Chihiro Watanabe

2008-09 Inbound from Japan

Hometown: Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

Sponsor: Sendai Rotary Club, District 2520, Japan

Host: Orange Park Sunrise Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida, USA

School: Fleming Island High School, Orange Park, FL

Bio

Chihiro's Bio

Hello! My name is Chihiro Watanabe. I'm from Japan! It takes about 5 hours from my city, SENDAI to TOKYO by bullet train. And I am living in Orange Park with Steve and Lori Richards family while on exchange in Florida. I'm attending Fleming Island High School, and I'm going to try to play softball at school.

I'm so happy to come to U.S. and I appreciate to meet my great host family and friends. I have plenty of homework everyday, so I'm struggling all the time. It's not easy to tell people what I'm thinking in English, but I won't give up! I want to make many friends, and make many great experiences from now on!

By the way, I'm eating so many CHICKENS here.. But I love American foods! Especially, pizza, bagels, and CHICKEN! And I thought Florida was very hot, but it's soooo cold here! Of course it's very hot outside, but in the classroom, I'm always freezing..

Thank you for giving me such a wonderful experience this year!

September 29 Journal

Hello Hello Hello everybody!

How're you doing? I'm fine. This is my first journal in Florida, and it's gonna be a long journal. I spent the time about 2 months here, and I made some experiences until today, so let me tell them to you. I'm ready! Are you ready?

Go Go Go!

First I'm gonna talk about my great, funny, and very kind host family. I'm very very very happy to be hosted by this host family, and I'm enjoy spending the time with them. There're 5 people and one dog in my host family, dad, mom, one older brother, two younger sisters, and pretty doggy, Haley.

My dad, Steve

My dad is a teacher in elementary school and he teaches children of grade 2. And he is gonna have an election in November, and he is spending very busy day all the time. But he wakes me up every morning at 6 o'clock, and drives me to my school everyday. If I call him, he can pick me up all the time, so he is like my super hero! He is tall, has white hair, loud voice, and big smile! And I love his smile very very much. He always makes me smile, and he loves jokes. When I heard his English for the first time, I couldn't understand anything. I don't know why, but I think his English is very very American like 'L'' sound and 'R'' sound is great. haha Of course he is American, so it's a very basic thing when he speaks English, but it was very hard for me to understand what he said. So he tried to speak English slowly. Now, I can understand what he says! Anyway, he is very very funny, so I'm always laughing at him. I like to talk to him about funny story, and I like to laugh with him. And he is good at cooking, and it's very delicious! He is a good cooker in my house. I wanna say 'thank you'' to him. I've never saw his sad face, and I think he is trying to keep his nice face everyday. I don't know how I can appreciate him... I wanna hug him tightly, and then I'm gonna say THANK YOU 100000000 times! I love you, dad!

My mom, Lori

My host mom is awesome! She works with Girl Scouts, and she's a Rotarian. So I go to Rotary meeting once a month with her. And I went to her office a few times, and I think her job is very cool. And I said Girl Scouts was very nice, and I wanted to join it if I knew that. 14 to 18 years old girl can join the Girl Scouts, and I'm 17 years old, so I'm quite old... But I can go to some activities of Girl Scouts if I wanna go, so I'm gonna go someday. Because I think it's very cool! You think so? Amazingly, when I told my host mom Girl Scouts was nice, she told me American teenagers don't think it is nice. So I was surprised. They have a uniform, and they can put on many pins and stickers if they wanna do that. It's very COOL as my opinion like our Rotary jacket! My host sisters are Girl Scouts.

I'm taking American government, American history, Chorus, Pottery, English, and Team sports. I have plenty of homework everyday. I hate homework... But one day, I learned one of the word, "congress'' in the American government class, and next day, I found the same word in my textbook. It was an important word in that chapter. So I could understand and I was very very happy. Classes are very hard, but I think it's a very important thing to do my best, I realized. And my mom always helps me, and her explain is awesome! I appreciate her explain and now, I'm trying to do my best in each class. One day I asked host mom whether I can ride a bike all the way to my school. But she said 'NO''. It's very dark outside in the morning, so she doesn't let me ride. Why did she say NO? My mom always worry about my sister and I. She is a great mom, isn't she? Mom is like... I don't know how I can explain her existence for me. I appreciate her. Love you, Mom!

