Hi everyone!

Sorry it’s been a while. :) Since my last post, I have been home for a little over 4 months. Since then I have become reaquainted with the familiar sights, sounds, and tastes of America, although to this day I still crave Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. ;)

My host sister came to visit my family and I in America during October and November. She blended into the family seamlessly! We taught her how to play Mexican Train Dominos and sent her home to with her own set. :)We took her to Seattle and gave her the experience of going to an American high school. We also paid a visit to Greenbluff and to Riverfront Park in Spokane. She left on the 11th, so she did not get to spend any of the Holidays with us. :( But we are looking forward to sending her and her family Christmas gifts. :)

I miss her and her family very much, and my family misses her very much as well. It’s such a great feeling to have these sorts of international connections in life. (Really brings a new meaning to that redundant Disney song “It’s a small world.”) I am looking forward to hopefully visiting her and her family in the near future, along with doing some more international traveling! :)

Well, this is sadly the end of my blog. :( Besides the pictures posted after this! :) I hope that everyone can have an experience like this some point in their lives, it is truly a wonderful adventure!!! :DDD

Restoring of the main keep.

I thought this was kind of cool. This is inside of the castle in the main keep. This tree trunk, now a pillar, that was used in the construction of the castle is 670 years old. (Note: The 780 was about something else.)

I took this one from inside of the main section of the castle. We were very high up, so I had to use the zoom.

A very small section of Himeji Castle. It was so big, you’d have to be in a helicopter to get it all!! :D

Samurai outfits. (Inside of Himeji Castle Grounds. :)

My host sister and I at Himeji. We took this picture next to some old roof-decorations that were used for the older version of Himeji Castle.

Sorry it’s been a while, everyone! I tried to update earlier, but Tumblr was throwing a technilogical fit. Oh, well. :)

I can’t believe that this trip is already almost over…:( It makes me sad, although part of me is a little anxious to get home. It’s hard being away from your family and friends for so long. I greatly appreciate everything that my family and the society has done to help make this trip such an amazing adventure! I have done so many things that I never thought I’d be able to do! I feel so lucky…I have smiled so much during this trip, it almost hurts! :D This trip has been an eye opener for me. One of the most important things I have learned is that we may speak different languages, we may live different lifestyles, and we may look different; but we still laugh over the same things and cry over the same things. But most of all, we want the best for each other. We may not understand what the other person is saying, but we still share a special bond through having feelings and just by simply being human. I think that is so cool, and I’ve never had an experience like this before that has made me realize that…until now. :) I am truly thankful. :) I think everyone should have at least one experience like this in life.

I used to think that I never deserved oppurtunities like this. I’m glad that I have such a big support system of people that have faith in me, and feel that I do deserve these things, and who have been there for me through the good and the bad in life. Those people have done so much for me, and I don’t know how I’ll ever repay them. :)

I have four days left of adventuring. :) So じゃうねえ！ (See you later!)

Hello, folks!!

Sorry it’s been a while, I’ve been out exploring Japan!! Recently, I visited Himeji Castle in Himeji, Japan. Yes, Christian…I was wrong…it isn’t in Osaka. :/ Whoops. :) It was amazing!! I thought it was about 300 years old. No, it’s about 800. :D To be seeing something that enormous and old with my own two eyes was quite the treat!! I even got to go inside of it!! (You had to get a reservation) It was just simply amazing!! Definitely one of the highlights of my trip!! :D It has been restored at least 4 or 5 times in history since its construction in 1333, yes 1333. :D There is one wall out of the intire castle that hasn’t been reconstructed at all, because it has been able to withstand the 800 years. How? It was the only wall constucted with a special plaster made partly with rice…and thus it is not only water-resistant, but bullet proof. :) So, not only is Kyoto a great destination, but Himeji is, too!! And Osaka!! Golly, just go anywhere that you can if you ever get to go there! There are all sorts of “hidden treasures.”

Part of Himeji Castle is actually currently under construction for resoration again. This didn’t ruin the experience, though; it enhanced it. I got to learn about and see just how extensive the process is for restoring something so old. It was pretty cool. It should be done in 2015. :)

From the 13th to the 15th of July, I went to a Summer Camp with my host sister. :) It was cool! We worked on getting ready for their cultural festival, which will occur in September, so I won’t be there…:( But I still had fun doing lots of painting, playing with fireworks, and socializing with my host sister’s friends. :)

On the 12th of July, I went to Universal Studios in Osaka. It was fun!! :D All of the rides were fun! I can’t pick which one was my favorite!! If I had to pick, it would probably be ”Space Fantasy.” The Special effects were very interesting!! :)

I also went to a science museum with my host sister, host father, and Christian. That was a blast! Then we went to a hot spring for feet. :)

I have also been to the beach with my host sister and host father. It was so pretty! The sand was golden and the water was aqua-colored!! :D

Japan has been a blast!!! I’m sad that I’m going home in about ten days. (according to the timing in Japan). Until then, I still have more to experience!! Tomorrow, I’m going to Nara with my host family. It is famous for its giant Buddha statue. :) It should be cool.

Well, until next time, じゃうねえ！(see you later!)

Please feel free to ask any questions. :D I’m more than happy to talk about my experience and answer any questions. :)