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Here's the link to another blog site that we have been keeping up. Please visit it to read about our adventures.

http://web.me.com/junko.yokota/ETHS_2009_Japan_Trip/Blog/Blog.html

Getting lost

Got lost in the castel of matsuyama, as it was closing , not even lying, it was so amazing

First post since... now lol

Japan is really cool, I like it here so much! This trip has really opened my eyes up to another perspective! All the sights we visit are priceless, and I am extremely glad I came on this trip! 10 more days left, and I cannot wait to see what will happen next!

Photos posted

We have posted a few photos at:

http://web.me.com/junko.yokota/ETHS_2009_Japan_Trip/Photos.html

Day One: Yokohama!

Today's bloggers: Nell, Sho, Luke, Kevin, Brian

We almost saw "Jerry" at the airport! But we don't really know who he is. He's obviously very popular since many people were at the airport to greet him.

First observations:

Taking a bath was our first interesting thing we did. We expected there to be a shower head but there was a set of low faucets, and the tub was a lot smaller than we expected. It's awesome and we like it a lot. It's very relaxing. Free shampoo but it stings our eyes.

In the morning, we had hamburgers for breakfast. They were good but very little. We had "nihongo-dake" for our first hour of the day -- which means, we could speak in Japanese only. That was hard. But, we all ordered our breakfast and ate while talking to each other in Japanese.

Then we met Margaret, who is a former student and had come on the trip two years ago, and now she lives here in Japan.

Then we walked to Chinatown. Most of the stores were closed at first but that gave us time to go look at temples. They were intricately designed and very decorative all the way around, with carved animals in the stone. Once the stores opened, we shopped! We bought Chinese masks, food, shirts, jackets and sunglasses. And a tie. It was smaller than the one in Chicago. We kept seeing the same group of Japanese school students who were on a field trip -- all throughout the day. We talked to some of them and took pictures with them. We stopped at Happy Lawson's, a "combini" convenience store and rest area where we stopped and journaled (except for the chess players and a few others . . . )

Kevin, Margaret and Nell ate a pumpkin ice cream. It wasn't good. We ate shuumai (Chinese pork dumplings). That was good. Some of us walked to the other red brick warehouse building where there was an art gallery and we got to meet one of the artists.

Then we passed the amusement park that was closed . . . :(

The ferris wheel was huge and pretty to look at when the lights came on at night.

An Amusement Park

Fun times are thought to happen

Regret; all are closed.

An original haiku by Luke

We took a super fast elevator at the Landmark Tower up 69 floors in 40 seconds, 750 meters per second! It is the second fastest elevator in the world (used to be the fastest)

But the most exciting thing today was the Pokemon Center! It took everyone back to their childhood (well, almost everyone.... ) Didn't take some back at all (Luke, for one) because they are still very into it. It was pretty high tech and there was a really fun game that got really intense. Then a trip into the Anime Store and Tottoro Store.

Dinner at Japanese McDonald's, Wendy's, and some of us (guess who?) went to a Japanese restaurant.

Then Margaret left. Then we went back to our Youth Hostel for bathtime! Some of us worked on our presentation for KJ School, some of us blogged, and the rest ?

What do we like about Japan after day one? The volleyball game on tv, the atmosphere of the country, and no trash receptacles anywhere. Jabari likes . . . no, he LOVES . . . the apple juice. Nell does, too. But not Kevin (He's allergic . . .)

Tomorrow: Kamakura!

I'm out the door...

We're going to JAPAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow

In only twelve hours, we will be in Ohare Airport meeting and making sure that no one is lost or missing. In fifteen hours, we will be on the plane. I still don't believe this is actually happening, not until I am actually in Japan do I think I will finally comprehend. I still have to gather all of my homework that I need to do on the plane, and I have a couple more things to stuff in my suitcase. But I am ready. I'm ready for the flight, I'm ready for eating delicious food, I'm ready for struggling through the Japanese-only hours, for making friends with people completely different from me, for not having homework due for an entire two weeks. I am nervous and scared. But mostly... I'm really, really excited.

~Gaby (なみ）

A few hours

In a few hours I will be finished preparing.
In a few hours I will fall asleep.
In a few hours i will wake and rush.
In a few hours i will be on a plane.
In a few hours I'll be in japan.

It's honestly hard to truly grasp the current situation. My family and myself alike have saved so many things for the last minute that i feel like i'm grinding out papers for the end of a quarter rather than preparing for a trip to a place i've wanted to go since i was seven. I'm sure that once i am on the plane it will hit me. I'm really going to japan...
The hours, days , and weeks following this post will truly be the greatest of my life.