My host brother, William

I have one host brother, his name is William. He goes to college, and he's junior in his college. And he went away from home, and he shares the room with his friends. So I can see him only a few days in month... He graduated my school, Fleming Island HS. He is like... funny? He is my good older brother. When I was in Japan, I was an oldest child on my family, so I wanted older brother or sister. So I'm happy to have an oldest brother now. He's studying Journalism in his college, and he wanna be a reporter in his future! I think he is gonna be a good reporter, and I cheer him. September 22 was his birthday, and I gave him one present. Actually, I made the present. I went to bed at 3 o'clock... I made a calendar for him, and it's a count calendar toward his graduation! When I left Japan, my friend gave me a calendar for my exchange year, and then, I was very very happy to get it. So I wanted to give it to him too! I went to Wal-mart (it's a supermarket) and I bought many stuffs to make it. I like to surprise people, so I made it secretly. It was very hard to keep secret, because all of my host family was very interested in what I was doing. haha When I gave it to him, I was very happy like... I could do it! And I hope he likes it... I have a few times to make an experience with him, but I wanna make experiences with him from now on! He's a nice guy. Love you William!

My host sister, Kate

This is one of my host sister, Kate who is 16 years old, she goes to Fleming Island HS, it means we go to the same school. She's junior now, and she likes Japanese anime very much. She knows Japanese anime more than me, and she wanna be a movie director in her future, so I think that's why she knows some of Japanese anime, and is interested in Japan. But I don't like anime so much, and I know a few anime... When I went to my school for the first time, and till I adapted to my school, she took care of me. Where is the best toilet in my school... where is the library...where is.... I could do well with her help, so I appreciate her. When I'm in Japan, I have two younger brothers, so this is my first time to stay with some of the girls. When I heard there were two sisters in my host family, I was a little nervous. But now, I love my real Japanese brother, and American sisters very much. I am very happy to have sisters here, and it's gonna be my good experience, because girls are funny... Kate is like... amazing! She has a talent to make something like bags, accessories, and good at draw something. Her room is also amazing... There are many stuffs she made. I like to look at it in her room. Love you Kate!

My youngest host sister, Emily

She is my youngest host sister who is 14 years old, and she's a freshman of FIHS. And I play softball in my school in America, and she's also member of my softball team. We play slow pitch now, and I'm gonna play fast pitch soon. I've never heard slow pitch before, but rule is same, just speed of ball is slow. There're many people who have never played softball, so it's like easy practice for me. Because when I was in Japan, my school finish about 4 o'clock in afternoon, and after that, we practice for 3 or 4 hours in the school. I was belonging to the tennis club in Japan, and I usually go back to my house 8 or 9 o'clock. It's a big difference between my Japanese school and FIHS. After school, I have plenty of my free time here. But I am usually tired, so I take a nap all the time... haha And my free time became a study time everyday... Emily likes to go shopping, make up, and..... She is a pretty girl, and she is funny. I think I spend many times with her, because we have same clubs, and we go back to home together. We usually play up each other, and it's very very funny! We can trust each other, and we like it. And if I don't speak English correctly, my host sisters fix my English. I wanna talk to them like American people as soon as possible. I appreciate that... Emily is my good friend, good member of softball, and good sister. Love you Emily!

I wrote a lot about my host family.. but I need to have more time to talk about my host family, because they're like... awesome!! Next let me talk about my school, FIHS.

When I was in Japan, I went to an only girl's school, and it had about 700 students in the school. Oh, my school in Japan has an exchange student from America this year, and her name is Georgia. You can see her on Rotary outbound exchange students page! I talked to her on the internet once, and I'm sure she is a good girl, and we talked in English and Japanese! It's awesome, isn't it? haha So it's very different from my school and FIHS. FIHS has lots of students, and there are many subjects which we can learn. And our football team is very strong, and I've never saw they lost the game before. And I have plenty of homework, tests, and quizzes all the time. It's very hard for me to understand everything, but I'm trying to ask somebody if I don't understand what's going on, and what we're gonna do. My most favorite class is the lunch time! haha (it's not a study, but it's a good time to spend the time with my friends). I hope I have best friends some day. I'm still struggling with language, because all of the students and my friends speak English fast. When I'm in Japan, I'm very talkative, so if I don't understand what my friends said, it's gonna be my stress... Compare with August and now, I think my English is improving a little bit. So I can understand what my friends say, but it's not complete... as soon as I wanna understand everything, and then I wanna be like real American! But I don't wanna get fat anymore! haha

