Cousin Hiro

It felt really embarrassing, but I finally got the courage to call my Cousin Hiro who lives in Okayama. Usually I don't enlist any help unless needed, but he seemed really concerned when he emailed me. It has been about 18 years since I last saw him. I was only 5 or 6 when I came to Japan to visit him and his family, so memories of him are quite vague. I was quite scared to call him actually. At first he said, "What would you like me to do," which was kind of hard to answer. I tried beating around the bush asking maybe if he could make a contract for me since I'm a student. Then he said that he wanted to talk to the agency because he thought for a moment that the agency I went to was sketchy, which made me start to worry that I was getting myself into real big trouble talking to the agency by myself. I explained that other students from my school went to this agency, so I guess he felt a little better. I went on to say that maybe it would be better to stay at an international house if it doesn't work out. Then he asked how long I was staying for, and I replied that I was going to be at this school for another year, and afterward I plan to find a job. At this point, he answered, "We have to find good housing then." I nearly died at this point from being so nervous. Hearing those words, I knew he understood that I wasn't going to be here short term. I actually confessed to him that I was very scared to talked to him, and he was very nice about it.

I'm kind of glad that I talked with my cousin because he will help me find good housing and maybe sign a contract for me. He told me not to panic as he'll work something out, but I can't help but feel indebted to him for helping now. I guess in a way he's repaying my parents for taking care of him when he was in the US. Though, all I hear from my mom was that he was the biggest pain in the butt. At the time, my mom had to take care of three kids, and then this 20 year old who couldn't be found. Also, he got into an accident with my parents car, and had to go to court even though it wasn't his fault. My mom actually had to teach him to explain how the accident wasn't his fault. Luckily he got off the hook, but he really did give my mom a huge headache.

Anyway, if he somehow gets housing for me, I will feel very indebted to him. Although he is family, there still is that kind of distance between us. I hope at some point I can go visit him and his family. He has a 2 and a half year old daughter, and his wife is Taiwanese. I will have to repay him with a very nice gift. Ok, sleep time as I have to wake up early to go to the agency.