So, if you`ve made it through the last entry... congratulations... that one almost killed me...

Now for the "open your hearts (homes)" explanation... In my last entry I explained how well I was treated by so many wonderful people all over Japan. Some of them I have known for years, some of them I had only known through email, and some of them I met along the way, but all of them took great care of me! Anyway, many off these people are very interested in America, speaking English or just travelling abroad, which is how I met many of them. However, if you think about much of what I wrote about in my journal, very little of that applys to America... public transportation... yeah right... helpful people coming out of the woodwork to help you... yeah right... Americans changing there lives, schedules, or homes to take care of someone they`ve never even met... yeah right... well, THAT REALLY SUCKS!

I felt guilty before I came to Japan whenever I saw a strugling Japanese (or other) tourist standing on Hollywood Blvd with their map open looking around without a clue, knowing that it would be a cold day in hell when an American approached them, speaking their language, and offered to help them along their journey... But now that I am in Japan, it is like for me... people go out of their way to help me... almost every day... it is awe inspirering!!! Now I feel REALLY guilty... and yes, so should you... shame on you!!!

So here goes... I have several friends who would like to do a homestay in America... somewhere... anywhere... just to see what America is like... how an American family lives... what it is that we eat that makes us so much fatter than the rest of the world, etc. I would like anyone reading this journal to email me at jzenreese@hotmail.com if you are intersted in hosting a Japanese tourist for anywhere from a few days to a few months at your home.

What does this entail you ask? Well, generally, most people are just hoping for the same treatment you give a friend visiting from out of town. You put them up at your place, include them in all your meals (at home or out at a restaurant), perhaps take them around to the local tourist attractions (depending on where you live of course... we all know there is nothing of interest in Pennsylvania for instance... ouch... that hurts... just kidding... who doesn`t love coal mines?). The other great thing, is that I have yet to meet a Japanese person who can`t cook at least a few Japanese dishes, so you will most asuredly get exposure to some authentic Japanese cuisine, as well as make a great contact for yourself if you ever want to visit Japan (assuming I am not here or my place is too small or something like that... believe me, you don`t want to visit Japan and stay exclusively in hotels... it will kill your budget).

So where am I... oh yeah, so I hope to hear from many of you, and remember, you decide the terms, ie. dates you are available, length of stay available, etc., and we`ll go from there... just let me know if you`re interested!

OK, now onto the long awaited segment... "What Jason learned in Japan Today". This segment is gonna be a little unique though... it is gonna be called "What Jason Learned in Japan during his Vacation"... hear goes:

1) There is no market for lawn mowers in Japan... almost no homes have property around them, and those that do are used for farming something... literally, the only grass I have seen is in public/private parks, golf courses, or baseball stadiums... no lawn mowers... weird!

2) Everyone has a cell phone in Japan, but it is considered rude to talk on it in public. I have seen business men is suits crouched in the corner of a train station using their cell phone but covering their mouth with their free hand and whispering... Using a cell phone on the train is especially rude, but generally, anywhere there are other people is considered rude... what`s the point I ask? In LA, I saw a woman in a grocery store shopping and talking on her cell phone for about twenty minutes, then she went through the check-out still on the phone, loaded-up her car, while on the phone, and drove away, still on the phone... no doubt she would be exiled from Japan if she tried that here.

3) In America, you have to ask prior to ordering if you would like a separate check. In Japan, most places are set-up to, and assume that every member of the party will be paying separately... very convenient!

4) If you plan on visiting Japan sometime, and wish to travel... the Japan rail pass is an amazing thing. I travelled first class all over Japan on the bullet trains for three weeks for nothing compared to what the Japanese would have to pay.

5) Natto is perhaps one of the most vile foods on the planet, and I cannot understand why anyone would eat it willingly... I really think I am one of those people who will try anything once, and I did, so please learn from my mistake... DON`T EAT IT!!!

There was more, but I forgot them... I remember sometime, and when I do, you can be sure I forget them again before I have time to write them down... such is my poor memory...

So today I went to an "orientation" for a english language school looking for teachers... I was the only one there not in a suit, but still the cockiest... I think I would have no problem getting hired, but we`ll see if they even call me in for another interview... just seeing what`s out there right now... still have lots of time to decide on what to do.

Well, to be honest, I have been writing for hours, literally 5 hours, and need to take a break... please take some time and think about what I said though, and please email me if you think you might be interested in a homestay... Thanks.