festival

Today was a holiday (I actually don't know why) so a nearby high school began their two-day fall festival. I've seen university students host festivals, and these high school students were just as unbelievably talented!

I went with my friends/co-workers, Kazuko and Jessica. We saw a capella, a tea ceremony, gospel music, "hand ball", and jazz. These students put effort into every detail. What a fun day!

A full week

I've been in Japan for over a week now, and my heart's pretty much full of joy. I was reminded how difficult it was to leave so many people close to me...which made me really sad. But some of my new Japanese friends comforted me. I'm surrounded by amazing people here too!

Pictures:

1. Amazing friends from the gospel choir

2. My first day on campus (ICU High School for the very first time.)

3. With my former neighbor...

4. ...and her mom!

5. The amazingly cute plate and fork for Japanese pears (I had tea and cake and snacks with my old neighbors)

6. View from my apartment building

7. View from my apartment building with amazing Japanese sky

Adjustments and Joys

I've woken up in Tokyo 3 times now. Life here is good!

Joys:

Dear people have cooked me dinner/had me over to celebrate their birthdays every night since I've been in Japan.

I rode from the airport for the first time by car and got to see a beautiful sunset along the rice paddies.

I've been borrowing a bike and will get my own soon (pictures to come.)

I saw many of my old neighbors, friends, co-workers, students. They greet me so warmly and I love being with them again!

Little Adjustments:

The humidity. My friend said it was much worse last week, but I went running at 5 am and was embarrassingly moist.

The language. On the aforementioned run, I said "good morning" to the first passerby. I've now got "ohayo gozaimasu" down in the quick mumble-like way most Japanese people say to each other. Overall, I have a lot of work to do.

The food. We had an awesome meal, sukiyaki, but I was the only one that didn't dip my meat and vegetables in raw egg. I wanted to try it, but I chickened out. Someday :)