I know I am a bit late with my report seeing as though I didn't write one last month oops!? Anyway, I leave the 7th of July a Japanese holiday from Tokyo. I will go there 3 days before so I can do a little sight-seeing in Japan before I leave. My time in Japan has been filled with personal trials and some hardships, but overall I had an amazing  time. I am grateful to the Rotary for having given me this rare opportunity. Recently, I have been going out with my friends from school for the last time. Going out to eat or to Karaoke, or visiting their families. I will also go to see all my host families before I leave and say my last goodbyes before they say their's at the airport on the 4th. I am also ending school this week, on the 18th a Friday, and will have a going away party on Saturday (and another a week later). I will really miss Japan. I will miss my friends and my host families. I can't wait to be back in Florida, but I want to stay here. I decided I'd just shove Hakodate my town into a bottle and bring it with me ;-). But I can't so I will instead bring my photo albums and scrap books and presents with me. I have over 3000 pictures. But even more memories to count. I learned Japanese arts, and will continue that which is treasured by the Japanese in my own country, in my own culture. I really have to thank all my friends in Kyuudo (Japanese archery) for most of that. And my Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangment) teacher aswell. In addition, I have tried the Tea ceremony. Seen Japanese Pottery making. Done and experienced Japanese Calligraphy. And experienced an immense amount of things native to Japan. Thousands of experiences in a single year. But it is not just the arts I have learned, I have a proficiency in the Japanese language; and can also read and write to a certain extent. I am proud of what I have learned, how many friends I have made; and how many lives and perceptions I've changed.

In Japan, there were a lot of things I didn't expect. The attitude against foriegners. The amount of people who smoke. Or what the Japanese people do in there free time or to relax (the second two a misrepresented copy of American behaviour). But a lot of what I expected was true. The kindness of most of the people. The safety of the country. And the interest in America(ns). I will take all knowledge I have, and try my best to share it as best I can among my own people. Because that is the only way we will understand one another, and begin to live in peace. In Japan, the Rotary even was quite different from that of America's and I had been shocked to see some things they did; but understand it know to some extent. I tried my best to explain in a presentation a few weeks ago Florida and it's difference between Hokkaido. And I also tried to give my opinion and views as a foriegner in Hakodate, and gave some information of my experiences in Japan.

I have not gotten to go to that many places in Japan, but have gotten to do many things with the people around me in my own town. Hakodate is really a beautiful place. It has great weather, and the history of this place is quite famous in Japan. I will be able to come back one day and find it a bit different, but just as welcoming. Thank you Rotary, my family and my friends! I have one more report yet! HAHA!