I have three different host families in America, and I've already met all of them. I went to the beach with second host family last weekend, and I'm sure they're gonna be my good host family. I guess I'm gonna go to second host family's house in December after I go to the Disney world. And they have two little kids. They're amazing... too pretty... My second host brother is 4 years old, and when we met for the first time, he was very shy.. And he said I was not his friend. oh... But after a few times when I went back to my house, he gave me his ice cream, and we became friends! And I went to the football game with him, and he was more friendly than before. And my second host family call me Chie Chie which is my new nickname in America! Actually American can't pronounce my name correctly, so they call me Chie. (My name is CHIHIRO) But I like my new nickname very much. And my second host sister is 2 years old, and she is amazingly pretty. I like her smile. But... it's very hard to understand what she say, so I'm very careful when I talk to her. I'm sure I can enjoy spending the time with them. Second host family is also nice people! I met my third host family only once, so I hope I can see them again. And one of my host brother in my third host family is an exchange student from Florida this year, and his name is Joe Hirabayashi. Before he left Florida, I met him once in my welcome party. He was a nice guy, and I think I'm gonna spend a nice time with his family too! He has two brothers (I'm not sure), and I'm so excited to stay with them.

I'll do my best from now on too, and I wanna make a great exchange year! I'm getting very very tan! That's a nice thing! I love my family, school, friends, and American foods! I wanna enjoy more! See you soon, and love you everyone! Thank you for reading my first journal.

Chie (Chihiro Watanabe)

	At orientation	Beautiful women (ha ha)	Birthday party
Grandma's birthday party	Host sister and Haley	My favorite sports	My friends
My great host family	My homework	Talk to my Japanese mom	William's birthday

November 2 Journal

HEY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

How're you doing? I'm fine and it's been about 3 months now since I began my exchange. I can't believe it though.. The times passed very quickly, and I was always tired, sleepy, and hungry... haha. Everything is still hard but it's betting better compared with the month which I arrived in Florida. I'm learning some of English everyday single day and I'm sure it's gonna be a big English skill in my future. My host family helps me all the time, and especially, my host mom is my great English teacher. She is very patient when she listens to me. I told her that when I make a mistakes even though it's a little mistake, I wanna know it. So during my host mom and I talking, she always tell my mistakes to me. I appreciate that. And I love my host mom very much.

Let me tell you my recent American life! First of all, I'll tell you about one of my great and amazing weekend with Rotary people. It was October 17 through 20, and 28 exchange students got together at same place, St. Augustine then. We went to Alligator Farm, Beach, Shopping, and we were hosted by Rotary people in St. Augustine. That was my great memory in my life, and I really enjoyed it. I wanna appreciate all of the people, and I was very happy that I went there with them. All of the exchange students were awesome, and we shared same issues about our life and school in America, so we could share our problems then. I felt that I was not alone. They're not just my friends, and they're my family too. I think that was very very cool that bunch of people who all over the world got together for three days. Already, they became part of my family, and I'm sooooo happy I got to know them. Can I say once more? I'm soooo happy I got to know them! LOVE YOU EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My host mom in St. Augustine was great woman, and I have to say 'thank you'' to her for thousands of times... I was hosted by her with Twang, who is from Thailand. She was really kind to me, and her little babies (she has two dogs) were amazingly pretty. We took them for a walk every morning, and host mom and I were talking about many of the things every evening. Mom loved me, and I could feel it, so I could also love her. Her job is helping homeless people, also a police officer, and she told me she is proud of her jobs. I respect her, and surprisingly, I wanna be a police officer in my future too. It's miracle that I met her in St. Augustine, and I was hosted by her for two nights. You know, I eat so much chicken in America, so I missed fish so much. And I told it to my St. Augustine mom, she took me to the restaurant which we could eat some fresh fishes. That was delicious and I was so hungry, I ate almost all of my foods. We promised to go to the Japanese restaurant next day. But next day, we had a BBQ with Rotary people on the St. Augustine beach. I remembered to go to the Japanese restaurant, and I really wanna eat Japanese foods, so I tried to eat BBQ a little a bit. ( I ate three pieces of gator fries, a bread, and water.) When I told my St. Augustine mom that I tried to eat BBQ a little a bit, she laughed a lot. I was very happy because we went to the Japanese restaurant after we went to the beach. That was good! I think I'm becoming an American girl, because I ate a piece of pizza there even though I went to the Japanese restaurant. Remember? One of my favorite American food is pizza! It's funny thing.

It was really hard for me to say 'goodbye'' to my St. Augustine mom at the alligator park. Before I went there, I drew her face, dogs faces, Twang, and mine, and I gave it to her. She looked so happy. She was happy, so I was happy too. And it meant I had to leave her home, I felt very sad, and I cried. Also she drove Twang and me to the Gator park, I was thinking about the three days which I spent the time with her in her car. I had such a good time with her, and she already became my great mom. I was very very sad when I said 'see you later'' to her, and I cried again. We didn't say 'goodbye'' and we promised to meet again soon, and keep in touch from now on. She is great woman, and I love her so much. I'm sure that I'm gonna go back to her home soon. I think that two days is too short, so I wanna be at her home for one year next time! ( haha I'm just kidding, but If I can, I wanna do it!) Thank you for giving me a chance to meet her in St. Augustine. And mom, I love you so much, take care. I promise to see you soon, and I'm always thinking about you. I appreciate my opportunity to meet her. And thank you for hosting me mom!

