What can I say other than, ''I love Japan?'' Seriously, I've been here two weeks and I fall more and love with the country and it's people a little more each day. Getting to spend time with high school students, teaching them English, and sharing moments I will never forget has been inspiring. But it is the homestays that are teaching me about myself, and about this country which has elluded me for so long.

On my first homestay, with the Yokoo family, I learned quite a bit about how money and its influence knows no cultural boundaries. Mr Yokoo is a dentist, his wife helps out. You could say that they have money, and they make a big show of it with their massive flat screen, western-style house, and eating out just about every night. They were warm, welcoming, and absolutely refused to let me (or another American with me) help out with anything. I also learned that Japanese men love to drink.

I'm with my second host family as I write this, and though the Yoshidas are completely different from the Yokoo family, there are still some interesting similarities. First of all, Mr Yoshida loves to drink as well, though he is much better about knowing when I've had enough. They also are very warm and welcoming, and have treated me so nicely these last couple of days. But where they differ the most is that while the Yokoo family puts on airs of western flair, the Yoshidas are very humble. Mr Yoshida is a gardener, and every meal has something from his garden of fresh vegatables. Delicious.

Anyway, I said I would update when I could, so here I am. For the record, I'm currently in Nagasaki, which is a beautiful and big city. Next week we're in Saga, which is a bit north of here. I'm really enjoying the opportunity to see so much of the prefecture.

I'll write more about my adventures later.

Bye for now.

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Nan Desu Kan 2009
Secret Cosplay (Kingdom Hearts) - 80%
Giriko (Soul Eater) - 40%
Sebastian Michaelis (Kuroshistuji) - 60%

Cosplay Waiting List
Charlie (Charlie the Unicorn)
Dezzi (Jubliations' Gang)
Takashi Morinozuka (Ouran Host Club)
Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
Balthier (Final Fantasy XII)
Saix (Kingdom Hearts)
Caligula (Ancient Rome)
Inspector Gadget (Inspector Gadget)