Hi all.
I'm Anna.
[Except you probably know that already if you're reading this, because you know and love me (or because I told you to. Either one).]
Anyway, for those who are completely out of the loop, I'm leaving tomorrow for a six week exchange program to Japan, through a nifty little organization called Youth For Understanding. (Which I have found doesn't really make a good acronym). I'll be shipped off to San Jose, California, first, for a three day crash-course in all things Japan- or exchange-program-related. (Though if they tell me to take of my "American glasses" while I'm in Japan again I might not be able to restrain my eye-rolling reflexes). Then it's a 15-hour flight on the Tin Can of Death to Narita, a transfer, and another flight to my final destination: Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu, a "cosmopolitan" city where the locals are "heavy drinkers and very friendly." (At least, according to lonelyplanet.com).
There I'll be staying with the Katayamas, a family of four: Masahiko, my host father, Yoshiko, my host mother, and a 15-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother. I couldn't have gotten better host siblings if I had asked specifically. A sister close to my age, and neither sibling young enough to be... difficult. Both parents are self-employed. I'll be attending Tomeikan High School, a private school complete with uniforms and a flower arranging club. I'm very excited, and I've found enough pictures of my school online to figure out which of my dark blue skirts is closest to their uniforms, so I won't stand out. As much. (Because I don't think I can really not stand out. Y'know, what with the red hair and the being white and all).
So, now's the time for packing and panicking about forgotting my toothbrush or sunglasses or my copy of The Lord of the Rings or some other equally important item. Which I should be packing now.
Until tomorrow!
<3 Anna
3 comments:
Go get 'em, Red!!!
Tin Can of Death! Do I hear the echoes of your mother's voice in that one:-). I am super excited for you Anna! Take every minute as a unique one an experience it to its fullest!
If you wish to assuage my curiousity (of coures under no obligation to do so), I have always wondered how traditional the families still are in Japan, how important is the father in the family, does everyone listen to "daddy" or does the mom truly run the roost (as it should be and is in most cultures :-) )
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