Erika's life

Recently I reconsiderd about Japan because my international friend asked me many things about Japan, but I couldn't answer them in detail. I am Japanese, but I don't have enough knowledge about Japan. I thought I should have more knowledge about Japan. When I considered about Japan, I thought I have never been to Kyoto! I live in Osaka, so I had thought I could go there someday. So I decided to go to Kyoto next month. I think most Japanese people don't have enough knowledge about Japan.
Anyway, last Thursday I saw the interview in NY that people who have never been to Japan imagine about Japan. I thoguht they imagine old Japanese style like Kyoto, maiko, samurai, kimono, temples and shrines. But to my surprise, it was pretty different from my imagines. They answered they imagine modern country. For example, they said technology, crowded, expensive cameras, electronic and so on. I was so surprised at the interview. Are they good imagines? I don't think quiet good. I like traditional Japanese style like Kyoto. I want them to see real Japan and know about Japan much more. What do you imagine about Japan? I saw the video and want to know other people's imagines about Japan. Probably, they are diffrent from each people.

In August I applied for the home visit program, which overseas student comes to Japanese house and eat dinner or go out or do something with Japanese family. Then I have known the overseas student from Hong Kong. I was so nervous until I met him because I can't speak English fluently and didn't know whether we could be good friends or not. But when I met him for the first time, I was so surprised at his fluent Japanese. He could understand and speak Japanese very well. He can also speak 4 languages, English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese!! What a genius student!! I admired to hear that. I also surprised at his fashionable clothes. He was like ordinary Japanese young boy. We could talk each other about Hong Kong and Japan, and I was relieved he was a good person. As yet he came to my house several times and we ate dinner together. He gave us a cute mascot which is Hong Kong mascot like cat or lion. To my surprise, he could talk naturally with my family!! He is really clever!!
I talked with him and knew many things about Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, most buildings and apartments are very high and he lives in the 30th floor. It's scary for me to live in the 30th floor...But it's an ordinary thing in Hong Kong. Because of high buildings, he said we can't see beautiful sky. When he came to Japan, he was moved at Japanese beautiful sky. It was surprising for me. I also surprised at one more thing. There are no earthquakes in Hong Kong, so he has never had an earthquake. It's envious thing for Japanese people.
It's a really good experience for me and my family to have got to known with him. We could know each countries and had a good time. I want to know more about Hong Kong and go to Hong Kong someday!! I want to see really beautiful night view in Hong Kong☆

Last Friday was a holiday because of the anniversary of the foundation. So I went to USJ with my friends, Mayumi, Risa and Yumiko. I have been there several times. In USJ, Christmas ivents have been held since this month. I was looking forward to seeing a big Christmas tree!! We rode many attractions, so I'll tell you about my favourite attractions. At first, we rode the attraction, "Spiderman", which is really exciting. I like this attraction the best. At last of this attraction, we feel falling down from the high building. Next, I love the movie, "Back to the future"and the main character, Doc, so I like this attraction. We seem to travel to the past and future, and enter the movie. I recommend you to ride these two attractions. Both are really fun.
Anyway, Sunday was Mayumi's birthday, so we planed to hold a surprise birthday party in USJ. We bought a present which is her favourite character, "Sponge Bob" though I don't think he is cute... But she loves him. We also reserved her birthday cake in USJ shop. We naturally entered the reserved shop and the shop staff served the cake. She was so surprised at and glad for our presents, so I was happy, too!! We ate the cake deliciously and drank tea like rich people.
We also planed to go to "Pink cafe". Do you know this cafe? This is Pink Panser's cafe and the shop is all pink!! It's really cute☆ In the end, we took pictures of the Christmas tree. It was illuminated many difference colours and so beautiful!! I was impressed the illumination. I recommed you to go to USJ during Christmas festa. I could feel Christmas early and enjoyed very much!!

Yesterday our school festival had finished. It had been held for three days. I was looking forward to it because it's my first school festival.
On the first day, I saw comedians' show with Mayumi, Yumiko and Risa. They were very funny and I laughed hard. I think Nakagawake was the funniest duo. I like their imitation.
For two days, I and Mayumi went to school to help our circle's stall. We opened the baby castera(sponge cake) stall. For school festival, our circle made an original T-shirt which is a cool black design, so I wore this T-shirt. Then I sold castera to customers while walking. It's a first experience for me to be a vendor and call out to customers. So at fisrt, I was ashamed to do that, but gradually I got used to that. In a day we sold many castera about 100 to customers!! They seemed to eat deliciously, so I was very happy. I not only sold castera but bought many foods. I ate our castera, Hasimaki, grilled chicken, parfait, fried chicken, Tempura ice cream, hot dog ice cream and so on. All of them were very delicious and I enjoyed eating them. Especially hot dog ice cream was very delicious!! Do you know this food? It is put ice cream between bun and we can enjoy feeling hot and cold. Now it is popular in Nanba.
I was so tired because I walked a long time to sell castera. But I enjoyed selling and eating many foods. I'm looking forward to next year's school festival, too!!