Monday, October 4, 2010

October 1st, Secret :-O

OMG!
asif i had to be up at 5.00 today.
I actually refused to get out of bed until 6, I was so tierd.
but then i remembered where we were going
but im not going to telly ou yet :)
so at 7 we all arrived on at Miki High for our 3 hour bus treck. Lets just say I don`t think anyone stayed awake that bus ride.
At around 10ish, we arrived at a sauce factory (which i don`t remember the name of) to make an omelete/crape thing (which surprise, surprise, i don`t remember the name of) but anywho they didn`t understand the whole vegetarian thing so i didn`t eat any of it, looked yummy though.
At 10.10 we left the sauce factory and headed to our final destination for the day....









H
I
R
O
S
H
I
M
A
PEACE PARK!!!! (trying to add to the surprise factor, did it work???)
It was amazing, the one thing that EVERYONE was looking forward to the whole trip, and we were finally there!!!
When we arrived we all got out and placed our 1,000 paper cranes in a plastic case with many others. then we all rang the bell and wished for peachi n Hiroshima.
The peace park was honestly the most relaxing, serene and visualy beautiful place I have ever see, so green and clean!!!!
That was until we entered the memorial museum, I swear there was at least 300 little kids running around (school excursion day, just our luck). The museum was so interesting, plenty of facts, pictures and diagrams about what the locals call the ``A-Bomb`` ( the bomb that a B-29 American fighter jet dropped on Hiroshima, it was the FIRST neuclear bomb ever used. The Americans say it was a ``scientific experiment``)
It took us 2 hours to get through the museum and see everything that we wanted to see. It was quite sad, knowing that a town that had done nothing wrong lost 100,000 lives to something that they couldn`t try and fight against.
At 2 p.m we all got back on the bus and headed for home. Yet again, I`m pretty sure everyone slept on the bus, fun times :)
So now we only have 5 days left until we head home, and guess what another early start tomorrow, but I`ll let you ready about that on the next blog entery!!
See ya`ll soon!!!!!!

Written by; Jesica Pruiti-Ciarello :-D

Day Out With Host Families!!! (sunday 3rd of october)

I wrote this on Sunday night but I`ve only just been able to put it upon the blog now. =D

Today was another day with our host families so I can only speak of what happened to me today and the people I saw, so here goes… My day started at 7am when the dog that lives behind my host family`s house started barking, I would have preferred a longer sleep in since yesterday I spent 12 hrs at Universal Studios Japan but it was nice to see the early morning rain. When I came down stairs my Okaasan (mother) had (as always) started cooking for the families breakfast, on the menu today was vanilla yogurt with honey, bacon, eggs (how ever you like them), and just for me vegemite toast =D !!! I had the toast and some bacon with scrambled eggs. After breakfast my Okaasan had a sudden thought and no sooner had I blinked I was being dressed into a summer kimono (traditional Japanese dress) and having my picture taken with all of the family, and I must admit it was pretty fun.

After I’d finally convinced the family that I should take off the kimono, I went for a walk with my Okaasan and one of their dogs, Kokoro, while my host student, Fuko, was doing her home work. We walked around a large park where some children were playing soccer then we found a huge pond with so many Kio fish, they were all different patterns and colors and were all very pretty when we got home my Otousan (father) told me that we were going to a very big shopping centre called Eon mall that was 40 min drive away. When we got there the first thing I saw was a big Gloria Jean’s coffee shop, I was going to go in but then Fuko said that we were meeting Lousy and her host student Nutsuki on the 2nd floor, when we got up there we found Lousy and also Kylie and her host student Salina so we decided to spilt up for a while and meet back at Gloria Jeans at 4.30 so the Wanneroo students went to look at some stores. We found the cutest shoes and out fits and lots of Halloween decorations and costumes but since all of us are nearly out of money it was mostly window shopping all though we did buy a few bits and bobs.

