Host Family Info PART TWOOO.

Earlier today, I was very excited, however I have calmed down (slightly, maybe.)

I received more information on my host family today. It was funny because I almost didn't get the mail today, however I DID. And AFS sent me a packet with more detailed information on my host family, including their hobbies and things to know about the family. They also included photos of themselves, the house and the area close by. SO EXCELLENT. I think I could really leave any day now (disregarding that I don't have a Visa yettt), I'm so excited! I really look forward to meeting my family :)

In this news, I also found a new motivation to finish translating the letter I was writing to them. AFS recommended that host students write a letter to their families before they leave and I thought that was a really good idea. I think if I was hosting a student, it would be really nice to recieve a letter from them. I finished a few hours ago =D I was going to have someone look over it before I send it off since I am sound it this like want don't...... (I don't want it to sound like that hahaha)

But yup, that's all that's new. 20 days until I leave for LA. 21 until Tokyo, and 24 until I meet my house family!!!

Placement &Host Family Information!!!!

I am so excited I don't think I can control myself.

Hi guys! I received my Host Family information today. YES. YES. YES. The last few weeks were brutal waiting, but now it has PAID OFF. There are 5 weeks until I leave, so I got my info a little after the 6 - 8 week window. Still, this is AWESOME.

Excluding myself, there are 5 people in my Host family. I'll be living with my host grandparents, and my host parents. I also have a 13 year old sister. I know one of the things I wanted most family wise was a sister, so I'm very, very excited my wish came true!

My home city will be Eiheiji-cho*, Yoshida-gun*, Fukui-ken*. Fukui is located right next to Kyoto actually, so I wasn't far off from my dream city!

I took this picture of Eiheiji from the wikipedia :) The town seems to be a little smaller than Zionsville. The 2003 census is around 6,500 people, but I'm sure it's grown since then. I don't have information about my school yet, but I'm thinking that it'll be like Zionsvile size wise. It'll be interesting to see the similarities and differences between town in America and and Japan that around the same size...huh?

Here's some fun information about Fukui Prefecture, too! Apparently, there have been a lot of dionsaur dig sites in the area, there's even a museum! Fukui is also home to the city of Obama, Japan. Helena tells me they flipped out when he won the election in America, and they sell a lot of Obama merchandise. So funny!

Fukui also has a distinct dialect which is so interesting! For example, for "okay," instead of saying "hai" I would say "hoya hoya" ahahah. I think that will add a special something to my stay, but might make it a little more challenging at first. I pulled a quote from the Wikipedia, too. You guys have to read this.

Speakers of Fukui dialect tend to talk in an up and down, sing-songy manner. Speakers of Kansai dialect and Kantō dialect tend to look down on Fukui dialect as being hopelessly provincial, or inaka (rural). That being said, Fukui-ben is not without its own charm and even homespun elegance.

....I'LL BE HOPELESSLY RURAL.

Look forward to more information soon. Thank you AFS!!!!

*If I think of this correctly, 'cho' is the suffix for city. So something like Zionsville. 'Gun' is for the district, so like Boone County (I'm not sure about this one). And 'ken' is for the Prefecture, or state, so like Indiana. And then Japan!

Pre D Update ~ 私は待っています

In a perfect world, I was hoping to update this as soon as I got my family information (ANYDAYNOWPLEASE), but oh well :(

I do have new info though! A few days ago, I received my flight itinerary to Tokyo and back. I'll be leaving on August 20, and after a marvelous 11 hour plane ride, arrive in Tokyo on the 21st (HOW FUN time zones!) Six months later, I'll leaving Tokyo (in the afternoon) and coming back on February 7 (in the morning), giving new meaning to the longest day ever.
I also have my flight info to and from Los Angeles. I'll actually be leaving on August 19 for an orientation in Los Angeles before I depart, however my flight back is on the 7th, too........don't expect me in school the next day hahahaha.

The above is super exciting, of course, but I really want my host family and placement info..... ARGGHH. I've been checking the mail everyday for the past few weeks, but no luck ;__;

I've been trying to keep myself busy preparing for my departure. I've been reading a lot of language books and listening to tapes etc., hoping that I'll at least be semi prepared for a new language. Although earlier, I was taking a Kanji quiz that was made more 10 -11 year olds, and it was not so much a confidence booster, so I'll study moreeeee. (x_x)

Anddd, I have a suitcase :) So much progress!!!!!!!

I'm running out of things to say :(

Well, until again! じゃね