The Gauged Hole of My Soul is Filled with Chunky Peanut Butter Pictures

Here is a Rapid Fire Shot of the Week

The days are a blur of food, classes and Japanese. Classes are moving at breakneckspeeds seeing that Speaking and Writing are seperate from one another allowing them to each move fast independently. Both language instructors are pretty awesome and funny individuals. Host family wise, it is always a blast interacting with Mariko-san and Hina-chan at the table or in general. Hina was joking her sports team for Sports Festival is Mira Mira San Saizu (Mira Mira being the sound fire makes, so 3 Soybeans on Fire). The other day me and Hina were drawing things with moustaches, beards and goatees like plants, clouds, ants, etc. Tuesday morning Mariko-san and I got talking and we ended up doing an informal tea ceremony. She also commented on my gauges, my size 8 gauges that are this awesome blue and orange. Another girl during the week commented on them, but I didn't roll high enough to start a conversation. Damn.

So the weeks kind of suck being that you are trapped in a University doing work for classes in Japan, looking forward to weekends. This weekend I'm going to a Zen Temple near Kyoto for some good old fashion zazen, dharma talk and tea. It will be wonderful, delightful and full of everything I need. The apple to my soul to keep the doctor away. Though being able to go back to a house and a family helps deal with that fact. It is also a nice feeling to think about going home after a day of classes. Also helps any homesickness I may have, though my mighty jar of chunky peanut butter and pictures of you guys help.

Oh I was showing Mariko-san pictures of home and friends and she was always surprised by the random pictures I had. She thinks Brian looks like Jesus too, for when she saw it she went "Jesus!" Also she thinks Jen with a moustache looks like Clark Gable and Kate looks like fun trouble. She laughed at the Hudson shirtless drinking water wearing a purse. She thinks all my friends are extremely talented and smart (which they are) and was impressed with what you guys have done.