Well I know you`re all wondering where I`ve been the past last two months. Well I can only say is I`ve been having the best time of My LIFE!!! Though I`ve been here in my small town of Monbetsu for four months I always find something interesting. I as stated in my last report I moved into my 2nd host family`s home and here are all the details. What can I say that will serve them justice, Right of the bat we hit it off,Though after being here for as long as I have my host sister(erika) STILL doesn`t talk to me.Instead she just gives me funny looks when she thinks I am not looking. My Father and Mother are supportive and always happy to give me parental advice even if I don`t ask. One day I made the mistake of not eating my lunch that my host mother had made for me and I made the longest apologize I`ve made in a long time. Anyways In November there was this english speech contest for japanese student at my school, so of course they wanted me to give a speech. Personally I wanted to do it in japanese but they told me to make it in english...grrrr. Oh well, I read the other reports of students and how some are having dreams in the language of the country they are in, So I`ll tell you what`s happening in my dream world a little. In America I hardly ever dreamt but since coming to Japan I dream on a nightly basis. Towards the end of November I had my first dream in Japanese which I loved. Since then I`ve dreamt in both English and Japanese. On the Side note in America I watched japanese movies quite often in such genres as Samuri, Ronin, Ninja,and animation. Well Most of the The time they were in Japanese with English subtitles I assume my subconscious got use to the Idea of having Subtitles with Japanese, because many of my dreams are english friendly ...They have SUBTITLES!!! I know it sounds strange to believe but I swear it`s true. The first time I woke up after having a subtitled Dream I couldn`t stop laughing...It was Great! December seems to be a endless stream of Christmas Parties all of which I`ve made speeches in. Christmas was strange this year just because I went to school. Technically winter break started the 22nd but I opted for the optional classes they offer during the first week of winter break. I`ve been doing more things with students now in my little town. Probably my favorite pastime is KARAOKE! I`m addicted and I Can`t Stop! I sing a complete array of english and japanese songs from Copacabana to the Devilman theme song (my favorite Japanese animation). Speaking of music I`m getting more into japanese bands, Kinki Kids is my favorite because of their song HEY! MINNA GENKI KAI? Which Translates close to Hey! Is everyone good? Tv is great Too!Warau Inu(Laughing Dog) could be compared to the Japanese version of SNL but on Sundays at 8:00. Well New Years was an interesting experience,
I`ll give the short version, (after all I have to save something for my
Speech to my Rotary club when I get back)for me it started at about 11pm
when me and my family ate some toshikoshi soba. Japanese people eat it new
years eve to promote long life. Then we went to a Buddhist temple to pray
for a good year and happiness for all after which people ring a this bell
at the temple much like a count down until midnight(I was number Well I`m off for another month of Japanese
goodness. My bad for reporting so late I know how much of a Tyrant Roy can
be. I bet he was getting the guillotine nice a sharp for my return...J/K
Please Roy and The Members of the Weston Rotary club except my apology and
please PLEASE put away the Tar and feathers ... :) Robert |
