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Rotary District 6110 Youth Exchange |
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Melinn
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Nickname | Melinn |
| Age | 18 | |
| Foreign Languages | Spanish | |
| Interests | Acting, Playing piano, school leadership activities, church youth group, volunteer work | |
| Host District | 2769 | |
| Departure | 8/20/02 | |
| Birthday | Feb 21 | |
Students: To add a message to your travelogue, email the entry to vicki; she will put all entries online.
Note: Most Recent Entries Appear At the Top
| Date | Travelogue Entry |
| Tuesday, April 08, 2003 3:20 | alive and breathing.... |
| Tuesday,
January 07, 2003 3:42 AM
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So, the 3 day New Years party is over and I am back at
school. Waking up at 7am wasn't my idea of pleasant, but I did it with
a smile anyway... I ran into the wall, so it wasn't a very big smile.
Let's just say I wasn't ready to wake up so early and see my breath.
But, anyway about New Years. It is like America's Christmas, for the
most part. New Years is spent with your family and there is
traditional food and activities. For instance, we went to 2 shrines
and the cemetery, hung traditional talismanic things and the house
underwent major cleaning. It all starts on New Years eve. We ate a
traditional meal of sob (wheat noodles), black bean things and Mach
(if you know what it is, don't tell me...)That night just before
midnight, my brother and I walked to a nearby Buddhist temple. They
ring the temple bell 108 times to signify the casting off of 108
worldly desires. So my brother and I stood in line to take our turn.
It was so fun: to hit a big bell with a stick... oh the power. But, it
was really loud... don't worry, I am sure with time I will heal. One
of the ironic things about this experience was afterwards (instead of
a cute little Buddhist monk) a man in a GAP sweatshirt thanked me and
handed me an orange. There went my traditional misconceptions of
Japan. Oh well, I got to ring the temple bell. Early the next morning
(10am) I got up to go to my grandma's. I spent the day hanging out
with my grandma and cousins. We walked to a nearby shrine and then
went to my grandfathers grave. Mostly, we all just hung out together.
The next day the other-side of the family came to our house. I was
then tutored in math (not fun). I wanted him to do my homework, not
explain it. It didn't work so well. I learned my lesson though. If you
ask for help, they are only going to help, not tell you the answer.
After dinner came a few magic tricks that amused/baffled us for the
longest time. More family stuff. Finally, for the 3rd day... the day I
wore a kimono. NO major catastrophes.. thank goodness. It was an
$8,000 dress- I am not supposed to touch things worth that much, much
less wear them! I had to have a professional help me to put it on and
it took an hour. I had to practice walking, sitting and getting into
the car. Not an easy task to be elegant. But, I got to prance and be
girly and have everyone stare at me! (oh wait, they already do!) If
only I could wear a kimono everyday. It is great for my diet. It is
bound so tight that overeating would not be pleasant- besides, I was
too scared of spilling something to eat anyway. My day in the kimono
was definitely one of my favorite experiences. I was a Japanese
Princess. melinn |
| Friday,
December 20, 2002 9:15 PM
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Merry Christmas everyone! Not that we really celebrate
it in Japan, in fact most students have school... I am boycotting.
It's winter vacation and yet there are 3 classes every morning for
half of it- on tops of the mountain of homework. I am only in the 10th
grade?! Besides, I need the time to mak emy New Year's cards. It is
pretty much just a postcard wishing luck in the new year, however
kanji is a little harder for me and I need the extra time. But anyway- for the cool stuff. I have been taking karate now for 2 months and I had my first test. I was pretty nervous. I wasn't about to fail in front of the other 5 year old white belts! In the end, my feet were killing me, I was tired (we had 2 hours of practice the night before, and 3 hours that day), but I passed! Of course I am still at teh bottom of the totem pole, but that isn't the point. I would've jumped up and down for joy, but my feet were already bleeding. I went to a Roteract meeeing (like Rotary and Interact, but for college-age students)- they are just getting started and they wanted me to come in order to encourage other to come, sounds familiar... But, anyway, we learned how to ring bells, I say learned, I mean attempted. But the big bells are heavy and it is hard to shuffle several bells ringing at different times. I often forgot to ring my bells, lost my place, and rang at the wrong time. oops. But, I was not alone. I had a really good time, even though none of us will ever go on to ring professionally... I don't think anyone would want us! I am also learning to to blow glass. My 3rd host father has a studio where I can go whenever I want. It was really fun to watch a blob turn into a functionaly (slightly lobsided) glass. It was actually pretty difficult; you have to keep the bar turning constantly, even while blowing- it was a pretty weird sensation. You have to move quickly before the glass cools to much, but I wanted it to be perfect, so I always took too long. It is a little ironic. I am pretty sure I will never fully adapt to the culture... as long as I can't wear pajamas to school I will live in silent rebellion. It wasn't like I was wearing only my pajamas. I merely wore pajama pants under my sailor uniform. It is December, the school isn't heated and I ride a bike for half and hour... I was cold. I am amazed at what these girls go through. Even in winter, the insist on rolling their skirt to be more fashionable, even if it means freezing to death. I try to wear as much clothing as possible. But, no matter what I do, they still think of me as Kawaii (cute). Well, my host family, is really my family. I love them to death. But, my mom is trying a little to hard to get me to stay in Japan. First, it was just going to college, now she is hoping for a marriage. She is so cute. I laughed so hard... she was like, well... it is just an idea. I am loving it. I laugh everyday. And the best part is, I make someone else laugh too. Of course Japanese girls laugh at anything, but I like to think I am funny. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night! melinn |