I went to Kennedy Space Center and Universal Studios in Orlando with my host family. I remember reading about Kennedy Space Center in my textbook in Japan. So I felt some strengths, because I was in the place which I saw on my textbook. Hopefully, I wanna see the launch during I am in Florida. I had a good time there, and buildings are very spectacular! Ok. let me tell you about my horrible time in Universal. Before I go there, I was exactly excited, and I was very happy. And my host family and I picked my host brother up in before we go Universal. Also I saw my host brother's university. The university is very big, and it looks a good university. After that, I ate hamburger in the car, and that was ready to go to Universal. But... it made me sick. I could ride a very popular ride in Universal, and the name is THE HULK. I rode in front of the ride, and I like it. Before I ride it, I was really scared about it, but after I ride it, I was extremely excited. And I rode some of rides there. And when I rode a Red rollercoaster, I got really sick. I usually love a roller coasters, but I didn't enjoy a lot in there.. But I appreciate I got to get there, and I'm so sorry for my host family. My host mom say 'No more rollercoaster for Chihiro!'' hahah

And my mom has a funny laugh, I think. So it's much funnier than her laugh even though I watch a funny show on TV. She wonders why I laugh at her all the time, and she asks why I laugh at her. That's just funny for me. I can't stop laughing! But I'm gonna apologize just to make sure, mom. Sorry! :)

I cut the pumpkin in Halloween with my second host family! This is my first time to cerebrate Halloween, and I enjoyed cutting the pumpkin. But cutting the pumpkin is very hard work, especially the big one. My second host mom worked very well, and other family was playing side of her! hahah My host brother and sister are very cute, and they got accustomed to me recently, so I like to go to their home. second host parents and I also went to the airplane show, and I saw very cool air planes there. They looked tough, and I think I got sick when I rode a rollercoaster, so I can't be a pilot like them.. That was very cool. My second host family is very kind to me. I appreciate them, and I like them. Thank you!

I'm a lazy girl from Japan, so I don't wanna work on my homework all the time. I have plenty of homework every single day, and I give up early. But one day, I felt very sad while I was working on my homework. I couldn't stop crying then, and I talked to my host mom. She listened to me very carefully, and we found a good way what I need to do. I'm in Florida far away from Japan for about three months. If there aren't any people who can help me, maybe I give up in August. But there are many of people who help me, make me laugh, and love me, so I can stay in Florida, and I can write my journal right now. How can I appreciate them? I don't know why, because I'm not a good girl, so I think it's hard for my host family to take care of me. hahah I wanna enjoy spending the time in Florida more, and I wanna be a good daughter for my host family. I wanna speak English more fluently, and I wanna be an American girl except my gain weight. It's already three months since I got here. Everything is English around me, and nobody speaks Japanese. But I'm surrounded by warm people in Florida, so I can enjoy and laugh. Thank you so much. I won't give up even I get sick. And I promise to be a good English speaker toward end of my exchange year. I wanna speak English! I wanna understand everything! I love my friends! I love my host family! I love Florida!

Recently, I got perm! :) I'm very happy now, and everyone says, 'I like your hair, Chie!'' Thank you everyone, and I like my hair too even though sometimes my hair is exploding!!! I'm becoming an American!!! Love, from curly girl, Chihiro!

November 23 Journal

Hello everyone!

I had a great time with Rotary people on the 15th, 16th, and 22nd this month. We had interviews for a bunch of students who want to be an exchange student next year. I want to share my happiness with you today. It's going to be a short journal as usual, but I hope you enjoy reading my journal!

This year, Rotary Youth Exchange Florida has more applications than ever before. Inbound students helped with the interviews. Applicants had six different sections of 20 minutes each. While the students were having their interview, inbound students were talking to their parents. We talked about our experiences in the United States, the difference between the United States and our own country, school, foods, and what's going on when we get back to our country next year. Also we guided applicants from room to room. We worked hard! For example, on the 22nd, I woke up at 6:00 o'clock, and I got to Palatka (which is the place we had the interviews) at 8:00 o'clock. We finished working about 7:00 o'clock.

