Who is Ryuto Terao?
Hi. I’m Ryuto Terao. Do you know me? Oh, that’s nice! If you don’t know me, I’m not angry anymore. Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!
By the way, what do you think about Happiness? I think happiness is equality, and happiness things and unhappiness thing are happened me half and half. When I get the happiness, I get a unhappiness things after that. The world is equality. Do you make sence?
Anyway, it is important to think that I’m happiness person. The idea helps me after the your life. Make sense? Ok, good job. You are a good person! Nice to meet you!
Week 1
I was in my room before Masaki drive me to the airport. Masaki and I went to the Airport. He is very kind. Then, we arrived at the KIX and waited another students. (We are not friend completely at this time.) Our Japanese students get in the big aircraft, and we are so excited!!! Food of aircraft is good, movie, and service are very good too. When we arrive at the Kamloops Airport, it was so hot! I heard canada is colder than Japan. But it is lie I think. After that, I met my host mother! She is very kind and said “my home is very safe so you can make a mistake. It is ok. Don’t worry.” I felt relief at that time. But, I can’t understand her word because I was very nervous and exhausted. Next day, I went to the TRU for explanation. When I was in a bus for going to TRU, I met Masaki. We are surprised! So, we decided to see around the TRU together. Up the three picture is I took the pictures at that time. HOL and in front of vending machine at CAC. I took these picture, I don’t know the place where is though. The red drink’s taste is bad for us. The first day, we met Tarun. At this time, we don’t know each other that we will be best friends after that. Day 2, we went to downtown. Riverside park is huge and beautiful! The picture which Tarun took us is very good picture. And ice cream shop is very good too! I think that to eat ice cream together makes us friends. Tarun introduced many place in downtown. When the downtown trip finished, Masaki and I decided to go to Peter Pasta where is Tarun recommended restaurant. The pasta is soooooo delicious!!! We have to go there before we leave here.
WEEK 2
We went to gold panning! Instructors teach us many plants in Kamloops. And, one instructor dig the soil and try to find gold, but we can’t find it. The best picture in gold panning are these three pictures. I like bus driver’s sun grasses and tarun. Tuesday, I went to club activity “music band club.” There are many music lovers. And they play the guitar. I’m a drummer so I just looking around there. Also, Thursday, Movie Night! I didn’t watch the movie but I ate poutine! It was first time I ate! Poutine is very good. Friday, this is my first time of “Focus Club.” I met a man who is very polite and kind for us. He said I will help you so you can text at any time! Masaki and Natsumi and I are impressed him. Saturday, Masaki and I hang out with our Canadian friends. We went to thrift store in down town, and bought some clothes. Guess how much is these. It is 8 doller!! Is it amazing, raight? We spent very good time with them.
WEEK 3
I made friends with Mexicans! It was the memorable first week at TRU for them. We had lunch together and got excited talking about Feliz Navidad. Among them was a student who lives close to my homestay, and from that day on, we started going to school together. On Thursday, we went indoor rock climbing! Honestly, I’m not good with heights, so I was worried about whether I could climb well, but I managed to do it somehow. Natsumi pointed out that my legs were shaking, and I was quite embarrassed. On Friday, we went golfing! The weather was great, and it was incredibly fun. I’m not good at racket sports or sports that involve equipment, but I did quite well in golf. During the break, I chatted and laughed with Kurumi. This is me teaching Tarun.
Vancouver Trip!
I went to Vancouver. We left Kamloops early in the morning and took a 4-5 hour bus ride to reach Vancouver. First, we checked into the hotel. I thought the check-in would be challenging, but surprisingly, it went smoothly, and I felt relieved. After that, we went to a thrift store to research what the city boys in Vancouver are wearing. In the end, I couldn’t quite figure it out, but I bought a cute T-shirt! Afterward, we went to Pacific Centre for some window shopping. The items there were mostly beyond the reach of someone like me, a commoner, but it was quite enjoyable! Later, I met Yonjin, a Korean student who used to be Satsuki’s roommate, and visited the office where she currently works. I learned that she is a UBC student, the same age as us, and works as an office worker in a company with a large office, which left me quite disheartened about the difference between us. Moreover, she is cute and speaks Japanese. We took quite a blow. After that, it was dinner time, so we went to Red Robin and had the largest burger in the restaurant. It was incredibly delicious! Without a doubt, it was the biggest and tastiest burger I’ve ever had. After filling our stomachs, as we were walking back, we happened to run into Satsuki and Yonjin. That’s when we decided to go to a Korean restaurant. Already full from the massive burger, becoming even fuller with delicious Korean food was truly challenging. However, at the same time, we had a tremendously enjoyable time, creating memories. The night view of Vancouver on that day was exceptionally beautiful.
