Recap

The last two days I don't have anything planned, so I figured I'd spend it recapping what I've done over the entire trip. In no particular order.

I first arrived in Japan surprised at the amount of English there was in the airport. The two hour bus ride consisted of me attempting to not fall asleep to avoid having jet lag. Once I arrived art the bus stop in Yokohama, I was surprised at how crazy everything became. People were taking pictures, asking in Japanese how I was, being astonished at my Japanese, and after that, getting on a train for the first time all while hauling all my luggage. I got to my house not really tired at all, but with no appetite, which would continue for a week. The next day I got all of my stuff ready, and unpacked.
That weekend I went with my host mother to the school meeting where I was to get my student ID and my schedule, and also to meet with my busy that the school had given  me, in case I didn't know Japanese. My schedule was the same as my buddy's, so we had all of our classes together. The teachers told me to hold off on using my Japanese, so that my buddy can get stone practice in. Thus he scrambled around frantically trying to relay where to meet for school in English. It was quite funny, considering he didn't realize it was a set up until the last day of school. But nevertheless, he was an interesting person. He really loved Japanese baseball, but he was in the tennis club. But I guess they didn't have a baseball diamond, so he couldn't play if he wanted to. My school was really tall, but not very wide. Given that space is in a premium, they couldn't exactly make a sprawling complex, and instead made an 8 story school tower. Which you traversed by stairwell. Or elevator if you were lucky. But because my homeroom was on the 4th floor, the rest of my classrooms were easy enough to get to. I had to move classrooms for all of my buddy's electives, which turned out to be World History, Music, Information, Biology, and Freshman English. We had a weekly schedule, in where each day in the week was different, but all the weeks were the same. I was able to memorize some of it when I was there, even if it was for a short time. However, our Freshman English teacher was a guy from Hawaii who didn't speak any Japanese. I'm not sure if he was a JET or what, but they had another teacher in there who could speak Japanese. Except her English was limited, and at one point I ended up having to explain the concept of making a deposit in Japanese. But at that point Japanese had become what I was thinking in. It's weird, when I first came back I still remebered everything I said in Japanese. But now, looking back on it, I only remember what it meant in English. That's probably because I was still thinking in Japanese when I first came back, but I still find it weird. Anyway, after the meeting to get my student ID, me and another exchange student, Pratik, and our host mothers all walked around Yokohama and got coffee. I ended up translating for Pratik and his host mother, considering he didn't speak any Japanese. And after that we left, and the next day was school. After that I feel like I caught up with my posts, starting from Taiikusai.

 

 So now that it's been a few months since I've gotten back, it's seemed kinda unreal what happened. That it was more a dream than a trip. But it really did happen, and it really was as amazing as I said it was. My only regret is a little bit of not buying things, but that was unavoidable because of the ATM fiasco. I am glad to be back in America, but I really do miss Japan. I do hope I can see everyone again in the future. But for now this white kids' adventure has ended.

 

Christopher Scrafford

10th post: Last days

This isn't going to be long, just enough to document that I'm feeling so emotional right now. My class did so so much for me today, I don't know what to say. They knew for me for a month, yet they give me presents when I leave, write entire notes of farewell, and decorate the entire classroom in a surprise party for me, and make a video about the taikusai for me. I cried after the video, just because of how far they went for me. They didn't have to do anything, they could've just Sayyid goodbye. But they did this out out their own will. They did it because they liked me as a person, in only one month. They compiled a note of farewell for each person in the class, and some people other notes after that. My friends gave me a photo album of our adventures we had. I am just so overcome with emotion right now because these are the people I may never see again. These people that like me so much address the ones I'm leaving. I'm sad, and that's obvious. Today was the last day of school so it was tough. Though after the last day of school I walked around with two classmates and ate bread in a park, listening to little kids play around. And after that, I meet with two other classmates to go to a local festival. Apparently I'm good at dancing in festivals. However, luckily, I have created a LINE account, which is pretty much Japanese Facebook messenger. So I can talk to the class when I get back to the states. Because I really can't convey how amazing my class is. And what on earth I did to deserve this.

