The Month of Japan

It's March!! I leave this month, in 18 days to be exact! O.O

I recently got my visa! YAY! Now I will be able to live in Japan. The only problem is on my visa picture (other than it looking like a mug shot >.<) is there is a strip of what looks like paper on my hair. It must have snuck on there when they were copying it or something XD… Oh well, nothing I can do about it now.

Finally, my blog layout is finished!! I’m am quite pleased with how it turned out… especially the header^^

I have made a youtube account. You can find a link for it under LINKS in the right sidebar --> or click HERE. I’m not sure yet if I will make a Vlog along with this blog, but I will try to posts videos of my adventures in Japan.
OMG I am so excited! In 3 weeks, I will be on a plane on the way to Japan!

1 Month

1 month left!!

I can’t believe it! It seems like only yesterday that I was starting my application for my exchange to Japan with AFS, even though it’s been a year… XD

So since I wasn’t able to find a job, I’ve been working with my mom. It’s great being able to spend time with her, and whatever I earn goes towards Japan ☺. I really appreciate the support (financial and otherwise) I have gotten from my parents, the rest of my family and my friends. I think I will have enough spending money for Japan, but will be broke coming home/for university…but it’s a year away so why worry… >.<

I’ve been emailing my host family, and have found out more about my school. I’m going to be in grade 11 (yay!) along with my host sister. We will be biking to school, which takes about 30 mins. It’s been forever since I rode a bike, so hopefully I don’t crash… On rainy days – about a third of the year (I love rain, so no probs ^^) – I will take the bus. I guess I will be buying my uniform there, which kinda sucks cause they are really expensive, but also kinda good cause then I may get to keep it…Although I have no idea when I would wear it again.

I host family seems really nice and I can't wait to meet them. I am also really excited for orientation (first 3 days I’m in Japan) because I will get to meet all the other awesome exchangers who I’ve met on the AFS Japan Facebook group. I still have quite a lot to do before then, including studying Japanese. I really want to improve, but it’s hard learning by yourself :S

Lately, I’ve become really obsessed with this one band, SuG. I love their music and their style – so colourful~♥. As you can probably tell from my blog, I love colour XD. My fave songs are in the music player in the left side bar <--.

Btw - I’m almost done the layout thing for this blog… just a little bit more tweaking and a header.

Freedom and Family Info

I’M FREE!~
I finished high school (at least in Canada) about a week ago. It’s such a huge relief off my shoulders XD. I think I did pretty good on all my finals, except maybe math >.< Hopefully I will find out my marks before I leave.

(This turned into a pretty long post…)

50 days left! I can't believe it. Under 2 months left now…Time is gonna go by so fast! The fact that I’m leaving yet for an entire year doesn’t feel like a reality yet…

I recently got a package with AFS about my host family! They seem like a really fun family from the photos they sent. I have also emailed my host sister ^-^. She seems really sweet. From her email, I found out that she is going to the USA for a year with AFS, and would leave in august. That means that she would only be with me for half of my exchange, which kinda sucks, but I’m excited for her. She said that her English isn't very good, so we’re kinda in the same boat (her English, my Japanese). We can help each other learn ^^. None of my other host family speaks English, which shall be interesting trying to communicate O.o… I’m sure there will be lots charades in the beginning XD.

They own a motorcycle shop! That came as quite a shock (but in a good way). My host dad seems to really like them. My host mom also helps with the motorcycle shop and likes hula dancing. ~(^-^~) <--Hula dancer XD. My host sister likes break dancing, which I think is really cool (although I am too uncoordinated to do it XP). And my host brother likes basketball. I don’t seem to have anything in common with them, so I’m not sure why they picked me, but I don’t care cause I’m quite happy with my placement!


金沢 - Kanazawa literally means Marsh of Gold. They are famous for making gold leaf. I think they are the only other city that have geisha besides Kyoto.

They live about a ten-minute walk from 兼六園 - Kenrokuen, one of the most famous gardens in Japan. It looks sooo pretty! I will be getting to Japan around the time for 花見 – hanami/cherry blossom viewing, so we would go there, which would be awesome! Their house is also about a 30 min. drive away from Japan Sea!
Click HERE for more pics and info about Kanazawa.

I must say, I was a little disappointed that I was so far away from Tokyo, but the more I learn about Kanazawa, the more I love my placement. My host family seems awesome, and since my area is less tourist-y, my Japanese will be forced to improve faster/better cause there will be less people who speak English.