At 6.30 we went to Toridoro, a japanese chicken restaurant it was soooooooooo cool and everything smelled delicious. We went straight to the back of the restaurant to meet up with Jess, Jackie, Kylie, Lousy and their host families. We had a big room type place at the back of the restaurant, we had a lot of fun, the kids sat at one table and the adults at another, oh and did I mention we sat on the floor on little square cushions it was very ummm interesting haha. We had a noodle salad and a ceaser salad for starters and then we had fired chicken, a bit like KFC but better, and we had hot chips with tomato sauce which all of the Wanneroo students were very excited about. Dinner there was lots of laughing and giggling and LOTS of chips and ice cubes =D. Since Jess doesn’t eat meat she had rice, fried egg and corn haha with hot chips as a garnish which the Japanese students thought was the funniest thing ever. =D After a while all self control went out the window and we got on to the subject of who was crazy or in Sai`s words ``special crazy``. In a strange turn of events most of us ended up with our hair on top of our head in a ball with a straw sticking out and then a guy sitting near our both spotted this happening and came and joined in so Jess stuck a straw to his head and they all got photos, check out face book for the pictures, after that it’s all a bit of a blur of laughing, straws and Nutsuki saying to a waiter in Japanese `` I didn`t order two eggs!!!!!!!`` ahahahahaha I think you had to be there =D after that we all headed out the door but not before many more pictures and some hello kitty lollypops.

For all the details check out the pictures on facebook and I think there’s a video or two as well.

And well that was my day out with my host family.

Written by Danni Stocks !!! =D

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Monday 27 September 2010, The day at school

I arrived at school by taking the bus and had to put my shoes into a small locker and then put on the green guest slippers. After everyone arrived it was time to make bamboo dragonflies in the conference room. You had to round the edges of the bamboo until they were round and then wrap a piece of tin foil around the center of the bamboo. Once we had done this we had to light a candle and twist the bamboo until it was at a 25 degree angle and super glue it to the handle. We then decided to colour in our bamboo dragonfly. Mine was yellow and black. We then went out onto the school oval to fly them and whoever got there bamboo dragonfly the highest would win a Japanese pencil case. To fly the dragonfly you had to put the handle between your hands and push one of your hands forward really quickly so it flies. It was harder than it looked. Mine kept on flying backwards. Mrs Webber came first because she had tried it before and Vanessa was the best out of us students. We then took a group photo of the gum tree the previous Wanneroo students had planted there eight years ago.

We were then taken to the library to rest and read books. We read English fairy tale books such as Cinderella and Puss in Boots. After a while we were then taken to a room were we did a traditional Japanese strecthing dance and we all looked stupid flapping are arms all over the place. After that we played fruit basket which is a game where you have chairs in a circle and one person goes without a chair and stands in the middle called the demon. The demon then says a question for example anyone wearing a white shirt and anyone wearing a white shirt has to get up and switch chairs and one person is always left in the middle. You can also say fruit basket were everyone has to get up and switch places. We also taught the Japanese students how to play wink murder. After that it was time to go to our Japanese language lesson. We learnt basic facts about Japan like the three basic alphabets: Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana.

When the siren bell went it was lunch time so we all went to the canteen and decided to go sit outside on the grass. We all went to the vending machines at the back of the canteen and bought a drink. Lunch was the quickest part of the day and it was then time to go to art class.

Art class was very fun. We had to make little baskets which most of us failed at. mine was the wrong way round and kept on falling apart. Jessica was the best at making the baskets and even had the Japanese students asking her for help. We then ran out of time to make the baskets and were told we can finish them next Monday.

Music class was next and we had to work in pairs and copy the tune of twinkle twinkle little star onto the computer. I worked with Jackie and it took us a while to figure out what we had to do. Once we figured out what we had to do we finished it really quickly and listened to it and it sounded exactly like the tune to twinkle twinkle little star. After music class we went back to the base room for a while to rest until the Japanese students had finished cleaning the school and went to their club activities.

It was then time for cooking and to make some Japanese food which was a fruit bowl of some kind. We split up in pairs and I had to work with Chery. We laughed at each other because we couldn't cut the fruit right. The fruit also had a syrup which was sugar melted in water which we nearly burned. After that we ate the food and it was very healthy and delicious. We said thank you to the cooking teacher and left the school with our host students.

Written by Liam Dudley :)

Friday, October 1, 2010

Attack of the Bambies

Ok, first of all, this all happened yesterday, on thursday. Just wanted to make that clear. Also, Danni stayed home, because she was sick. Also, this is kind of long. Sorry about that.

Right, as the title suggests, yesterday we all ran into a few deer. We went to Nara, specifically the deer park and temple there.

Our first mistake was, I admit, the biscuits. Well, Liam`s first mistake. One of the teachers bought a packet to feed to the deer. It got passed around, and some people fed a deer or two, no problems, bar a couple of bites from particularly hungry deer. Somehow, Liam ended up with a packet of six biscuits, and was almost instantly surrounded. He escaped with only a handful of bites, which was pretty good. It`s ok, he`s fine now.

