2 month of uchideshi life at Kobayashi dojo
Anna Fedorova

27.02 (my 1st time in Japan)

08.40amI gave my declaration to the border officer and tried to have the broadest smile
which I can.
This man had very serious look. But 1 second later:“ Two months of aikido uchideshi? Really? Is it your 1 st time in Japan?”

I have never seen so cheerful airport officer before. Next 2 minutes we weretalking about me, Kobayashi dojo and Japan. Happy and satisfied I went looking
for my luggage and buy a bus ticket.

08.51“ Доброе утроWelcome to Japan!”
The next welcoming person was Kasahara sensei, who gave me advices to findKodaira dojo.

11.50
I opened the dojos door and saw very friendly Chinese girl.

“I’m new uchideshi. My name is Anya”

Lin helped me with my things and said to sleep before the Japanese lunch outside.
(I don’t know what this soup was made with. And I don’t want to know… But itwas good)Some hour later…

I met Kevin an Oh (Sweden and Chinese uchideshi) and they showed me
everything about cleaning and other uchideshi’s work.

The 1st week was fulled of new people and things. I was enjoying of every keiko.
And early mornings were easy for me. From the other hand, this week gave me a
lot of difficult emotions. All time people were talking Japanese or Chinese aroundme, and I felt me very alone..

2nd week
I continued to try have my own life between keiko. And it was the biggest mistake.
Early wakings have started to be impossible. My knees showed me that they can’t
put up with cold tatami, so zagi and seiza were like pain test for me.
“Ok. I enjoyed of one week of uchideshi. How can I decided to go for 2 months?!”

3rd week
This week was beginning of really good time. The spring came. Mornings became
lighter and warmer.
I was sleeping all my free time. And I have found people, who made my life happy
and keiko the most interesting.

18.05 Sunday
My shodan promotion test.

“Really?! 15 minutes for both? I was waiting this day for three years. I hadn’t timeto enjoy it!”

It was excellent day.
Morning children class.
Lunch with Kasahara sensei.
My first exam in Japan.
Party with new friends.

Afterparty with new friends (Lin, You are my new best singer)

2nd month
Kevin, Oh and Brandon left. New uchideshi Radi and Taha from Bulgaria andTunisia came here.
The time of English have started. I was enjoying of communication. In this time I
felt that I want to stay in Japan more than 2 months.

Sumo day.

I said my friends, that we are going to watch fat naked men. And I don’t know
why. But, now I know. To have a lot of new jokes. And I still think that this show
only for Japanese old women.
Also it was the 1st day with “spring smell”.

Last week
This week was fulled of my sayonara parties. With kodaira members, with Hiroaki
sensey’s family, with friends, and one more with friends (in the last night.. in thepark..)

I’m very pleased that I had so good time with Kobayashi sensei, Hiroaki sensei,
Miyogo san, Kaho, Hiromi, Kako, Shaini (the happyuchideshilife maker), Sachia,
all uchideshi and other people, who gave me chance to be a part of fantastic
Japanese life.

PS: My advice for new uchideshi:• Forget about your habitual life to enjoy it• Never, no, NEVER have illness here
• Try not to be lost in city