Secondaries and more!

This past week has really flown by! As for the week itself, nothing too exciting happened except that I've finished about 10 secondaries now. I really hate typing all the same information again, and writing stupid essays. I mean, what was the point of the primary application if they're going to ask you for the same things in your secondary? I just hope all of this work pays off and I get some interview offers.

This weekend was a nice escape though. I went on a practice hike with some of my students to the nearby Azuma mountains. First we did a short loop hike around a beautiful pond, and then climbed to the top of a small volcano. The hikes weren't very difficult, but it was good to work some leg muscles that normally don't get a lot of exercise. Today I'll play tennis with Michelle, and then have a movie night with some friends.

Next weekend is the Tanabata festival in Sendai. It celebrates these two stars that are supposed to represent these lovers from a long time ago. Sendai is famous for the festival, although I guess it's not too exciting except for the numerous star banners that people hang. It should be interesting to see though, and if nothing else then I can do some shopping and get some Starbucks!

After that weekend I only have one day of work and then it's summer vacation! I'll go to Aizu the first day with my co-workers, and then it's off to Tokyo to hang out with Valerie. We're going to do another practice hike on Mt. Takao, and then it'll be Mt. Fuji on August 14th to the 15th. Until then, enjoy the pictures from my hike yesterday!

This is the section of the hike right before we reached a beautiful pond. The beginning of the hike was the steepest and most difficult part, but then the rest was really relaxing. 

Hiroshi and Michelle making their way down to the pond in the middle of our first hike. We sat down for some onigiri and banana bread here. We also saw about 7 adorable little ducklings that came up pretty close to us. A huge school group, and an elderly tour group showed up pretty soon after though, so that scared them away. 

Akiko Ando and Mayu, both my students, posing in front of the pond.  

Mayu and me at the pond! 

A view of Mt. Isaikyo from the distance on our first hike. This dormant volcano is sometimes referred to by people from Fukushima as "Little Fuji" because the terrain is very similar. 

The huge crater in the middle of Mt. Isaikyo, although it's small compared to other volcanos. 

At the top of Mt. Isaikyo! From the left, Akiko Seino, Akiko Ando, Hiroshi, Mayu, Michelle. We walked all around the top of the crater, and the terrain is supposed to be a lot like Fuji. There's a lot of small rocks and gravel covering the ground, so it makes things really slippery. 

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!

The riders at the Soma Nomaoi Festival. First they paraded around, then had some races, and finished the day by trying to catch some flags. The festival originated from when the people of Soma held these games as practice incase their Shogun called on them for help. 

Here all the riders are scrambling to catch one of two flags shot up into the air by a cannon. The banners they're displaying represent their family crest, and while catching the flag doesn't win them any money I guess it honors their ancestors. 

Michelle and one of my favorite students, Mayu. 

Donna, the new Amity teacher, and Alex. 

Some decorated statues that are meant to protect you from danger. 

We stopped at the beach on our way back from the festival. 

A cute little shrine we encountered on our way up to a cool viewpoint.

Another view of the ocean. I tried to play a rock-scissors-paper game with Mayu (the winner gets to advance a certain number of steps) to race back to the car. However, I lost an unprecedented 10 games in a row, so we had to stop since we couldn't see each other anymore. 

My last view of Soma. The sticks coming out of the water are used to grow seaweed. 

Things are looking up

Although I still feel a little homesick, things are definitely getting better. I think some of my co-workers realized I was a little down after Chris left, and have been inviting me to do things. Yesterday I went with Iuki, the assistant manager, to see Star Wars. The movie was awesome, and although it took forever for it to come out in Japan it was well worth the wait. Later we went to have lunch, and talked about all kinds of things. Once again, after talking to Iuki, I've realized what great parents I have. They're never too strict, and always encourage me to be independent and follow my own dreams, even when they lead me to the other side of the world. I also took Iuki to my apartment and showed her lots of pictures from home, which then reminded me of what great friends I have and of how much fun we had together. After that I went to play soccer, which I haven't done in over a month so it was great to do it again. Of course we went to curry afterwards, and I indulged myself in a bowl on hara bara murgh and huge piece of naan.

I've decided to find a way to start exercising regularly because that seems to lift my spirits. Michelle and I are going to start playing tennis on Tuesday mornings before work, and I'm really excited because I want get a lot better at the sport. I'm also going to start running again (if it's not too hot), and I'm even considering training for a marathon in November . . . probably not though.

As for summer vacation, it looks like the plan is to hang out in Tokyo with my friend, Valerie, for a week. Then on the last two days we'll meet up with some other friends and climb Mt. Fuji! I think the vacation will be great for me. Then Sarah is coming to visit in early November, and I can't wait to see to her. We've been talking a little online, and I encourage all of you to get a little microphone for your computer so we can talk through AIM sometime too!

Okay, that's it for now. I just wanted you all to know that I'm feeling much better now. It's still raining here, but the cool weather is a nice change.

Alone Again

It's rainning here in Fukushima, but I don't mind at all. I like the rain, especailly when I'm sad because as stupid as it sounds I feel like the whole world is crying with me. I feel really lonely right now because Chris has gone back home, and my apartment seems incredibly empty. It was so wonderful having him here not only because I love to be around him, but it was great seeing someone from home again. I guess I didn't realize how homesick I was until I saw him. We had a great month together though, and I'm thankful for that at least.

To keep me from feeling too upset, I went to a baseball game yesterday. It was my first one in Japan, and only my second one ever. I went with Michelle and one of my students. The weather was cool and overcast, perfect for a long game. Later we did a little shopping and I got a yukata (cotton kimono) to wear for some summer festivals coming up soon. Also today I went to a small bike shop to get the flat on my new bike fixed. It was a nice break from working on my stupid med school essay, and relaxing to watch the store owner attend to my bike with expert care. Later I'll meet Alex for some coffee, and maybe he can help me with my essay. I'm also going to talk to Val about planning our summer vacation. Right now the plan is to climb Mt. Fuji, and then jet off to Korea. We'll see . . . okay, back to work. Enjoy the pictures of the BBQ and the game.

Chris and me at a BBQ one of my students invited us too. It was super hot that day, but as soon as we broke out the cold beer and started up the grill everyone had a great time. 

It was fun to watch all the kids play with hanabi (little fireworks) at the BBQ. Chris and I joined in on the festivities too. 

More Engrish. This is one of Chris' favorites. 

In Sendai at my first baseball game in Japan, the Rakuten Eagles vs the Nihonmaru Fighters. At the beginning of the game, this guy and some others dressed as samurai marched around the field. 

The game! At bat is Shinjo, who some of you might remember as a guy who wore bright armbands on the SF Giants. He's back in Japan now, and still really popular, although he pales in comparison to Matsui or Ichiro. 

Shinjo in the outfield! Even though he plays for the Fighters everyone from both teams cheered for him. 

During the 7th inning stretch everyone blew up these ballons, and at the end of the song the speakers were playing everyone let the ballons fly up into the air. It was really fun to see all the ballons popping up out of nowhere. 

The final score: Rakuten Eagles-6, Nihonmaru Fighters-5. This was only the second game in the whole season that the Eagles won. This is their first season, so it's not suprising that they're last in the league. It was great seeing a winning game at the home stadium though.