Bike Ride of Doom

Today, my host mom showed me the way to school by bike. If I described it in one word it would be kowai (scary).

I have not ridden a bike in a while (year or 2) so for the first bit I was kinda shaky/ unbalanced. My seat was loose which did not help because I kept turning it. Anyway I thought I would just deal with it, but then came the first crossing so I hit the breaks, and the one side screeched like a dying squirrel. No joke, I screamed, which made my host mom turned around XD. The breaks were also kinda slow (one side doesn’t work at all). My host mom still wanted to show me the route, since it was supposed to be rainy the next couple days, so we ended up switching bikes. Her seat was really low, which made it a bit more difficult to pedal, but wasn’t that bad.

Now for the actual route, the first 15 minutes I was scared. I had to drive on the road with the cars. It’s a main road so there were lots, and I would freak out when they drove by, because they are like right next to you (sometimes within a couple inches O.o). About halfway in, there was a sidewalk we could bike on so that was better. It was still kinda nerve wracking because there were a lot of side roads, and you can’t see if there’s a car coming until you actually cross. We finally got to school after 30 mins and she showed me where to park my bike. There were only one or two hills, and I wasn’t too tired. I will be in good shape though. :D.

Then it was time to come back. It was busier, being close to rush hour. Returning seemed to go a lot faster. When you’re not watching out for cars, you have to watch out for bikes. When we were about 10 minutes from home, we were crossing the street, and this one guyon a bike almost ran into my host mom, so she kinda veered away, which caused her to almost run into the side of a taxi turning >.<. A lot of the streets in japan are pretty narrow, so it can be difficult maneuvering around pedestrians, other bikers and cars.

We got home safe and sound. I don’t remember much of the route other than we crossed 2 rivers, train tracks and drove through the parking lot of the gym where my host sis practices. All of my attention went to trying not to run into anyone or get run over. I’m sure everyone got a good laugh watching the gaijin (foreigner) trying to ride a bike XD.

I’m sure in time I will get used to it and with practice I will learn where to go. I did not crash into anything and I can still ride a bike, so to me, it was a success.
I also got my skirt, so pics of uniform soon to come...

Edit: Host dad is in the process of trying to fix my bike…

Quack Quack and Swiss Cheese English

Yes I know, very random title XD...

First of all I want to wish my sister back home a Happy Birthday!!! I miss you very much ♥ and am sorry I could not be there to spend it with you. I hope you have an awesome birthday and a great time at The Crèperie ^^ (jealous…).


Now yesterday, me and my host sis took the bus back to school to buy slippers and gym shoes and pick up my blouses. I want to thank my AFS chapter for paying for my bike, uniform and bus card. It has been a big help financially and I greatly appreciate it ^^. All the new students entering high school were also there buying there uniform, so I got quite a few stares… and they were not discreet about it. We were walking past a fiver (my school is right beside it) and the was a duck in the water. MY host sis asked what kamo was in English. I starting saying it was a quack…tho I quickly recovered and said it was a duck. My English is starting to resemble swiss cheese, with certain words missing XD.

After getting my shoes, my host sis wanted to go to blank (don’t remember the name) department store. It’s pretty much like a Walmart, super low prices. We didn’t end up buying anything, but my host sis liked looking through all the makeup. I was very surprised when she told me her mom doesn’t allow her to wear makeup. She is 16 btw… I guess because makeup is not allowed at school, her mom doesn’t see a point in wearing it…idk. I’m glad the rule doesn’t apply to me tho XD.
We took the bus back (I think I pretty much understand the bus system and where to get off :D)

Today, I went with my host mom the supermarket. There were sales at 2 different stores so we went to both, and my host mom bought me cookie flavoured kitkat (it tastes the same as normal kitkat) for helping her :). My host sis and mom went out for a bit and spent the afternoon at home with my host bro. We watched this show, kinda like America’s Funniest Home Videos, except really extreme, dangerous events. Then after they had this show were a panel would watch videos and chose which one was the most baka (stupid) stunt, accident, etc. They were quite funny :D

My host sis is leaving to Yokohama for a break dance competition, so I’m gonna go say goodbye.
All my posts seem kinda long… hopefully I’m not boring anyone...

Exploring Kanazawa

Yesterday, my host sister invited me to Kanazawa Station. We got there by bus and met some of her friends. They’re going to a concert in april, and were buying the tickets to Osaka. I didn’t really understand much of what they were talking about, but it was interesting looking around the station. I got my bus card, so now I don’t have to worry about having exact change… just making sure there’s money on it XD.

Since I was finally able to pack the day before, I gave my host family their omiyage (gifts). I gave them maple candy, Canada pens and pins and a book with pics of Alberta. I was kinda embarrassed to I gave it to them before I went for a bath. They seemed to really like them so it made me happy.

Today My host sis took me for a walk around Kenrokuen Garden and our neighbourhood. It’s still cold, so everything looks kinda dead, but I’m sure it will be quite beautiful when the cherry blossoms bloom There were so many little shops and I now know where some of my gifts are coming from XD. There is also ice cream at almost every shop. We stopped for some. I got matcha (green tea), it was actually kinda good… a little bitter but good. She also showed me where to get on the bus for school and the nearest post office ATM for me to withdraw money. I don’t remember how to get to either, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

This evening, I had to go back to city hall, because they needed a picture for my alien registration card. After, I went back to the Ishikawa International Exchange Building to apply for my Japanese lessons. I had a mini interview and then a 60 question test (100 points) afterwards to determine what level class I should take. My speaking ability sucks, but the test went better… although there were some questions I pretty much guessed >.<. I’m looking forward to the lessons twice a week since I will be able to improve that much faster.

