Things living abroad has taught me (so far)

95% of the time, doing something is 100% better than not doing anything, no matter how nervous or anxious it makes you feel. Your brain will typically flash a huge "NO!" sign if it really is a bad idea.

Being single-minded gets you nowhere except on other peoples' bad sides.

Even in another culture, never try to be somebody you aren't.

The internet is both awesome and hindering.

How to pack life's necessities into 2 suitcases (plus a bag or two)

Never, ever, EVER try and force your culture onto somebody else.

Never forget to wear a watch. NEVER.

In different situations, people can act very, very differently from their "normal" selves.

Gossip is idiotic.

Of course there's a lot more stuff I've learned specifically about myself, but these are sort of the life lessons, I think. There's also a lot of things I've learned about Japan, but I think it's pretty obvious that being an exchange student in Japan would make you do that.

Anywho, I should probably tell you all that I've moved host families. I know I've said it a billion times before, but I'll say it again: my last host family was not bad, but we just didn't get along. It was a mix of them being a first time host family and a clashing of personalities. But yeah, I moved. I really like my new host family- they're an older couple with lots of grandkids and a huge, old house. And there's most certainly no need to worry about the "first time host" thing- I'm their 12th exchange student. The location is nice, too. It's out in the countryside, but it's really pretty. And besides, it's only a little ways from my next (and last) host family, so I'm in this area for the rest of my exchange. Yay, I don't have to learn anymore new bike/bus/train routes! ^-^

On a sort of... confusing note, I was talking to the girl who just moved here from New Zealand (and now goes to my school) about friends in Japan. We both said the same thing to my surprise- the girls are really sweet and pretty easy to become decent friends with, but it's the guys we get along with best! It's so weird. When I hang out with my Japanese guyfriends, a lot of the time it feels like I'm with my American girlfriends. The Japanese-guy sense of humor is a lot closer to mine and hers than it is to the Japanese girls' (not everyone, of course, but generally speaking). It feels a little strange, to be honest, but I know I'm going to miss some of these guys who are, now that my Japanese is a little better, becoming my really good friends. I just really pity Susan, who is at an all-girls school and is bored out of her mind T_T Come visit my school, Susan!!!

Alrighty then, talk to you all later!