The internet is now a much smaller part of my life, since no wireless freedom here, and I share the family computer.  Anyways, I`ll recount some of the more important things that happened while I had no time to update.

 On Saturday, last day with the Maki Family, I went to Kyoto with my host mother, brother, and sister.  It was a very nice time, and I took lots of pictures.  We went to a huge temple, which was packed with people.  We also walked around Kyoto and took a long train ride just to get there. 

Sunday I went to go to the Toyookas` house, which is very nice!  It`s like brand new, they just moved in last April, and very contemporary.  Few changes to my lifestyle.  Instead of getting obento (box lunch) everyday, I`m now given 3,500 yen per week to buy food in the cafeteria, which I don`t mind at all.  My route to school now has been increased by only about ten minutes, although I get on at Fujidera station now, not Furichi.  I like that, because now I can go to Fujidera by bus for free with my pass anytime, and it`s a great hub.  You can head into downtown Osaka, or just shop around there, it`s nice.  Plus, it`s easier to get together with Yudai.  I do my own laundry now too.  That just entails putting my dirty clothes in the washer, and taking them out in the morning.  Nothing strenous.

The Toyooka family has been very kind, and I`m getting used to my new home.  However, on Sunday and Monday, I was kind of emotional because of the switch, and my family back in America started a vacation that I really knew little about.  So, after school Monday when I played a joke on Yudai and he got mad, I pretty much broke down at school.  Luckily it was after dark `n stuff, so just the ESS club was there.  Now everything`s fine of course, but yeah.  My birthday wasn`t enough to push me, but changing host families and then having your best friend mad apparently is.

Again, everything IS ok.  Yudai and I were just out in Osaka for 6 hours hanging out, which was awesome!  I`m going to Osaka again tomorrow with my host mother and brother, but possibly getting together with him after that in Fujidera.  We have no school tomorrow because of a holiday, and only had a half day today for a special event.

Anyways, my package arrived from my parents with my Japanese book, my CD, and some other misc stuff, which I was really happy about!  At the CD store today, I really wanted to just buy the new MCR CD…but then it came in the mail tonight, so it was an unexpected blessing.

Friday, Yudai goes with me to my Japanese lesson, which should be interesting.  Also, the foriegn exchange students from Australia will come, but they only stay one week.  Saturday is Universal Studios Japan, and more interesting stuff later.  Sometimes my life in Japan feels really really busy.  There aren`t many days when I just get downtime.  Oh well, at least I enjoy most of the activities that take up my breaks, it`s fun and a lot different than the US.