第九天 #Day 9

This was the sledge that I drawn for tomorrow Year-end/ Early Christmas party.

Both of them are very cute. Can you imagine, they are mother and son. *laugh*

My flavour Yakult! *laugh*

Yakult which hardly find with this packing in Malaysia. 

The sky of Ibusuki when it was only 4 o'clock in the evening. 

Cool~

Miko-chan was preparing the ingredient which needed for tonight Tempura meal.

This was the photo when she is cutting the ika(squid).

It is time to make Tempura!

Miko-chan and May-chan, the twins~ *laugh*

May-chan

Let's rock~ It is Tempura's time! Yum Yum~

Hand bell which pronounced as "Handed bell" by the Japanese.

Guess what, I am going to perform Hand bell on tomorrow "Yearly Christmas Party".

My score~

Say cheese~

第八天 # Day 8

Today, I been chit chatting quite a lot with my foster family from morning to night.
Guess what, I was introducing  my country to my foster family, and I liked their expression when they say :
" heh~ so des nei."

As what i know from them, Japan's school holidays is only during the summer season and winter season. Summer holidays is on the 20 of July until the 31 of August and the winter holidays is on the 23 of December until the 9 of January.

Beside this, Japanese workers also have a few days holiday during the Golden week that is on the 3 of May until the 5 of May.

While, they are celebrating Japanese festival on the 29 and 30 of April.
Holidays~ everyone love holidays, Otosan told me that he and Okasan will be going to Hamburg during the Golden week.

第七天 # Day 7

Today was my schooling day! 

Otosan and Satomi-chan brought me to  the Ibusuki High School for some English lesson~ 

*laugh*

Otosan told me, this was his former High School and he taught Biology in this school.

This was one of the classroom block. 

Their school was so clean and we need to take off our shoes and wear the slipper which prepared by the school in order to get inside the school.

Before I started my class at Ibusuki High School, I met the principal and a English teacher who are in a white blouse. 

After some chit chat, the teacher brought me to the class.

This was the class that i am going to join. Surprisingly, they invited a German if I am not miss taken, to teach them English. 

Everyone is so friendly, and most of the student in class was boys and they even asked me join them when teacher asked me to have a seat. *laugh*

We started our lesson. Teacher asked us to do a Christmas card for someone, i done one for my foster family. But feeling guilty for not doing one for the school and I am so embarrassed when the principal asked me whether it is for the school. *sorry, my bad*

This was the souvenir which present by the principal.

In my opinion, I am not means to despise them but..all of the things which the teacher taught during the class was learn by me may be when I was 5. It is just a piece of cake but the student found it very difficult or maybe don't understand what is the teacher teaching. 

However, they do impressed me. 

Things which they impressed me was, they don't give up easily although they found learning English is a difficult task.

Salute!

第六天 # Day 6

Today was the sixth day. Otosan and Okasan were on duty at the hospital.

It is as usual, I stay at home and played like crazy with Rito and Miko-chan. 

During the lunch time, Okasan came back and brought us to the lamen shop.

The lamen which i ate before this in Malaysia was far behind compare with the lamen which i ate in Japan.

The lamen was so tasty and the most different was i have to kneel down while eating the lamen. 

But it's worthy because it is so Yummy~ 

When i was done with my lamen, my legs were numb after being kneeling for quite a minutes. 

Surprisingly, Okasan don't feel anything as what i felt after being kneel for so long. She is awesome. *laugh*

すごい！( amazing) and really salute her. Can you imagine a 61 years old women compare with a 19 years old girl.

 Wow~ She is good.

第五天 # Day 5

Today was Sunday, my breakfast with them was as usual. We ate rice, grilled salmon fish, salad and Miso sirru (miso soup).

 After being 5 days in Japan, I found out that, Japanese used to eat rice for the breakfast and seldom eat bread like us. Anyway, I am not that choosy person plus i like to eat Japanese cuisine, so that's was not a problem for me and i even fall in love with their rice. 

Their rice is tasty and can be eat using chopstick. *laugh*

After the breakfast with Okasan and Otosan, both of them went out. 

Miko-chan and Rito were those who stay with and accompanying me.

Around 1 pm, since Okasan and Otosan haven back yet, so Miko-chan asked Oneezan Akihumi and 

May-chan her fiance brought us out to McDonald to have our lunch. 

In Japan, you can see quite a variety of burger with different meat. They are selling chicken and beef and surprisingly they are also selling pork and prawn burger which can't find in Malaysia.

