Hisashiburashi

That means "long time no see". And so it has been, but not because I haven't had things to write about. I actually have half of my trip to Korea written in a draft.

So since I last wrote, I've adjusted considerably to life in Japan. In fact, the week before I left to Korea, for the first time I felt that I was in a natural rhythm, that things were going well because I planned them that way, and not because of some freak accident or bit of luck. Students look familiar, and they seem more used to me. I know my teachers better, and so can adjust to working with them a little better. Now I'm actually in the middle of coordinating a Christmas origami display where I teach each of the elementary school grades a different model, then put them all together to make a Christmas mural, complete with trees, santas, reindeers, and wreaths with bows and bells.

And I started taking kendo lessons. That's one thing I definitely did not expect I would do when I first got here, but I've spent so much time with the kendo kids and moms, that the teachers invited me to learn. And now it's something I look forward to on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, when I'm not lesson-planning at the last minute.

So I've settled in, perhaps a little too much, since I now get lazy with things, such as this blog. It's pretty easy to just turn on the computer, watch a couple of episodes of a show while I eat dinner, then go to sleep. Between kendo and short walks with Zuma, I know I'm at least getting my minimal exercise. And I still cook, if with little creativity, fairly regularly, and it's usually healthy food. Every now and then there's a party or a weekend event. Last weekend was the grand opening of the library and community center across the street. And this is the season of the Year End Parties, so a few are coming up.

So it goes.