Nara and Kyoto!

On Sunday my host family took me to Kyoto and Nara. Sorry it took so long to post this. I have been very busy with school. I often dont get home until 5, 6, or even 7 sometimes. First, we departed for Nara. It was about an hour car drive from Nishinomiya. When we arrived it was increadible. There were deer EVERYWHERE. First, we went to go see 平城宮跡. It was basically a huge gate in the middle of nowhere. It was very cool. 天気はめちゃ蒸し暑かった。 So, we didnt stay very long. We basically ran back to the salvation known as air conditioning. Next, we went to one of Naras(still dont know how to type apostrophe) parks

to see the deer （しか）. The second you biught those cracker things, they swarmed. Okasan took a very amusing video of me running away from them. After the deer, we went to see big buddah. It was very interesting. To go to most of these things, you had to pay admission, including Big Buddah. Big Buddah was vey, well, um... big. For lack of better word. The room was horribly lit for pictures, so most of my pictures of it suck. After Big Buddah, we went to Kyoto. Our first stop in Kyoto was the Kiyomizu Dera. It had a really good view! You could see Kyoto Tower! My host brother and I waited in line to drink the ``pure`` water. It was a lot of fun. After Kiyomizu Dera, we went to KINKAKUJI! I was so excited! I have always wanted to see Kinkakuji! It was so pretty! I took way too many pictures of it though. There was also additional small ponds with Koi and turtles! There were many people in Yukatas. I managed to get a picture with two girls in yukatas. After walking around a bit more, we found of people surrounding what looked like a Japanese Wishing well. People were trying to throw coins into the middle dish full of water. I got a 10￥ coin in on my first try! After some gift shopping, we went home. It was a bunch of fun. Sorry again about lack of updates. Expect more from now on! Exams start next week so no school for me! XD

PICTURES!

Sorry it took so long! But here are some pictures! I will post more later along with some blog posts!

Problems...

with pictures. For some reason they wont work!! I will keep trying. anyway, I have finished an entire week of Japanese school! and I only failed one, maybe two tests! lol Good thing this doesnt count. I will attempt pictures again tomorrow. I dont want to abuse the privledge of being able to use the computer. For now, OYASUMINASAI!

GOMENNASAI!!!!!

I am so sorry I havent updated since my arrival!!!! I have been extremely jet lagged and school drained most of my energy. But now, Im daijobu! :) Well, orientation was a ton of fun. Murasaki kaminari!!!! Za Pappuru sandaa! We were in kumis (groups). It was a lot of fun!  Paige was our AA and Andy was our sensei. We had a lot of fun stealing the silver kumi`s flag. We hid it under a bench and she didnt even see it! It was so funny! I will post a bunch of pictures tomorrow. The flight to Japan was very long and a little boring. But Japan is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL! I Love it! We explored Tokyo our first night a little but not the second night. We werewnt allowed to leave the second night but most of the kids waltzed out anyway. After Tokyo, I met my host family. I was extremely nervous so I only took one picture of the meeting. But they are so nice! I love them! (sorry mom if you are reading this) My first few days of school were very interesting and fun. Most of the girls are finally working up their courage to say hello to me. Then run away giggling. The guys treat me as if I was Japanese. lol most of the classes i cannot understand and English is currently my favorite subject. I will type now. For now, oyasuminasai!

Host Family!

I have a host family! I recieved and e-mail from my host brother yesterday at about 9 am. His name is Keitraro. His family lives in Nishinomiya City in the Hyogo prefecture. It is close to Osaka and Kyoto! I AM SO EXCITED! I have always wanted to go to Kyoto! :D Here's the first email he sent me:

Dear Kevin!

My name is Keitaro. I am your host brother.

We have recieved your letter today.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely yours,

So then I sent him an email asking about location and his family. He responded:

Hello Kevin! Thank you for mailing.
I live in Nishinomiya-city,Hyogo. It is next to Osaka and Kyoto.
I have four people in my family. My family is consist of my father,my mother,my younger brother(14),and small dog.
Do you have any other questions?

こんにちは、ケビン！　メールしてくれてありがとう。
私は、兵庫県の西宮市に住んでいます。ここは大阪と京都の隣です。
私は4人家族です。お父さん、お母さん、弟と小さい犬がいます。
他に質問はありますか？

P.S. ケビンも日本語が上手ですね(^-^*)♪

So, I sent him another email asking about his likes and what not to help me with buying gifts. This is so exciting! I am positively ecstatic!

Pre-Departure Orientation...

was amazing! I just got back less than an hour ago! (well, that's when I started typing at least) XD Now.... where to start???

