こんにちは、

きょうは　金曜日　２０１０／３／２６。

finally in 日本(Japan). Already met some great friends from all over the US, and a couple 日本人(Japanese people). I am still not sure how I made it out of the airport, through the subway, and walked around parts of Tokyo still yet to be lost. The city is unbelievably big, complicated, and crowded, but still so much fun. Our first night here we managed to find a little karaoke bar in Yostuya and took on Tokyo head first. I spent way too much on sake and singing neil diamond and michael jackson songs, but it was our first night so it was worth it.

I moved in with my host family yesterday, they live about 40 minutes from the city which is actually very close compared to most students. The 原田(Harada) family is great. It is a mom and dad, かなさん(Kannasan）

ひさしさん and Hisashisan, and a three year old boy しゅちゃん(Shuchan). They are young and so nice and a little more Westernized than some families which makes it a little easier on me. They also speak a little English. There is also a French exchange student that will be moving in with us on Wednesday. Kannasan cooks and the food has been really good. Tonight we had raw fish which was a first for me. I usually do not know what I am eating but is disrespectful to not finish your plate, so I eat it anyway. They do not have garbage disposals here, so everyone in the family is the garbage disposal.

The one thing I have noticed is not only how bad my Japanese is, but how good my Spanish is. I have converted my mind out of English, but its not in Japanese mode. I find myself thinking and sometimes speaking in Spanish a lot. Luckily noone here speaks Spanish so they just think its a English word theyve never heard.

The culture is fascinating, the first day I got here, Tokyo seemed somewhat similar to New York or L.A., but the more time I spend in it, the weirder it gets. People walk as an endless sea of suits and umbrellas. Schools girls walk around in skirts that can't get any shorter, but somehow do. Everyday is an adventure.

My cellphone number is 080-4156-7674, feel free to call me because I receive free calls. Just know you will pay international fees, so make sures its from an international phone.

More to come

じゃあ、また

Kyle