Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Less Than Two Weeks Left!
The exchange is almost over. Dannggggggggggggggg!
I feel like when it comes to starting and ending an exchange, emotions tend to contradict. On one hand, I am incredibly excited to see my mom/family/friends and go to American school again. No more 9 hour school days and getting home at eight everyday! Plus I`ll be able to choose what I eat for breakfast and lunch and make healthy choices. And English. I`m so pumped to be able to understand 100 percent of what is said to me.
But on the other hand, I`m leaving behind an entire life here. Everything I`ve done here will start to feel like a dream. It already feels unreal and I haven`t even left yet. I will no longer be able to casually meet the Japanese friends that I love. No more Japanese kindness, or being in awe of how much I love Japanese girls` personalities. No more using casual Japanese, even when it`s sometimes much shorter than the English phrase. When I get back to America, I probably won`t have as much freedom as I did in Japan (depending on my mom, of course ;) ) And Japanese food. I can guarantee I`ll crave it, SUPER hard.
So there`s a ton of emotional difficulty that comes with the end of an exchange. Feels so surreal.
As for the technical/physical aspects, I spent a whole day cleaning my room and packing boxes to send back home. And I`m still nowhere close to ending. Why did I let my room get so dirty!? I`m also starting on some work for my American classes since I`ve missed the first 3 weeks or so of the semester. The schedule I want to do when I get back makes it really clear I like languages/foreign places. Two English classes, International Relations, World Religions, online Japanese and Arabic, and a Japanese Teacher Assistant. Ahah!
Cheers,
Camilla Pernell
My Birthday in Japan!
January 13, 2018. My 17th birthday!
My birthday was on a Saturday, so at first I was a little bit disappointed because I wouldn`t be able to see my all my friends. But then I realized; a whole day to relax and play!! My best friends from school had club, so I could only meet them for dinner. At first I was bummed out about that too, until I realized I can see some of my closest friends that don`t go to my school :) Everything happened for a reason ahah!
I met up with another exchange student, Maggie, and our mutual Japanese friend Zento at the station around 2.
We were off to a really good mood from the start, and it was one of those times where everything seems funny and you just want to jump up and dance. We ate ice cream, drank Starbucks, and then went around the back alleys of Miyazaki and found really good photo spots. Super fun!
At around 5 I had to go back to the station to meet up with Tamaki. My other friend, Mizuki, was still at club. She`s in soccer club so the hours are crazy long. We went to a cafe they reserved and we took some pics and waited for Mizuki.
Mizuki finally came, and we started eating the delicious food. It was a bit overpriced, but as soon as I bit into my sandwich I didn`t mind anymore.
And then it came. Dessert time!!! Tamaki and Mizuki called the cafe ahead of time, and when they brought out pancakes we ordered they had `Happy birthday Camilla!` written on them.
They paid for the pancakes and a milkshake we all shared <3 Overall it was a great day; I got to see the people I love most in Japan. Of course I still wanted to see my real mom and family back home, but it was still super fun :) So great!
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
My Trip to Kyoto and Osaka!
I stepped onto the ferry and got to the room where I`d be staying with my friend Mizuki and four strangers for the night. First time on boat for 11 hours straight; I prayed I woudln`t be sick. But even being sick couldn`t put a damper on my mood, I was going to Kyoto! AND Osaka!
After a night of restless sleep, we arrived in Kobe, where we took a train to Osaka. After cramming our luggage into a tiny locker, we had the entire day to ourselves. And only one place we really wanted to go. America-Mura! It seems a bit ironic to go to an American-themed place when I finally got the chance to go to Osaka, and to be honest I was a bit skeptical at first too. But once we got there, all doubt faded away.
America-Mura is basically a shopping neighborhood for people who are into `American` fashion, which means tons of Adidas, oversized hoodies, and bright colors. For Mizuki and me it was heaven. As soon as we started shopping I knew coming with Mizuki was the right choice, because we share a similar, slightly crazy sense of fashion. And America-Mura is perfect for anyone who wants to be different from the norm. Every store person was incredibly kind, and we got clothes discounted several times just from being friendly. It was truly the best way we could have spent the day!
Also got to try famous Osaka takoyaki, which kind of tastes the same as every other place ahah. This could be because Miyazaki, the place I`m living now, is said to have the most delicious meat and fish in Japan. So even when I eat out at restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka, I find myself craving Miyazaki food.