I was hosted by a family for just 2 nights in Palatka on the first weekend. 6 girls were in the house. The family was very kind to us even though we were so loud. They had three kids at home, and they're so cute! One night, we played a music game together. Also, three kids lent us their room. Thank you family! I had a good time with you!

The work was very tiring, but I had a great time with my friends! We haven't seen each other for a long time! I missed my friends! We had some time to talk during the break in between each section. During the break, we were so talkative! Everybody is my good friend. After we finished working, we were all exhausted. Everybody looked very tired, and some people were almost sleeping! hahah:)

Some of the parents have already sent their children before, so this is their second time to send their child to a foreign country. I think that's so cool that they use Rotary exchange program many times. And it means people trust Rotary. I could see that Rotary is a great program in the whole world again. I don't know why, but I felt very happy because I'm in the United States as an exchange student using this amazing program now!

When I was talking care of applicants, I was thinking about last year. I was preparing to be an exchange student last year in Japan. I can't believe that I'm spending my time in the U.S. now even though I have spent almost 4 months here. Wow, the time passed so quickly...

When the Rotarians admired our great job, we were so happy! I think Rotarians were tired too, because they were working very hard too. They gave us lunch and snacks all day. I appreciated that. Thank you very much.

By the way, I'm going to go to Disney World next month with Rotary for four days! I'm extremely excited!!! I can see all the exchange students then. We will have the best day we ever spent. I'm looking forward to going to Disney and seeing my friends! Thank you again! See you soon! Chihiro

December 21 Journal

Hi, everybody! It's almost happy happy Christmas! I'm so glad I don't have to do homework anymore during the Christmas break! I can sleep late everyday during the break! I can be lazy! Oops! I lied... I'm always lazy! I'm a lazy girl from Japan! I feel so many Christmas feelings around me, and houses look really beautiful with Christmas decorations! People start going shopping for Christmas, and they look busy writing so many Christmas cards to family, friends, and relatives. There is a big, tall, and very beautiful Christmas tree at my host family's home. I realized that it's almost 2009! It means it's about 5 months since I started my exchange year. Half of my exchange year has already gone! I can't believe how the time has passed quickly. So all I have to do is doing my best all the time, having fun a lot, and don't regret anything. Believe in myself!

First, I want to say "Congratulations'' to future exchange students. I got some messages from the exchange students next year, and they told me that they made it. (I helped with Rotary interview last month in Palatka, and Rotarians decided which students are going to be an exchange student next year.) I was extremely happy when I got the messages! I wanted to tell them that I knew you were going to make it! Hope you'll do well with the process to be ready to go to their exchange countries. And if you're going to Japan next year, make sure to tell me! I want to know who is going to Japan! :) Happy Merry Christmas!

And also, I don't know who is coming to Florida next year from Japan, but whoever will come, I hope the students from Japan are going to be great exchange like me! (just kidding! haha) Hope lots of exchange students are coming to Florida which is the best district in entire world! Happy Merry Christmas!

And, my SENDAI Rotary club which sent me to Florida, thank you so much. I'm enjoying my time in Florida, and I'm so happy that I'm surrounded by so many warm people here. They make me laugh, and make me busy. I'm spending my time here, because you sent me here, and you chose Florida for me. I'm so happy I'm in warm place! Appreciated. Next year, 2009, I'm going to be more powerful, beautiful, fantastic, gorgeous, and getting tan! Thank you again. Happy Merry Christmas!

Rotary Youth Exchange Program Florida! Okay, I have to say "Thank you'' until I leave this world. This program is amazing! I got to know my friends from school, my host families, and my great siblings from all over the world with your program. I love Rotarians even though some Rotarians are mean to me! haha No, they're just playing with me, and I know they're just kidding. I really love it! They're really funny and friendly! My American big Dads and Moms! Thank you for taking care of me this year, and see you next year. Happy Merry Christmas!

Host families! All I can say is "Thank you'', and that's it...that's all. I don't know how to express this feeling and gratitude to you. I have no idea how they host me. Because I'm lazy, always mess my room up, and eat chicken a lot. haha

★Steve and Lori's family, You were very kind when I got here and didn't get anything. Dad, remember? You tried to speak English slowly. But as the time passes, we became a best friend, didn't we?:) I'm not going to forget the words forever which you said when I was about to leave your home. Mom, I learned English a lot from you. When I got sad one night, you hugged me tight, and you made me feel better. Do you know how much you helped with me? I'll study from now on, and I want to show you my great report card! My brother and sisters! Thank you for having your time with me. After I left your home, you guys are still really nice to me. I love you as love as my real brothers. And Haley, I'm so glad you got better!:) You're my little best friend! I'll take you for a walk shortly! Wait for me and don't forget me! Thank you everyone, and happy Merry Christmas!

