BASEBALL!

Yesterday I got to practice baseball with the baseball team. I only got to throw because I didn't have a uniform, but they did practice in a multi-million dollar stadium, but they didn't have such good equipment. Hey Dad! They have the kind of bat you used in college. I didn't bring a camera because we ran three miles to the stadium. This is a picture of a Chinese garden which is across the street from me.

Waving Flag

Baseball might not happen because all their games have been tournaments, but I might be able to at least practice with the team. Fishing is going to be fun this weekend and then we'll go eat at the world famous Mos Burger, which is the largest fast food restaurant (after McDonald's) in Japan. They have all sorts of burgers; beef, chicken, fish, and vegetable burgers.

Above is a picture of a guy named Kudos who is a friend from school. School starts at nine and ends at four. I have 6 classes and lunch, and then everyone takes time for cleaning their own school. I also have study time every school day.

Um...one more thing...when we take pictures in the U.S., we say cheese, but here in Japan, they say "Hai cheesezu".

Trip to the Churaumi Aquarium

On Sunday Nobuto (my oldest brother) took me with his English speaking friend to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Nago City. The aquarium is the biggest in all of Asia. The building was big and the fish were colorful. We even went to the dolphin show. The show was amazing up until a dolphin unexpectedly jumped out of the tank and seriously hurt itself. It was the first time it had ever happened. I was very sad.  Here's a link to the aquarium in English: 
http://oki-churaumi.jp/en/index.html

More Fun In Okinawa

In the last few days I've gone to Kokusai street, which is Naha's main street, with all of the students in my class. Kokusai street is very unusual. There's gay dancers, goths, pig heads with sun glasses, and just about every store you can imagine. First, we all went to McDonalds (first time I've been there), which in Japanese is pronounced Mac-a-do-na-do.  I tried to buy food with my Visa but they don't take Visa, so one of my friends paid for me. After we left, we tried to go to an ATM so I could pay my friend back. We found one, and I put my card in and just made a loud beep and spit my card right back out. We tried a few more times and nothing worked, so we went to countless different ATMs and none of them worked either. But, for the rest of the night we looked around in a music store, which had half American and Japanese music. Yesterday, my mom took me to an ATM store and we waited for thirty minutes, and all they could tell us is the only ATM in Okinawa that could take my Visa card is at the post office 20 minutes away! So when I finally got there and could finally get money, I got like 350 dollars. Last that is that we had GREEN TEA ICE CREAM and it is delicious!

The Beach and Deadly Jellyfish!

It's been a blast here lately. We went to a real beach yesterday and it was absolutely gorgeous. In Japan, though, there is a jellyfish that can kill. It is called the Box Jellyfish, and it is the most poisonous, venomous animal in the entire world! The beach swimming area is surrounded by a net to protect swimmers from the Box Jellyfish, but it is not a very big space so swimming wasn't that much fun. It's amazing that even though the Box Jellyfish is deadly that it can't sting through any clothes - not even something as thin as a pair of pantyhose. People in Okinawa always carry a spray bottle of vinegar with them to the beach in case of a jellyfish sting. The vinegar will help neutralize the jellyfish until medical help can be reached.

Friday, in science class we did some chemical experiments with electricity. Today, Dad forgot to make dinner so we ended up with KFC which isn't at all like the ones in America. We also got Hawaiian shaved ice and it was awesome. I went to a Chinese garden today and it was very tranquil. I found out that the dad is the owner of a very wealthy insurance company. This week Hiroto has exams for college application.

Tuesday, June 19, 2010 - Baseball and School

I had a lot of fun at the baseball game but it was 33 degrees Celsius so whatever that is in Fahrenheit. Nahashoyo, my high school, won 5-0 by many infield hits. I was alone there, but there was a lot of classmates there. I was sunburned pretty badly on my face, feet, and forearms. This week in school I'm practicing Hirogana which is one of three different writing styles. Also, the students are telling me some Japanese words to say and when I say them they all start dying laughing. I have no clue what the words mean, but its pretty funny. One thing about Nauto, my 20-year-old brother, is that he loves Airsoft guns. He has big guns. I don't know what they're called but him and his friends play. ONE MORE THING Mom stop posting on how well I wrote.

About the Whole First Week

I'm finally able to get on the internet. I have done so many things. I found out their uncle speaks perfect English, and I went to Naha-Shoyo Highschool. The first class I had was swimming and so they all had Speedos on except me with swim trunks on. The pool was a nice break from the hot temperature of Okinawa. In Japan teachers move to different classes and the students stay in the same class most of the time. At the high school everyone stares at me because I'm American. Masato, the 17 year old brother goes to the high school with me. He introduced me to his friends, Daigo and Canno and they are pretty nice and it turns out they are on the baseball team. Naha-Shoyo is number one in baseball. They are in a tournament now so I will play Monday. It is so hard to remember their names though. I have already made through a week of school and of fish. I'm getting used to the food and the jet-lag is getting better. They stay up to one o'clock in the morning every night and aren't tired. They understood my jet-lag though. They gave me Japanese hand fan with the picture of a Siberian tiger and a dragon. It's pretty cool. The only food I absolutely can not eat is the Okinawan fruit, the Guoya, or the nick name is bitter melon. They have Guoya shakes, juices , burgers, etc. only okasan,my mom, likes it. Here they have about 200-300 movies and about 14 flat screens and 2 PS3s. So its kind of like home except a lot more expensive. Fifa is big and the father loves baseball and tomorrow I see my high school play baseball. so it going to be fun.