Tick Tock

So close. in less then 48 hours I'm going to be in a plane, heading for Japan. I could even BE halfway around the world by then. It's making the time drag on and on. I have decided to wipe any and all expectations. Whenever I go into a movie or a play with expectations, I find I never enjoy it for what it is; I constantly compare against my expectations. This is far too big to diminish with my own prejudices. I want to take in Japan for what it is. Whatever it is...
I also have decided I'd like to buy a Kimono. Sorry for the non sequitur.
Having no expectations makes it hard to write about them. I can tell you, though, that this is bound to be a pretty big thing. If nothing more, the plane ride should be an experience. And, seeing as that is just one minuscule necessary step of the big picture, I'd have to say that this is a big scale trip.
Off! To the LAND OF THE RISING SUN!
-Brian Gale (Tatsuo)

~Passing Days~

I can't believe that in a couple days our class will be going to Japan. The days seemed to pass by so fast. My heart is racing... I don't know how to put it. I feel excited and anxious for what will happen. In just a couple of days I will board the plane into an uncertain adventure. It feels like an adventure! I wonder what will happen on the first day and I wonder how my host family will be like. I hope she likes the gifts. Will anything change within these two weeks in Japan? I wonder if it will change me, even just the slightest bit. These last days I wanted to spend lots of time with my friends and family before the departure. My friends, teachers, and family have all helped me along the way to make this trip possible for me. I feel really grateful and lucky. I know I'm being a bit sappy right now, but I am glad for everyone of them. I really hope I can buy gifts for everyone. I want to share a piece of my adventure with them all~

~ (心)

Taiko music

Anyone know of any japnese taiko music?

random thoughts

Well, ive been trying to blog since the day Mr.Van...
Well, ive been trying to blog since the day Mr.Vankrey told me about this, i had some problems getting it started but the only thing that matters is that it works now! Well ive got alot to say, I dont really know where to start. People keep reminding me that I'm going to Japan, They seem really really into it and i most likely seem like a jerk b/c i always tell them that it hasn't really hit me yet. The truth is it really hasn't hit me that im going to Japan yet. It's a hard concept to wrap your head around when you have so many things going on around you (test, hw, chores, music, concerts for choir, music, hw ect....), Ive got alot on my mind and ive been working really hard to get this trip to work out. However if it wasnt for the ppl that supported me along the way then this would mean nothing. So at this point id like to thnk all the ppl that have support me with this trip and that have helped me fund raise for this trip. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! and for anybody who doesnt know, im really into music, i'm a rapper/singer/producer/songwriter thing ....lol but anything that has to do with music i try to get into it. I really am open to all music and if anybody knows of any good Japanese music please bring a copy to school or send the music via email. I really have been looking for some good Japanese Taiko music so if anybody knows of any just let me know!!!!!!!!!!! ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU.!!!!!!!!! FOR EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would You Like Fries With That?

I can't believe that in less than a week, I will be on my way to Japan. I've never left the country before, and this is an ideal way to kick off that experience. I can't even say what I'm looking forward to the most; I'm even looking forward to the airport! Of course, there's the food. I'm a huge fish/seafood fan, and I'm really looking forward to the food. I'm also really looking forward to the smaller things, such as experiencing a real live genkan for the first time, and all of the scenic beauty that is abundant in Japan. I'm also really excited to see all of the crazy stuff there is to buy there and whatnot. I guess I should give this up before I use the word really twenty more times, and focus on getting healthy and ditch this cold ASAP.
-Tristan (Akinori)

Westward bound

Funny how in America we head 'West" to visit the "Far East", but I digress...
I'm really excited for this trip, it'll be my first flight off the continent and I hope to have fun traveling all over the place on the opposite end of the earth. First though I hope to be done with all these college applications so I don't have to think about them on the trip. I can't wait for the food, the views, and ,to put it bluntly, the stuff. I hope to try lots of sea food because, as I've said. if it comes from the ocean and isn't a shark, mammal, or mollusk, I will eat it happily.
Oh, and if I end up getting a middle seat on the plane and someone's willing to trade, please tell me. Because a middle-seat on a twelve hour plane trip will make me a full two inches shorter. Haha, just kidding, or maybe I'm not. All in all, can't wait for November 10th!

Pre-trip thoughts, anyone?

Ok, well, I'm really excited to go-- There's no question about that. But, honestly, what I'm most looking forward to is the food. That's always my favorite part whenever I leave the country is to try the cuisine, because there's so much you can learn about the culture through it, and it's super tasty... ha ha. I know it may sound cliche, but I'd like to really taste some of the sushi there, to see if it's different than here; and the soba and udon, and chirashi zushi, and maybe some ramen.... my mouth is watering just thinking about it... ha ha. I kinda want to try Japanese McDonalds too, just to say I had Japanese McDonalds.... heh. 

I also reeallly wanna buy lotsa stuff!!! I'm not as organized as Melina though.... ha ha, i still need to make a list. But that's definitely a plus.

I am worried about all the school we're missing though and the work I'll have to make up, but I'll try to do some on the plane...

All in all, I'm very excited!!!! I can't wait to go to Japan!!!

