カリフォルニアホームステイ - California Homestay USA

2010 VBS Day 4

Kyle Yates — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:58:02 +0000

The theme today was Incredible Impact. The students have been listening to stories throughout the week, playing with their newly-made friends, singing and dancing and doing many other fun things during VBS. Hopefully the students have learned many things that will help them in their lives.

After VBS, we went to the Ventura Cross overlooking Ventura, ate lunch and then went shopping at Kohl’s and the Camarillo Premium Outlet Stores where the students bought many things to take back to Japan.

Another Fun Day at VBS

Kyle Yates — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:36:58 +0000

Today, Day 3 of VBS, was another fun time together with all the homestay students and VBS students and volunteer staff. The kids made crafts, one I also enjoyed doing and have not quite finished, sang songs, danced, listened to and discussed Bible stories, ate snacks, played games and ran around. Many students have made new friends. One little American boy said all the Japanese girls are his friends and wanted to get his picture taken with them. He talked to them for a while today and said “See you tomorrow” to each one individually. He was very cute!

2010 VBS Day 2

Kyle Yates — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:24:11 +0000

Today was day 2 of VBS. The kids worked on their songs and dances, listened to another Bible story, played games, ate snacks and then, afterwards, we went to the beach.

We had about 20 people there from the homestay: host families, kids and students. Those who didn’t mind the cold water tried learning to surf. Those who didn’t want to get wet or swim in the cold water played in the sand, talked or walked along the beach.

We had beautiful weather and lots of fun!

2010 VBS Day 1

Kyle Yates — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:59:51 +0000

Today was the first day of VBS. All the students arrived early at the church and gathered in the sanctuary. The students sang songs and listened to their first story of the week, then we went to arts and crafts, to music and dance and then went up to our room and discussed the story. After discussing it for a while, we then went outside to have snacks and drinks and played some games.

Dodgers vs Mets Saturday Day Game

Kyle Yates — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 05:46:11 +0000

Today, we went to the Dodgers vs Mets day game at Dodger Stadium. The game started at 1:10pm. But before the game, we arrived early enough where we could sit around and watch batting practice. Many homerun balls went over the fence, but not many came near enough for us to get one.

The Dodgers took the lead early in the game, but gave up some runs later to allow the Mets to tie. The game went into extra innings. Finally, at the end of the 12th inning, we decided it was time to head home. As we were getting to the car, we heard a loud roar and quickly turned the radio on to hear what had just happened. James Loney hit a walk-off homerun to end the game in the 13th!

Everyone had a great time, ate lots of hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and cheese, peanuts and drank lots of drinks while the game went on and on. The later innings were more exciting than the earlier innings. It was too bad we didn’t stay to see the homerun, but it was a good game nonetheless.

Day 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood

Kyle Yates — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:42:59 +0000

We got an early start this morning meeting at Calvary Chapel of Oxnard at 7:30am and arriving at Universal Studios at 9am, just when they were first opening the gates.

Not many people were at the park that early, so we were able to get three rides in a short amount of time. We first did The Mummy, twice, and then rode Jurassic Park and got wet. Some of the people who The Mummy were not feeling that well afterwards because the ride is like a roller coaster. Their heads were still spinning and stomaches were a bit upset. But they felt better as the day went on.

We then rode the Studio Tour of the Backlot where many movies have been made and are still being made. There are several new attractions there since the fire that burned down many buildings in 2008. The latest one is King Kong 3D.

Later, we ate lunch and then split up into groups so everyone could do more of what they wanted to do. Some went on other rides and some went to shows.

At the end of the day, after playing in the water park at Universal, we met and went for dinner at Bubba Gumps where we ate tons of shrimp, fried potatoes and salad.

It was a long day and most everyone slept in the van on the way home.

Next is the Dodgers game!

Arrived Safely in California

Kyle Yates — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:52:55 +0000

We had a very smooth flight to California. Service on the airplane was nice and the food was pretty good, too. Everyone slept on the plane to California. Most everyone got about 5 to 6 hours of sleep.

After arriving, we picked up our van and drove north to Calvary Chapel of Oxnard. Along the way, we had to stop at a gas station because several of the students had to go to the toilet. Mio, however, got a little car sick, like her friend Ryo did last year, and vomited in the gas station parking lot. She cried a little bit after that, probably wanting her mother, but became better after that. By the time we got to the church, she was fine, laughing and playing with other kids and talking with her host family.

At the church, all the students met their families, ate some food and went home for their first night in America.

At KIX Airport

Kyle Yates — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:24:08 +0000

We are at KIX right now waiting to board the plane to take on the first leg of our journey to America. Everyone is sitting around or running around in the airport playing and talking with one another beginning to build closer relationships.

It is going to be another fun homestay program this summer!

Leaving for California Tomorrow

Kyle Yates — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:19:10 +0000

Tomorrow, we begin our 2010 summer homestay program!

We will arrive in Los Angeles, California Tuesday afternoon and then drive to Oxnard to meet the host families.

Hopefully, everyone is packed and ready to go.

Make sure you remember your passports and remember to pack any liquids like eye wash and lipstick in a clear plastic zip-lock bag. Also, don’t forget your yukata, camera, batteries, cables, memory card or your homestay program booklet.

See everyone at KIX tomorrow!

Ventura-Oxnard-Camarillo

Kyle Yates — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:08:34 +0000

Ventura at Sunset

The Ventura-Oxnard-Camarillo area of southern California has some of the best weather in the world. National Geographic Magazine rated the climate in Camarillo the second best in the world next to the French Riviera. The average temperatures in the three cities range from 13 to 15 C in the mornings and nights and 23 to 28 C in the daytime. When the fog comes in during summer in Ventura, temperatures can become slightly cooler where you would need a sweatshirt and light jacket to keep warm.

Many people living in this part of California layer their clothing. Some wear a pair of jeans or shorts, a T-shirt, a sweatshirt and light jacket. As the daytime temperatures rise, they shed their jacket down to their sweatshirt and T-shirt to stay comfortable as they walk around.