After getting home late, we were up early once again to spend the day in Kyoto. This time, our day was carefully planned out. First, we went to a Kimono rental store. I chose a blue kimono to help bring out the color of my eyes, and Mizuki chose a black kimono because it gives off a cool image.
Every minute I was feeling closer to Mizuki, and even though it was my first time meeting her, I loved Mizuki`s cousin Tamami too.
The first shrine we went to was the famous gold shrine, which is either painted gold or made out of gold. It was absolutely beautiful. As expected, there were TONS of tourists rushing to take pictures, and we took plenty as well. Also ate matcha icecream with gold flakes on top!
After the gold shrine, we went to another shrine that I can`t really explain with words so I`ll just show a picture.
The time at this shrine was really fun! It was a lot of walking, but they also had really delicious food and we met a kind stranger. He was taking a selfie and I jokingly posed in the corner of the photo, and he laughed and had us all take a selfie together. We saw him later and he sent me the photos!
Also, since we were in kimonos, people took our pictures without asking. That was something I did not expect. Whenever I noticed people taking our picture I`d always pose, which usually made them laugh and take more. One Chinese couple swept up behind us and very forcefully took a picture, but that was also a fun experience.
After that shrine we went around and ate a ton of matcha flavored things, like cake, yogurt, etc. After all, Kyoto is famous for matcha!
We spent the final day shopping for souvenirs and shopping in Kyoto, too worn out from the past two fun-filled days to really do much. And then we were on a plane and back to our life in Miyazaki!
After a night of restless sleep, we arrived in Kobe, where we took a train to Osaka. After cramming our luggage into a tiny locker, we had the entire day to ourselves. And only one place we really wanted to go. America-Mura! It seems a bit ironic to go to an American-themed place when I finally got the chance to go to Osaka, and to be honest I was a bit skeptical at first too. But once we got there, all doubt faded away.
 |
| Us with our shopping bags |
America-Mura is basically a shopping neighborhood for people who are into `American` fashion, which means tons of Adidas, oversized hoodies, and bright colors. For Mizuki and me it was heaven. As soon as we started shopping I knew coming with Mizuki was the right choice, because we share a similar, slightly crazy sense of fashion. And America-Mura is perfect for anyone who wants to be different from the norm. Every store person was incredibly kind, and we got clothes discounted several times just from being friendly. It was truly the best way we could have spent the day!
Also got to try famous Osaka takoyaki, which kind of tastes the same as every other place ahah. This could be because Miyazaki, the place I`m living now, is said to have the most delicious meat and fish in Japan. So even when I eat out at restaurants in Kyoto and Osaka, I find myself craving Miyazaki food.
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| Osaka`s takoyaki |
After getting home late, we were up early once again to spend the day in Kyoto. This time, our day was carefully planned out. First, we went to a Kimono rental store. I chose a blue kimono to help bring out the color of my eyes, and Mizuki chose a black kimono because it gives off a cool image.
Every minute I was feeling closer to Mizuki, and even though it was my first time meeting her, I loved Mizuki`s cousin Tamami too.
The first shrine we went to was the famous gold shrine, which is either painted gold or made out of gold. It was absolutely beautiful. As expected, there were TONS of tourists rushing to take pictures, and we took plenty as well. Also ate matcha icecream with gold flakes on top!
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| Delicious! |
After the gold shrine, we went to another shrine that I can`t really explain with words so I`ll just show a picture.
The time at this shrine was really fun! It was a lot of walking, but they also had really delicious food and we met a kind stranger. He was taking a selfie and I jokingly posed in the corner of the photo, and he laughed and had us all take a selfie together. We saw him later and he sent me the photos!
 |
| Such a nice dude! |
Also, since we were in kimonos, people took our pictures without asking. That was something I did not expect. Whenever I noticed people taking our picture I`d always pose, which usually made them laugh and take more. One Chinese couple swept up behind us and very forcefully took a picture, but that was also a fun experience.
After that shrine we went around and ate a ton of matcha flavored things, like cake, yogurt, etc. After all, Kyoto is famous for matcha!
We spent the final day shopping for souvenirs and shopping in Kyoto, too worn out from the past two fun-filled days to really do much. And then we were on a plane and back to our life in Miyazaki!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
The JLPT: N2
I went to the test site with my Taiwanese friend from school, and we agreed to go eat out afterwards as well. The thought of eating some tonkatsu was what I considered a reward for taking the test.
