Dumb blonde

Oh and the long train story? That is by Samantha Whitford :)

Because It's Me... lol

Hi all! So later today we are going to the Fuji TV station which will be a lot of fun :) However I must share my train experience yesterday, and this could only happen to me because its me and I just attract these kinds of stories.

So I'm sitting on the train la de da minding my own business when this guy gets on. I'd put him at like 55 or so but all Asians look WAY younger to me than they do so who knows. The train was pretty empty and I noticed him because he was wearing funky glasses, had red highlights, and like a beatles but longer bob haircut. Hence I noticed him but tried hard not to stare. WELLLLL he sat down directly across from me, facing me and whipped out a notebook and pen. Whatever no big deal right? WRONG HE STARTING DRAWING ME. I was thinking oh wait maybe I'm just being a paranoid foreigner but he would glance at me, sketch a little, glance again like REALLY obvious not even trying to hide it. So I'm getting really uncomfortable and not making eye contact and praying he gets off at the next stop since I have 3 more to go, of course. And of course again, he doesnt get off.

Yep it gets better. So the last stop before mine this announcement comes on in Japanese so I have no idea what it said. But at the last stop before mine, everyone gets off the train. Now there's like 7 people in my car so everyone getting off isnt a huge deal as I continue to sit. Well creepy sketch artist makes a motion like come on, get off the train. I go "ee-yeah" which is Japanese for no cause I'm NOT getting off with creepy guy. Uh lol the announcement was everyone get off the train this is the last stop for this train another one is coming in 5 minutes. Fantastic. Stupid foreigner, right here. So I get off looking really really dumb and am like sorry to the creepy guy. Side note: Japanese personal bubble is bigger than American personal bubble. So as I'm standing there waiting for the next train this guy stands so close that his right arm is almost touching my left arm. And he asks if I speak English (because after all its written in bold on my forehead). I say yes and then he asks what I'm in Japan for. I say visiting cause hes creeping me out big time. He says Oh with your husband? I go No (in my head like CRAP i should have said yes) with a quick recovery of "with family". So hes small talking and whips out his sketching of me (terrible) and is like oh I drew you. I nod and am like uh thanks. Then he asks which station is mine which I had to say because he would have figured it out one way or another and he goes ohhh are you near the station? where do you live? Now I'm tweaking. LOL I just go "pretty close" and then I think he got the message cause he sorta stopped talking after that. I was so positive he was gonna follow me off the train but once I got to my exit gate and I saw he stayed on the train and didn't follow me out I burst out laughing with relief. Then I was the stupid foreigner laughing at herself. It was so funny though afterwards and I told Yoshiko my host mom and she laughed really hard too. Go Figure Right?! Only to me.

Aside from that I had a long chat with Yugi host dad about movie stars and sports last night which was amazing and I guess after I went to bed he was like "Lets get another exchange student" to my host mom :) My host family is fantastic and I would LOVE to visit them again after the twins are born. Alright super long blog entry but I had to share my story because how could I not. Love you all and keep sending me messages!!!

HEY!!

Today, as Sam said, we had our first day of classes. Our language teacher was really nice. She has a great sense of humor, though she's only our language teacher for 4 of the 8 classes. We had Ramen for lunch, a group of us which consisted of Sam, Britton, Jarrett, Jessica, Brittany, me and one other person who I know I'm forgetting and feel very bad about, but am too tired to think of who it was. Anyway, I had this spicy kind and it was amazing!! I had to drink a lot of water because it had a little kick to it, but otherwise it was very good. After classes a group of us went out exploring the area around our school. There were a lot of shops, and many bright shiny things. We got to see a Shinto shrine, and go and look around and take pictures, we saw a Buddhist shrine as well, but didn't go in because we were very tired at that point. Lots of wandering around.
I made it through the subways ok, but on the walk back to the house I got a little lost. Kiki's right, I do get lost going in straight lines ^^; but anyway, I was found rather quickly by Aran, one of the daughters here. She, Uran (her sister) and Yuki (her brother) seem to forget half the time that I don't understand a word they say and talk very fast at me. Everyone in the family is very good about teaching me things and making sure I understand things, though. Anyway, we had a fun day and now I'm going to be early because I am very tired from the day.

Ja ne!

Lyn

First Day at School and the Train

Hello again!! So today was the first day at school with a 2 hour language class in the morning and a 2 hour lecture on education (this second lecture will change each day). It went really well our language instructor is very nice and has a good sense of humor. We got ramen at lunch which was NOT the same as US but extremely tasty. Thicker noodles here and extra veggies/meat added in. More like soup with tons of spagetti-like noodles.

Also had my first experience with the train system. Hm. haha I had two guides this morning who were not that great because they kept turning around and looking at signs. I think they were confused and their english was as good as my Japanese. The ride home though I did all by myself and DID NOT i repeat DID NOT get lost!!! That's right, me lol. I'm very proud but it was still stressful. It did however take me longer both ways than it was supposed to but I'm ok with that. Well gtg but just as a FYI to everyone I can receive emails but not send them (weird I know) so either send messages through facebook or keep checking the blog.

Lots of Love,
Sam

My First Entry!

Hi everyone! Meghan here! My first two days in Japan have been amazing! The jet lag last night was a little rough and I went to bed early, but other than that I have loved it. Abby and I are living together with Yoruko. She is very nice and has a decent amount of english under her belt, so we are learning from one another. when i first arrived in nakana station i was amazed. it was night time and the place was lit up like new york city. we took a taxi from nakana to Yoruko's house where we introduced ourselves and took a bath. The bath was an amazing experience! You take a shower first, and then you soak in a bath afterwards. it is very relaxing. today we walked around in zenpukijigawa garden with Yoruko and her two dogs Muku and Chiru. they are so cute! she is a very nice lady and afterwards we went shopping in nakana station, where there are 5 floors of shopping! it was very busy there, but it was still very quiet and very clean. it was a nice change from the usual crowds of America! I hope everyone back in the States is doing well, I will be updating more!

~Meghan chan

Hello!

Hi all!! Sam here writing to let everyone know that I am doing great! My host family is amazing Yoshiko the mom is fluent (dad Yugi not so much) and she spent 10 years in the USA so her English is fantastic. I slept on a futon mattress last night but of course slept like a rock, big surprise. No jet lag yet still going strong despite our horrible turbulence on the plane yesterday. Went on a walk with Yoshiko this morning and her daughter (one year old SO CUTE) and went to the bakery and grocery store which was very fascinating. I'm learning a ton and still have lots more to do. So all is great and look for more posts when I can!!
Lots of Love,
Sam