Japanese exchange students!

[Meathead]

Well, it has been a couple of years since we've done this, but we are hosting exchange students again this summer. Last year we had to skip (I can't remember why). This year, we were approached because nine students were not yet placed. So we took two.

Their names are Makoto and Kentaro. They are from Sagaken and Kumamoto, Japan, and are 12 and 13 years of age. They will stay in our boys' rooms (mine are 12 and 14). One of the goals of the exchange is to immerse them in the English language, so even though we have a spare bedroom, we have found that we have had better luck in the past when they stay with our boys. They will go to class every day, and we will have them in the evenings and on the weekends.

In their letters, "Mako" writes that one of his biggest desires here is to eat and "American" hamburger. We have a restaurant in town that makes a burger that is as big as a dinner plate. I don't think he will be disappointed. Kentaro loves to fish. Well, he won't be disappointed either. He will also turn 14 on July 30, during his stay.

We have had several students in the past and have really enjoyed them. None spoke English at all upon their arrival. Despite this, and despite their initial shyness, it didn't take long for communication to develop. And even though they stay for only a month, the experience for the host family, and the students, lasts a lifetime.

I wonder what they will think of the game room loaded with Pachis?

I will keep you updated with photos, etc! They arrive tomorrow!

[dattia]

That is fabulous!

[luckydog]

Great!!

Just don't get them addicted to pachinko at an early age

[mcknli7]

thats fabulous cant wait for pics

[hanabi]

How wonderful, I'm sure you will all enjoy the experience and learn a lot from each other during their stay

[new in town]

I wonder what they will think of the game room loaded with Pachis?

You will probably make them feel Right at Home.

[Banzaitrooper]

I hosted a student last year in appleton WI, we have a sister city in kanonji(where i visited) it was a lot of fun, and i'll tell you one thing, he could eat! we ate at a Chinese restaurant where their entrees are huge, he ate TWO of them! at the place! not like one later, he ate both! I could hardly finish mine! I think his parents starved him.

[compirate]

Nothing like corrupting youth!

"I didn't come to America to play pachinko, let's go shoot something!"

[Meathead]

Nothing like corrupting youth!

"I didn't come to America to play pachinko, let's go shoot something!"

Some of the rules - no operating a motor vehicle, no use of firearms.

They are allowed to smoke, though.


I posted some shots of our previous students in an album. Today is the day our new students arrive. I will be working until very late tonight, though. I probably won't meet them until tomorrow.

[drcrippen324]

ok so thats just taken half there fun away dont tell me they cant gamble on nascar eaither

[compirate]

I can see them now, tattered clothes, chained to little desks in the basement with candles for light...

"Get those pachinko pamphlets translated!!! Or it's cold fish heads and rice again! You wanna nice cheesburger, don't you???"

[Meathead]

We don't have a basement. But the barn might work. I'll hold them for ransom, maybe until Mom and Dad send over a Spin Luck.

[Meathead]

Well, I have to take a break from posting these awful jokes! Is this a groan contest or an endurance test, John???

Our exchange students have been here for a couple of weeks now and are really enjoying themselves. They have visited the state Capitol, San Francisco, etc. I've learned they really love the boat (especially considering our weather lately. Last weekend we took them to a nearby lake where they fished, swam, tubed, and had fun on a rope swing all day. Sun, a serious fishing trip. My own boys (and wife) have declined to go (not big into fishing), but Mako and Kentaro can't contain themselves. They really have an enthusiasm for fishing. So, I spoke with another family in town that is hosting a boy and a girl. Dad, his son, and the male exchange student will come.

Sunday we are going to a lake called Hell Hole. It's a lot nicer than it sounds, but a very long drive (it's 49 miles from home, but 2 hours drive time because of the terrain). I will be sure to bring along the digital camera.

The photos below are of the boys. Tonight they had burgers from a local restaurant. They're the size of dinner plates. They ate them! Maybe I will have photos of the boys eating some fish on Sunday!!!

[luckydog]

those are the biggest burgers I've ever seen!!!

I didn't see any Ramen noodles on the dinner table

[MrGoodBurn]

those are the biggest burgers I've ever seen!!!

This is what the burgers look like that I get from the Cafe at my work. This burger is about $3.00...

[bfree]

Onion rings too!!!

[luckydog]

that looks like a 3,000 calories 75 grams of fat burger

those are the best kind

[MrGoodBurn]

Onion rings too!!!

The onion rings were about $1.50 additional. Not a bad deal...
______________________________________________________

that looks like a 3,000 calories 75 grams of fat burger

those are the best kind

Not exactly sure, but it tastes good, and is more than I can eat.

They have a "junior burger" ; it's not much smaller than that, but lacks all the yummy bacon, BBQ sauce, and the onion ring.

[MrJim]

Great pics of the students, looks like they are enjoying themselves! What did they think of your Pachi machines?

[Meathead]

They haven't seen them yet! I'm making some changes in the gameroom, and I will surprise them next week. They know something is up there...