*Remember- Ojiisan and Obaasan (Super Old men and women), pregnant women, women with new born children, and injured
people have priority seating.
3. Keep track of your fare
-If you inserted your bus card, it automatically keeps track of your fare.
-If you took a ticket, it will have a number on it this number will match up with a display in the front of the bus and that is
the fare you owe.
4. Paying your fare
-If you are using a card insert it into the card reader in the front of the bus as you exit. The display will tell you how much
you owe(if you don't have enough on your card) or how much money you have left on it.
-If you are are using a ticket, insert your money in the slot to the front of the bus including your ticket. (There is also a
change maker in the front of the bus if you need it)
5. Exit the bus
I don't know if this will help you in your adventures but I wish someone would have told me this.
GOOD LUCK!
Clarissa
PS- This isn't my surprise.
Happy Birthday クラリッサ
Today was the last day of school before the summer break and my birthday is next Monday. Since we won't have school my homeroom threw me a little party. I almost cry. haha. It was really sweet. They made me a birthday card and Jon Sensei made me two cakes. They even put a sixteen candle on it. They are so nice. My homeroom teachers gave me a gift and so did the head of the ichinensei(first year students) class. One of the homeroom teachers gave me a towel and the other gave me a pair of chopsticks. The head of the ichinensei class gave me a robe, I think it is called a hapi, that has the school's emblem on it. I kind of felt bad though because when we were coming home my host sister told me that today was Eri's birthday. So it makes me wonder, did they only do it for me? I am not sure if I understood her right because we speak a kind of broken English/Japanese. Well, that is all for now.
Sincerely,
Kurarisa
PS- For a post coming soon, I am working on something very special. So keep checking back for updates.
UPDATED: Picture added on July 22, 2008 4:32 AM
Sincerely,
Kurarisa
PS- For a post coming soon, I am working on something very special. So keep checking back for updates.
UPDATED: Picture added on July 22, 2008 4:32 AM
watashi no tanjoube (my birthday)
Today was the last day of school before the summer break and my birthday is next Monday. Since we won't have school my homeroom threw me a little party. I almost cry. haha. It was really sweet. They made me a birthday card and Jon Sensei made me two cakes. They even put a sixteen candle on it. They are so nice. My homeroom teachers gave me a gift and so did the head of the ichinensei(first year students) class. One of the homeroom teachers gave me a towel and the other gave me a pair of chopsticks. The head of the ichinensei class gave me a robe, I think it is called a hapi, that has the school's emblem on it. I kind of felt bad though because when we were coming home my host sister told me that today was Eri's birthday. So it makes me wonder, did they only do it for me? I am not sure if I understood her right because we speak a kind of broken English/Japanese. Well, that is all for now.
Sincerely,
Kurarisa
PS- For a post coming soon, I am working on something very special. So keep checking back for updates.
Sincerely,
Kurarisa
PS- For a post coming soon, I am working on something very special. So keep checking back for updates.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
GOMEN NE! (SORRY!)
Sorry for the lack of updates lately on here. I'm am very busy while in Japan.
I'm in JAPAN! hahah
In San Antonio it is about 4 am, here in Japan it is about 6 pm! BIG TIME CHANGE!
I am trying to upload some videos but it is taking far too long. I promise I will post a video blog with all my "good" videos thus far, which aren't really that great. HA.
Currently, these two things rule my life in Japan:
To the left pikura, probably my favorite thing in Japan right now and to the right my bike's keys. The bike ride home kicks my butt. haha. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes ride for me. It should only be about fifty minutes. PIKURA on the other hand is like a photo booth only a million times cooler than the ones in America. I'll post a video of it later.
As for the food, I like some of it, some of it I can't stand! They think it is weird when I like fresh bananas in my kurisupi (cereal)!
Today's bento (lunch box):
The tv here is very interesting. They have American tv shows in Japanese, like Full House, you know the one with the Olsen twins as babies in it. The children's tv shows are soo cute, they even have some in English. The other day, I went with my host sister and her friend Chisato to the movies. We saw the finale to a Japanese teen drama. I understood most of it but for most of the finer details I was clueless.
