Reflections I have been very lucky to try on many kinds of kimono this year! This kind is called a  furisode . Wow...I can`t believe that I have only 11 days left until I head back to the U.S. This year has certainly had a few moments that felt long...jam-packed, sweaty train rides when I had to stand...feeling homesick for some good Wisconsin cheese curds and beer...wanting to give my American family members hugs... However, those have been overwhelmingly outnumbered by the many fun, exciting, new experiences I`ve been lucky to enjoy! So, to wrap things up, let me treat you to my  kansou  (remember this? If you don`t,  refer to my previous entry ). Things that have been awesome/unforgettable: (There`s a lot I could list, but let`s try to keep this post under control) 1. My host families. This has been my number one factor in making this experience so great. I`ve had three awesome families in the Tokyo (now I`m living with my last one in Yokohama), one in...

All hail the Kansou! Trying on kimonos with my American friend Anyone who has ever been a member of Hippo Family Club knows the prevalence of what is called...the  kansou  (感想). It translates to "impressions," but can also be thought as your evaluation of an activity or event. Just as anyone involved with Youth Development programs, like 4-H, recognizes the importance of participant evaluations to program improvement, so is Hippo with the kansou. Hippo employs two methods for reflection and evaluation...written, and delivered verbally in a group. Kansou is incorporated into basically every single aspect of Hippo activities (and I mean...Every. Single. Activity.). For example, after any workshop, camp, or exchange program, the coordinators and participants gather in big circles to share their thoughts and impressions of the experience (and yes, EVERYONE speaks). Now, as you may have guessed by my tone, I have a complicated relationship with the kansou. I realiz...