| Wednesday,
November 13, 2002 2:53 AM
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Ok, so I realize it has been a while, oops. It is
strange- I never have time to write an update, but it also doesn't
seem like I have anything to update. I have a routine now- so
everything seems so normal to me. You know, a typical teenage life I
participate in/watch: kendo (samuri sword technique), Judo, Karate,
tea ceremony, Ikebana (flower arrangement), sumo... ok, so maybe it
isn't so typical. I am going to the top school so it seems like I
study all the time. But, even though I study and am back in the 10th
grade I am still lost. They are so smart. Math is the worst! I
thought, "no problem- trig, probability... I've done that." Ummm, no.
I did them with a calculator, what these students can do blows me
away. I also take calligraphy. HOLY COW! I try, but kanji just doesn't
come easy for me. When we show our work in front of the class I try to
hide, close my eyes, and pray for it to end. I'm just glad they are
too polite to laugh at me. In judo however, I am an equal. Thanks to
boys back home, I am just as strong and can maneuver better than the
other girls. HAHA! For a couple hours after school I go to a club.
This could be any of the Japanese arts (ikebana, tea ceremony, art,
kyudo (archery), kendo...) Sports (swimming, tennis, basketball,
volleyball, soccer...)music or art. Just about anything you can think
to do, they have a club for it. Sometimes students stay till 9-10 at
night. Crazy! I usually go to some club, but today I took the day off.
For the next 15 or so days there is a sumo tournament, and if I go to
a club, I don't get to watch it. Sumo is my sport of choice. I love
watching sumo. It is more than 2 fat guys duking it out- and not
always does the fattest man win! I have a new passion for public transportation. I love taking the trains, subways and buses. Life just won't be the same without them. They are faster, more efficient, and one day I am going to become famous singing outside the station!!!! The best shopping is near the stations- especially subways. It is a labyrinth of stores. I am always going in circles. Basically my life is full of studying. It may not seem that exciting and if I bore you- sorry. But, I happen to love it. |
| 10/4/02 | I am loving Japan. It is so great. I am sure I am
having a way different experience from anyone else. The people are
very different- very reserved. After my whole ordeal the first day I
expected to be greeted with warm arms, but no I got a lot of bows.
There isn't much talking about feelings or emotions, and they never
hug. It was quit a shock for me. I knew the Japanese were like that,
but I underestimated the value of a hug. However, for all they lack
in hugging they make up with their intuitive nature. My family knows
what I am feeling without me even realizing I am displaying any
emotions. For instance, one day I was missing "hanging out" in
America. That day, my mom suggested we rent movies and we ate popcorn
my mom sent me and had pizza for lunch. I didn't say anything, but my
mom knew I needed a little bit of home. The people here are very
humble. They always under-value their gifts and efforts. Saying, oh
it is nothing... I am not very good- when really what they do is
extraordinary. They always bow out of respect. Sometimes I think they
spend more time bowing than they do standing. It is neat to watch. I
am starting to get the hang of when to bow and how low and for how
long. It is an art. School is going great. The girls, especially, are very nice and helpful to me. They show me where to go and help me know what to do in Judo and Calligraphy. Even my math teacher puts part of his lesson in English so I can follow along. It is very difficult and requires a lot of work, but it is definitely worth it. Today I went to Kendo club. It is an ancient traditional Japanese art which is based on the sword techniques of the samuri. It is great. Where else to you get to dress up in armor gear, beat each other with swords and yell. It is more than I could ever dream. So, I will probably go to Kendo every Friday. The girls in Kendo are very helpful. They took me aside to show me the moves and how to do them. Even the boys- as reserved as they are- went to the effort of welcoming me. As my new friends introduced themselves, I also introduced myself. They said, yeah, we know you are famous. I had no idea. I kind of like it. So far, everything is going great. I may be suffering from a lack of blood because I am being eaten alive by the mosquitoes, but other than that all is well. I have tons of friends and a great home and school life. melinn |
| NIHON
Tuesday, October 01, 2002 4:06 AM
|
Wow! I spent the day in Kyoto, wow... I saw so many
things and yet I hardly had a glance at what it has to offer. We went
to one of the oldest castles in Japan where I was able to see the home
of a Shogun. Conveniently there was an American Tour group going
through at the same time so we kept close so I could overhear what was
going on. I learned some of the neatest things. For instance, the
floors were designed to make the sound of a Nightingale whenever
weight is applied. This warned the Shogun of any Ninja intruders.