Oh and on the last day of tests, a couple of students took me on a walking tour of Yokohama, which involved going to a restaurant and two different parks, one of which was used for the ghibli movie "from up on poppy hill".

Lastly, I was making a food post, but an hour and a half into it, the AP froze and I lost everything. So I'm sorry.

See you soon.
Christopher Scrafford

9th post: Winding down

So the trip to Japan has finally allowed me to get some time to write in this journal blog thing, just to let everyone know I'm still having the time of my life. In the past week, I've been dealing with all of my classmates having tests, so I've been left to wander around japan by myself and wander I have. I've been wandering around near my home, trying to find the elusive carbonated orange juice that's tasted once and haven't found since. I've also been trying to find a fame center with a taiko game that someone isn't playing, and that's just as impossible. So I've also been to 100 yen shops, but they don't seem to have anything gifty or souvenir like. So I've been looking around bookstores, but I think I'll be able to find good things on a Tokyo trip I'm taking a few days before I leave. But anyway, i went to one of the buddy's middle schools for whatever reason, but the school gave us five minutes to find the teacher and we couldn't. So the highlight was looking through a really interesting book he had on common mistakes foreigners make with English. Picture below. But anyway. I had to give a speech on Japanese politics on Saturday, so that was a really interesting experience trying to decipher the kanji filled 4 pages that described the topic I was supposed to talk about. Which was just politics in general and how kids don't care about politics. But I actually contributed to the group discussion and gave my opinions which were used in the group presentation. So that was an interesting experience, trying to decipher bunches of kanji and forming my opinions on Japanese politics. But other than that fun experience I've been hanging out with friends at the cafeteria because that's what you do on test days apparently.  And all the school had me doing is taking with japanese transfer students to America, but they turn out less of lessons and more of talking and sharing experiences. Or in the case of the picture making card castles. But on Monday the YFU kids had a big potluck, and also brought together the Japanese kids who were going to America. A lot of them were fairly fluent in English, which surprised me quite a bit. After the potluck, one of the kids organized a karaoke gathering of about 20 kids and to my surprise it worked splendidly. We had to get 2 rooms because of that, but I think it was more fun that way instead of everyone trying to cream in. Along that same line, I've been adding pretty much everyone to Facebook, which is a good thing I guess because everyone I've met has been a really good person, but I'm just shocked at the number. But I suppose it's getting popular. Anyway, after karaoke me and two other YFU kids ate dinner, and because it was a gaijin party I was the one that ordered, which made me feel appreciated. But I'll tell you about food in the next post, I swear. But karaoke was fun again, because thus time it was with people who knew American songs and also I sang to the Japanese songs. It was indeed fun. Today a classmate showed me around where I live, and all the places I missed when I wandered around. And tried various flavors of chips, like soy sauce and mayonnaise chips. Which were delicious. But in summary, I'm enjoying life here still and am Saad that I have around a week left. And even worse that school ends this week. Because school is the best. Never quote me on that. But I really want to get a picture of everyone in my class and get their name, because everybody is just so awesome. In their own ways I suppose. There's a kid who always wears a cold mask, has the nick name kuma-San, literally Mr. bear, and is the best singer I've heard in high school. There's another kid named umehara kou, who is my buddy the school assigned me, loves baseball, and has a bad mouth. There's this group of girls that always is together, kind of like the popular girls except without drama and accept everyone in the class. There's a tiny girl named mayu who seems to always carry a towel and is always covering her face with it because she's always laughing. Those are just a few of the many interesting people in my class. So this is why I'm sad that my school ends in 3 days. But they invited me to their school festival in September, but airplane costs.
But yes. I don't know I'd I'll get a post in before my last one, so if not, I'll be seeing you in a little over a week!
Christopher Scrafford

