Hello everyone I am in class as usual and we are on break.... I think... :)

The project is very hard and everyone is confused!!! Hopefully it can get done in 4 days. I will explain in detail later what we are doing.

Tonight I am doing Karaoke for the first time with my class in Osaka! It should be a lot of fun. I have met a lot of really cool people from France, China, Japan, and England. Last night my family made us taco-yaki (spelling??). Which is octopus balls with cheese... that is fried... it was very good and I am proud of myself for trying it. Every time my host family wants me to try something new they say 'CHALLENGE LAUREN CHALLENGE!!"

Tomorrow night the group is going to Tokyo for the weekend. I am very excited! Also, I might stay an extra few days after the workshop so I can actually go venture out and see Japan rather than spending all of my time on the train or at school. Well we are starting up again so I must go. byebye

Konichiwaaaaaaa

I am waiting with Peg, Sue and Barb at the host house. We are taking a trip today to the Fujiya Cake factory where my host mom works. They make the cutest, tastiest mini cakes in Japan! Their pastries are world known. I have already sampled many cakes from there since I live with one of the employees! I am lucky!! The company also makes toys and dolls which are adorable. My host mom Ozaki San has already showered me with gifts, like a large Peko Chan doll, a Peko chan backback, candy tins, and cell phone accessories! Cell phone charms are super popular in Japan. Everyone has them, even the business men on the train will have a bundle of little toys hanging from their cell phone. My host family is so sweet. The other night their 22 year old daughter cooked all of us dinner and it was delicious. She made tempura potato and pork balls, rice, pork and sweet potato, ham with a sweet yellow sauce, and a really good penut salad. Everything I have eaten here has been sooooo good I can't even begin to describe. It really has inspired me to learn Japanese cooking when I get back to the states. 

Yesterday was a small shopping trip into Nam Ba, where all the local "young people" shop in Osaka. The stores were kind of overwhelming, so many colors and lights and music. It is popular here to wear t-shirts with English words on them, so many of the t-shirts were just type. The funny part is, is that the sentences don't really mean anything, also known as Japenglish. For example, "Energy elegant love balls will follow the spirit of fantastic". ??????????

So of coarse we had to buy one to wear back in the United States. :) 

We are leaving now I must go! 

Hello everyone
I amcrrently at school right now working with my group. I am using a french keyboqrd so there might be typos. Our project is to design a dream layout forNara park in Japan. it is difficult sometimes becase of language barriers but it is going ok. I was nervous to present for the first time todqy but our concept was enjoyed by the teqchers here. i must go aork now;;; willpost later

KONICHIWA!!

Hello everyone! I am safe in Japan. Everything is amazing here, the food, the people, the hospitality!! It's very hot and humid and we walk a lot, but it's not that bad. I rode the Japan Rail train for the first time today from Osaka to Kumatori town. I had my orientation as well today and met other students from France, London, Japan and Malaysia. Everyone is really excited to start the workshop! The house I am staying at is an hour long train ride, but I take the same train as my teacher and two other students from my school. I feel so lucky to have been invited to this design school in Japan!!! 

At the moment, I am at my friend Peg's host family's house. It is an older couple with two dogs. They are hilarious and very welcoming. The hospitality is wonderful, and they are so excited for us to be there. Right now we are all trying to teach each other Japanese and English. The wife made plum wine with whiskey and it is delicious!! I have not met MY host family yet, they are picking me up here in a little while. Well I have limited time on here, so I must go. I will post pictures as soon as I have some time. -L 

Today is the day

It's so early. I am on very little sleep. Which is good, because I need pass out on the plane ASAP! I really hope I remembered everything. Well, here I go. What an adventure this will be. 

Lauren