Essay: ～～ my second home ～～

I think I said that my favorite places are my own home and California in USA on this blog before. This time, I would like to focus on the places in California, where I enjoyed staying in this summer. Now, I am thinking of there as my second home. By the way, I know that I do not know that much about there, and ‘California’ has various, various aspects, and it is a so large land. I would like to share only my feeling about my favorite points.

First of all, I couple the name of California with the idea of the great ocean view and sky blue! I can never forget it! The state is on the west coast, and it touches the Pacific Ocean. Besides, the shorelines are different from those in Japan. Most of coastlines in Japan are much irregular. That’s why the beaches in CA are much wider that those in Japan, and we can get great views of Ocean from each beach with no obstruction. We can see a long, long horizon. I think I had not seen such a long one. It is much easier to tell the shape of the earth is round!

I visited the spots on the west coast, LA JOLLA, DEL MAR, OCEANSIDE and so on. There are so many surfers, though I did not try getting into the sea. My new friends love surfing and get in the sea many times a week. They say the sea is a special seat to see sunset. I want to try it someday. I really felt the beauty of the sunset, especially from the beach, although I did not enjoy the dawn. You see the reason? It is because that is the west coast. In other hands, people living on the east coast enjoy the beauty of sunrise. Anyway, the view of sunset from the beach is so special, and I can not help sighing. The second spot that I will bring you to is CORONADO. It is an island situated across the river(?) from San Diego, so we can see the view of San Diego! Especially, the night view is the best!

These two spots gave me the great impression, but the real reason why I feel it is like my second home is in the meeting with people. I stayed with a Japanese woman for a month, and she is just like family. She gave me many advices. Besides, new friends there are really warm, and I do not have to feel constraint. Do you see why I call this place ‘my second home’? Of course, with the word ‘home’, you mean a place you can go back to, don’t you? Then, I mean I am planning of going back there next year, because I promised with them. I am really glad to have such a place. When I arrive there, I am sure that I will say ‘I’m home’!

[493 words]

Diary 29: Tue, September 16th = Travel Review 2-01

Now, I am on a plane bound to Narita airport in Japan. I had been staying with a Japanese woman for these 4 weeks, and she saw me off at LA airport. I had been thinking that it would be a good-by with tears, but actually, with great smiles. It was because we talked about next plan last night. Next time, I will go to some language school. I'm not sure when it'll be, but I'm sure I will do! That's why I didn't cry at the moment of the farewell. We did never say good bye, because I was already looking forward next time. I was thinking of backing there and staying again!

Remembering this stay, I'm really satisfied. I enjoyed! I stayed at the city near to San Diego. It is placed on the west coast. I was fascinated with a wide view of Pacific Ocean from beaches every time. CA is the place where blue sky and ocean are beautiful. It is a kingdom of the sun! I think I have sunburned. I may dislike it in Japan, but now I like it as the mark of coming to CA. I love it, because it is also a California color! Ha ha!

Although there is not a great progress in English, one of the important points I got this time is the change of my way of thinking. I learned the importance of positive thinking through meetings with new friends here. I had been always brooding on my failures, but it was only the wasting of time!

Besides, it gave me a confidence that I could come far by myself. I would like to challenge various things from today! Besides, my sense to living in other country have changed. I had had some idea that it is the best thing for me to live in Japan, although I like traveling to other countries. However, I had lived a normal life there for a month, and now I think it great to live here. Anyway, my view has become wider than before.

Also, I felt I had to change my way of learning English. By next time for going back, I'll try my limit!! This stay taught me many important things, and it has a great meaning to my life!

I think I could enjoy it because of my new friends. I 'm most grateful to those friends, and I will keep in touch!

　[414 words]

Total here = 2366 words

Diary 28: Mon, September 15th

Ooh~ this is my last day here!

Today, I cleaned up my room with my appreciation. I packed my suitcase and cleaned inside of every shelf. We had a nice dinner made by her. The main dish is delicious bacon! I loved it!

After that, one of my American friends came and presented me two T-shirts! One of them was a navy one with logos of "SAN DIEGO", and the other was a beige one with the logos of "Oceanside". I was really glad!

At night, my host mother and I visited the PIER of Oceanside again, wearing the navy one. I visited there at night for the first time, and it was really beautiful. The ocean was dark, but the light from street lamps was so memorable for me. It was the great night as the last day of this stay.

[143 words]

Diary 27: Sun, September 14th

Today, I tried Thai cuisine with my American friend. I think I had not tried Thai dishes before. This might be my first time, but I liked it. It was a good choice. I also had a glass of cranberry juice, but it was too sweet for me. As to dishes, however, I ordered the rice, soup, and fried pork with garlic and basil. I thought Thai cuisine is good for Japanese people. Please try it! You will like it. I had good chances to challenge dishes from various countries. It might be one of good points in this stay.

