what a bad homestayer

i finally got around to it

[i remember years ago someone in the family had a circular, bright yellow kitchen hot pad clearly labeled 'a round tuit.' the text went on to explain that after all these years, you'd finally got a round to it. i used to think that was the most clever joke. c'mon, i was like 6 years old. but, i digress...]

last week i finally mailed a letter to the family who so graciously hosted me during my first stay in japan back in 1996. i had been feeling increasingly guilty for not contacting the tokida's since arriving here, but the telephone is really difficult and writing a proper letter seemed impossible. with the help of a computer with japanese fonts and the copyediting skills of some teacher friends [thanks kodama sensei and asaoka sensei] i managed to do it. for your amusement and perusal, i'll include the letter. i really do feel quite a sense of accomplishment, although the letter lacks many of the deep sentiments i am feeling due to the difficulty in translating them with my limited skills. i didn't want to rely too much on japanese friends, as i felt it was important that the letter be from me. as i disappointedly explained the lack of interesting content to kodama sensei, he comforted me saying they will definitely understand the feeling behind the letter. now i'm waiting anxiously to hear from them. can't believe it's been nearly 10 years since they welcomed me into their home. i hope to make it to nagoya to visit them sometime soon. i hope, in light of my current situation, they will see what a wonderful opportunity they afforded me and how much of an impact their kindness had on my life.


17.10.18

ときだ家のみなさん、
こんにちは。わたしのなまえは Tiffany Jackson です。わたしたちは十年ぐらいまえにあいました。わたしはこうこうせいのときに日本にきました。それであなたのうちにとまりました。ひさしぶりですね。ほんとうにありがとうございました。それはたのしく、たいせつなけいけんでした。ホームステイしたあとでわたしは日本にもどりたいとおもいました。十五かげつまえわたしは日本にきました。いまわたしは新潟のじょうえつしにすんでいます。わたしは英語のきょうしです。三つのこうこうではたらいています。
わたしの日本語はまだへたですががんばりたいです。かくことはむずかしいのでこのてがみはたくさんのまちがいがあります。すみませんおねがいします。もしもじかんがありましたらわたしにてがみをおくってください。かんじはあまりよむことができません。でもひらがなとかたかなはだいじょうぶです。
さいきんわたしは日本でたくさんのりょこうをしました。とうきょうはなんかいも、あとはきょうと、わかやまけんのこうやさん、おおさか、ながのにいきました。またわたしはなごやにもどりたいです。もしなごやにいければ、たぶんわたしたちはあうことができるかもしれません。みなさんがけんこうでしあわせであればとおもいます。さようなら。