May 30: Futbol anyone?

I know I`m jumping ahead a lot, but I`m too excited about today to wait to write about it!

Today, we went to the soccer stadium in Yokohama!!! It`s the first REAL soccer stadium I`ve been in. It`s not huge by stadium standards, but it`s the biggest sports facility in Japan. It was amazing. It`s where the final between Germany and Brazil during the world cup in 2002 was played. We walked around the whole stadium, went into the locker rooms, the practice room, the museum part, the VIP seating area (as in the place the Emperor and Empress sit!).

We got to go into the warm up room and kick the practice ball at a life sized goal painted on the wall. I was so excited when they told me I could kick it, so I wailed it and scored. It felt so good to kick it hard and accurately. I didn`t think that it would surprise the other people (strangers from Korea). But it did! They were shocked I could kick it like that. They kept saying how strong and good I was. It was pretty funny, actually. I felt bad though, because I was the first person and no one really wanted to follow me. Two more people shot, but it was pretty lame. Then, I took another shot so Yumiko could take my picture and they all clapped again. It made me feel like a star; and it made me miss playing a lot. But it feels like a dream to have had an hour and a half tour! Then, we ate tacos! I couldn`t believe they even HAVE tacos in Japan, but it was the only food available at the stadium. Naturally, I didn`t mind. All in all, it was a great day.

Right now, I`m at Yumiko`s house (I call her Mama though). She is so sweet and she takes such good care of me. I really love the people here. Morio definitely feels like an ojiichama (grandpa) and Yumiko really feels like a mama. Sanshiro is like my brother. So, I have lots of family here taking care of me. :)