Two Months

Now that I've been in Japan for two months, fall is starting to actually begin with crisp mornings and leaves changing. Although it is not quite cool enough for me yet, I look forward to November. Not a lot has happened lately, except midterms and going to Kobe last Sunday with my host mom again. Occasionally I am frustrated from culture shock and at times enjoy Japan very much.

This last week has been very long. I've been through a lot of pain (physical) with my bad back so have been taking painkillers, which make me very sleepy and unable to pay attention. So I spent my midterm week on painkillers and in pain. One of my grammar exams I received a 100% and the other 88% (unsatisfactory!); as for kanji exams one with 100% and the other with 96%. Not bad, considering.

The week hasn't been all bad, I did get Pokémon X and Y. I started with X and only have one badge but am really enjoying it. There are a few things I'm disappointed by such as them taking away seasons (it would have been so aesthetically pleasing with the new cel-shaded 3D graphics), and the fact that there are only 69 new Pokémon added to this generation! What the hell? They added a whole new type but couldn't be bothered to add at least 100 new creatures? Now I have to look forward to Generation 7 prematurely (maybe it will bring back seasons! Grrr). Though, this game is based off of France and it makes me extremely nostalgic, so let's go into the next topic ...

The last thing I would like to talk about is my experiences with host families. I have been so lucky to have them. From my first host family in Angers, my second in Grenoble, my third that only lasted the last week I was in Grenoble, and now my host family in Osaka. They have all been so wonderful. One of my favorite parts is that I have gotten to meet parts of their extended families (besides the third one, but the host mom took me to the Alps and made the most delicious rhubarb crumble I've ever had). Having dinner during Christmas Eve and spending Christmas in Angers with my host mom's sister's family was great. Meeting my second host family's grandchildren really required for me to exercise my French skills, and I really enjoy trips to Kobe with my host mom here in Osaka to see her daughter's family as well as meeting my host mom's son.

My first host family was so relaxed and easy-going, which I think made my first months in France and my first time living in another country so much better than it could have been. My host mom taught me to cook rice, and my host dad was funny and kept me on my toes. Also, my host dad was an awesome cook and I learned so much about cheese and wine. Of course, there were two other students staying there, another American and my friend from Osaka (who I've mentioned quite a few times and have reconnected with while here). As my first host family, they will always have a special place in my heart.

My second host family in Grenoble was a little bit different. Because I was the only student, all of their attention was turned towards me. My host mom and I would talk for long periods of time about deep subjects after dinner, and I would play chess with my host dad. We'd watch Doctor House and The Voice in French during the evenings and weekends. They were an older couple and I really enjoyed them. We'd go to the movie theatre, art exhibitions, and go snow-shoeing.

My third host family was only for a week since I had to leave a week later than expected and my host family had already made reservations to go after I had left. There was another student there as well, along with there being a host-brother and just a host mom. She really made my last week in France memorable. We talked for long hours about environment, climate change, and cold countries such as Russia (her daughter was abroad there and she was very interested in tundra landscapes). We went to the Alps and explored several villages there.

I remember when I got home in Alaska and was so melancholic for a month or two. Occasionally when I look through French photos or talk of France, this mixture of nostalgia and melancholy overwhelm me. It was such a beautiful place, and kudos to Pokémon for making their newest game based off of France and letting me relive it a little (even though a lot of it is stereotypes instead of real France).

Lastly, my fourth host family, and current, here in Osaka is fantastic. My host mom is so kind and really has a good heart. Although my Japanese is not very good for deep conversations (sometimes we try, though), I look forward to when I can express myself better so that I can learn even more things from her. Going places and meeting her previous students, her friends, and family is always exciting. I've been able to meet so many people thanks to my host mom.

All of my host families have been so wonderful and I couldn't place any of them to be worse or better than the others. Every day I learn so many new things, and these people helped me learn even more than I could have without them!

That is all for now ...

~Until Next Time