Sthguoht Prit-Erp

I'm very overwhelmed. I feel like there is very little time for me to actually be looking forward to the trip itself. Everything that I deal with now is stuff that I have to do before the trip. Those are the thoughts that are present in my mind.
Having said that, I'm hella excited. The thing that really keeps me going is knowing that in 16 days I'll be on a plane to Japan ready to dive into a whole different world. I can't wait to absorb all the Japanese I can. I especially can't wait to see 桃子. We've been emailing furiously back and forth waiting to see if she'll be my host. Regardless of who my host is, I've already bought her some presents. Ooo, presents. That's something I'm looking forward to. I've started my list of people who I'm getting presents; co-workers, teachers, neighbors, family, friends, everyone!
I don't know, all my thoughts and feelings are really jumbled. I know that I'm excited, but everything else is really fogging that. I know I'll have the best time of my life in Japan, and I'm really ready to go.

なななななな

I have no idea how to publish my presentation on the blog, all nice and fancy on the sidebar. Do I just post the URL in a post, like this;
http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dcwzh7g7_2dqhntfqz&interval=10
Or is there some special blogger guru way to do it that I don't know of?

Anyway, JAPAN! WOOOOOOOOOOO! This is gonna be so much fun! Of course I am a little scared; mostly over my language usage, but also over the culture shock. Will I be able to adapt? I believe so, but only time will tell. The fact that there are only three weeks left until we leave is psyching me out to no end. One of my concerns is the little gifts we bring. Think an Animal House poster would be too much for my host student? And what kinds of knick-knacks should I bring? I know! I'll make a bunch of origami!

-Luke

PS Drat you Sam and Kellan, that you are able to type in hiragana!

Yes! Japan here we come!

I am sooo excited for this trip! I just can't wait, I even have a little mental count-down running. Ever since I was a kid, going to Japan has been my life long dream, and now, it's coming true! Don't get me wrong, I know my Japanese is sub-par and I'm scared that I won't be able to communicate well. However I do have some ideas as what to do (such as make a lot of hand motions or bring a sketch pad to draw them what I'm talking about).

Even though I'm really scared, I know that I'll get the hang of the language (eventually) and I'll be able to understand a lot better as the days go on.

-いさむ　(Sam)

Trip...

I agree with Gaby completely. I've never really been out of the country before,except going to Canada when I was like a year old. I'm a bit nervous, as I think everyone is, but at the same time I'm over the moon about this trip. I'm extremely excited, if not a bit anxious. I'm really glad I'm going with this group of people too; I'm friends with all the people I know that are going on the trip, which will make this experience that much better. There's still a lot to plan out, and a LOT more to actually do, but in the end, I know this trip will be FAR more than worth the work we all put into it.

きよし（Kellan)

Blogging

When Mr. VanKrey mentioned at our last meeting that no one other than him had posted on the blog yet, I realized that it was probably because no one wanted to go first. So I'm doing it. First off, I will say that yes, I am afraid for this trip. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited, but I'm a little scared too. I've never been out of the country before, unless you count driving through Canada on the way back from my Grandma's house during the summers when I was younger. So, this is kind of a big deal for me. I mean, there is a huge difference between a family road trip and flying halfway around the world. Trying to pack all my stuff for two weeks into one small suitcase, the extremely long plane ride, getting all of my school work that I'm going to miss done, and living with someone I haven't met yet is a little scary. Okay, a lot scary, but it will be amazing at the same time. I don't know, I kind of just rambled. Well, now that I posted something, maybe everyone else can too. So... that's it for now.

~Gaby Kenyon

What I'm looking forward to the most

I love getting off the plane and seeing the faces of my students as they first soak in Japan. Everything is so new, wordy, and seemingly homogeneous. I first went to Japan in the summer of 1988 and remember it like it was yesterday. I was so nervous about not knowing a word of Japanese and how I would get along with my family. I was staying for 8 weeks and attending school for 5 of those weeks. I immediately fell in love with everything looking/tasting/sounding so different. Tweety traffic signals, colored bumps on the sidewalks, dampness and that Japan smell that I can't quite put into words (it was summer!). I remember immediately loving my family and in particular my host brother who was my age. It was one of those times when you felt like you knew the other person already. Long lost brothers and all that...and the festivals! I soaked in as many as my host family would allow. I danced o-bon odori, carried omikoshi at the Miya Matsuri, and gasped at the amazing quality of local fireworks festivals. And it was at Tokyo Disneyland where I saw a flying American flag in one of those huge theaters that I first felt "American." There is so much wound up in an experience like this and I anticipate all 20 young people who I will travel with will bring me back to my high school days once again - with those wide open hearts and minds absorbing the awe and amazement of Japan.

Share your anticipations...document your feelings before you get on the plane, because after you get off the plane, you cannot recreate them - they will become permanently entangled in the upcoming reality of Japan and will never be pure again. Write, write, write.