Today was one of those days when I totally underestimated the power of mental and emotional exhaustion. Yes...a little more 'tatami time' than I'd like to admit, but sometimes, it just can't be helped. Of course living alone in a quiet place can be grand, and I know many people with busy lives and crowded houses can be envious of my plentiful solitude, but sometimes it's just hard being the only one here, feeling so far away from everyone else.
BUT - at least I have Sam. He's been a good gator, and I know he's been staring at me all day, willing me to get my butt up and post some of the fabulous photos of him from the past month. So, voila! The one above is of me and some of the teachers at the Sapporo Nihongo Gakko, where I studied Japanese for two weeks earlier this month.
Here's Sam at the main train station in Sapporo. He thought the stars on the big clock there were pretty neat. Speaking of stars, I thought it was interesting that the people up in Sapporo (and maybe all of Hokkaido?) celebrate "Tanabata" (the star festival) on Aug. 7, not July 7, like the rest of Japan.
And here it is, folks - the only photo known to exist of me in a bikini. (unless Dad has one tucked away somewhere from when I was 3!) The school took us on a field trip to the beach so we could enjoy (looking at) the waves, and eating "Jingus Khan" - Japanese BBQ. I was determined to wear a bathing suit - since I don't even remember the last time I had the opportunity to wear one - but could only stand it for a little while, since I was cold! It was really spectacular at that beach, with all the mountains so close by, and dark sand which made not only the beach, but the water look completely different that what I'm used to.