Vancouver Trip Day2!!
Today was an amazing day in Vancouver! I started the morning with an exhilarating cycling adventure around the city. The scenic routes and fresh air were the perfect way to kickstart the day, and I got to see some beautiful places along the way. After working up a good appetite, I decided to treat myself to a hearty meal. I heard about this fantastic steakhouse, so I headed there for dinner. The ambiance was cozy, and the aroma of sizzling steaks filled the air as soon as I walked in. I ordered a substantial steak – cooked to perfection. The first bite was absolutely mouthwatering, and the flavors were incredible. The marbling on the steak made it so tender and juicy; it was a true carnivore’s delight. Sharing this delightful meal with a view of the city lights made the evening even more special. The restaurant’s staff were friendly, and the overall experience was top-notch. Capping off the day with a satisfying meal after an active day of cycling – it doesn’t get much better than this. Vancouver has truly left a lasting impression on me, and I’m looking forward to more adventures in this vibrant city.
Kangaroo Farm
Today in the LEAP Program, we visited a Kangaroo Farm. It was my first time seeing kangaroos in my life. Since I had never seen them in Japan, I was quite excited. They were mostly lounging around, resembling typical middle-aged Japanese men in a way. However, they were somehow cute and very adorable. There were kangaroos with babies in their pouches, and I could feed them leaves. It was a very cute and lovely memory. We also met sugar gliders. Their eyes were big and round, resembling Taro. Later, we went to an apple orchard and had some rich apple juice. It was the most delicious apple juice I’ve ever had in my life. I wanted to drink it at home too, so I bought a large bottle of apple juice. After returning to TRU, I went out for dinner with Taro. He gave me a chocolate cake as a present. It was very rich and delicious.
Today, Satsuki, Natsumi, Masaki, and I went hiking together. We headed to a small hill in the Aberdeen area. While snacking on food and sweets we bought at the supermarket, we chatted a lot. Our conversation, especially about romance, got everyone really excited. Although we were already close friends, today strengthened our bond even more. It was wonderful. I love them all.
Water Fall
Today, I visited the three waterfalls in Kamloops. They are much larger than waterfalls in Japan, and I truly felt the power of North America. It was the first time in my life to see such massive waterfalls, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity. I would also like to see frozen waterfalls in the cold. Above all, I will share the pictures taken with Tarun because they were really wonderful.
Misako’s Birthday!!
Today is Misako’s super birthday! When Tarun came in the classroom holding a big cake, I was surprised and impressed that event. I was so deeply moved that tears welled up in my eyes. The sight was incredibly beautiful, and it felt like my heart was being taken away. After that, my health gradually deteriorated, and when I got home, I had a fever. It’s troublesome to be so sensitive.
Today, Tarun and I went to eat Wakayama ramen near the university. It has been two months since I last used chopsticks to eat ramen. The sensation of holding chopsticks again felt quite strange to me, and the moment of splitting the chopsticks initially gave me a shiver. Tarun is always adorable.
Today was the Halloween party! It was so much fun! It was actually my first time dressing up for Halloween in my life, and it felt quite refreshing. Everyone had fantastic costumes, but I think our princess costumes were the best. They suited us quite well. It was also nice to interact a bit with the students from Toyo University.
Today was a really enjoyable day. After school, I went to dinner with Tarun, Satsuki, Natsumi, and Masaki. We went to a restaurant called Nobel Pig, recommended by Tarun, and had a small feast with delicious food and beer. I don’t remember the details of our conversation, but everyone was laughing, and the fact that we had a lot of fun is the only thing strongly etched in my memory.
Later, we went to watch ice hockey with our class. It turned out to be a much more intense sport than I had imagined, and it was incredibly exciting. In the end, the Blazers persevered and won, so we were all thrilled. I got so excited that I high-fived other spectators I didn’t even know. The cheers from the audience and the sight of the players colliding with each other are something I think I’ll never forget.
Today, Misako informed our class’s Line group that there was an amazing aurora visible, so I went out for a bit to see it. When I stepped outside, I could faintly see something cloud-like with a hint of color, though it was difficult to discern the specific colors with the naked eye. I decided to take a photo with my smartphone, and to my surprise, it turned out to be the aurora. Excited, I contacted other friends who lived nearby, and we watched it together.
We found a spot a short walk away with a panoramic view of Kamloops, and there we observed the aurora. Perhaps due to the city lights being too bright, it didn’t capture well in photos or in our eyes, but I was happy to have at least one photo with the aurora visible.
