Time flies!

I can't believe there's only one week left in the month! Lately, it seems that time has been passing faster than ever. Work is going well, nothing too exciting to report there, but I've been having a lot more fun outside of the office. I've started having weekly lunches on Fridays with a couple of co-workers, Mitsuko and Kaori, and it's been really great. The first time we went to Nana's (the owner of my favorite Indian restaurant) new restaurant near AEON, and last week we went to Mitsuko's favorite place, which might be my new favorite too. It's this cute little pasta place where they serve a fixed meal everyday for lunch. The chef studied in France, and he and his wife are the only ones who work in their tiny restaurant. You have to make reservations weeks in advance because the food is so delicious, and always costs 800yen (less than $8) for three appetizers, soup, bread, pasta, two desserts and coffee. It was unbelievable!

I've also started watching movies on Mondays with Alex and Kaori. Last week we saw "Batman Begins" and this week it'll be "The Island." Plus, I've been talking to my friends back home through AIM or Skype more often, so that always makes me happier. To top it off, I got the new Harry Potter book, and actually just now finished it! The ending is a little predicable, but still touching and I can't wait for the final book.

Today I went with Michelle, her co-workers, Alex, and one of my favorite students, Mayu to a festival in Soma. Every year they hold these games where men dress as samurai and ride their horses around. Usually it's super hot, and I think someone dies just about every year, but today was a little cloudy and there was a nice breeze. The festival wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be, but it was fun to go on a road trip and hang out with everyone. Here are some pictures of the day!