At the moment I sit on my wooden table with my laptop out, eating Korean Ramen out of a mug (I have no bowls), drinking Asahi “super” dry (my grocery store doesn’t have Sapporo) and not eating the rice, which I somehow managed to burn (I am not renowned for my rice steaming). The sound track to Lost in Translation is playing. I think it serves as a reminder that I am actually in Japan and living here. Still something I am trying to get my head around. Today I was able to do some basics with my boss Kyoko like get some essential house items and food. But of course I forgot everything important like bowls, plates, napkins, etc. But alternately I did buy a lot of Japanese food, from Umebashi to gyoza to Asahi and sake. But not Nato (Japanese gooey fermented Beans), definitely I am not a fan of the Nato. But I made a promise to myself that whenever I am offered it I am going to try it. They say that after a few times you go from hating it to being addicted. I want to disprove my Gaijin (foreigner) characteristics and see if I can become more Japanese. We’ll see, the Nato might be a lost cause. There is a decent amount of western food in the super market by me, but honestly I really like Japanese food so I think Japan was a really good culinary decision for me ;)

     This morning when I walked over to Felice, my school, I got to hang out with some of the three year olds. They are so cute, and I have no reservations about using this word. I must admit Asian little kids are just really cute, I think they may just blow white babies out of the water, and I say that in all respect to others, and myself as I was once one. One little girl named Bell is especially wonderful and is really good at English. I am so impressed and happy to begin work next week. My class will be full English immersion, similar to my full immersion into Japanese culture.

    Tomorrow I have training at 8:30 am and will get an orientation of my work and also clean the classrooms in preparation for the beginning of school. I am teaching in class Duck and am pretty excited, I have a feeling we are going to be the coolest class ever! Then I head off around noon to go meet Koichiro in Kumagaya. I am going to be going to get my Japanese bank account and phone in Tokyo, which will make life much easier. I’ll make sure to put my new cell phone number on Facebook as soon as I get it. On Friday I have a physical exam and then I think I will be heading into Yokohama if Tatsuro and I work out a plan for this weekend, which I think we are in the process of doing. So all you Keio AIESEC’ers reading out there give Tatsuro a ring and let’s have some fun! I am looking to ‘familiarize’ myself with the o’ so world renowned shibuya night scene in addition with all the attractions of Yokohama that I did not get to experience as most things were closed during Hanami.

     I don’t have Internet in my apartment yet and probably won’t be getting it until next week. So for now I am just using the access at the school. But fret not as I probably am going to spend a decent amount of time there and am checking my email/ face book at least twice a day.