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