[100 words]

Diary 26: Sat, September 13th

I went LA JOLLA and Coronado island again with my friends this time. At first, we had lunch at Hodad's. It is a hamburger shop with energy and big sounds! The wall is covered with many number plates of cars! Its hamburger is really big and heavy! Even French fries are so thick! Ooh~~~what a BIG lunch!!

After that, we walked on a PIER of the ocean in LA JOLLA. The time for sunset was coming, and my friends showed me a great view from the top of a cliff. It was a little cloudy, but it was a great view!

After the sunset, we moved to night's Coronado island. Last time I visited there was daytime, so it is my first time to visit the night's Coronado island. It was a nice night scene so that I was fascinated.

At last, before we went back home, we dropped by Rubios and had Mexican foods. It was dinner, though it was almost 10:00 p.m. Anyway, I really enjoyed my friends' company this time too.

[180 words]

Diary 25: Fri, September 12th

I will talk about the restaurant in Coronado island♪ It was a great experience for me.

What a nice view and What nice dishes! I was impressed! We ordered a tortilla of chicken and a dish of Angel hair(spaghetti). My order was angel hair, and it was with so much tomatoes and cheese. What a surprise, she told me that I can order more extra cheese. Of course, I did it. A waitress brought heaped cupful cheese! (I tipped the waitress.) I really enjoyed angel hair with rich cheese. Her tortilla came with french fries, and they were different from those of other fast food's restaurant. Really crispy. How delicious everything was! I want to go there again next time!

[122 words]

Diary 24: Thu, September 11th

My host mother and I started in early morning today. It was a sightseeing day that we were looking forward! We visited SAN DIEGO. At first, we used a COASTER about an hour, and it was a really comfortable ride. We got off it and bought one-day tickets for the trolley. The fare was 32 dollars per person. Using the trolley, we go around SAN DIEGO. Its root was a one-way traffic, and it caused a problem, but we could visit Old town, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Coronado island and Balboa Park. We just went through in front of SAN DIEGO ZOO, which is famous world wide. It was an interesting sightseeing. I especially enjoyed Coronado island with lunch. I will talk about the restaurant on next post.

[130 words]

Diary 23: Wed, September 10th

＊Today's notice＊

I found that Japanese dishes are also popular in USA. For example, some of my American friends love sushi. The word "sushi" is said to be used in the world. Of course, I think sushi is delicious, but I wonder why sushi is so popular especially. What do you think, everyone? I sometimes see shop signs of sushi. It is interesting. I hope more and more people enjoy Japanese dishes!

[73 words]

Diary 22: Tue, September 9th

＊Today's notice＊

I'll talk about the difference of the basic road system between Japan and USA. At first, I wasn't used to sense of finding where I want to go in maps made in USA and think with the units of streets and drives. Now I feel, however, it is really rational and practical. In Japan, we have to find some landmark and count the number of streets, like "the first, second, third...oh, please turn at the third intersection". In here, we can go to the place where we have never been before. Don't you think it is useful?

[104 words]

Diary 21: Mon, September 8th

Today, I went to WAL MART★ and enjoyed shopping a little bit. It is a chain store, and it has sundry goods in much lower price than other stores. I bought in chewing gum, snacks and thank you cards. Chewing gum is for my friends and me, and I bought thank you cards so that I can leave messages to my new friends when I leave here. I think it is important to express my appreciation, but even just I think about leaving here, I feel... I want to stay here more longer! I thought. Anyway, there is one week left. I 'll enjoy and make great use of this stay!

[111 words]

Diary 20: Sun, September 7th

I forgot talking about hamburgers of IN-N-OUT! I tried there at the first time the day before yesterday. Its hamburgers and french fries are natural taste, and they use fresh potatoes for the french fries. I am sure that Japan should introduce this hamburger chain! They have only three kinds of hamburgers, that is, Hamburger, Cheese burger, Double hamburger. However, it has a supreme popularity in CA! In the long run, I had the hamburger twice in this stay. If you visit CA, you had better try IN-N-OUT! I am sure that I will have it again next time too.

[104 words]

Total here= 989 words

Diary 19: Sat, September 6th

I went to Six Flags with my friends today! How exciting! When I remember that day, I get excited even now! It was a three- hours drive from my home, so we started at 6:30 in early morning. We(12 people) really enjoyed coasters and screaming☆ There are many roller coasters in 'Six Flags', and most people who visit there are teenagers. We tried all of scaring ones. "GOLIATH" is said to be scary, but we rode it many times. We stayed there at the time for close, 10:00 p.m. We dropped by a McDonald, and we went back home. I got back at around 2:20 a.m.! I would never do such a thing in Japan! But, there was CA! I was really excited, so I couldn't fall asleep. Even on the bed, I felt as I still on a coaster. Strange, but enjoyable feelings. I'll never forget this exciting leisure!

