This past summer, we hosted a Japanese exchange student for four weeks. His name was Shuhei, a mild-mannered but very unique boy whose favorite colors are black and red and who doesn’t like to eat tomatoes, mushrooms and green peppers. Back home in Japan, he is the only boy in his family and is a soft tennis champion. Having him with us for his first homestay was one of the most exciting things we have ever experienced. He fit right in with us like he was one of our family. When he left, we were sad, but he had to go back home to Japan. One day, we hope to see him again.
We had so much fun with him here that I wanted to share it all. But sometimes, posts are just difficult to write, especially ones with details and tons of photos. Then, there’s the issue of finding the time or getting in the mood. In the end, the blog suffers from yet another post that never was.
An easy solution, or so I thought, would be to do a video blog – a vlog. Christy, at The Daily Dish, did a vlog and gave a tour of her home. Her post inspired me to go ahead and do a vlog about our time with Shuhei.
That’s what I did today. The opportunity was there and I made my first vlog!
In addition to the vlog, there are several photos my family and I doing different things with Shuhei. Please hover over each picture to see the descriptions I’ve added. But if you really want to hear me, Southern accent and all, my vlog is at the end of the post. I apologize in advance for the choppy editing, including the missing clip of me about to show two Japanese fans. Not sure what happened there. Editing was difficult enough, so that clip will have to stay on the editing room floor.
I promise to do a better job at editing next time. That is, IF there is a next time.
How wonderful!!! Cannot say how much fun it was to watch, Tammy!
First, thank you so much for sharing all of that. What a terrific way of posting so much information. I’m so glad you did. I have a best friend from college who is Japanese and it never ceases to amaze me how talented she is – and in general her fellow Japanese. That scroll Shuhei made, oh my goodness!!!! And the story of the chopstick gun; too funny!
I loved seeing all of the neat presents you received. I am wild over Japanese stuff – food, origami, even the packaging itself. When Junko had to return home ( her visa ran out) I took care of cleaning out her apartment. There were many things left to sort, donate, etc. But anything from her, that reminded me of her especially, I kept. I totally understand what you mean about not being ready to part with the last of things. It’s a token of your friend you don’t want to let go.
I look forward to your next vlog! You are so lovely, and sound so lovely! It’s a pleasure to take in more of your life via video! Love it!!
Thank you! I’m relieved that I was somewhat entertaining. lol
The gifts I showed were just half of what we received. I failed to show the paper flower pendants that his mom made for me, and the Kimonos they gave to all three of us, and the cute fabric cinch bags. Their generosity was overwhelming!
I had a Japanese friend in college named Tomoko and I knew another Japanese girl named Junko, too!
Maybe I’ll post another vlog someday. It was fun, but time consuming. It wasn’t as “easy” as I perceived it to be. And you are too kind with your compliments. *blushing*
Tammy,
I loved watching the vlog about Shuhei and your family and your experiences together. My favorite part was the “no gun” rule that 4-H gave you only to have Shuhei build his own guns out of chopsticks for him and Ian. That’s so ironic and just funny and pretty typical of the “kids will be kids” no matter where they are from.
Thank you for sharing this!
Jennifer
I’m glad you enjoyed the video.
And you are absolutely right, kids will be kids, especially boys will be boys even with the language barrier. Did you know that screaming and yelling are a universal language?
Very cool vblog!
I have to ask: “How short are you?” … you look really short in those photos. … just saying.
- Momotaro the Peach Boy is a classic!
-chopstick guns are cool! … or is it chopsticks guns?
- you better eat those snacks, because they will turn nasty after a while.
- your house looks like grown-ups live in it. (that’s a compliment)
very cool!
I think the others had the advantage of the rocks they were standing on, I was in a hole. I’m actually taller than the boys, but that won’t last much longer.
Thanks for the tip, we’ll eat those snacks asap, but the candy is still too pretty to eat.
My house use to look like a kid lived here. Not so much these days. I miss it, but I’m glad to get my house back.
Very cool vlog! What a delight to see & hear you, your home, your unique gifts from Shuhei, and all of your vlog!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed the vlog and my accent.
I regret that I spontaneously made the vlog. I now wish I had planned better. I forgot to mention so many other gifts that were given. They were upstairs – out of sight, out of mind. Oh well…