Well, I woke up at 6:00 am on a Saturday... I was NOT too happy about that. lol So, after a 2 hour car ride, we arrived at Camp O' Bannon, in Newark, OH. We were the first ones to arrive so at first, we thought we had the wrong place. So, I got a name tag which read Matilda for a while because the guy giving them out decided I was going to be Matilda today. Then kids started flooding in. But, none of these kids were PDO, they were all Re-Entry kids who have been in America for about 9 months and are approaching their departures home. For a while, I thought I was the only American Overseas student. But one more did show up. Her name is Liz and she went to Japan last summer and is now going to Russia for a year. She was very excited for me and we talked during a lot of the orientation.

The orientation began with a few games. The first game, we formed a circle than closed our eyes and walked across the circle and grabbed hands with someone. Then, we had to reform the circle. It took us less than a minute to reform the circle. Marty (Name tag guy) was impressed. The next game, we scrunched up the circle so much that we had to sit on the person's knees behind us. Then we tried walking while in this position. After one step we fell.

Pictures of some of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Next, we did introductions. They went around the room and everyone introduced themselves and told where they are from.Many host parents were here for this part so they talked about their host children. My favorite introduction was Toti's. She is from Argentina. Her host mom described her as being overly dramatic, but in a hilarious way. Her catch phrase is "I like this so much that I want to make babies with it!" I almost died of laughter. lol

After intros, we did some sessions. They basically told me everything I already knew. I did learn that "Failure is my friend." lol And Japanese people do not get sarcasm. lol I need to turn the sarcasm switch off when I go to Japan.

Liz and Lu Capture the flag!

After this session we had a lunch break. Then we played capture the flag. It was kinda fun for a game or two... then it was getting a little old. lol So, I decided to take a walk with Liz. Then, she introduced me to her host sister, Lu from China. They were so close that it was crazy! lol After that we "Meet The Critic." I won't go into details so I don't ruin it for anyone else who hasn't had orientation. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but they still grilled us.

"The YFU Theater"

After that was dinner. We had some burgers and a cheesy potato thing. It was really good. We also had this oreo pudding type thing. It was good. Everyone kept commenting on how disgusting it looked when you mixed it all together. lol Looks can be deceiving. After we ate, we were pt into groups and we made skits. These skits were something that we experienced as host sudents. Well, that worked for the International Students. lol Liz and I were in our own group and did Stereo-Types of Japan! It was pretty good. But there were a lot of skits that were better. lol

The lodge full of mattresses More amazing people Saki and I

At night, we played a lot more games. We had a game of laser tag. Yep, laser tag! It was so much fun! But there was one bad thing... every time you got shot the gun shocked you. It hurt like crap! Even on the low setting! I couldn't play for more than three games! lol Then I went inside and talked with some of the exchange students. Then I thought I would introduce them to Egyptian rat Screw but they already knew what it was! And they were good too! I got killed... Then we played Kung Fu aka Ninjas. It was a lot of fun. We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.Yum! So, a bunch of us grabbed our mattresses from our cabins and brought them into the main lodge. I tried to sleep but these people were freakin nocturnal! The lights didn't actually go out until 3 or 4 am. I just remember seeing a 3 on my cell phone and groaning. lol

Morning came very quickly. Most of us were extremely tired so no one actually woke up on time. lol We had a traditional American breakfast of eggs, bacon, and pancakes! lol After we ate, we played one final game of Kung Fu which was recorded so I might be able to find it..lol Then we went inside and they gave us (including myself) a t shirt. We then got everyone to sign them. It was a lot of fun. I knew all these people for such a short amount of time and I'm going to miss them so much. I almost wish that the orientation could have gone on forever. Now, I'm trying desperately to find these people on FaceBook. Wish me luck!

Picture we took on a huge tree in the woods. Ironically, it had really good cell phone reception even though it's in the middle of the woods. lol

Dr. Princic? I like the sound of it!

So, I received my credit card yesterday and there was a little surprise on it! I looked down at my name and it read "Kevin Robert Princic DDS". So, somewhere along the line, I went to medical school and got certified to perform dental surgery. XD It totally made my day. So, I thought I would share. I have to get another one because no one will believe I'm a dentist. lawls

Patience

Something that I possess very little of. lol Well, my orientation is THIS weekend! This is my little motivation to get me through this week. I think I'm getting a horrible case of senioritits. Everyday feels like it drags on forever and I feel unmotivated to do anything really. lol Japan can not get here quick enough!

I decided that on my host family presents (well, for the most part). I'm going to give my host mother a cook book full of family recipes. (Thanks Jen for the idea!) I'm going to get them buckeyes and maybe some other unique candies. I'm going to make mix CD's for my host siblings and give them fun candy like, wonder balls! (do they even still make them?!) I'm also going to look for some Ohio merchandise such as hats or sweatshirts.