 I chose a Ebi (prawn) hamburger and the burger it self really taste good. Before i finish the burger, i manage to count the number of  prawn which is in the burger. It is 4~

Yummy~

After our lunch, we went to Daiso, a 100 yen supermarket for some shopping! 

This is where i bought my youngest brother souvenirs. *laugh*

Later, we went back home and have dinner with Okasan and Otosan at Kamado, a home-style karaoke restaurant.

The boss was Otosan's friend. He even met a bundle of sake's friends at the restaurant. *laugh*

In the photo, the man who are sitting was the Master of Kamado which expert in  making Okonomiyaki.

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake which containing a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi, meaning "what you like" or "what you want", and yaki meaning "grilled" or "cooked". 

It is awesome and taste good until i forgot to take its picture.*laugh*

I think i almost ate finish the hole plate of the Okonomiyaki during the dinner. *laugh*

第四天 # Day 4

This was the lip-bum which gave to me by Miko-chan while I need it since i forgot to bring mine.

This was honey flavor, smell good~

Today, Otosan brought me to a restaurant called Tou Sen Kyou to eat Somen.

Sōmen are very thin--less than 1.3 mm in diameter it is white Japanese noodles made of wheat flour. 

The noodles are usually served cold. The noodles' diameter is the chief distinction between sōmen and the thicker wheat noodles hiyamugi and Japanese wheat noodles udon. 

Somen noodles are stretched when made, as are some types of udon noodles.

Sōmen are usually served cold with a light flavored dipping sauce or tsuyu. The tsuyu is usually a katsuobushi-based sauce that can be flavored with Welsh onion, ginger, or myoga. 

In the summer, sōmen chilled with ice is a popular meal to help stay cool.

Yum Yum~ 

This was the picture snapped by Miko-chan before we step into the restaurant and beside the sign board was the maple tree. They said I am lucky to see it because during this season, the tree should be "botak". *laugh*

We used to order our food at this counter. 

Otosan help me to order a bowl of Nyumen which is Sōmen served in hot soup and eaten in the winter, it is much like soba or udon.

This was the tsuyu (sauce) which used to eat with the  Sōmen.

Sake with lots of flavor.

This was the table which needed for the  Sōmen since this restaurants offer "nagashi sōmen" (流しそうめん flowing noodles) which normally eat by diners during  the summer. 

Traditionally, the noodles are placed in a long flume of bamboo across the length of the restaurant but may be for the hygiene purpose, this restaurant offer a round shape flume water moving machine on each and every table. 

When we settle down on one of the table, the waitress helped us to on the machine and the flume which carries clear, ice-cold water started to move. 

Honestly, since this was my first time seeing this flume, I am impressed and it is cool~*laugh* 

This is how we eat Somen.

 As the Sōmen pass by, pluck them out with the chopsticks and dip them in tsuyu. 

Aw, it was taste good! I had fallen to it. You should really try it yourself ! 

 I loved the most is when the cold Somen moving in my mouth. 

OM OM OM...Yummy !

The feeling was like, we eat ice-cream when the day is cold. Aw~ incredible !

But, catching the noodles really requires a fair amount of dexterity. 

In the photo, those pots which is covering by a brown wooden cover were Nyumen ! 

Which more or less same as the cold Somen, the only different was Nyumen served with hot soup.

After our meal, we went for a walk at the surrounding before we go home.

This was Fuku Kaeru (the lucky Frog). 

Do it looks like the Fuku Kaeru statue which shown in the Spirited Away? *laugh*

Aw~ a shark ! Run for your life !

*laugh*

Don't worry, it is a tiny little fish which won't bite people if you don't disturb it. haha, and it had a name, called Bester.

This was a drawing which formed by toothpicks. Those peoples are so creative and incredible !

This was the map of Kagoshima.

Okasan and Otosan is pointing at the place we stayed in.

This was a photo when we are at the Kamafuta Jinja (Shrine of Kamafuta)

Those stuff which on our head was the Kama Futa which is a pot's cover.

According to their culture regards Kama Futa, we have to put the Kama futa on our head and walk along a distance which set by them without holding the Kama Futa. If the Kama futa dropped, the prayer have to start all over again. When it is succeed, sound the bell which is prepared at the end of the destination and you will be blessed.

Later,  we went to few more of Jinja (Shrine), but the most interested me was the Kama Futa Jinja.

第三天 # Day 3

This is Rito. Miko-chan's little cute son. He is 3 years old, and always like to say: Nene, mita mita (Sister, look look). *laugh* He is very cute.

