Reflection of November 2014.

November was a pretty good month. I started to feel the terror that is Japanese “winter” (The terrible cold of 15 degrees). I have learned quite a lot more of my friends’ names (Its harder then you’d think to remember them all)

December has come and with it a new mall opened up in downtown and with came a sudden realization that… Money. It’s definitely a thing. I should bring over my money from Canada at some point I tried last month (November) But I wasn’t totally sure of my account balance so I wasn’t able to get it over. I find it somewhat annoying that they charged me more money because they weren’t able to bring me my money. But hey it’s fine I still got money here so it’s good for a while.

I switch host families quite soon so I’m really looking forward to that! And knowing what I know of my new host family then the next few months are going to be a blast!

Though sadly not everything is sunshine and roses. But I remembered back to the spring orientation and I thought of one of the things that really stuck with me the idea that “This is my year” and so far, it hasn’t really felt like that. Its kind of felt like I’ve been having to spend all my time filling everyone’s expectations and being the perfect language speaker. But there are only so many nights I can spend alone in my room studying for 7 hours straight. I’ve been trying too hard to be the ideal exchange student that I’ve actually failed at being what an exchange student is at its core. So I’ve started doing things my way. Not really giving much thought (Don’t worry I don’t do stupid things though, I still think before I do because that’s who I am) to what people will think. If I feel like drinking green tea and reading a book? DONE! If I feel like taking a 5 hour bike ride along a river? Done and Done! If I have the urge to go to the mall to either hang out and wander around or to actually buy things? Done Done and Done! I’ve stopped sitting around waiting for my exchange to actually start. I’ve started switching the way I act. One of the noticeable ways I’ve switched it up is I have started saying “I am going to do (insert activity here)” Instead of “ Is it okay if I do (Insert activity name here)” and I’ve found that even though its quite rudimentary but it feels good. It makes it seem like I have a bit more control of what I’m doing

Also! I have gotten quite a few packages recently and it has made me really happy! Some were small some large and some not very sure of my current clothes size or style preference. But every time it made me smile and brightened up my week! Oh! I haven’t done a blog post recently, but don’t worry. You’ll have one soon. I’m actually thinking I might post this as a blog post! All In all a good month and not very much I would change about it.

Emotional ranking chart /10

Happiness 8.5/10
Homesickness 4/10
Excitement 8/10
Anxiety 1/10

Overall rating 9.5/10

Skills ranking/ 10

Chopsticks 9.9/10
School 9/10
Reading 9/10
Understanding what people say 9/10
Like of fish 8/10
Cultural understanding (Manners) 7.5/10
Cultural understanding (Day to day life) 8/10