June 19, 2010 - Meet My Family!

I am having trouble getting a computer connection, so I'll blog more when I can. Here is a picture of my family! 

June 12, 2010 - First Day at My New Home

When I arrived in Okinawa, I met my host family, the Tomita family. For a treat we ate shushi when we got there and then ate salmon and tuna, and I was suprised I didn't throw up! Then we reached their house, which they said it was small, but it's bigger than my house! They have flats screens, ps3, computer and hundreds of movies and video games. That night I met all of my brothers and my cousin and okasan (my mother) and ojisan (my uncle). We also we ate pig head and onions and bell peppers and sausage. Today my cousin, okasan, and brother Masato took me to Naha Main Street we bought groceries and my school clothes. We had tropical drinks and we visited Shurijo Castle. Here is a picture of me with my Okasan, brother Hiroto and brother Masato.

Saturday, June 12, 2010 - Okinawa Arrival and Meeting My Host Family!

I just wanted everyone to know that I landed in Okinawa this afternoon at about 2:00 p.m.  Several members of my host family were waiting for me there, and they were holding up a sign that said, "Landon".  Mrs. Tomita, Hiroto, and Masato all came. It was great to finally meet them, and they are all so nice. 

They live in the city of Naha, which is sometimes called Naha-shi in Japan.  All cities end with the word "shi" which means "city". Naha is the capital city of Okinawa and is the biggest city. They live very close to the ocean, they have a big house, and we had a dinner of sushi. I met them all, but I am very tired because it is already late Saturday night here in Okinawa. I am sharing a room with Hiroto. I will write more later and post pictures once I can get my computer hooked up here.  I'm having so much fun!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - Arrival in Tokyo

We landed in Tokyo after an 11 hour flight.  We stayed at a huge, beautiful hotel there called the Keio Plaza.  I will give you more details about Tokyo once I'm settled in Okinawa.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 - Flight to Japan Today!

Our group is leaving for Japan today after a 3 day orientation in California. Our flight leaves at about 2:30 p.m. EST, and it will be an 11-hour flight. We'll be staying in Tokyo for two nights at a huge hotel called the Keio Plaza. We'll visit the American Embassy in Tokyo. I'll write more about the orientation, the flight, and Tokyo once we're there.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010 - Berkeley, CA Orientation

I am staying at the University of California at Berkeley, which is right across the bay from San Francisco. There are about 100 of us here, and the students are from all over the United States. One of my roommates is from Connecticut. I am one of the youngest students in the program, and most of the other kids are going to be seniors.

We are learning "Survival Japanese" so we can speak and understand some important basic language. We are also very busy all day learning all sorts of things about the Japanese culture. It's been a lot of fun.

We all leave for Tokyo, Japan tomorrow at about 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. It will be an 12-hour flight.

I have limited computer access here in California, so hopefully I will be able to write more from my hotel in Tokyo. I'll be in Tokyo two days going through more orientation. I will be excited to meet the Tomita family when I finally arrive in Okinawa.

Sunday, June 6, 2010 - My Trip Begins!

The day has finally come, and I am leaving for Japan this morning. I will fly from Chattanooga to Chicago, change planes, then fly to San Francisco to meet up with other students from all over the US who will also be going to Japan. We will stay at the University of California at Berkeley for three days for orientation. I should be arriving in San Francisco at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time (7:30 Eastern). I look forward to meeting everyone there and having a few days to spend in California before flying to Japan.

My host family in Japan is the Tomita family. They have five sons, all living at home, ranging in ages from 28-16. One of their sons, Hiroto, has sent me an email, and he can read and write in English, but I believe it's more difficult for him to speak it, as it is with any new language.

If you want to write, my address in Japan is:

Landon Pauls

c/0 Tomita Family

1-24-1 Matsuyama

Nahashi

Okinawa 900-0032

Japan

June 1, 2010 - Youth for Understanding USA

I am lucky to have been chosen to receive the 2010 Okinawa Peace Scholarship through the Youth for Understanding USA program. My teacher from East Hamilton, Brenda Coe, nominated me and encouraged me to apply. I will spend over six weeks in Okinawa, Japan living with a host family and being immersed in their culture. I will go to school there for a few weeks, but I'm not sure what I'll be studying yet. I hope to be able to play on a baseball team during my stay there. I guess I am most worried about the food since it is so different than what we eat as Americans.

I have created this blog to document and archive my travels and my experiences during my trip.