Hong Yi and I met at the station, and we could immediately tell what bus to ride. The bus stop was surrounded by foreigners. Since I`m in rural Japan, it shocked me to see so many foreigners at once. Surprisingly, there were almost no white or black people. Everyone was from places like Malaysia and Indonesia. And a LOT of Vietnamese people. Everyone crowded into the small bus and I began to feel a tad nervous.
Once arriving, we studied a little before going to the test site. I think N2 was the most crowded; there had to be well over 150 people. There was also no clock, practically a death sentence to some people there.
During the break time between the reading and listening sections, an American woman I met gave me cookies! So nice! In fact, all the Americans were nice.
The test itself was harder than I thought it`d be, particularly the listening section. I felt the most prepared in listening, yet I think that`s the section I did worst on. I`m hoping that my reading score will make up for the listening. I find out the results in the end of January, so here`s to hoping they were good!
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| Tonkatsu |
Hong Yi and I met at the station, and we could immediately tell what bus to ride. The bus stop was surrounded by foreigners. Since I`m in rural Japan, it shocked me to see so many foreigners at once. Surprisingly, there were almost no white or black people. Everyone was from places like Malaysia and Indonesia. And a LOT of Vietnamese people. Everyone crowded into the small bus and I began to feel a tad nervous.
Once arriving, we studied a little before going to the test site. I think N2 was the most crowded; there had to be well over 150 people. There was also no clock, practically a death sentence to some people there.
During the break time between the reading and listening sections, an American woman I met gave me cookies! So nice! In fact, all the Americans were nice.
The test itself was harder than I thought it`d be, particularly the listening section. I felt the most prepared in listening, yet I think that`s the section I did worst on. I`m hoping that my reading score will make up for the listening. I find out the results in the end of January, so here`s to hoping they were good!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Taking the JLPT This Weekend!
I`m now in a mad rush to study Japanese for my Japanese Language Proficiency Test this Sunday. Of course, I`ve been studying Japanese the whole time I was here, but started studying specifically for this test for around two months ago.
There are 5 levels, N5 being the lowest and N1 the highest. I`ll be grappling with N2, without having previously taken the JLPT before. May be in over my head, but I will try my hardest!
I prepared for the test by first studying Kanji, then vocabulary, and then doing 3 mock exams to get a grasp of what grammar I need to know. Judging from the mock exams, I actually have a chance of passing! My weakest point is definitely vocabulary, strongest is kanji, and as for listening and reading comprehension it`s a mix. Still gotta work hard and study as much as I can these next two days.
Something unexpected was that I found someone who is also taking the test near me! He`s Taiwanese and goes to my school, but since he`s been living in Japan a while he`s taking N1. So we`re planning on riding the same bus to the test site and then going out to eat dinner afterwards! I`m excited to get a chance to talk to someone from another country and learn about his hometown. He also seems like a pretty funny person.
Overall, I`m a little nervous but determined to give it my all. Even if I fail, I`ll just study more and take it again once I`m in America.
Coincidentally, next week is finals week for everyone at my Japanese school, so everyone else is just as stressed about studying as me ahah. But since I don`t take the finals next week, I`ll have time to wind down, explore Miyazaki, read some books, and study Japanese at an easier pace.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
Camilla
There are 5 levels, N5 being the lowest and N1 the highest. I`ll be grappling with N2, without having previously taken the JLPT before. May be in over my head, but I will try my hardest!
I prepared for the test by first studying Kanji, then vocabulary, and then doing 3 mock exams to get a grasp of what grammar I need to know. Judging from the mock exams, I actually have a chance of passing! My weakest point is definitely vocabulary, strongest is kanji, and as for listening and reading comprehension it`s a mix. Still gotta work hard and study as much as I can these next two days.
Something unexpected was that I found someone who is also taking the test near me! He`s Taiwanese and goes to my school, but since he`s been living in Japan a while he`s taking N1. So we`re planning on riding the same bus to the test site and then going out to eat dinner afterwards! I`m excited to get a chance to talk to someone from another country and learn about his hometown. He also seems like a pretty funny person.
Overall, I`m a little nervous but determined to give it my all. Even if I fail, I`ll just study more and take it again once I`m in America.