8th post: Things continue

So things have happened, as my weekends have a tendency to be busy. Friday I went to the tanabata festival WitH My host brother and his English teacher. It was really fun, and I was able to have takoyaki for the first time. I took pictures which are below. We also had yakisoba. On Saturday I went to the karaoke I have been talking about forever. It was very fun, but I wish I knew more Japanese songs so that I could have sung things that my friends would have know. I ended up singing American songs. But it was still very fun. Sunday was the day that i went to odawara castle and saijoji temple with the rest of the yfu kids. It was really quite cool to reconnect with people at the orientation, and I was able to talk with a lot of their parents, who may have been happy to find a student who could speak Japanese. The temple had so so many stairs, I heard that there were 500 stairs there. But it was really awesome to go to a temple like that. The castle was also really cool, and there were a surprising number of cosplayers there, I'm guessing for series that take place there. But it was a really good view from the top of the castle, and the museum inside was cool as well. You weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum though. And yesterday I wandered around some more, and stopped by a yakitori place that is really quite tasty. I've been talking to the guy working the outside stall every time I walk by. And of course I've still been trying new drinks and foods. I've also been talking to more people in my class. I'm loving it here again. There was a little slump a few days ago but that's gone. I'm fine, and ready for the rest of my stay here. I may make a post dedicated to the various food I've had, or I may wait for when I get back. I still want stuff to talk about to people, you know? But for now, I'm enjoying curry bread and yogurt soda. So let that run in your imagination as I sign off for now.

Christopher Scrafford

7th post: Life continues

There hasn't been a whole lot that has happened this week during school. Club activities have been canceled because of tests coming up, and everyone is starting to crack down on studying. That doesn't leave much time for hanging out after school or anything like that. So as per request, I'll give an average day.

I wake up around 6:45 in order to eat breakfast, which is usually cereal. I leave the house at 7:10 and get to the station around 7:20. By the time I transfer trains and get to the station it's 7:50. I get to school at 8:00, but school doesn't start until 8:30, so I welcome people as they walk in and drink something I bought from a vending machine or 7 11. We have for classes, and them lunch, and then two more classes. Every day of the week has different classes, but it's the same every week. There's biology, English, freshman English (an elective), PE, social studies, world history (an elective), home ec, math, Japanese, computer class, and music. School ends around 3:30, but on Thursdays we have an extra "human and working" class that tells you how tip live after school. On Thursdays school ends at 4:00. Clubs vary on how long they run, but the kendo club usually ends around 6. On days with clubs I get home around 7, and eat dinner around 7:30. Dinner ends around 8:30 - 9:00, and I take a bath /shower after that. So it's around 9:30 our so when I get out of the bath, and sleep around 10:00. So on non club days, I usually hang out after school with classmates, but not today. Because it's Thursday. And tests. And done people has clubs for whatever reason. And people were tired. But I don't blame them.

My appetite is really slingshoting from when I didn't have one, because now I eat anything in my path. But this is good, because I want to try everything I can. I still need to eat more, though. More Japanese did that is. Like a restaurant. With friends. But studying. Oh well. I really want to stay in Japan longer. I love the friends I've made here and I really wish this trip was longer. I feel like a part of the class, the school, the family. There's still things I want to do, things I want to do again, things I still can do. So I'm going to do them.

So that's it for now. I had time to write this, but nothing really drastic has happened so sorry.
Christopher Scrafford

6th post: first troubles

So the real first trouble I've run into its getting money. I had this whole fiasco I'd trying to get money from the many 7 11s that are around Japan. At ditty I thought the back was doing maintenance, but then I realized 7 11 Raj into a problem with my type odd card a few months ago and haven't been able to get it fixed. So in order to get any money, I have to go to the post office, which is much more scarce than the 7 11s.  Anyway, that was slightly aggravating for a few days. But I got it resolved. So all is well again.

