"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get"

Growing up I haven't had a very easy life. My mother hasn't been a part of my life since I was a baby, so my dad had to take care of me and my sister. Being a single father isn't easy when you have two girls. We had our rough times, and we had our amazing times, but even then things were still bumpy. I was never that great in school, it put a lot of pressure on me and my father. By the year 2011, everything started to get a little better. I switched schools and met up with old friends and new teachers who pushed me to do right. I still ran into trouble, but I found ways to get out of them all. It wasn't until my senior year of school that my life was completely changed. My obasan (grandma), Kikuko, helped me get through life and school pretty well. I appreciate her for pushing me to do well in my classes and ending up becoming an honor student my second semester of my senior year. She's like my mom. I honestly thought this would never happen and that I could accomplish that good of grades in a whole year. You never know I guess.

Having a Japanese Grandma teaches me things like...

Pika Pika means "Sparkle or Glitter"

Meh means "Eyes"

Hana means "Nose or Flower"

Kuchi means "Mouth"

Ashi means "Leg or Foot"

Okashi means "Candy or Snack"

Aka Chan means "Baby"

Itai means "Pain"

Kuma means "Bear"

Atama means "Head"

Nemui means "Sleepy"

Kumori means "Cloudy or Cloud"

Kowai means "Scary"

Kawaii means "Cute"

IWA means "Rock"

Hime means "Princess"

Kutsu means "Shoes"

Taberu means "Eating or Eat"

Usagi means "Bunny"

Ikura desu ka? means "How much is it?"

Denki means "Light"

Undousuru means "To Exercise"

Densha means "Train"

Hontou means "Really?"

Cheesai means "Small"

Kakkoii means "Cool"

Mizu means "Water"

Ureshii means "Happy"

Sumimasen means "Excuse Me or I'm Sorry"

Oyasuminasai means "Good Night "

Matane means "See You Soon or See You Later"