Coincidentally, next week is finals week for everyone at my Japanese school, so everyone else is just as stressed about studying as me ahah. But since I don`t take the finals next week, I`ll have time to wind down, explore Miyazaki, read some books, and study Japanese at an easier pace.
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
Camilla
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
National Pocky Day!
I started out my Saturday by helping out at my school's open campus. This meant performing a ~2 minute speech in front of middle schoolers. Since I was told on Friday that I'd be doing the speech, I had to write it on the train in the morning. Despite this, I didn't mess up, yay!
Then, since it was pocky day, everyone that helped out at the presentation got free pocky!
After that, someone who was coincidentally my friend bought $400 worth of pocky (wowza!) and was handing them out at the station. Since we're friends, he gave me extra :)
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| Pocky I got from my friend |
Even though it may have just been pocky day, the city seemed more busy and bustling than normal. It feels great to eat some pocky with friends, so I'm happy this cute little holiday was created :)
I guess pocky day is my replacement for Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 3, 2017
Japanese High Schooler's Halloween
Although this halloween may have been the least dramatic halloween I've ever had, it was still fun in a sweet way!
There was absolutely NO way that we were going to be able to wear halloween costumes. Not even halloween makeup. However, that's to be expected, considering my school dress code doesn't even allow hair bands that aren't black or brown. Strict to the max! So on the surface, it seemed like a normal school day. But just entering the classroom, I could see that everyone was happy, cheerful, and in proper halloween spirit. Despite everyone never having trick-or-treated, I was shocked to hear my Japanese classmates saying things like "trick or treat!" and "happy halloween!"
In fact, most people (including me!) bought little snacks to hand out to our classmates. And sometimes, like people in America, they wouldn't give the candy out until the receiver said "trick or treat!" It was so cute! I was so glad I stopped by the convenience store on the way to school so I could also participate. Everyone was so energetic, even if they didn't understand the meaning of halloween. Wait wait, is there even a meaning?
I did miss trick or treating a little (this year is actually my first year not doing it!), but school turned out so pleasant that I didn't really miss it that much. At the end of the school day, one of the upper classmen even bought candy specially for me <3 and SOO many snacks at club, because the retired upperclassmen gave a lot to us. Yeessss!
I would also recommend everyone slowly eats their halloween candy. I ate mine all at once, and stayed up until 12 with stomach aches/problems. Pretty embarrassing to spend an hour on the toilet ahah!
As for costumes and make up, Japanese teenage girls get dressed up on the weekend before/after halloween, or for halloween themed events, and then take pictures in the Japanese photo booths. While walking downtown, I happened to see a lot of 'bloody' faces, maid costumes, etc. these past few weekends. It's been entertaining!
Hope everyone had a spooky halloween!
Cheers!
There was absolutely NO way that we were going to be able to wear halloween costumes. Not even halloween makeup. However, that's to be expected, considering my school dress code doesn't even allow hair bands that aren't black or brown. Strict to the max! So on the surface, it seemed like a normal school day. But just entering the classroom, I could see that everyone was happy, cheerful, and in proper halloween spirit. Despite everyone never having trick-or-treated, I was shocked to hear my Japanese classmates saying things like "trick or treat!" and "happy halloween!"
In fact, most people (including me!) bought little snacks to hand out to our classmates. And sometimes, like people in America, they wouldn't give the candy out until the receiver said "trick or treat!" It was so cute! I was so glad I stopped by the convenience store on the way to school so I could also participate. Everyone was so energetic, even if they didn't understand the meaning of halloween. Wait wait, is there even a meaning?
I did miss trick or treating a little (this year is actually my first year not doing it!), but school turned out so pleasant that I didn't really miss it that much. At the end of the school day, one of the upper classmen even bought candy specially for me <3 and SOO many snacks at club, because the retired upperclassmen gave a lot to us. Yeessss!
I would also recommend everyone slowly eats their halloween candy. I ate mine all at once, and stayed up until 12 with stomach aches/problems. Pretty embarrassing to spend an hour on the toilet ahah!
As for costumes and make up, Japanese teenage girls get dressed up on the weekend before/after halloween, or for halloween themed events, and then take pictures in the Japanese photo booths. While walking downtown, I happened to see a lot of 'bloody' faces, maid costumes, etc. these past few weekends. It's been entertaining!
Hope everyone had a spooky halloween!
Cheers!
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