We had our picture taken in front of the big archway thing (look to facebook for pictures) and then all went into the Buddhist temple. The temple was made entirely from wood. There were big paper things hanging off... something (not exactly sure what, maybe metal poles?) apparently they are for a festival happening on Sunday. On the way in we saw one very small fire extinguisher, and a fire bucket. None of us thought they would really be a big help if the place went up in flames. The statues inside were so big, they had to build the temple around them. The temple itself was about 3 stories high, plus the huge roof. People were praying and taking lots of pictures. Behind the statues were scale models of the temples, and stalls where they were selling things like deer pens and lucky charms. You could also go through Buddha`s nose, which is just a hole through a wooden column. I was slightly disappointed to learn that it looked nothing like a nose.

This is the part where the story changes depending on who you talk to, because we all sort of split up into little groups. My group (In this case me, Vanessa, Cree, Jackie, Cheryleita and Steven(and maybe someone else, can`t remember)), thinking it was time to go, went to the place we were supposed to meet, and looked after a person`s umbrella. They just left it lying around, and a deer tried to eat it, so Vanessa saved it (the umbrella, that is). We then bought ice cream while checking the bus, and just as we came back to the meeting place, everyone else appeared with a bunch of japanese boys they met. They promised to show us the way to MacDonalds, so everyone followed them to the big shopping place. We ate, then went shopping. Some of us, myself included, turned back after a while, but got stuck in the hundred yen shop ($2 shop). Those places are two/three stories in Japan! And they have everything, from gardening things to little baskets to school books to... well, you get the idea.

We all went back to the deer park, most of us indulged in ice cream or shaved ice and a couple of little trinkets, then we went back to the bus and tried to scare the teachers by pretending to be asleep and then suddenly yelling/jumping, but we all started laughing, so it didn`t work. The back of the bus became a little crane making production line, with some people pre-folding the paper, and others making the cranes up to certain points, then passing it on to other people, who did the next bit and so on.

Overall, it was an interesting day, but I don`t think anyone on this trip will ever think of deers the same way again.

By Katie-Ann Peart :)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The journey so far...

Well, today it is my turn to write in this blog about what we have been doing.
Today we went to Sasayama which is a city in Osaka. We visited the castle that once stood upon the hills. The castle was buit 400 years ago but today you can only see the ruins which are not exactly ruins. You can see the outlines on the ground of where it once stood and a few samurai quarters still stand but that is mainly all that is left. The veiws are amazing though, just below the castle is either an elementry or junior high school. As we stood upon the castle ruins we watched all the little kids play. We had vegemite sandwiches for lunch and everyone was extremly happy to have something from back home. Danni was excited because it tasted like home. We also went and made pottery. Some of us were very good at itand managed to produce bowls, vases ect. and some of us seemed to just fail. Everyone was very creative at what we made though. We don't get our masterpeices back until december though because they send them over to us.

My lifestyle at my host family's house is quite traditional. I am sleeping upon a futon which is actually very comfortable.

On the first day I think we were all tired and just slept when we got to our `homes`. On the second day we had a ceremony with some speeches and this amazing performance by these drummer people. We also went shopping at this place called Jusco which is approx. 30 minutes from miki high school by foot, around 10 minutes by car. On the third day we went to see some temples and did a lot of gift shopping and eating while we were there so by the time dinner came i think most of us were prety full (or in Rebecca's words `bailed`). On the fourh day we all had a day with our hosts. I ended up going shopping with my host, lucy, lucy's host and two of their other friends. On the fifth day we all had classes at the school.

Cree Mitchell

Monday, September 27, 2010

Sunday - 26 September - Day with Host Families

So much has happened in the little time we have been here, I`m getting used to the Japanese lifestyle, but the `not wearing seatbelts` part is hard to get used to. On Sunday, I went with Serina (My host student), her cousin and their mothers. First we went to a clothes shop, most things are very cheap here, and easy to buy. It was suprising though to find, that; to go into the dressing room (In the middle of the store), you have to take your shoes off, and it`s hard to buy shoes when the `L` (large) is too small. We went to a ¥100 shop (Alot like a $2 shop), where you can buy, just about anything, I saw an outfit rack for dogs in there. We went to an Italian resturant, although there was alot of rice dishes there, I`m not sure how that`s Italian :S. I went out with Serina to see her mother sing, since she is part of a choir, they are very good.

