Peace out PII

And so, after hundreds (literally) of grammar points, lists of vocabulary and kanji, and hours upon hours of studying, I. am. done. 

No more class. No more daily quiz. No more nights of sweating in my room, forcing Kanji into my resisting brain. No more PII. 

This past week, I spent most of my time studying for my final, on the verge of a breakdown every time I thought about how much we learned and how much I had to review (aka learn for the first time because I never knew it in the first place).

 It was a rough week. In fact, it was a rough program. 

The mental stamina it took day in and day out to keep pushing forward was relentless. While I had a lot of fun and amazing experiences (as proven by my blog posts), this was the most difficult academic thing I have done. At the beginning, it was difficult, but definitely manageable. However, with the second semester came a new textbook, and with that came a set of 20 grammar points, around 50 vocabulary words, and 30 new Kanji that we had to learn every two days. Thus, while I needed to put more and more effort into keeping up with the pace, my brain power was slowly waning day after day.

By Wednesday, the day before our final, I thought I wasn't capable of pulling my act together. I simply couldn't function. I felt so mentally weak. After class, I sat at the park by myself, and some kind of miracle must have happened because I suddenly felt a renewed sense of confidence and hope that I could actually do it! Yessss. I think it was a Jimmy Neutron moment. So I mustered the determination to study all day (what's new?).

 By Thursday morning, the day of our final, I felt pretty good! I don't remember having my brain together in one piece like that in a while! So I did it. Over. Owari. Boom. 

And now it's time to PARTAYYY!!! Woop. 

But not without one last trip to the good ol' Rifare. Muahahaha. This is it. 

I will never have to return to the cave. 

Of course, I started out the day with an amazing breakfast. I will miss these way too much. Everyday, this incredible act of generosity and effort presented by my mom gave me the energy and bit happiness I needed to get through class. While my mom was preparing Haruki's bento or making sure Kaho didn't break something, she would always somehow manage to cook up amazing things. 

The washoku breakfasts, like this one, were always so impressive. Today, I had grilled fish, tsukemono, homemade tsukudani fish and tamagoyaki, miso soup, kani kama kuri, and rice. 

 No class today! Just a simple, one hour graduation ceremony. 

I actually became quite sentimental and started to realize that I may not be seeing my friends together ever again! Since we are from different schools, it is very unlikely that we will have a chance to be all together in one place. 

Each teacher also gave a little farewell speech, including some with tears. T_T

As hard as this program was, the teachers were probably one of the best parts. 

I will miss them all, from Tameyori (pictured...though she's a Princeton folk, so I'll be seeing her!) to Park sensei. 

 After the ceremony, we then walked over to the Hotel Nikko across from the Eki for the Farewell Party with our host families. 

Again, PII doesn't disappoint with the first class swag. 

 The food didn't disappoint either! 

Though I couldn't eat much of it because I was soon called to do my MC duties!

MC Broido and Maria once again. 

Just before my mom left to pick up Haruki from school, we took one last picture together with Marina and Emmy! So sad. 

And one last group shot! I didn't want to say goodbye! My favorite part about the PII experience was the relationships that I've made. I am so grateful to have made new friends! Though I wish we all went to the same school so that I could see them in the fall. I guess I'll just have to make trips to other schools! Woo hoo!

Awww. Hao Kai Pai. One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

 Hugs. All around. I can't believe I won't see my friends, like Emmy, everyday! 

From our random bus rides to thrift store shopping excursions, we have had great times together. 

I am definitely looking forward to seeing that girl at Princeton! 

 After I said my goodbyes, my mom picked me up and helped me send a box of my stuff to my relatives' house in Tokyo, where I will be visiting during the first few days of August. I've accumulated quite a bit, and I didn't want to bring a whole bunch of nimotsu with me on the train, transfer, and subway to Tokyo.

 I mention this little detail because the cardboard box humored me. Once again, leave it to the Japanese to even make a box kawaii. The Panda is just so ふわふわ!

For snack time, my mom took me and the kids to a specialty ice cream store! But not like a Coldstones kind of ice cream store. Here, they sell all sorts of fancy and cute and novelty packaged ice creams, like the ice cream aisle in the supermarket, taken to the tenth level of awesome! 

The packaging. Japan just does packaging so darn well. 

I was very intrigued by all the flavors and types and colors. 

Rainbow! Double Rainbow!!!!

After buying a few packages of ice-y goodness, we took them home to enjoy

 (or in Kaho's case, to get it all over her face!)

The ice cream shop also sold other sweets, like this grape mochi, consisting of a large, firm grape engulfed in a sticky mochi shell, and rolled in sparkley sugar dust!

I also gave my host family my chawan that I've been working on throughout PII!

 Remember all those times that I went to the ceramics place? Well, my creation is now complete! 

I also bought some colorful fruit jellies to fill the bowl. 

After some taihen packing and putting away my life from the past two months, my mom drove the kids and I to one last sushi dinner at the same kaiten sushi restaurant we went to on my second night with my host family! 

Going back to the start. I love it. 

Here is the photo from before...

And here is the photo now...

You can tell that they are more comfortable around me and just a little bit crazier than when we first met!

Oh man, Kanazawa. How you have raised my standards of sushi. I have been spoiled by the fruits of the sea here, and I don't know if Frist packaged sushi will ever seem the same...

Here is a sampling of our seafood extravaganza: 

Clockwise from left: 

Negitoro Neba Neba trio: minced tuna and green onion with a okra, yamaimo, and natto on top!

Cucumber tsukune sushi: I'm surprised that I have never seen this in America. I love seafood, and this sushi is still one of my favorites!

Sazae sushi (a type of conch shellfish) served with the liver and a little lemon wedge!

Sweet white shrimp sushi

My mom and Kaho! So adorable.

 Little do you know that Kaho was actually climbing all over my mom while she was trying to eat...

My host family has been not only so kind and welcoming, but also so generous. The amazing food that I have been provided everyday, the weekend trips that they took me on, the friendly greetings that they send my way morning and night...I am so so so thankful and lucky to have stayed with the Minamizonos. 

And of course...as my mom does everyday with my meals, my host family went above and beyond and bought me a yukata set with geta and everything! When Haruki handed me the bag (which Kaho then took and handed it to me again...and again), I was so surprised and overwhelmed! 

From the beginning of my home stay, my mom knew that I wanted a yukata, but I never ever expected to be given one! My mom's younger sister got me the beautiful geta! 

So to my host family: THANK YOU so much. 

Before I came to Japan, I was probably most nervous about the home stay situation. I have never done anything like it, and I heard that it could be very stressful and frustrating. 

However, I couldn't have had a better experience! 

Because PII was so busy, I didn't really have much time to reflect on all the experiences I have had here in Japan. However, as the program ends, I now realize that this summer was the best learning experience I have ever had. From cultural to educational to relational lessons, I am satisfied to walk away from Kanazawa with a better all around facility to take on life!!!! 

Boo-yah.