chasing the sun

I'm here!

My flight- it was long. Ridiculously so. But I spoke Japanese to some Koreans so it was fun! Oh, I have a slightly embarrassing but really funny story: I had to use the toilet on the plane, and the steward let me in the bathroom. Well, just as I was washing my hands, the power went out in the bathroom. That freaked me out, but it got worse when I couldn't open the door because I was pushing, and the door said "Pull" but I couldn't read it because the light was out. And the plane was taking off. I had to yell and the stewardess had to help me!

It wasn't my finest hour.

It was so interesting though: I got on the plane at 3:05 PM, but we were chasing the sun, so to speak, so even after eleven hours the sun hadn't changed position in the sky. I arrived in Tokyo at 2 in the morning, Minnesota time, and it was still 5:05 PM where I physically was. Weird, huh? We also flew over the Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It was so amazing!

When I arrived at Tokyo, I got off of my plane, and had to go through security and customs and all of that. Waiting for me at the end of security was my 2nd host family! They had a sign that said: "Welcome to Japan Jaremie Forsman!"

They took me out to sushi, and I ate ikura, which is raw salmon egg! It's that cluster of bright orange balls in the picture.

My Japanese is coming along swimmingly, if I do say so myself. I've been only communicating in Japanese since I've come here, but that does put a limit on my communicating. :)

But through a combination of body language, context, and my limited vocabulary and nice big smile; I've been able to carry a conversation nicely.

I absolutely love my host family. Akihira is four, and he is really energetic and cute. Then Michica is nine, and she's been helping me with language and things. Then my host parents Noriko and Todaharu are really sweet and funny.

Michica's birthday is April either 13th or 30th, I'm not sure yet.

I don't know Todaharu's yet, and Noriko's is February 7th.

Akihira's birthday is December 26th.

Here's a quote from my host mom, referring to the placement of Akihira's birthday: "So much cake! Too much cake! 24th CAKE! 25th CAKE! 26th CAKE!"

L.O.L

So funny.

We went shopping at a shaku-en shoppu, a 100 yen store. It's like a dollar store, but it's the size of a department store! I bought some shampoo and conditioner, and also toothpaste and some Japanese candy.

Oh man, they have YELLOW watermelon!!??

In a few days, the Meinji festival is going to happen. Akihira and Michica are extremely excited for it. I don't exactly know what it is, to be honest.

I am having the time of my life here in Japan. I miss you all, but just know that I am so happy and am learning so much, even my first day!

And my city is absolutely beautiful! It's surrounded by mountains, and they are dark green and covered in lush trees and vegetation. There are also a bunch of houses, all skewed about in no order whatsoever!!! I love it!

I'll update more later!

I have some Japanese Children's television to delve into at the moment!