★James and Kristen's family. It's about three weeks since I started staying with you. Do you know how much I love you?:) I usually wake up at 4:00, and sweep all of the floors at home, and be ready for your breakfast every single day. When I forget something to do, my host parents said I might sleep in the garage... No, I'm just kidding! haha We always say that kind of jokes each other everyday. They're really funny. I like my second host family too! Dad is really concerned about my friends, especially boys. That's really funny, but I really like him. He gave me a new nick-name, Chi-Chi, everyone in this family call me that. I really like it, because it sounds very cute! Mom, I'm enjoying my time with you a lot. I love talking to you so much. And thank you for turning my light off everyday. Teach me English more! Go shopping together! Talk to me more! I would love to do anything with you except eating a melon! haha Hey, my little brother and sister, you guys are too sweet! I like to make you laugh, and I love playing with you. Hope you're having fun with me, and you like to stay with me. Thank you family, and I'm sure I'll have so much fun with you for three months! I'm so happy I can stay with you during Christmas break! Happy Merry Christmas!

★My future third host family, I'm looking forward to staying with you. Hope you are going to like me. I'm so excited to stay with two host brothers because their ages are exactly same as my real brothers! Happy Merry Christmas!

To my siblings from all over the world! (Inbound students this year) Finally, we got the Christmas break!!! Hope you'll have so much fun with your host family and friends. Get a lot of plans for your break! I'm looking forward to seeing you next year, and don't forget me! haha Thank you for spending a wonderful time with me from August through this month. I'm so happy I got to know you, and I appreciate I'm in the same state with you this year. Happy Merry Christmas!

My real family in Japan, I really appreciate you. I know dad and mom are working hard for giving me this opportunity to stay here as an exchange. Your letters and e-mails encourage me, and make me feel happy. I can stay here with your help. You seem like you don't miss me at all, but I know you miss me! haha if really not, I'm going to cry, because I got a horrible parents! Thank you very much dad and mom. And we live separately now, and we got long distance between America and Japan, but I feel you everyday. I know you're cheering me in Japan all the time. My lovely brothers! Hope you're doing well without me in Japan. Please make sure to be nice, and good luck for your school! Grandpa, take care! Keep cheering me from Japan! Don't get a cold. Love you everyone! My host families are just great, and they're like exactly you. They take care of me like my real parents, and my sisters and brothers are my important siblings. いつも家族のことを想っています。体に気をつけて、元気でいてください。そして2009年も変わらない、いつもと同じ笑いの絶えない渡邊家でいてください! Happy Merry Christmas!

And I appreciate all people who know me. I'm fine, and I'm doing my best in Florida now! Next year, what kind of fun stuff is waiting for me? I'm so excited! And, this month, December 28th, I'll turn 18th in America! It's a big deal in America.. 18th... I'm a big girl, already!

Merry Christmas everybody. Have a great holiday! Thank you for 2008!

April 7 Journal

It's a while since I wrote my journal last time. I believe it was December like Christmas time. Oops... I bet Rotarians are almost getting mad about my laziness...hehe

Anyways! How have you been, everyone? I know everyone wants to read what's going on in my life so far, I think it's time to start talking about my life lately!

First of all, I would like to introduce my third family, Hirabayashi. Could you recognize something about their name? Yes, very smart! They are half JAPANESE. My third dad is Japanese and he got married to a white American woman here. He knows some basic Japanese and he is very interested in learning Japanese. It's very fun to teach him Japanese! I would say hilarious! It took him at least 3 weeks to remember how to say “Can you say it again?” in Japanese. I don't mean to say that, but English and Japanese are completely different, so I believe that it's hard to learn. For example, if you want to say the phrase, “Can you say it again?” again would be a word which you should say first when you speak Japanese.

As I met my third family and teaching them English I realized how hard to learn foreign language. Everyone has to learn English when they get in junior high school in Japan and my feeling was like English is part of education in Japan. I didn't make a point of learning English, and I didn't know how hard it is if I don't get things that people in foreign country say and how painful when I can't describe things even though I'm thinking something in my mind in Japanese. I want to tell but I can't tell, it's the hardest thing to do and what I hate the most.

Lately, I pulled up from my closet my old English grammar book which I used to use when I was in Japan. I remembered bringing the book with me just in case. “Remember my original intention” is always in my mind recently and I started learning English harder than before. My English is improving so I want to learn more. I want to speak and pronounce English as close as Americans do. Recently, all my mind is for English and I'm believing so hard I could do it.