Yesterday, Okasan asked me to wake up at 8am but to show my courteous and respect, I woke up at 7.15am and help Okasan to prepare breakfast.

Today, we are not going to anyway since Otosan and Okasan were on duty in the hospital. 

Yup~ they are working at the same hospital and the hospital is run by Otosan. Super right?

Even Oneesan, Takaharu is helping at the hospital as a doctor and Oneesan, Akihumi is working as a machine technician as what Miko-chan told me.

So, I stayed at home with Miko-chan and her son, Rito who like to watch Ampanma's anime.

Anpanman  is a Japanese picture book series written by Takashi Yanase since 1973 and soon change to animation. Anpanman is one of the most popular anime cartoon series for young children in Japan. 

Rollpanna was Rito favorite character. 

Rollpanna is Melonpanna's older sister who has two hearts: A red one of goodness, and thanks to Baikinman, a blue one of evil. The sight of Anpanman can trigger her evil heart while the sight of Melonpanna can trigger her good one. She started out in the series as a loner at Baikinman's beck and call, but she broke from his power and wanders the world doing good deeds, but stays away from others for fear of what she would do if her black heart is triggered. Her nickname is "The tragic heroine". Uses a gymnastics ribbon as her main weapon. She can use it to wrap up her enemies or cause tornadoes. 

So, my hole day end up playing with Rito and watched Ampanma animation with him. 

*laugh*

Rito liked One Piece too, especially Chopper. 

However, compare both of the Chopper, i prefer the red one. 

This is Japanese Hamburger and Mozuka soup.

I had Japanese Hamburger and Mozuka soup as my dinner at Onesan Satomi's house.
The Japanese used to handmade Hamburger instead of buying from the supermarket. The taste is good and as well as the Mozuka soup, taste sour but nice to drink. After dinner everyone sat at the living room and watch TV together. The entertainment show which i don't know what's the title but was very funny. While Haruki, Satomi's baby slept in the room. Haruki is a very kawaii (cute) baby.
He is very cute when he is laughing and believe will be a very handsome man when he grow up because Satomi-chan looks gorgeous.*laugh*

第二天 # Day 2

The sunrise! The Japan's sky!

Hello Japan! Wong Sher Yi is in the house! *laugh*

Good morning Nihon (Japan)! Good morning everyone! What a great day I am having. *laugh* 

Can't wait to meet my foster family.

My breakfast~ It is still hot when I am having it. Yummy~

Finally, after so many hours of travelling, we reached Fukuoka, Japan! 

Hey guys~ let's put a big smile for the day!

This was the photo when we are heading to the custom.

We reached the custom. Everyone is busy taking out their passport and identification of the YE.

This was the photo of two Japanese pilots which i managed to snap after i checked in and waiting for others. They seem to be very handsome and I am envy because once before this, I wish to be a pilot. Somehow, who can predict the future? My dream extincted when i knew that my height is not qualify to be a pilot.  *laugh*

After checked in, everyone requested for the washroom. Surprisingly, the washroom was so clean and not even one drop of water is on the floor. This was insane! Compare with the Malaysia's washroom, ours washroom was far way behind. *laugh* The washroom was super clean and dry! After done with my "business" there was a detected which automatically help the users to flash the water, Japan's technology is incredible, I think Malaysia should started to used it since most of them don't like to flash water and cause the stink smell. After that, I walked out from the toilet and I saw a Japanese wiped off the water droplets which around the basin after using it. OMG..Ethical which she is having is awesome! Compare with Malaysian, I am guilty. *laugh*

Once we step out, we heard applause and saw lots of Lions members with lots of foster parents are waiting for our departure to Fukuoka. They seem to be very happy since most of them welcome us with a sweet big smile. Great to see them! 

Then, they brought us to the meeting room and have a welcome ceremony and some welcome speeches from the Lions members of Fukuoka. 

After the ceremony, most of the foster family brought their foster children back to home except Yi Kai, Vanessa and me. Honestly, on that day after ceremony, i can't see my foster family, on that spot a fear feeling came to me. So i hold their details and asked one of the member. Surprisingly,  they asked me to hold on because I need to take another train to my foster family house because their house is at Ibusuki. OMG, I felt relieved. *laugh*

Shinichi Egashira-san and a lady which I forgot her name (*sorry), brought me to the train station and guess what, I am going to travel to Ibusuki by the bullet train which is the fastest train in the world. *laugh* 

Yahoo~ I felt exhilarated! 