I am definitely loving Japan for the most part. Everything is so KAWAII (cute)!
I promise to write more later!
Sincerely,
Clarissa
PS- Leave comments with any questions you might have! I promise to answer!
PPS- Sorry for any bad grammar! : )
PPPS- I know you can't see the full image. SORRY! I'll fix it later!
EDIT: I fixed the photos : )
I'm in JAPAN! hahah
In San Antonio it is about 4 am, here in Japan it is about 6 pm! BIG TIME CHANGE!
I am trying to upload some videos but it is taking far too long. I promise I will post a video blog with all my "good" videos thus far, which aren't really that great. HA.
Currently, these two things rule my life in Japan:
To the left pikura, probably my favorite thing in Japan right now and to the right my bike's keys. The bike ride home kicks my butt. haha. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes ride for me. It should only be about fifty minutes. PIKURA on the other hand is like a photo booth only a million times cooler than the ones in America. I'll post a video of it later.
As for the food, I like some of it, some of it I can't stand! They think it is weird when I like fresh bananas in my kurisupi (cereal)!
Today's bento (lunch box):
The tv here is very interesting. They have American tv shows in Japanese, like Full House, you know the one with the Olsen twins as babies in it. The children's tv shows are soo cute, they even have some in English. The other day, I went with my host sister and her friend Chisato to the movies. We saw the finale to a Japanese teen drama. I understood most of it but for most of the finer details I was clueless.
I am definitely loving Japan for the most part. Everything is so KAWAII (cute)!
I promise to write more later!
Sincerely,
Clarissa
PS- Leave comments with any questions you might have! I promise to answer!
PPS- Sorry for any bad grammar! : )
PPPS- I know you can't see the full image. SORRY! I'll fix it later!
EDIT: I fixed the photos : )
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
See You Soon
Hello!
Wow! I haven't blogged in forever! Sorry!
Okay. So, I have a lot to tell you. I have my final departure date. It is June 30th. 3 days after summer school ends. I have already bought the plane tickets. I have my passport. I also have received my certificate of eligibility from the Japanese Government. The last thing that I absolutely need before going is my visa. It has already been sent off so all I am waiting for is to be approved.
I have started to get my luggage together. I've also started to get my books together that I need to take with me to do Incarnate Word's school work.
I forgot to mention. I know the name of the high school I am attending. It is called Chiharadai. Everything else is TBA. As I find out I'll post information.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
Wow! I haven't blogged in forever! Sorry!
Okay. So, I have a lot to tell you. I have my final departure date. It is June 30th. 3 days after summer school ends. I have already bought the plane tickets. I have my passport. I also have received my certificate of eligibility from the Japanese Government. The last thing that I absolutely need before going is my visa. It has already been sent off so all I am waiting for is to be approved.
I have started to get my luggage together. I've also started to get my books together that I need to take with me to do Incarnate Word's school work.
I forgot to mention. I know the name of the high school I am attending. It is called Chiharadai. Everything else is TBA. As I find out I'll post information.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Credits, Visa, Websites?
Wow. I am sorry I haven't been keeping up with this.
I am here to inform you I am still going. The other girl who was going to go has opted not to go.
I have turned in my Visa application and that still need to get approved. Just to clear things up this is not a credit card, it is permission to live in Japan, since I will be there roughly five months.
Sensei, my Japanese teacher sent me home with a website one day, I'll give it too you just in case you want to check it out. It is: athome.nealrc.org, it shows you a situation with a host family and ideas to cope.
Also I turned in another five page long form. I have no idea what it is for. I am suppose to get it back with correction of what I need to edit.
So, the class I will be taking next year at Incarnate Word is another issue. I will be missing half the year and therefore will be missing out on a lot of credits. I am not allowed to take a science because I will have missed to many labs and I may not be able to take a math but I still need to talk to a teacher. I want to take English III AP and US History AP but I need to talk to those teachers too. I heard I may have to take a Princeton online class for English. As for Religious Studies, I have to take that class no matter what, I just need to find out how to earn my credit from the department chair. I heard to earn credits they assign a project, but all of this is TBA.