I've also gone to the Tokyo skytree. My host family and I all went to the top, as well as asakusa temple, one of the famous temples in Japan. I'll attach the pictures to this post.  Also, I achieved the goal of eating the three noodles famous in Japan: soba, udon, and ramen. I had the soba near asakusa, and the udon as a school lunch. Saturday all of the exchange students at our school and their 'buddies' went in a trip to sakuragichou, a rather big town that's really close to our school. This weekend's plan is karaoke on Saturday and the mountain and castle visit on Sunday. Everyone at school is getting ready for end of the year tests, so club activities are canceling. This means I get to hang or with classmates a little more, but that also means that my classmates ate going to be busy with studying for said tests. But oh well, there's nothing I bam do about it. I also haven't felt any culture shock yet, so I'm quite anxious about when I'm going to get it. But again, nothing I can do about it.

Also, I'm still getting noticed in my school, which really surprised me, considering it's been almost three weeks. I guess no matter how much time passes I'm still the white kid in a Japanese school. but it's not like it's bad attention. So I'm doing well in school. .

For now, I'm just glad I finally got a seat on the train ride home so I can write this. And as always,  I'm sorry I don't update this more. I'm just both really busy and really tired when I get home.
Anyway, Japan is amazing.
Christopher Scrafford

5th post: Daily life begins

So it really had been a long time since I've posted, but that's a good thing. Ive honestly been too tired at the end of each day to post anything, so forgive me. But that also gives me stuff to report on. So off I go, not looking for spelling errors.

so in the first few days the entire class is pretty much accepted me. I've joined the kendo club and I'm going to their meetings whenever I have time. last weekend was a very fun weekend, for I went to an English lesson at my host brother's school. sunday was also very fun for I went to the church again and with a couple of the boys the same age as me I went to a game center for the first time. they have a taiko game and that was very enjoyable. I pretty much spent my entire sunday there. this week has also been very fun and very busy. yesterday I went out with a couple of classmates to a Chinatown that is near my school. I've also been able to talk to a lot of my classmates who are very interesting and nice people. also this week I went out with another exchange student and his buddy to the surrounding city. We went to osanbashi, and also I ate a Japanese crepe for the first time. on our way back to this train station we were able to see some street performers act who were very interesting as well. I'm also finally remembering all of the names of my classmates. they are also appreciating the American candy at that I am giving them that I took with me to Japan. I can't stress enough how friendly all of my classmates are in my class for they've taking an immediate liking to me. in the near future I'm hoping to go to karaoke and also to a Japanese McDonalds which everybody highly recommends. my weekends off until my departure are also jam packed with very nice and I gotta have a full schedule and do lots of things while I'm in Japan.

I just now realized that I haven't taken barely any pictures recently so I've been taking a lot of pictures, mainly of food. I can't help but walking to the convenience store and stare in awe at all the different kinds of bread that they have. I've also taken a liking the canned coffee and all the different kinds of drinks in the vending machines that are scattered around the cities. my host mother has also been cooking Japanese meals every single night which I'm very grateful for because they're very delicious. speaking of food I've regained my appetite and can eat plenty and plenty of Japanese food.

Time for a picture dump.

But either way, I'll really try to do this. If I have time. But I'll try my best.
Christopher Scrafford

4th post: Taiikusai and More school

So the taiikusai was so much more fun than I thought it would have been. They said I wouldn't be able to participate at all, but I was actually able to participate in quite a few events. There was the Tama Ire game, which was pretty much basketball with tiny balls and a high hoop. Also, there was the "40 person 41 legged race, which means getting 40 people in a line, and tying your feet to your neighbor's. They actually let me cross the finish line, which was a really cool thing, considering they're still talking about it the day after. There was one last event, but its really hard to put into concise words. And, the entire time I was there girls would come up to me asking to take a picture with me. The whole school was participating, so they all know about the white kid in their school. The hardest thing so far has been remembering everyone's name. I'm not used to everyone being one race, so its a little hard to tell all of the students apart. But I have been talking to quite a few of the students, so hopefully even after the buzz winds down I can have people to talk to. Everyone is still surprised at how good my Japanese is, but almost every minute there's a word I don't know, which makes subjects like modern social studies near impossible, having to know words like voting and campaigning and candidates in Japanese. But knowing Japanese has been the greatest boon I could've asked for.