Btw, there were tons of tourists at Kenrouken. I was surprised by how many there were when the sakura haven’t even bloomed yet. While we were there I got stared at by both the Japanese and the foreigners XD probably because of my hair (red) or maybe my age… The staring is still quite amusing. I can’t help but smile sometimes ^^. I think it also enforces the fact I’m in Japan! :D

1 week

It has now been 1 week since I arrived in Japan. It seems so much longer. Once school starts, I’m sure time will past by quite fast.

I visited my school today and met some of the teachers, principal and my host sister’s friend. I don’t remember any of their names >.< They just talked about the school rules and how the AFS girl from last year was quite active at school. I feel like they expect me to live up to that… I also got my uniform… well part of it. The tops fit but the skirt was slightly too tight >.< I felt so big T.T We went to get me measured for one plus I needed a blouse cause the ones they were gonna lend me were quite dirty. I guess I have unusually long arms and legs compared to Japanese ppl, according to the store owner. XD The uniform is quite cute, except the sweater they gave me was enormous. I know that school girls wear them baggy, but you could fit 2 of me in it and it would still be big. O well, my AFS chapter is paying for my uniform, which is so nice of them, since it gets rather expensive...

Afterwards, one of the AFS staff and I went downtown to the Ishikawa Prefectural International Exchange Center. They offer Japanese lessons there, and they said it would be a good idea to take them. I want to improve my Japanese as fast as possible without cutting corners (tho don’t know if you can…?) so I probably will. We also visited Kanazawa Station to see if my debit card would work at the ATM. Success! I thought we were just going to visit my school, so I didn’t bring my camera. I wish I had, because the station and downtown were so cool. There are so many stores in the station, and I can see me spending lots of time there XD. If I take the Japanese lessons, I’ll be there twice a week, so I can get pictures.

After, my host mom took me and my host sis to McDonalds. This was the first time I’ve eaten there in 10 years. It was nothing special, but it kinda made me sick after >.<.

It was sunny for the first time since I’ve been here, but still kinda cold. Similar to Canada, lol.

Nil Foreigners

Went to City Hall today to register for my Alien Registration Card. I was very surprised that I was the only foreigner there. Other than at Narita airport, and the other exchange students. I have yet to see another foreigner. It makes me feel alone…idk.
Anyway I should get my card in about a month.

I figured out to use the space heater in my room, and I was nice and warm last night. You’re not supposed to sleep or leave the room when it’s on, so this morning was kinda cold 10C, but my bed was nice and warm ^^. The heater scared the crap out of me because when you turn it on it makes this loud bang. I thought for a sec it was gonna explode O.o

I’m going to visit my high school tomorrow. School is out right now, so there won’t be many people there… but I’m still nervous XD.

Still raining…

Host Family!

My host family is awesome! They are so kind and are doing their best to make me feel like I’m part of their family. I don’t see my host dad often cause he leaves for work before I get up and comes home around 8. I’m probably closest with my host sis and host mom. My host sis speaks a bit of English, so she helps translate if necessary, along with her electronic dictionary (so useful!). I feel kinda bad cause most of the time I’m just saying hai (yes) or iie (no). My Japanese sucks right now, but hopefully I’ll get better fast!

Yesterday, me, 2 other people for Kanazawa, 3 for Komatsu and 3 for Fukui, were all drove together in a mini bus to our cities because they are soo far away from Nagoya. We felt kinda left out because we were the last to leave, and pretty much everyone else’s host families came and picked them up at orientation. We felt like orphans XD. The whole trip lasted about 4 hours. My city was last, so much travel >.< When someone was dropped off, everyone else would get so nervous/excited because they realized what was coming. After the last stop before mine, me and the other girl going to my city started giggling and we couldn’t stop for like 5 mins XD.

Our host families met us at a restaurant and we all ate dinner together. When we walked into the restaurant I overheard my host sis call me kawaii (cute). Tee hee… This was really the first time I spoke a lot of Japanese since arriving. It was weird, because French kept wanting to slip out, and it happened once or twice… so strange XD. Everyone kept saying how impressed they were with my chopstick skills.

After we went our separate ways. On the way home, I heard 2 of my favorite bands – SuG and LM.C - on the radio (or maybe my host bro’s ipod… not sure). Driving through Kanazawa and hearing them was such a surreal feeling. Btw, Kanazawa is such a big city! I thought it would be more country like, but it’s pretty big. I’m kinda glad I didn’t get placed anywhere bigger.

My host family’s house is pretty much the traditional Japanese house. My room has a tatami floor and sliding door. I also sleep on a futon. I actually don’t mind sleeping on the floor. However, last night was friggin cold! The little clock has a temperature on it, and it was 5C degrees in my room! It’s been raining since I got here, which could be part of the reason. It also prevents me from taking pics >.<

I went and met my host dad’s grandma and sister today. They were really nice and were impressed with my Japanese. We went to Uni Qlo :D after and bought me some slippers… they just fit my feet. We went grocery shopping after. Everything is so colourful in Japan :). The whole time I felt/saw people watching me. Everyone was pretty discreet about it except for the little kids who would pretty much gawk at me. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. I find the staring quite amusing. I talked to my parents today… I miss my friends and family, but I’m having an awesome time.

I’m going to city hall tomorrow to register.
Until next time
じゃね〜