My parents ordered me a credit card and opened me a checking account. They also ordered a debit card. This is so new to me. I actually have a signature now! I just have to remember to sign it the same way every time! lol

19 DAYS UNTIL JAPAN PDO IN CALIFORNIA! WOO HOO! XD

I've also thought about using the computer in Japan. The biggest complaint from host families is kids using the computer too much. That's why my mother is going to change my FaceBook password once I leave. I'm also going to blog only 2-3 times a week and i will try to add pictures while I'm in Japan but I will probably add them once I get home. I do not want to be the exchange student who hogs the internet! lol Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I get a host family soon! :) Thanks for reading! :D

New Orientation and Presents

Well, I just received an email stating that my orientation was moved from Fishkill, NY to Newark, OH. The date was even moved to May 22nd. YAY!!! I can go to the band read through!!! But I still am going to take all my exams early, just in case. :p

I started making a to-do list for Japan and dang is it long! lol I still have to get presents for my host family. I have so much to do!!!! I think I might explode from all the pressure. X(

Maybe I'll get a host family soon... I really hope so! :D

Soo... I would like so input on ideas for host family presents. Comments with some input and suggestions would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!

For brother(s)/sister(s) my age:

1. A decorated mix CD of American music (Beatles, beach boys, etc.)

2. CANDY!

For Younger sibling(s)

1. Transformers?

2. TNMNT? Age depending

3. CANDY!

Parents

Not sure yet... blanket is too big to take in suitcase. Maybe something handmade like a pillow case or something? Any ideas?

Hopefully I get more info soon! Thanks for reading! XD

So much happening at once!

So much is happening! I just discovered that I have to take ALL my finals early. Ugh... >_< That is not going to be fun. I also can't do Graduation Band because I'll be in California at that point so I have to do Memorial Day services. Oh well, I'M GOING TO JAPAN! XD My mom is looking at hotels to stay at for orientation in New York. This is so exciting! I don't think I have enough patience to wait 31 days! lol

I'm starting to think about what to get my host family for presents. Any suggestions? lol My aunt keeps telling me to get them Cleveland Indians stuff. I don't think they would know about the Indians though. Maybe a quilt from Amish country, or maybe I could make a vase of origami flowers? I'm sure I'll come up something. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hopefully I'll get some more info soon! Maybe even a host family! I wonder where I'll go? Who knows what the future might hold for me! :D

Departure Info

Wow! I got my departure info today! It looks like I will be leaving June 6th! Which happens to be the second day of my PDO in Fishkill, NY. I will go straight to California from Fishkill. There is some rather scary news though... My scholarship might get canceled. >_< It all depends on the Japanese government at this point... I am so scared. To think, I got this far and then my scholarship could get canceled. x_x I guess I just gotta keep positive! I will be on my way to Japan in just over 30 days! (Hopefully)

I'M GOING TO JAPAN!

Well, as the title states, I'M GOING TO JAPAN!!!!!!!!!! (I think, but I'll talk about this later in the post) I applied back in January for six different scholarships to Japan with the impression that I had little to no chance of getting accepted. Thankfully, I was wrong! ;) I sent YFU an email on Sunday but never received a reply so; I sent another one during my study hall and received a response within twenty minutes informing me that I won the Japan America Friendship Scholarship! I was in such shock that I actually asked the person sitting next to me to read it and confirm it said what I read. I would have gone ballistic, but the library there was full of people watching me. Two periods after study hall, I received a picture message from my mom of the envelope containing my acceptance letter. At that point, I felt like I couldn't hold it in but I managed. Next period I had Japanese and I have to say, my teacher was probably just as excited as I was. Anyway, the last two periods flew by and next thing I knew, I was opening my acceptance letter and then I went ballistic. Luckily, no one was home to see. :D Then I looked through the information and saw a small slip of yellow paper (This is the part that I mentioned earlier that worries me)
It reads...

"Please note:

The Japanese government’s fiscal year begins in April and they are in the final stages of confirming the award for this scholarship program. They have not yet confirmed the award to YFU Japan, and we are eagerly anticipating final program confirmation shortly. We currently expect this to occur soon and you may assume that the program will move forward as scheduled. Should we learn of any change or cancellation, we will advise you immediately. Congratulations on your standing as a scholarship recipient!"

So, I am a little worried that something may occur and I won't go. Do you really think they could say we all aren't going at this point? Or pick or choose people to send if they can't send as many of us as anticipated? Who knows...

Well, that pretty much sums up this post. I'll post information as I get it. Wow, in 38 days or less, I will be on my way to California! This is so exciting! :D Thanks for reading!