Now its time for random ramblings.
I recently remembered that I don't need to be money conscious, and have been trying every drink from vending machines I can. I'm buying my own drinks for lunch, so I hope to try everything in the vending machine before I leave. So far, milk tea is better than regular tea, and brown(?) tea is better than green. And sparkling grapefruit water isn't sweet but still delicious. However, I found a coffee drink not at my school that is too delicious.

I really liked it, so I thought I'd share.

 Last fun fact, I haven't had much of an appetite since I came here. But I think its coming back. That way I can eat more food and try everything.

Well, until next time.

Christopher Scrafford

3rd post: Museum trip and School

A lot has happened in these past two days, and it doesn't look like it'll slow down anytime soon. Yesterday I went on a trip with my host families church to a museum. it was a natural history museum of sorts, and was really quite cool. However, one of the most interesting parts about the trip was people I went with. I went with my host brother Hiro, and got to know a young 3rd grader named Yuuta. He's the most energetic kid I've ever seen, and that's saying a lot. He gave me the nickname Kinpatsu-Kun, which  means Mr. blond hair. I was also called kuri chan by his older sister, who is still only in elementary school. The entire trip was very fun, and I plan on going to their church next Sunday.
Now for the fun part: Today's school. Pretty much, I know what a celebrity feels like to a lesser extent. All of the girls literally went "Kyaaaaa!" when I smiled at them. It was extremely embarrassing, but I can't tell you how much of a confidence booster it was. When you have a group of girls crowding around you complimenting you, it really helps a guy's self esteem. I do realize that it just my 10 minutes of fame I get because I'm new, but I might as well enjoy it. Its an interesting contrast from the glares and stares I get on the train.
Another thing that's happening tomorrow is the taiiku sai. The extent of my knowledge on that is that we're meeting at a stadium. It'll be interesting to experience it.
Normal life had been good as well, as I've finally introduced myself to the entire family. I'm eating properly, trying different teas, and trying to enjoy every minute I can here.
I'm still on the high of arriving in Japan, do I have yet to experience culture shock. Don't worry if I become sad or anything, because that's normal.
Well, I'll post again when other interesting things happen. Until then.
Christopher Scrafford
PS: I know it's late, but happy fathers day dad.

2nd post: Airport & First two days

It's 3am, and I really don't want to be awake right now. But alas, we're heading to the airport right now. My flight is back to Dallas from San Francisco and then to Japan. The only time I'll be able to type anything from Japan is if I have WiFi. Hopefully the flight will be alright.

I'm now in Japan. My host family gave me a wifi walker they had, which will let me access wifi when I'm out of the house. This way I can email if I get lost. But anyway, the flight. It was long, as expected. In order to avoid jet lag, I stayed up the entire flight of 13 hours. By the time I got to my host family'a house, I had been up for around 24 hours straight. They were presently surprised at the fact that I spoke Japanese, and according to them I speak very well. I am still trying top adapt to this time zone, but it its easier than I thought it would be. However, I am very nervous every time I want to do something, just in case I break some unspoken rule. I am constantly worrying about the balance of not causing trouble and not seeming overly panicky. However, I believe I can adapt to Japan if I keep at it. There are of course many times I don't know the words people are saying, but its all part of the learning process. Now that I have wifi, I'll try and post whenever time permits.

Christopher Scrafford

PS: I friended my host mother on Facebook, as well as my host brother. My host mother is probably posting pictures of me there right now.

1st post: San Francisco

This is Chris typing from San Francisco. That's right I'm not actually in Japan right now. I'm in San Francisco for a preflight orientation. I won't be leaving for Japan until the day after tomorrow, and that flight is scheduled to leave at 6:00, so I have to wake up at 3:00 AM. So far we've been doing a lot of exercise is pertaining to Japan, including things about culture and language. if you didn't already know I'm scheduled to go to Yokohama, which is very close to Tokyo. The orientation has been fun, but I'm not looking forward to the very long flight to Japan. For now I'll leave it at this because the real excitement won't start until I'm at Japan.

Until then,

Christopher Scrafford