My third mom helps me a lot when I learn new words, phrases and sentences in English. We decided that I would learn 5 new things which I don't know every single day before I go to bed. If Monday is a day to learn 5 new nouns, Tuesday is supposed to be 5 new phrases day. She is very helpful and once she starts talking, she teaches me things more which I didn't expect to learn at that time. My brothers, Jack always go like “MOM! She is not a baby!” “OMG! MOM! that's enough!” like that. What she talks about is exactly what I want to learn and what I should know, I appreciate her patience and her time to stay with me to study.

I went to the public library recently, and borrowed a couple books which children read with their parents. Sounds like stupid that 18 years girl read books for kids, but it helps my pronunciation and learning common sentences. Even it's a basic word or phrases, I can notice my mistakes when I pronounce English by reading those books. I want to refresh my mind and want to go back to my beginning of learning English.

I want to keep it up and I want to learn as much as possible before I go back to Japan. Talking to someone in a foreign language is hard but fun. Therefore there is something to do and working hard for it is very important thing. Never give up.

I don't like to call my family in the United States as “host family”. I have never felt that I'm not a part of family even I'm actually not. All of my families in the United States are special for me and I love them as much as I love my family in Japan. It was really funny that my second mom told me she didn't want to have me at first. She was afraid of having a bad exchange student. I don't think it wasn't hard for them to have me with their own two little kids. I remember talking to my dad crying because of my bad report card one night. They probably don't know how I was feeling with it, I guess. I was crying at that time, but I felt they were my parents in the United States at the same time. Because they might not say anything with my report card if they don't care about me and they don't think about me. My old guy, oops, my second dad (haha) was very strict and made me cry but it actually made me happy. I had the night with them and I overcame it, I'm doing good at studying at school recently. Having families are most important thing being an exchange student for me.

Third family is especially different from my other families because of my dad is third generation and kids are half Japanese. I learned good thing and bad thing being in the United States from them about stereotypes.

Once my mom and I start talking about something, we won't stop. She won't shut up. She likes to talk. Haha. That's what I like to do the most and talking to her is lots of fun and I learn a lot from her. She treat me as one of her kids, and what I like the best is allowance for each week. Haha. My brothers are so cute. I feel happy, laugh a lot with them and feel safe being with them.

I didn't know that they are having me for volunteer. I thought Rotary paid for them, but they don't. It's really understandable that Rotarians told me the importance to say Thank you to everyone who did something for me. I want to keep doing my best and I want to be a person who is loved. What I can do is act like being at my own house. Now, my feeling is full of love and I appreciate everyone who is involved in my exchange year.

I have prom end of this month, and I have graduation ceremony end of next month. I'm a senior at Fleming Island HS. After the graduation ceremony, I won't go to school. I'm no longer a student in June and I'll go back to Japan. I'll enjoy this hot, nasty, humid and great weather in Florida, I'll eat good American food, I'll love my family and I'll be working on English hard.

Joe Hirabayashi who is in Czech Republic is one of my brother in the family. Hope he is having great time in Czech Republic as much as I'm having fun in the United States. And I want to say his family is just GREAT!

Thank you, have a fabulous spring break!

Chihiro Watanabe

May 21 Journal

The weather in Florida is now humid and getting hotter and hotter every day, and there is a person who is loving the weather so much! Her name is Chihiro!

I have one more month and couple days to go home.. I often think of last year when I got here lately. Every single thing does look totally different here from things in Japan, and I remember feeling uncomfortable last year with the new things here and speaking English instead of speaking my first language, Japanese.

I remember crying just because I couldn't make what I wanted to do. I remember doing homework with my first host parents last year. I remember asking my friends and host families so many questions for English. I remember realizing how much chicken I eat in Florida and it became my favorite dish. I remember when I start feeling comfortable being in Florida.

My life is turning on great. There are always people who love me, support me, and make me smile. I learned a lot through my exchange year, how important to appreciate people who get involved with me.

I got the sweetest message I have ever gotten in my entire life from one of my friends from HS here couple days ago. He was in my government class last semester, and he has now same economics class with me. He left a message on my Facebook and he went that he saw the video which I have on Facebook and he was impressed that seeing the video makes him realize how much my English improved compare with last year. He also said that he remembers when I was in his govt class last year, I couldn't speak English so much, but now much better. How sweet message is that! The message made me pleased and made me not want to go back home! Everything is finally looking natural for me and I get used to things here.?