I still don’t know much about my school other than the classes and clubs offered. They offer Korean!! I really hope I can take it, tho I don't know how much I’ll learn taking a foreign language in a foreign language ^~^’ .I would like to know what the uniforms look like (my host sister says they’re cute ^^). I don’t know what grade I’m in either. I know I won’t be in grade 12, cause they will be to busy studying for uni. entrance exams. I’m hoping I’ll be in grade 11. Grade 10 seems too young, since I will be turning 18 in June. Grade 11 would mean 16/17 year old ppl, which I think I would get along better with since they are closer to my age. People told me I could pass for 16 (I guess I look young). My host sister will be in grade 11, so they might put me in her class, or at least her grade.

I have also been fiddling with the layout of my blog. I haven’t been happy with the past 2 I’ve had…not colourful enough I think :p. I should (hopefully) have it finished soon…

HOST☆FAMILY

So I know I said I wouldn’t post anything until after my exams were over, but yesterday I got the best news eva! I was checking my email and I had a message from AFS subjected CONGRATULATIONS. I knew what it was about just form the subject, so I kinda shouted in excitement, which led my dad to look at me funny XD.

Anyway… I HAVE A HOST FAMILY!!! I am soooo happy right now! Apparently I was the first to get my host family. People keep telling me it’s because of my red hair, which reminds people of Anne of Green Gables who is popular in Japan. I will be living in Kanazawa, Ishikawa. It looks like a really pretty city. Unfortunately it’s about 5-6 hours away from Tokyo, which is pretty far away T_T
I have a dad (45), mom (43), sister (16), and brother (14). It’s great that I have a sister about the same age as me (only a year and a bit younger). I also know that I will be going to Kanazawa Fushimi Senior High School. The website doesn’t have any good pictures of the school or uniforms. I don’t know much else at the moment, but will hopefully find out more soon.
I will post more info about my city and family later, after exams. They start in less than a week, so I should go study. >.<

2 ½ months until Japan!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

It’s 2010! This is the year that I go to Japan!!

I had one of the best Christmases. I'm not sure why, maybe cause I was enjoying every moment since I won't be here next year and it felt extra special. Most of the stuff I got was for exchange. I got a DSi!! I’m pretty sure a lot of DS games are not regional so games I get from Japan would be able to play on my N. American DSi. I also got an awesome polka dot umbrella, tee hee. ^^ I spent a lot of time with my family, and it kinda hit me that next year, I won’t be here. New Year was also a lot of fun. I went to a friend's house, who I haven't seen in a long time. we played rock band mostly. It wasn't anything all that exciting, but I still had a great time with her.

I started school again today. I have 2 weeks of classes left and then finals and them I am finished!! I’m gonna miss everybody, not seeing them everyday and whatnot, but I can’t wait to be finished.

I got my COE (certificate of eligibility) which means I could technically get a visa, but I need a host family. I know it’s still early, but I want my family! No one else has gotten there host family, but I’m sure it will happen soon.

Anyway, that’s about it. I probably won’t post anything for the next couple weeks, cause I will be too be studying for diplomas.

22 days until I am done school.

2 months 3 weeks until I leave!!

Update...

My last post was 2 months ago, so now is probably a good time for an update. I'm sorry it's taken so long but I have been really busy with school. I'm cramming a whole year of school into one semester, so that I can leave in march and not have to finish high school when I get back. It's Christmas break though now, FINALLY! No school for 2 weeks! I go back January 4, i have about 2 weeks left of classes, 4 final exams, and then I am done grade 12!!

I don't know what I am gonna do for a month and a half. I've been trying to find a job to make some money for exchange but no luck yet, no one seems to want to hire me for only a couple months. So instead I've been shoveling and helping my mom lay hardwood floor to fundraise. Unfortunately, between laying the floor and trying to break the ice off the driveway, I pulled a couple ribs. It friggin hurts. It kinda feels like I've got the wind knocked out of me. So I'm out of commission for a bit, but at least it gives me time to write this.

Now to exchange info: I've started my visa application! It's quite long. With AFS, they send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) application. It's mostly to say your eligible to go to Japan (ex: you're not a criminal). You send that back to AFS. Then they send it to Japan, and then Japan issues you a COE. Once you get your host family, then you apply for your actual visa! I really want my placement! It's starting to drive me crazy waiting for some info about it. Also, a couple days ago I got my flight info! I leave March 23 at 11:11am (that's gotta be a good sign (~.^) ) and I get to Japan at 5:30pm March 24!

I've gotten to know quite a few awesome people going to Japan with AFS. I finally got in contact with the others coming from Canada who are flying over with me. It's getting me so excited!! There's about 95 days until I leave!! It still hasn't sunk in that I'm actually going to Japan for a whole year!

So that's about it for now. Hopefully I'll be getting my host family soon! It would be the best Christmas present ever!
Thanks for reading

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jenny

PS I recently got my luggage for Japan. I love them, especially the lime green interior. It would be very difficult to lose these (-.^)