So, later, we went to the Video store, but it was massive! About, over 4 times the Wanneroo video store. They had, all kinds of movies, and alot of American T.V shows. We watched `Twilight` later, since Serina`s family had not seen it, they seemed interested.

Later, we played Wii sports, nobody could beat me at tennis, I was very happy.  It`s still very warm, and it`s a sticky warm, which makes it worse. But we are having fun in Japan, although it`s hard to fit in, as we are, just about, the only Australians in the neighbourhood.

Kylie Dahl

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Welcome to Miki!

Day one in Japan, we are all pretty nervous. Some of us caught the train to school then walked up MASSIVE hills. The lucky ones got dropped off! The school is two stories high and very clean compared to ours. In Japan it is custom to wear slippers inside the school at all times unless you are doing a sports activity. Our visitor slippers were  green and very comfortable. People with big feet have a very hard time fitting into those shoes.

The first thing you notice when you enter the assembly area is that they are all placed in year rows. Second interesting fact is that no one is talks but they like to stare! We were placed upon the front stage looking down over the rest of the students. Being in an unfamilar place can make a person do some pretty embarrassing things. For instance, half way up to the stage I nearly stacked it then lost my slipper right after going up one of the steep stairs( which nearly killed us). Rebecca also lost her slipper. Presents and speeches were given which were very formal compared to Australia.

After all the introductions were made, we left that area and got ready for the longest walk of our lives to a shopping centre. Jusco is located half an hour from Miki Senior High via foot. By car probably about 10 minutes. The store was 3 storys full of  the most amazing, but typical Japanese things. eg, hello kitty store, check skirts...  Shoes and more shoes...

Vanessa Benitez

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Our Draft Schedule

ITINERARY FOR AUSTRALIAN VISIT 2010 July 13, 2010


This schedule is as of June 15 and some changes will be done to this original plan.



Thursday 23 September

8:35 Arrive at Kansai Airport

12:00 Arrive at Miki SHS (Sandwiches are ready)

13:00 Meet host students and we have a welcome meeting.

13:40 Leave school with host families



Friday 24

8:20 Meet in the Teachers’ Room

8:35 Welcome Ceremony at the Gym

9:10 ~9:50 Walk in and around the school

10:00 ~13:00 Walk around the Neighbourhood, shopping at Jusco

13:15 ~14:05 Rest

14:15 ~15:05 Join English class ( 2-3 IC Ⅱ)

15:50 club activity

18:00 Welcome dinner for the Wanneroo staff?



Saturday 25

8:00 Leave Miki SHS for Kyoto with host students

17:30 Arrive back at Miki SHS



Sunday 26

Day with host families



Monday 27

9:00 Leave School for Nara

17:00 Arrive back at School



Tuesday 28

9:00 Leave School for Sasayama

( Visit Sasayama Castle and making small pottery like teacups)

16:40 Arrive at Miki SHS



Wednesday 29

8:40 ~9:30 Join English Class ( OC1-8 )

10:00 Leave School for Mihara Senior High School

17:40 Arrive at School



Thursday 30 ?

8:40 ~ 9:30 Rest

  9:40 ~ 10:30 Calligraphy Class ( 1-6) O.K.

10:40 ~11:30 Join English Class ( 1-1 ICⅠ)

11:40 ~12:30 Rest

  13:15 ~14:05 International Studies O.K.

14:15 ~15:05 Rest

15:50 Club Activity(Tea Ceremony Club) O.K.

 

Friday October 1

7:00 Leave School for Hiroshima

18:00 Arrive at School



Saturday 2- Sunday 3

Day with host families



Monday 4

8:40 ~ 9:30 Join English Class ( 1-1 English Ⅰ)

9:40 ~ 10:30 Rest

10:40 ~11:30 Join English Class (2-3 MIC English WOC)

11:40 ~12:30 Questionnaire

 13:15 ~14:05 Music Class ( 1-3) O.K.

14:15 ~15:05 Art Class (1-5) O.K.

18:00 Farewell Party at the Cafeteria



Tuesday 5

9:00 Leave School for Seishin Shopping Centre

(Students are to buy their own bus tickets.)

16:00 Arrive at School



Wednesday 6

6:00 Gather at School and Leave for Kansai International Airport

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Konnichiwa!

Minnasan Konnichiwa!
Welcome to our Wanneroo Miki Exchange blog where you can join us on our journey to the land of the rising sun and back.  We look forward to sharing our amazing experiences with you!