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Hello again,
So how is Japan... actually Japan is pretty darn good. I have been getting used to everything and although talking and communication is still a big issue, (more about that later) everything else is more or less falling into place.

I've been exploring and hanging out with other JETS I went to the beach last weekend it was awesome! the water was so warm, and even though it was a little cloudy you could still see the mountains in the background, the difference here is that the beach and water can be really dirty, like filled with trash dirty, but it was okay when I went.


I also finally went furniture shopping, and it was fantastic. two second year ALT's took me and it was great, I went to a bunch of different stores and got book shelves, a wire rack for my kitchen, a table, pillows and, coach... I got some great deals so it was well worth it. My couch was to big for the car so I had to have it delivered, but it was really inexpensive and easy.
My apt finally feels like home. and even better I went out this weekend and bought a toaster oven, I think between that and my 2 burner stove I can make basically anything in my kitchen.




Its really been fantastic, people are really friendly, and helpful. Yesterday was my first adventure with an atm... one would think it would be easy.. but no.. it wasn't... because the pictures I had in my book weren't what the machine had, finally some really nice Japanese women took pity on me and showed me what to do.

This week was a busy week, instead of sitting around school everyday all day, I had orientation in the city. Technically I am a Toyama City ALT, but I live one train stop out, about 25 minute drive. But all of the Toyama region had orientation on Monday, basically a bunch of workshops some usefull some not, on Tuesday we had regional orientation so just the people in my region (toyama city) it was actually really useful, lots of information about living and doing stuff in Toyama. Wednesday was a whole group trip to the Toyama Mountains, mainly the tallest one in the region MT. Tatayama. Luckily although its been hot its been really great weather since I got here, sunny and no rain. Wednesday the day we were to climb the moutain was aweful weather... rainy cloudy, you couldn't even see the mountains, but to them we went. I was so not climbing.. I don't climb mountains normally, unless theres a great view at the top, but climbing for the sake of climbing.. nope. thank goodness I didn't. I had a great time hanging out at the bottom playing cards and chatting with people and staying dry. The poor group who tried to climb the mountain, they were soaked..not just wet, dripping. They didn't even make it all the way up.. the weather was so bad they had to turn around half way up. The 3 pictures I did get show how gloomy it was.

Thursday I was at school, but it was actually a good day, one of my JTE's asked me to come to one of his summer classes.. about 13 1st and 2nd year music students, and introduce myself and talk to the class. It was great. I got to talk with them and show them photos. I was really excited. Then in the afternoon I had to go back to my apt to wait for the phone people to come... I was all excited because I thought great I'm going to get phone and internet.. wrong... they just came to tell me that yes I could get internet, but no they weren't going to set it up yet... blahh, sometimes the simplest things take forever here.
I also went to get my Ketei (cell phone).. its cute and purple.. and it only took about 2 hours to get it. once again simple made complicated in Japan. but it has a camera so I can take pictures, I can text, and with my plan I can go online. Its a good plan cause its cheap.. 980 yen a month.. that less then 10$.. but I also have to pay about another 10-15$ in other fees.. still a really good deal.

what else..... Friday I had a really boring workshop, and this weekend was quiet, I did laundry, and just hung out.. I did go out to dinner with another ALT but thats it.
I am having a good time for the most part. This week is a little slow, but I do have alot to do to get ready for classess, school opens next week, and this weekend I get to go to my Kocho Senseis house (principal) there is a big festival in his town and he has invited me. It will be interesting.

Anyway here are some more photos.. check out my facebook if you want to see more. Love you all and miss you.

Lissie


so the photo loader isn't working.... I'll have to work on it, I will have to find a photo host for my pics