This was written on Jan 15, 2004 but due to my limited internet access it did not get out until Jan 26. Sorry.

Alright well I survived News Years, and snowboarding, not getting ANY presents this year (Santa doesnt come to Japan, and neither does Hannukah Harry). I had an amazing time. For new Years: My brother, Phumi and I went with Phumi's host dad to a countdown party, It was kinda boring...but hafter that we went to this club and hung out with some of my friends. At around 5am the club closed and we all headed to the beach to watch the first sunrise of 2004. It was amazingly beautiful. I took hundreds of pictures and Ill try and get some home soon. Ok so that was New Years.

On the 4th was Phumi's going away party. That was nice but kinda sad...she was best friend and someone I could always talk to and depend on. She left on the 12th. Some opf the other exchange students and I headed down to the airport with her. Lots of tears, Phumi was like an older sister to us all. She is coming back to Japan in May for the Osaka Convention so Ill see her again.

Ive making lots of new friends but not really in school much. I joined another band and that is taking up more of my time. I feel that I am very busy and sometimes I feel bad for my Host parents but whenever we spend time together we just sit in uncomfortable silence or my mother giggles uncontrolably. I really appreciate everything they do for me, I just wish we could connect on a higher level like at my last host family.

I have been studying Japanese so much these last few days. Ive learned about 115 Kanji so far and I have a goal of 500 before I go. Thats about 3 kanji everyday...thats alot! Yesterday on the walk home from school I managed to hold a conversation with this girl the whole way home. My japanese has greatly improved and it just keeps getting better.

It snowed here afew times so far but nothing major. Its pretty cold for me but most of the other exchange students have feet of snow where they are. I feel very lcuky to live in Sunshine Iwaki. My brain is starting to hurt and I have to get back to studying, so Ill leave it at that.