This is actually my second time writing the majority of this journal entry as I accidentally permanently deleted it when cleaning my computer. It’s been about three months since my last journal entry, and it has been the densest amount of time regarding activities and events. To start, I actually was a クリ ぼっち (Kuri Bocchi) which translates to someone who is alone on Christmas. My host family during that time were very traditional and didn’t celebrate any western holidays and all my friends were with their significant others. So, Christmas was kind of a bust; but New Years was relatively new to what I’m used to. As I previously stated, my host family during that time were very traditional so they took Japanese New Years very seriously. We went to multiple shrines to pray to different deities and pulled our fortunes where I got the worst one possible. I helped make Osechi; which is a traditional food eaten on New Years where each food included is supposed to represent something and set the course of the year.

I switched host families again on January 25th. I’m back to my first host family because we get along so well that they request to host me again. To be frank, while I do appreciate my time spent with my previous host family, I just get along with my current/first one significantly better. Other than that, January was a pretty tame month as everyone is just preparing for finals. However, I can’t say the same for February and March. February was a relatively packed month with Valentines Day and the first week of finals. Valentines’ day here in Japan is a decent bit different from America. Valentine’s Day is for girls to confess to their crush, and then in March, there is White Day, where it’s the dudes’ chance to confess. However, there are a ridiculous amount of different types of chocolate and each type having their own meaning. I actually received a few myself, but they ended up disappearing before I could take them home. I also volunteered at the Kyoto marathon which was a novel experience and got myself a complimentary towel.

After finals we still had three weeks of school left but there was no class and I didn’t have to attend as I am an exchange student. So, I got some extra spring break. However, during those three weeks there were over 10 excursions. We spent time on Lake Biwako, the largest lake in Japan, wrote calligraphy with a monk, etc. The place which was the most memerable for me was the Kyoto Korean School. It was really interesting seeing people take classes in Korean and I was also super popular with the students. Once the official spring break started, I haven’t had any time for myself. I am either at a Rotary event, volunteering, or traveling. This weekend I am actually attending a conference and participating in a presentation competition for Rotary, which I am actually quite afraid for. Now that it has passed the halfway mark for my exchange; it seems that my Rotary district is being more active and scheduling more events.

Overall, even though I am tired 24/7, I am having a great time. The cherry blossoms are beautiful. Everyone is super nice and I frankly don’t want to go back home.