Sorry it took so long! But here are some pictures! I will post more later along with some blog posts!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
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!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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!
Monday, May 24, 2010
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.
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(^-^*)♪
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。
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!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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
Monday, May 17, 2010
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
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
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