My third family is just great, and I feel like I'm home. They never treat me as a guest but as their daughter. For example, my third mom never let me to cross the street of 220 and she doesn't let me to ride a bike to go to school. Also, she worries about my skin because I always get lots of tan. I went to TPC golf tournament on 9th of this month with dad, Jack, and Michael. Before I leave home, I put sunscreen for the first time since I arrive Florida! I got too much tan even though I put sunscreen on, mom was really loud about my tan. She kept saying that I've got to put lotion on. I act just like I'm home. When I go to bed, mom hugs me tightly, and I hug her more. I love to steal her personal space which means I love to sit really close to her when I watch TV or watch movies. She told me that Americans are kind of strange about the personal space, and Japanese people sit too close each other. So I told her that I don't care and I'm going to do what I want to do, and she now doesn't care anymore and even she sits very close to me. We touch each other too much! haha Sometimes she sounds like a too strict mom, but I really like what she is thinking of, how she acts, and what she does for her kids and me. My brothers, Jack and Michael are great as well, and they always make me laugh and we always doing silly things together. Dad is a hilarious person, everyone in the family likes him a lot. He put highlight on my hair end of last month, and once he starts doing someone's hair, his name is Pierre! Go get a phone and don't hesitate to call Pierre if you want to get color on your hair or wanna put highlight on your hair! He is good. He is not a hair stylist though. Pugsy is a stinky dog! My job is washing her once a week, otherwise she smells like a poop! haha

I had a big fight with one of my friends from my HS here this month, and we didn't talk for a week and two days. We always go to school together in same car and go home pretty much every day. It was a small thing to argue, but we both are stubborn, that's why it took a long time to get back in good friendship. I was in an awkward situation for a long time and I am not the kind of person who stays mad forever, so I was the first to talk with her. We're now fine and we both apologized each other. It is not a good thing to fight with my friends, but I felt happy that everyone doesn't think that I am an exchange student from Japan anymore; they treat me as their friend. I'm going to be very sad when I leave them here. Finally I got used to my high school here, and made friends, but my one year as an exchange student is almost over.

Last month, I went to Daytona where we had a district conference. There were so many people there and it was neat that I got to know people who are going to go to a foreign country from the United States as an exchange student next year. We had a short walking with our home country's flags, and we said "Thank you, Rotary!" in each language. I realized that how amazing that people from diverse countries got together at the place at that time. I also felt that how awesome the Rotary Youth Exchange Program is again! Then, I gave a speech representing an inbound student in front of a bunch of people. I didn't think it was good but everyone who was at the place and listening to my speech stood up and clapped their hands for me when I was done with my speech. Besides, I got a bunch of comments for my speech and it completely made me happy. I appreciate I got to get the chance to give a speech at District conference. Also, Borna became Exchange Student of the Year! Congrats!

I had been playing softball at school here, but the season is already over. I started playing tennis with my friends after school lately. One day, one of my friends and I were playing tennis for 4 hours after school and I came over her house to chill out and cool down, and we also had dinner together. After we were done with dinner, we went back to the tennis court and played tennis for 2 hours until 10. Last month, I also started golfing with my host bothers and I started loving golfing! I like watching the golf channel and like to golf. I just realized how much I like to play sports and love being outside no matter how hot the weather is.

I have only couple days to graduate from high school here, and after the graduation, I'm no longer a student at Fleming Island. Then I'm going to leave here on 26th of June. I'll miss everyone who got involved with me and I know that I'll be crying so badly at the airport even though my flight from Jacksonville is very early.

All I can do now is enjoy my rest of exchange year! Looking forward to seeing inbounds student of 6970 end of this month!

A big kiss and hug for you from Chihiro!

June 25 Journal

Hello everyone!

Is everything going well for you all? Loving the weather in Florida? Oh yes, I do! lol I have an announcement today. I'll leave USA on 26th of this month. Well, yesterday (24th) all of my host families came over my counselor's house and they gave me a special moment like they always do. Farewell party... I can't believe that I'm actually leaving soon!

It's been incredible getting to know people here. There were so many people who love me, care about me, and make me smile. I learned how significant to thank people and love people through this exchange year.

When I wrote my first journal, I needed my host family's help and they checked my journal out and fixed what they were supposed to be. My English is not complete and I still need to keep learning but I don't need someone's help anymore when I write this journal. And I love writing journals and sharing people what I have done.

I'm absolutely a lucky exchange student. I got to know three different host families and all of them love me. I love them more than they do. Thank you all and I'll keep in touch with you guys forever!

I thank all of the people who got involved with me this year. Thank you all. Hope someone is going to come visit me to Japan and bring something from Chick-fil-a!

It's not a goodbye, this is going to be the perfect time to say to you guys! "SEE YOU LATER AND CHIHIRO LOVES YOU ALL!"

Thank you, Chihiro Watanabe 6/25/2009