Japanese exchange students!

[Youngjedi]

Leave the Door Open, tell them they can't come up, and get your whole family up there playing for an hour...The noise will drive their curiosity WILD!

Actually, If it we me, I would probably consider all that wonderful noise some sort of abuse.

Keep us posted on there reactions.

[Meathead]

Speaking of burgers, I'm finding out that 'horse' is a very popular meat in Japan! I had no idea. My students say it is very good.

[luckydog]

keep an eye on the dog

[compirate]

C'mon, I want reactions to the Pachis!

[Meathead]

I just got a disc formatted for the camcorder. I'm going to clean up the room tonight (I have been putting in a faux brick wall at one end, lots of dust). I'll hang some neon signs, pull the pachis back out and show them tomorrow. They'll be gone in less than 2 weeks.

I've already corrupted them. They saw the roulette table and became curious. So now they love playing. I hope Japan has some form of Gambler's Anonymous.
______________________________________________________

keep an eye on the dog

We only have cats, and considering a recent vet bill, I might be inclined to BBQ both of them this week.

[Meathead]

A couple of pics from yesterday and today...

The boys in the canoe yesterday in the American River, and a shot of Kentaro bringing in his first Kokanee salmon!

[dattia]

Looks like fun!!!

[Meathead]

Some of these were taken a week ago. A nearby lake called Sugar Pine. Warm water and poor fishing (at least for me!). These boys love to fish. It must be a cultural thing. I know the older of the two lives in a coastal town with a big fishing industry. He was very hands-on and interested in the downriggers, lures, and method I used to clean the fish. Unlike my boys, not squeamish at all about preparing the fish.

That last photo is a shot of my youngest doing his best Kieth Richards fishing impression.

[MrGoodBurn]

With as much fish that get eaten in Japan; it wouldn't surprise me if kids learn to fish before they learn to walk.

[BigBearSteve]

We only have cats, and considering a recent vet bill, I might be inclined to BBQ both of them this week.

Mmmmmmm, BBQ'd Cat,
YUMmmmmmmmmmm...

[Meathead]

Ok, I showed them the room. I had to do it at 7 am here, otherwise the room just gets too hot. They loved it, especially the pachinkos (hardly touched the slots) I unfortunately had to go to bed due to working all night, so I let them have at it (I filled all the machines). I went up there later to discover they had drained all the machines of balls, but hardly touched the slots. Unfortunately, I was asleep during all of this, so, no pictures. I'll try and get some today.

Yesterday afternoon, we spent on the lake again. They mostly swam, and played on the rope swing. The water was warm. They will leave on Tuesday, and as you can see from the pictures, they have become good friends with our boys. We'll be sad to see them go. Tonight, they will make us dinner.

A funny story about an exchange student last year...

A few days before their departure, I gave a neighbor's exchange student a copy of a Green Day album that he wanted. When they learn English, one of the last things that they grasp is conjunctions, so during the farewell, he came up to me and exclaimed loudly, "Thank you, American Idiot!" All the other parents looked at me and I had to explain to them why I was just labeled an idiot.

I slipped in a photo of the game room. I am getting closer, the 'brick' wall is not yet finished, and I have to finish a lot of the woodwork. I'll post some more shots later in the appropriate thread, or in an album (I have to eliminate an album, I've reached my max)

[dattia]

Lookin' GOOD!

[compirate]

That game room looks more like a board room.

The next meeting:

[Meathead]

That was a very old table I found at a thrift shop for a few bucks. I had intended to use the base and make a custom poker table top to attach to the base. But I stripped the old finish off and found a 1" thick slab of black walnut underneath. I chose to sand it down and then refinish it. Maybe it was the lazy way to do it, but I kinda like it better than a padded/felted poker table.

[BigBearSteve]

I think it looks great the way it is.

It would be a shame to cover that beautiful wood..

[Meathead]

Some more shots, this time with the kids playing. By far the most popular game was Double Wing. I found that while one kid was playing Double Wing, another would play a nearby machine, only to switch immediately to Double Wing as it became available. It was hitting fevers consistently and I found myself constantly filling the top tray. It had gone through modes and played music and sound effects I've never heard before while they played.

Below are some photos. The room is still not anywhere near done. I'm surprised at how time consuming the woodwork, etc is. I have yet to build a ball distribution system for the pachinkos, although I have a retrieval system that works well. Therefore, I still have to frame in around several of the machines...

[Meathead]

Well, today was the dreaded day the kids returned to Japan. Two nights prior, Mako and Kentaro made us a nice dinner that included curried rice, Miso Soup and a stew with chicken. Last night was the Sayanora Party, where all the exchange students got together and threw a party for the host families. They exhibited cultural items, and we tried all sorts of food including candy and snacks. A sort of talent show followed.

Prior to taking off to the party, we took a family shot on the lawn. After the party, the boys came home and spent a couple of hours in the game room, this time, it was mostly slots they played. After that, it was time to pack luggage and go to bed.

Today was much more somber. I have never seen my own children so sullen. They couldn't even fight with each other. Not a word was spoken as we walked to the bus that would take them to the airport, and off to Japan. These two boys really made an impact on us, and it was an experience none of us will forget. These two children were very outgoing, unlike others we've had, I think the fact that we took on two really helped matters. Typically, with one student, at least the first few days are awkward. you are in a strange house, and because of the lack of a common language, feel alone. These two did not know each other when they arrived, but got along like long-lost identical twins. I think they will remain friends for life. Kentaro and Mako also became very close to my boys, and their departure was very difficult for them to handle, and for me to photograph. Funny thing is, of the thirty or so kids leaving that day, or their host families, it was difficult to find anyone fighting back tears.

[dattia]

Thanks alot! Now I'm crying too...

Seriously, thank you for sharing this experience with the rest of us... I have thoroughly enjoyed all the pictures and little stories that went along with them.

Thanks also to you and your family for being great ambassadors for the USA!

[Banzaitrooper]

Thanks for sharing your story! It's so nice that you had all that time with the exchange students. When i hosted mine it was only two weeks, hardly enough time to get to know them. But just enough time for them to overstay their welcome! I kid, we just had a very rude student, who almost seemed more American than Japanese !

[Chris]

Great pics and I have enjoyed reading your thread