Yuki was Pukey

This was our second year of hosting a Japanese exchange student.  Our first time had been a great experience, and we were excited to try it again.  We decided that what we did last time worked really well, so we concluded that we would follow that same format and all would be well. 

 We were wrong.  

Really wrong.

Our first mistake was the traditional stop at Smash Burger.  We had been told that most of these students want to try a real "American Burger."  We were happy to oblige.  And so, without a thought in the world, we all sat down and scarfed down our big greasy burgers and fries, topped off with a big soda.  And this student, who was so overwhelmed and shy, politely ate the whole thing.

Our second mistake was driving directly from Smash Burger to Krispy Kremes.  Now, don't you think it would be neat to see a donut factory and then eat a few greasy sugary donuts?  We did.  

We kept asking him (actually more like motioning to him) if he wanted one.  He kept saying no.  By the time we got to the cashier, I kind of new something was wrong.  His color wasn't so good, he kept licking his lips and his eyes were frantically looking around, for a bathroom, I think.  I quickly told Trevor and we some how managed to get him to the bathroom.  I think he made it just in time.  Now, remember, this poor kid is thousands of miles from home, has been traveling for about 20 hours,  doesn't speak the language, has just been introduced to his "seven" host siblings (he was an only child), had been forced to eat a ginormous greasy burger and fries, and is now throwing up in the cold bathroom of a donut shop.

Welcome to America, Yuki!

I was dying.  I think he was too.

It was a quiet ride home from the donut shop.  I didn't know what he was thinking.  I didn't know if he was going to throw up again in the Krispy Kreme bag we made him hold.  I kept thinking of his poor mom, who was probably worried sick about him. And, after knowing what we had just put him through, she had every right to be.  I wanted to take care of him and make him feel better, just like I would hope someone would do for my child if he were that far from home.  But, that can be a little hard to do with a huge language barrier.  Somehow we got him settled, let him shower, and then he went straight to bed.  He seemed OK the next morning, well kind of OK, we couldn't really tell and he couldn't really tell us.

I had planned a whole bunch of "classic" American meals, but after the first night quickly changed my menu.  I stuck with rice, chicken noodle soup and some other mild dishes.  He didn't really eat much that first couple of days, and although his stomach may have still been upset, he was coming around.  By day 3 I think he was finally better and actually starting to warm up to our family and our crazy American way.



We introduced him to Nerf guns and bionicles and shooting bionicles with Nerf guns.  Nice.



We introduced him to the great tradition of Halloween (they do not celebrate that in Japan).  Gory masks, creepy cemeteries, scary sounds and gobs and gobs of candy.  Again, very nice.

We also introduced him to some sports.  A little basketball.



And a long and cold 3 hour 8th grade football game.  He may have been a little bit bored, but he didn't complain.  He was so sweet and polite.

By the end of the week, Yuki was just like one of the family.  He even offered to make us a big traditional Japanese lunch that was delicious.  We had a great time and, despite the rough start, I think he did, too.  We were all sad when it was time for him to go.  I don't even want to know the report he gave to his parents, but it couldn't have been too bad because we got a huge package from them at Christmas filled with gifts and food and thankyous for the great week he had had.  So, all was well that ended well. 

 And as for next year - well, we have learned our lesson.  Next time, I think we will save the grease and the calories and the sugar and the gorging until the end of the week - because, you know, it just ain't America without them!