One Fish Two Fish....Old Pic, New Pic

Ok, so I just got some picks from my work. So I thought I'd share them with you!!!
One of the first weeks at the office. My hair was so long!



Playing some lil game....just for the camera!



Photo for a Halloween/Fall ad...


Halloween!!!!



She was showing us a preview of her outfit, that's why we're not dressed up!


My youngest and favorite students...Maho and Mahiro! They're 2 and a half!



For a Christmas ad.....


Ok, well thats all for now.

Dream Come True...

So last night I was bored and filled out a little survey and posted a bulletin on another page of mine. I think it was the 2nd question that said...if you could drink anything right now, what would it be? Well of course I said Dr. Pepper! So..... tonight my wonderful friend and co-worker Dave said he had a present for me before Japanese class. yes yes my friends, it was an ice cold, tasty Dr. Pepper! mmm mmm good! Just what I needed before Japanese class!

Then after class i went out with Kengo for some delicious yaki niku!
Tomorrow, it's back to work! Too bad. Oh well, I work Tuesday, have Wednesday off, then only 3 days to go! haha! I can't wait to come home. I believe I'm down to 32 days now! Yesssa!

Rian...

In this picture, I'm thinking of how cute you are! I can't wait to see you for Christmas!! Give Grammy a hug and kiss for me!
I MISS YOU!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!

My first Gookon and Onsen...

Saturday night after work I hurried home to change for my first Gookon. What is gookon you ask?! Well let me tell you... it's a group date where no one knows eachother. One person knows everyone, but the rest don't! Haha. It wasn't a real gookon I guess...so my friend Takako said but I think it was. Anyway, we went out to eat a restaurant where I had nabe. So yummy! Like a soup or stew kinda. Then we went for Karaoke of course! haha. After we were don there, we finished with some tasty ramen! Oishi!
Here are the karaoke pics...






Tonight...Sunday. I went to an onsen with my friend and student Ruriko. It was different than anything I've done but very relaxing! An onsen is a hot spring/spa. Basically a bunch of naked women sit around in huge hot tubs. But there is no chlorine and it's way better than a hot tub. They have different temperatured spas, some with jets, some freezing cold! Yes, after being in almost 50 degree celsius water, i got in a 19 degree celsius tub. Fu-reezing! But apparently it's good for the skin because it causes re-growth of the skin. So it keeps you beautiful! It wasn't as awkward as I had expected and now, I am completely relaxed and warm. I want to go every day after work. Tomorrow, I'm going to Kokura to do some shopping and hopefully visit a travel agent so I can buy my plane ticket home! Whoo hoo 1 month and 1 week for anyone who's counting! :)

Follow Up Training...Okayama

So last week I went for 2 days of follow up training in Okayama. It takes almost 2 hours by shinkansen...the fast "bullet" train. Training itself was a lil boring at times, but I got to see some friends I haven't seen since I first got to Japan. After training the first day, Joy and I met up with our friend Yoshie to go to our favorite restaurant for some okonomiyaki!

Yum yum yum! This is by far my favorite restaurant for okonomiyaki.


After that we met up with the rest of the foreign teachers for some bowling and beer...

Cutest lil girl was playing with bumpers and would swing her arm around after...like "yes!!!!:

Everyone was amazed at my bowling skills...even tho i didnt think they were that great. But it was fun!


Joy and I at the bar...



So then I had another day of training and back to Shimonoseki.
On the last train home... I took a picture of where the hard working Japanese get their sleep...

The 4 women on the left are all asleep...as is half the train. This is also common on the bus!

Miyo's going away...

So my assistant manager Miyo's last day was Friday :( sad sad. So Saturday night we went out to celebrate! Lot's of good times. Started at a restaurant with food, stories and drinks!
Me, Tomoe, Miyo, Setsuko and Dave after dinner:


We then proceeded to Ice Bar Jr. One of my students' dad owns it and he just recently said we haven't been there in a while, so we had to make an appearance. Dave and I haven't been there in about a month. The bartenders Kengo and Yuki:

both said my looks have matured. Sad day :( I'm getting old.
Dave and I sang a lil Karaoke:

And Miyo, Tomoe and Setsuko:


We had a fun night!!! :)

Tuesday I am going to Okayama for 2 days of training. One full day of kids training and one for adults. I have a busy month ahead of me, but I'm excited because it will make time go by quickly. I have a trip to an onsen and possibly Korea and a night in Fukuoka!!! The faster I can get home for Christmas the better!!!