While waiting for the train, Shinichi Egashira-san spent me some donuts and coffee. *Thankyou*

This was a picture of the train ticket;

 the table of the train which prepared for the passenger to have some meal or maybe to put something; 

my seat's number which is 20C which near the window and me with the bullet train door. *laugh*

And what made me exhilarated was I am going to travel to Kagoshima's train station by Shinkansen (bullet train) all alone!

Can you imagine, I am travelling alone in a foreign country and a country which most of them only speak Japanese. 

Oh My Gosh!

This is insane but, I am happy with it and this is really cool~ I'm loving it! *laugh*

Travel~travel~travel~

 I been in the train for almost 2 hours, but at last.. 

I reached Kagoshima's train station which is the last station of all. *laugh*

And really thank you to the uncle which sitting beside me, he is kind. He guided me when should leave the train and actually he is going to a destination which same as me! He even spent me, a stranger a bottle of Mocha (Green tea) when he bought a drink from a train stewardess. *laugh* 

Conclusion, Japaneses are friendly, no regret for coming to Japan.

When we reached our destination, the uncle helped me to bring my luggage down *touching* and after help me to find my foster family only leave me there. He is so kind. *thank you*

When i reached Kagishima's train station, i saw a Lions Youth Exchange banner which hanging on the pole and the situation is not the same as the airport, only Okasan, Satomi onesan and  Shoichi Setoyama-san, 3 peoples who are standing in front of the door waiting for my arrived. Shoichi Setoyama-san asked me: Do you know who am i? *laugh* You know what i say, i called him Otosan! *laugh* Actually he the District Youth Camp Exchange Chairperson. *laugh* My Otosan is not there, because he is on duty in the hospital. So embarrassing, but he is a kind person, he laugh instead of correct me and continue let me to called him Otosan. *laugh* 

They brought me to the meeting room and explain everything to me and thanks to Satomi onesan, she is the one who translate everything to me. There is also question and answer section for Okasan to ask some questions.

Later, Shoichi Setoyama-san brought us to a restaurant and have our lunch since it's almost 1pm. 

We chit chat for quite a moment and Shoichi Setoyama-san said my smiling is very charming and I am speechless. Firstly,  I don't know what to say instead of "Arigato Gozaimasu". Secondly, I don't really know how to speak Japanese although I learned some before i go to Japan. 

So, i just smile and said thank you. *laugh*

After lunch, Shoichi Setoyama-san went back and left 3 of us shopping for a while at the train station. Okasan bought two rain deer for a small decoration of the house because Christmas is coming.

Later, we spent about 2 hours to reach Ibusuki. 

Along the road to Ibusuki, Okasan n Onesan do stop for a moment for me to snap some nice photo.

This was the pictures which i snapped when we are at the Ikeda-ko (Lake Ikeda) and i saw a 7 to 12 meter long of Unagi. *laugh*

Lake Ikeda is a caldera lake, located 40 km south of Kagoshima city. It has a surface area of 11 km2 and a shoreline length of 15 km. The maximum depth amounts to 233 m. Together with Mt. Kaimon on its south side, it forms one of the most scenic spots of Southern Kyushu tourist zone, Kirishima-Yaku National Park.

According to what Okasan explained to me that Issy, the dinosaur looks like shown in the picture was the legend of the lake which the Issy is living in the lake. But it is a legend, no one know the true.

 

This was Sen Gan Bira Sizen Kouen (Sen Gan Bira Sizen Garden). When we reached there it is around 11 degree Celsius. Quite cold, but still alright for me. *laugh*

This was the living room which decorated with a rain deer's head.

Before we reached home, Okasan and Onesan brought me to the hospital to meet with my Otosan, Mitsuharu Higo and two Oneesan, Takaharu and Akihumi. They are friendly, Great to see them!

After that we went back to Okasan's house which I met another two Onesan, Yumiko and Satsuki which preparing the welcome party for me. *smile*

Later, Okasan brought me to my sleeping room and asked me to change and rest. She is so sweet.

This was my sleeping room which I am going to sleep alone prepared by Okasan. She is so thoughtful.

This was some of my winter jacket~

This was Otosan and Okasan's garden. Beautiful right? *laugh*

This is Sukiyaki which prepared by them as my welcome dinner.

Sukiyaki  is a Japanese dish in the nabemono (Japanese hot pot) style.

It consists of meat (usually thinly sliced beef) which is slowly cooked or simmered at the table, alongside vegetables and other ingredients, in a shallow iron pot in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. Before being eaten, the ingredients are usually dipped in a small bowl of raw, beaten eggs.

Generally sukiyaki is a winter dish and it is commonly found at bōnenkai, Japanese year-end parties.