Ohisashiburi!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. I wanted to give a recent picture and the one above I took from my school. It was a few weeks ago when the Sakura were in full bloom. We have a few different variations of cherry tree and these were the ones that flowered at the same time as the ones in the city. It was really lovely. There are cherrys all over the little neighborhoods here. I went down and took a ton of photos at our local temple too. Check for those on Flickr.

As of late I have started both my weekday and weekend classes. My students at Fujiidera High School are amazing. I am so glad- I was having sleeping trouble for a week before we started classes. Last year was terrible. I am greatful to whatever god watches over English teachers. :D My Momodani High School classes seem like they will be very good too. Our class 2 people are all the same ones that were in class 1 last year. It makes me happy to see all of them again. I'm going to Kyoto in May with a few of them so we can get dressed up like Geisha. It should be pretty fun. The level one people seem good too. Even the high school kids seem pretty easy going!

I have started Judo again and also going to the gym. My body is getting used to that slowly. To help my regime I am going to try a new breakfast item a few times a week: Toast and sardines boiled in miso. I got the sardines at the advice of a friend who really likes them in the morning. He's American, by the way, which is kind of shocking. I'll have to post some pictures when I'm brave enough to try the dish. Slowly but surely I am getting back into a routine. I also cleaned my house this weekend. I am pumped for my last semester!

I am still taking Shamisen lessons. We just had our recital last week. I played two tunes with nominal success. I was so tired that the long one sounded forced. Luckily everyone attributed that to nerves. I'm still catching up on strength after my insane March. I was really sick and all the running around didn't help things very much. I'll start Japanese lessons this Wednesday, too. I hope I don't have a relapse!

I have a million things to write about so entries will come in drips and drabs for the next few days. Stay tuned! Same Bat time, same Bat channel!