[158 words]

Diary 18: Fri, September 5th

＊Today's notice＊

I think I talked to you about my bus trip to LA JOLLA. Now, I would like to share the information about the fare system. Where I was staying is called "North county", and there are excellent transportations, like BREEZE(buses) and COASTERs. I used buses when I visited LA JOLLA. The fare for one way is 2 dollars, so if I just go and back, it costs 4 dollars, you know. However, a one-day pass is only 4.50 dollars, and this is so reasonable. I bought a one-day pass, and I could get off the bus at places where I want to visit. I think the fare system in a regular price was very helpful and practical for me.

[126 words]

Diary 17: Thu, September 4th

＊Today's notice＊

One of my friend and I had tacos for lunch today. TACO BELL is a chain restaurant of Mexican foods. I tried taco, and I loved it! Its spicy taste must be loved by so many people. I really enjoyed "each bites"!

Here are a lot of chain stores and fast foods restaurants. I found KFCs, McDonalds, Starbucks coffees, Family marts, Seven Elevens, and so on. However, I'm sorry that we don't have TACO BELL in Japan. I also hope that we will have IN-N-OUT, a hamburger chains, in Japan. I will share about the hamburger after a while.

[106 words]

Diary 16: Wed, September 3rd

＊Today's notice＊

I think I have to talk about the wide roads here! That point is also a bug difference from Japan. The roads and high ways has a few lanes and are really wide. There are so many free ways too, and it means there are not traffic signal on free ways and people do not have to stop. Those free ways have many lanes from 4 to 6. Anyway, my impression is... "How wide!" Besides, cars run with 55 miles, that is, about 90 kilo meter, but I did not feel the high speed, because the ways are so wide.


On wide roads, cars run fast, but we do not feel the high speed. Because of it, the sense of distance does never work rightly. At first, I was surprised with the long distance on foot, which takes only a few minutes in a car.


American people often use free ways, and they are essential for American life. I feel how large USA is!

[167 words]

Diary 15: Tue, September 2nd

I visited LA JOLLA again, but with my host mother this time. We went up to a hill and had a panorama. It was an excellent view point. LA JOLLA is said to be a high-grade resort. I could see San Diego far away and west coast. Every time I see the ocean in CA, I can have wide views, because here is the west coast of USA. How wide, how lovely! We had a dinner at WEST BUFFET. We ate too much!! I got really stuffed! It was good evening.



＊Today's notice＊

I had heard about the importance of carpooling in USA in the speaking class, and our teacher said there are lanes for people who carpool. Today, I found it! I saw it in a moment on a free way, a road sign said, 'EXPRESS LANES CARPOOLS ONLY'. Seeing is believing! Of course, I didn't doubt at all, but to see in my own eyes is really important and exciting! CARPOOL LANES are really there!

Besides, I knew that a person who violates the rule for carpool lanes will be fined. The amount of the fine I found was 341 dollars!

[196 words]

Diary 14: Mon, September 1st

＊Today's notice＊

My new friends often use the word, "Cool". I didn't know that it is a so useful word. At first, I felt it didn't make sense. It is because I had thought it is used about nice looking guys or girls. Actually, however, my friends use it even when we talk about a good schedule and things that make us excited. I asked what they meant with "Cool". They frowned a little and thought in a silence. They said it has a near meaning with "neat"... It seemed a little tough that they explain the meaning. Finally, I understand it doesn't have so deep meanings. However, it must be impossible to know these things and the timing for using this word, if I stayed in Japan.

[132 words]

Diary 13: Sun, August 31st

＊Today's notice＊

I feel people here have their own opinions. Many Japanese people do not say their real opinion clearly, and it is because of Japanese culture, I think. Many people in CA often say what they think and even try to persuade others with logical discussions. Besides, many of them put a lot of comments to others' comments. I felt I should train myself in order to express how I feel and think. It is important to live in this internationalized society, right? I thought it is boring if each person doesn't have each opinions. I have to try!

[102 words]

Total of August = 3206 words

Diary 12: Sat, August 30th

I left at 9 o'clock with eagerness for a trip in the morning. I got on a bus and change buses, and I visited Encinitas and UTC(United town center) in LA JOLLA. Especially as to LA JOLLA, it is really famous and high-grade place. It was really far, but unfortunately I couldn't enjoy the trip so much. It maybe because anyone wasn't with me, and I am not used to going out by myself in a foreign country. Once I get used to, I must really enjoy my unrestrained trip. I must keep challenging! I understand that I need to learn a way of enjoying the sightseeing by myself. I'll try.

[117 words]

Diary 11: Fri, August 29th

＊Today's notice＊

'Shopping center' or 'shopping mall'? These two words don't make a big difference for Japanese people, right? It was the same about me. After I came here, I could understand the difference. The point is whether various store there are in one building or not. Shopping centers are consisted of various stores in each building, and shopping mall is a building. There are so many shopping centers in CA, but on the other hand, there are lots of shopping mall in Japan. That's why I hadn't heard the words 'shopping center' in my country. I felt it is interesting and important to know differences of meanings and use those words properly. This is one of the good examples.

[124 words]