
The Kamo River
The past few days, it's been pretty rainy and a little chilly. This afternoon, the weather was gorgeous! So naturally I needed to take a little detour on the way home from class. About two bus stops away from campus, there is a fork in the Kamogawa (Kamo River). Along the banks of the river there is a park. I ride the bus going on one of the several bridges running over the park and river each day, and I look out the window at all the people enjoying nature - wondering wh

Finally Settled In...
Since the last time I posted, I have explored the city, gotten lost on the campus, and eaten some delicious food. It's been a few days since I arrived, classes have started, and I have found myself settling into my new school routine! In a nutshell, it is as follows: 7:00 - 起きる (I wake up) 7:30 - 朝ごはんを食べる (I eat breakfast) Very early in the morning, my host mother works a shift at a bakery. She brings home some of the sandwiches and pastries she made for us to eat each m

Safe and Sound at my Host Home!
This one will be brief, I just wanted everyone to know I got to my new home safely! I survived over 20 total hours of air travel - and let me tell you - I am so glad to be back on the ground! Some quick highlights from my travels: Amoung the in-flight movie options, I found one to be quite interesting. Now imagine the stereotypical cheesy-ness of Japanese TV, plus the exact same plot-points of a famous Adam Sandler movie, plus a hysterically bad impression of "Pen Pineapple

Last Goodbye to an Old Friend
Allow me to introduce you to my good friend, Seamore. He’s that little seal sitting on the windowsill with the piercing blue eyes. This morning I gave him my last goodbye for a long while. We met Seamore a couple years back while on a grueling road trip. My loving boyfriend and I were driving to my home in Vermont from his home in Boston.
Now that doesn’t sound like that bad of a trip. Anyone familiar with New England knows the journey takes about three hours and change. I,

Last Goodbye to an Old Friend
Allow me to introduce you to my good friend, Seamore. He’s that little seal sitting on the windowsill with the piercing blue eyes. This morning I gave him my last goodbye for a long while. We met Seamore a couple years back while on a grueling road trip. My loving boyfriend and I were driving to my home in Vermont from his home in Boston. Now that doesn’t sound like that bad of a trip. Anyone familiar with New England knows the journey takes about three hours and change. I,