So, other than that, this is all I can think of.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
I am here to inform you I am still going. The other girl who was going to go has opted not to go.
I have turned in my Visa application and that still need to get approved. Just to clear things up this is not a credit card, it is permission to live in Japan, since I will be there roughly five months.
Sensei, my Japanese teacher sent me home with a website one day, I'll give it too you just in case you want to check it out. It is: athome.nealrc.org, it shows you a situation with a host family and ideas to cope.
Also I turned in another five page long form. I have no idea what it is for. I am suppose to get it back with correction of what I need to edit.
So, the class I will be taking next year at Incarnate Word is another issue. I will be missing half the year and therefore will be missing out on a lot of credits. I am not allowed to take a science because I will have missed to many labs and I may not be able to take a math but I still need to talk to a teacher. I want to take English III AP and US History AP but I need to talk to those teachers too. I heard I may have to take a Princeton online class for English. As for Religious Studies, I have to take that class no matter what, I just need to find out how to earn my credit from the department chair. I heard to earn credits they assign a project, but all of this is TBA.
So, other than that, this is all I can think of.
Sincerely,
Clarissa
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
WOW.
Hi there!
I am actually posting on a Tuesday. Nice!
I just wanted to tell you that Eileen interviewed me for the newspaper. If you go to IWHS expect to see me in the next issue of the star. Well, that is pretty much all.
Sorry for it being so short this week.
Clarissa
I am actually posting on a Tuesday. Nice!
I just wanted to tell you that Eileen interviewed me for the newspaper. If you go to IWHS expect to see me in the next issue of the star. Well, that is pretty much all.
Sorry for it being so short this week.
Clarissa
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sorry, for the trouble.
Hi there!
Sorry for the inconsistency of the blog posts. I am more than sure when the date for my leaving approach they will be more regular. For one, I will have tons more to talk about.
Well, first off, I just wanted to tell you out there that I received my passport in the mail. That was this tuesday, which was February the 12. That means it took roughly about two weeks. I guess it really depends on how backed up they are when you apply for your passport. The other girl who is doing the foreign exchange program received her passport on the same day but applied way before me, so I am guessing they send them out at the same time. I am not really sure how that works.
As the date is approaching, more and more people are finding out about my leaving to Japan and more people are amazed I am going through with it. A lot of people say they are excited for me, that feels really good. I still haven't formally announced this blog but I will before the summer starts, so maybe people from my school will read it. I am not too sure about that though.
I think that is it for today. I will try to be more regular with these posts, but no promises.
Keep it fun,
Clarissa
Sorry for the inconsistency of the blog posts. I am more than sure when the date for my leaving approach they will be more regular. For one, I will have tons more to talk about.
Well, first off, I just wanted to tell you out there that I received my passport in the mail. That was this tuesday, which was February the 12. That means it took roughly about two weeks. I guess it really depends on how backed up they are when you apply for your passport. The other girl who is doing the foreign exchange program received her passport on the same day but applied way before me, so I am guessing they send them out at the same time. I am not really sure how that works.
As the date is approaching, more and more people are finding out about my leaving to Japan and more people are amazed I am going through with it. A lot of people say they are excited for me, that feels really good. I still haven't formally announced this blog but I will before the summer starts, so maybe people from my school will read it. I am not too sure about that though.
I think that is it for today. I will try to be more regular with these posts, but no promises.
Keep it fun,
Clarissa
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Feel the Pressure?
Ohh. Sorry this is kind of late. Tuesdays, I know.
I just wanted to tell you guys I have applied for my passport and that was on Wednesday, January 30. They have two weeks rush delivery and four weeks. I went with the four because I still have some time. Also, after today both your parents need to be there to get your passport, i just needed one. When you apply for the passport they make you swear. haha. Nice, I know! OH. Just so you know to apply for a passport you can get a form from the Post Office and they process it there also.
I also picked up my Visa application. If you are only visiting you don't need a Visa but if you want to live there then you need one. By the way, it is not the same thing as a mastercard/visa thing, it is permission to live in Japan or whatever country.
