SPRING thank GOD!

After hearing about the repeated snowings that occurred in my home city- where, mind you, it never snows- I'm glad spring is finally coming round. No more being jealous of all my American people playing in the snow while it rains and freezes and is generally suckish weather in Kyoto. And on top of that having to wear my school uniform with its skirt, which no matter how hard you try to insulate will always let cold air in and freeze you, while the boys can pack on the layers underneath their pants. I can't tell if it's sexist or just the result of some not-too-bright designer who completely forgot, "Oh yeah, these skirts might be a little cold in winter, hmm." I really don't mind wearing a school uniform- in fact it's actually pretty nice, how simple mornings are- but come on, a little thought for the girls?

But soon we'll be switching to summer uniforms and I won't have to worry about that at all! It's finally warming up. I don't need my scarf anymore, or an overcoat. I can walk free, unburdened by those heavy layers of extra clothing! Just the uniform is heavy enough, thank you. And flowers are starting to bloom. A few plum blossoms (not cherry/sakura, that's not 'til April) have started to bud, which makes my ride to school very lovely. And of course, as it happens in Japan, exams finally ended with the start of Spring!

I would not ever want to repeat exam week ever again. It was so, so, so boring. I took a test or two, but for the most part I was in the library studying grammar while everybody else was fretting over scores. There's never a time I feel more disconnected with my Japanese peers than during exams. While they're all cramming and testing, I'm in the back corner, going, "Hey, don't forget about me!" Nobody has free time, nobody wants to talk about anything other than tests. The only good thing is that I get a lot of free time to study. But that's over now, and up until March 24th, when spring break starts, almost everyday is a half day at school, and we have quite a few extra days off. Free time GALORE! I'm hoping to spend a lot of it out and about with my classmates.

Other than that, I don't think I ever mentioned that I moved host families again. Not for real, but just a temporary week-long stay. I stayed with my last host family, the Inoue family. I LOVED it. While I do really like the Mori's (my current host family), I'm also really looking forward to June, when I'll switch again. It's a family of five- mother, father, granddad, grandma, and adult son. I actually decided to leave my computer at the Mori's because I felt like I was using it too much. That was a really good decision. In lieu of other things to do, I ended up studying a lot, reading a lot, and talking a lot with my host family. They also have a Wii, which is FABULOUS! The biggest difference between them and my other host families is the size of the family. They're my biggest family by far, and I've noticed a pattern: bigger the family, the better it is. I really like my host right now cause they've got grandkids and family that visit almost everyday, although really it's only me and my host parents living in the house. I love being around a bigger group like that; conversation is easier, people are less intimidated by my lack of Japanese, and people laugh more. It's nice.

I can't think of a good segue into what I'm going to say next, so I'll just jump right in: I decided to cut my hair short. Like, really short. For those of you who don't know me, a little history- I had the longest hair ever up until about 8th grade (I think), when I cut about half of it off for Locks of Love. Even then, I still had it down to a bit past my shoulders. Then right before I came to Japan, I had in cut into a relatively short bob (again donating to Locks of Love! I hope somebody's wearing my hair with pride :) . It was my way of officially starting my exchange- new country, new image. And now, just barely past the 6 month mark of this exchange, I've cut it short-short. The reason? Confidence. I feel like one of the most changed things about me since coming here is that I've gained so, so much confidence. I jumped into a world knowing no one and not much of the culture, yet have had to function in its school system, among its people, in its families. I start conversations without knowing if I'll understand all the words or be able to reply, I occasionally have to charades my order to confused waiters and waitresses, and then I think, "If I can do this, what do I have to fear in America, where I know the culture and language and such just fine?" So I did something I've been too afraid to do since forever- I cut my hair short-short. And I love it.

Alrighty then, I'm gonna cut it off here. But I hope you enjoyed that bit of exchanger thoughts! And my mom's coming to visit me soon, in April. I'm SO excited. See you soon, Mom!

Talk to ya'lls later ^-^