Also, married women during to Tokugawa era shaved their eyebrows and
painted their teeth black as a symbol of their marriage. I am really
glad I only have to wear a ring. Then we went to a Buddhist Temple
which contained carvings- one of which dated back to the 600's! My
favorite was probably 12 feet high and He had 42 arms. It was so
intricate. It was amazing. I wanted more than anything to take a
picture with it, but they didn't allow photography of any kind in most
of the places we went. I also went to Kinkakuji, which means golden
temple. It was stunning. The golden temple was originally a home for I
think a Shogun, but when he died he left it in his will that it be
turned into a temple. I really wanted to touch it. In contrast,
however, we went to a Japanese rock garden. Its simplistic beauty
leads the mind to wonder the meaning, and the longer I sat there the
more imaginative the outcome. It was definitely one of my favorite
places. When I think of Kyoto though, I always think of Geisha.
However, I also know that there are very few left. In the back of my
mind I dreamed we would run into one. I just wanted to see one, a
real one. But that was a silly fantasy of a girl. But, I learned
that no fantasy is silly and you should never stop dreaming... because
there in the streets, headed towards, there they were: a Geisha and
her apprentice (Maiko). I was floored. My dream came true. I told my
mother I really wanted a picture, so she stopped them for me so I
could have a picture. I must've looked like a crazy American Tourist,
but it isn't everyday you run into a Geisha. Carpe Diem! The painting, carving, buildings, and statues were all hundreds of years old. It totally blows my mind to think about it. In America we get excited if a building from the 20's is restored. If it is from the 1800's it is automatically historic. So, to see the intricate carvings that are 400 years old, still as beautiful as they were originally, was just amazing. Surrounding each of these cultural sites were trees, streams, small waterfalls, flowers... it was so beautiful. You could look out from part of the temple and see tons of trees, and hidden amongst them was another part of the temple. It fit in perfectly as if it naturally belonged. If only more of life were like that. Not long ago, I spent some time with my grandmother who lives in the country. "Country" in Japan means a suburb- kind of like Fayetteville when I was in elementary school. Life is a bit slower and there aren't as many lights and building, or as much noise. I saw an elderly couple harvesting their rice field. I heard the sound Bamboo makes as the wind rushes through it. I felt the reality of death as we visited a cemetery to perform a Buddhist ritual. I love the Japanese way of Life. I spent that weekend in Seto making my own pottery, seeing ancient pottery in the museum and visiting with my grandmother. She is an amazing woman. She grows her own plants and uses them to make beautiful art. Her hobby is pressing flowers. She can create intricate images of a geisha completely from plants. She has so much she can teach me- I can't wait until I am better at the language. School is going really well. Of course I have had a few disasters- calligraphy went terrible and then I dropped my ink all over myself, there is a roll in Judo in which I am the example of what NOT to do, oh and I can't ride my bike in the rain. ONe day on my way home it started to pour, but no fear, I had an umbrella. But, how you ride your bike, hold your skirt down and the umbrella is beyond me. Even though I used the umbrella, I still came home dripping wet. But, I laughed the whole way home. It really was funny when I thought about it. Lucky for me I will have plenty of practice as a typhoon is coming through the area, which means lots of rain. Other than that I am doing really well. I even translate some of the Kanji into Romanji (pictures to words) so that I can be dumbfounded by the question in math class. It is actually a really good way to learn how to read, but lousy for learning math. The best part of school is lunch. I have fun sitting with the girls how ask me tons of questions about America and who in the class I think is cute- sometimes I forget they are only 15. |
| Tuesday, September 24, 2002 11:26 AM | It is nice to know you enjoy reading about my
adventures. I am glad to hear that my rotary club is pleased. I
always try to be open and warm. > >The friends I have made are awesome. I have two friends who might come home with me for a month > > I have decided that you change the world one friend at a time. In class I am somewhat of an outsider... I can't talk well and culturally I am foreign. So, I made friends with another girl. Together we have found friends. When others invite me to sit with them at lunch, I invited her. She now talks with the girls we sat with and no longer needs an invitation to sit with us. She helps me when I don't know where to go That is what it is all about. You don't need to know the language to show compassion. Love knows no skin color, nor language, nor country... it is ever present, just waiting to be shared. > > Well, I am having the time of my life. I can't thank the club enough for allowing this to happen. Thanks for everything. > > melinn > |
