Hello Readers,

My heart is breaking as I write this post because if you haven’t guessed it, I have to say goodbye to my wonderfully beautiful first host family and their beautiful city, Toride.

Thank you Shida Family for loving me unconditionally with all of your heart. Thank you for making sure I was always okay (“diajoubu?”) Thank you for taking me EVERYWHERE around Tokyo and making sure I was submerged into the beautiful Japanese culture. Thank you for the entertainment and humor; as well as teaching me Japanese words and Kanji. I am truly blessed to have had a wonderful host family. And I hope when you go to California, I can return the same love and hospitality that you have shown me.

Thank you for introducing me to your wonderful friends and family: Tajima Family, Kaneko Family, grandma Takako, grandma Hiroko, grandpa Toshitsugu, Ika-chan, Iku-chan, Yumi-chan, Aki-chan, Yuka-chan, Hora-chan, Toride Chuoh Lions Club and so much more. As they were just as wonderfully beautiful as you.

I want to cry typing this right now, but I’m saving my tears for tomorrow when I go to the next host family.

Toride City & Shida Family daisuki (forever)

Love,

Keito