The city lights seemed to sway and shimmer, creating many orbs of light, making it a truly beautiful sight.
I went to Banff today!!! We departed at 2 PM and after a 9-hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Banff at around 11 PM. Upon arrival, it was a complete contrast to Kamloops; Banff was a winter wonderland.
We only had one day for sightseeing, so we woke up early in the morning and set out from the hotel. First, we stopped by a cafe for breakfast. It was already fantastic from there. The interior was bathed in morning sunlight, warm with effective heating, and I ordered a sandwich and coffee. The pleasant aroma of coffee, the savory scent of the sandwich’s wheat, and the steam illuminated by the light were all clearer than usual, making it the best morning activity of my life. Of course, the taste was delicious too.
After that, on our way to Lake Louise, we walked to the bus stop and saw a sign that said “KISS AND GO,” which I had never seen before. It was so charming that I ended up taking multiple photos of just that one sign. Observing these small things made me realize the cultural differences between Japan and Canada.
Next, we headed to Lake Louise. Along the way, we admired the tall coniferous forests and rocky mountains surrounding us. Though Christmas was still far away, listening to Christmas songs heightened the delightful atmosphere. We went to see Banff’s large, crunchy mountains and the clear, beautiful lake. It was another scenery I had never seen in my life, and the excitement was overwhelming. The incredibly beautiful view in front of me seemed to cleanse my heart, creating a sensation of being captivated. It felt like falling in love.
Afterwards, without a specific plan, we went to a nearby tourist information center, booked a recommended bus tour on the spot, and went on the tour. It took us around Banff, showing us prominent locations with great views, offering tea, and providing a delightful experience. The bus was incredibly cute, spacious inside, and very comfortable.
Upon returning, we shopped on the main street, bought souvenirs for Tarun and others back in Japan, and went to a luxurious restaurant where we could eat Alberta beef steak called “Maple Leaf.” It was truly upscale, setting a new record for the most expensive single meal in my life. Nevertheless, the steak was incredibly delicious. If I have one regret, it’s that I should have ordered the one size larger.
After returning to the hotel, we had deep conversations and spent a truly fulfilling time. It was an experience that brought us even closer. I could only have such an experience thanks to my friends. Thank you.
I went to Kelowna! The wine tour was more amusing because of watching a friend’s face turn red quickly rather than the taste of the wine. However, the ice wine we had there was still delicious. But for me, it might be too sweet.
Heading downtown, we had a leisurely lunch by the lakeside in the park. It was cold, but the beautiful lake and lovely weather made me feel great the whole time. I completely understand why Kelowna is famous as a city where people want to live in retirement. After that, we went to a shopping center and did some shopping. The sneakers I’ve been wanting were a bit cheaper, so I bought them. By the way, they match with Tarun.
Today was Leap Program Day. We all worked on drawing the same aurora picture together. Following the example and listening to the instructor’s explanations, we progressed with our drawings. While in the middle of drawing, I looked over at Talon, and he was very skilled at drawing. With some guidance from Talon, I managed to draw well. However, after finishing the drawing and seeing others’ artwork, I felt disappointed in the lack of originality in my own. I deeply regret not taking a bolder approach and expressing myself more in the drawing.
Christmas! Start!!!
Today, I went on a major shopping spree! First, I went to Aberdeen Mall and visited Bath & Body Works. I bought body care products as souvenirs for my mom and female friends. After that, I went to GAP and watched Natsumi, Misako, and Satsuki as they picked out sweatshirts. They all found something that suited them, and it made me happy too.
Later on, because I was in the mood for a denim jacket, I went to a slightly upscale vintage store downtown. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the down jacket I was looking for, but instead, I came across an Adidas track jacket. And compared to the ones sold in Japan, it was quite affordable. We had a really great shopping day, and it was just an overall fulfilling day.
Today was the major event in Kamloops, the Santa Parade. We all dressed up as Christmas trees and paraded down Victoria Street. The sidewalks were filled with people from all over Kamloops, and everyone wished us a Merry Christmas as we walked by. I waved to many people, and it made me feel like I had become a bit of a star. It was a quite large event, so it was a lot of fun!
Today marked the final day of the Focus Club, which I’ve been a part of every Friday since coming to study abroad. For our Christmas party, there were more people than usual, including many members of the local Christian community, making it a grand celebration. Everything from the food to the performances was enjoyable, but most importantly, I was extremely happy to take pictures with the friends I made there. The people in the Focus Club are all incredibly kind, unique, and wonderful. Being able to share a meal with them around the same table was truly a joy. I’ll cherish the memories of the encounters and friendships made here for a lifetime. Thank you, everyone.