| Friday,
September 06, 2002 3:32 AM Konnichi wa
|
Hello! It has been a very busy\exciting first couple of weeks in Japan! I've spoken in front of my entire school in an opening ceremony, spoken to my rotary, attended one week of classes, ridden the world's tallest, fastest, steepest, longest rollar coaster, and been to the hospital/clinic thingy twice. Oh, and who can forget getting lost in Tokyo. My host family and Rotary Club will never let me live that one down. I'll start at the beginning- almost. Yes, I did get lost on my way here, but that is old news, mildly embarrassing and not nearly as good of a story as you might think. I'll start with my speeches. They went very well. I didn't get nervous, which is weird since I was speaking in a language I didn't know. It was funny though. I can't believe anyone understood me, but they all said my Japanese was very good. I think they are just nice people. With a little help from my friends I managed to write my whole speech and present it with only minor mistakes. I'm sure I wasn't the most eloquent speaker, but I got the job done. My Rotary club loved it. I have decided that no one, whether they live in the States or Japan, could attend Rotary for the food. It just isn't good. So, after lots of singing and mingling, I spoke, sat down and tried to stay focused as I couldn't understand a word of the rest of the meeting. The man I sat next to was bilingual which helped a lot. He was really funny. I think I am going to like this club, as soon as I can understand what they are saying. As for the language thing. I have a lot of help. Everyone here is eager to teach me. My teachers at school, my classmates, and even some friends from another school work with me. My friends have also taught me how to get along in school. Yeah, language helps... but they also taught me how to roll my skirt so it is shorter, and what kind of socks to wear (although I don't listen), where to eat launch and where to go after school. It is great to have friends to talk to during out breaks. I am glad they are all so friendly. People from other classes come just to say hi, giggle and run away, it is really fun. Starting school has been the best part yet. All my classmates are 15, maybe 16 and they are so funny. I think I have forgotten what it is like to be a little girl. It is so much fun. I started Judo which has its good and bad points. It is now my favorite class- we laughed through the whole thing because I tied my robes wrong or I used the wrong hand or leg because I don't know my right from my left. It is funny to watch me struggle. I have a blast. It is also bad because I woke up the next morning thinking I had died! And of course I had my 30min bike ride to school ahead of me, so I had to press on! It is probably 8 or so miles to school and it takes me 30min, no biggie. I miss my car. other than Judo, school is very serious. We start on time. No one ever speaks during a lecture- which lasts 65min- and very rarely do people fall asleep. I was amazed. No one ever talks back or jokes around during class. It is really hard to sit still for that long. Enough with school. The rollar coaster was amazing. It beats anything in the states. You climb up like a million feet, and you can see the coast and everything it was really beautiful, then you drop straight down and the momentum shoots you back up again to an almost equally as high bumb thing. Then you spin and twirl and stuff. That is pretty much it. Let's just say it is something that must be experienced. It was huge and it cost $10- just to ride it once you got into the park. Everything is very expensive in Japan. I paid almost $3 for a tiny ice cream cone... ahh, but it was good. The point of this was to say, yes I am alive and I love it here in Japan. Sometimes it is almost unreal. I only wished I had done more in the states to study the language. Oh well, you win some you loose some. Sayonara melinn |
| Thursday, August 22, 2002 7:48 AM | Hello, I have arrived safely, but not without my share of problems. After getting lost in the airport and asking Immigration that sent me to the wrong place so that I missed the last connecting flight and ran into HUGE problems. Luckly the Japanese people are very nice and my family loves me because somehow by the grace of GOD I made my way home. Well, I am alive and happy, now that all the transportation problems are over. I`ll let you know about any new developments, it is a long story and I am quit tired. |
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