When you apply for a passport you need two passport photos. I got mine from Walgreens. I am sure other places do them too. You also need a special copy of you birth certificate. Make sure you get the passport one. You also need some form of identification. State i.d. or school i.d. is fine.
I am still working on my resume for my application. I am still waiting for my letter of recomendation. I still need to write my essay.
I know I need to get on the ball. I have just been soo busy.
Clarissa
ps- I want to know who reads this. LEAVE ME COMMENTS!
pps- You don't even need an account to leave me comments. :)
I just wanted to tell you guys I have applied for my passport and that was on Wednesday, January 30. They have two weeks rush delivery and four weeks. I went with the four because I still have some time. Also, after today both your parents need to be there to get your passport, i just needed one. When you apply for the passport they make you swear. haha. Nice, I know! OH. Just so you know to apply for a passport you can get a form from the Post Office and they process it there also.
I also picked up my Visa application. If you are only visiting you don't need a Visa but if you want to live there then you need one. By the way, it is not the same thing as a mastercard/visa thing, it is permission to live in Japan or whatever country.
When you apply for a passport you need two passport photos. I got mine from Walgreens. I am sure other places do them too. You also need a special copy of you birth certificate. Make sure you get the passport one. You also need some form of identification. State i.d. or school i.d. is fine.
I am still working on my resume for my application. I am still waiting for my letter of recomendation. I still need to write my essay.
I know I need to get on the ball. I have just been soo busy.
Clarissa
ps- I want to know who reads this. LEAVE ME COMMENTS!
pps- You don't even need an account to leave me comments. :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Momento Mori
As promised, I will blog every Tuesday. At least, while I am here in America (we will see how it works out in Japan).
Well, not many people know about this blog yet so I ask you keep it a secret until I feel ready to "announce" I am writing it. The only people who really know about it is Mr. Killmer(the person who gave me the idea for this blog) and Bianca(my best friend). So, thank you for doing that for me.
Well, anyway...
Today, I recieved my application and information packet.
I need to take passport pictures and apply for my Visa as soon as possible.
As it might take a while to recieve them.
I think that is it for now.
Well, not many people know about this blog yet so I ask you keep it a secret until I feel ready to "announce" I am writing it. The only people who really know about it is Mr. Killmer(the person who gave me the idea for this blog) and Bianca(my best friend). So, thank you for doing that for me.
Well, anyway...
Today, I recieved my application and information packet.
I need to take passport pictures and apply for my Visa as soon as possible.
As it might take a while to recieve them.
I think that is it for now.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Welcome to OUR Adventure
Hi, my name is Clarissa.
I attend Incarnate Word High School.
I was recommended by one of my teachers to keep a blog about my adventures in Japan.
My school has a foreign exchange program and I will live and attend school there for five months. I believe I will leave in late June to Japan. I will stay in Kumamoto with a host family.
I will try to post at least once a week. I will pick a day to post on and I will let you know. I like tuesdays but we'll see if my schedule allots. So stay tuned.
I will also post all of my preparations for the trip. I don't know, maybe someone will be able to use this as a guide if you ever decide to take a trip to Japan.
If I can get my digital camera connected to my laptop I will also post picture.
Thanks(or doomo arigatoo in Japanese),
Clarissa
p.s.- I know this is early to start this but we'll see how it goes.
p.p.s.- Please excuse my grammer. I know I don't write very well.
I attend Incarnate Word High School.
I was recommended by one of my teachers to keep a blog about my adventures in Japan.
My school has a foreign exchange program and I will live and attend school there for five months. I believe I will leave in late June to Japan. I will stay in Kumamoto with a host family.
I will try to post at least once a week. I will pick a day to post on and I will let you know. I like tuesdays but we'll see if my schedule allots. So stay tuned.
I will also post all of my preparations for the trip. I don't know, maybe someone will be able to use this as a guide if you ever decide to take a trip to Japan.
If I can get my digital camera connected to my laptop I will also post picture.
Thanks(or doomo arigatoo in Japanese),
Clarissa
p.s.- I know this is early to start this but we'll see how it goes.
p.p.s.- Please excuse my grammer. I know I don't write very well.
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