a quick dash to tokyo and then it was christmas

ok, so i haven't been as faithful at posting as i thought i would be. but, in my defense i have just started my new job and have been busy figuring out things at my new home in takasaki...such as where to buy groceries, how to speak japanese, and what days i am allowed to take the trash out, etc. i have also been teaching quite a bit for my first three weeks and i love it. one thing that i don't love, however, is the 6 mile long bike ride i take to get there. actually, the ride there is great...it's in the morning and the air is so clear and calm, and you can see the snowy mountains beyond the fields. and then around 4:30pm (when i leave for home) the wind starts to pick up. i don't know how it happens, but the wind is always (and i mean always) against me on the way home. but i guess i shouldn't complain, i am in japan and it is beautiful and not snowy--at least it's not snowy too! and i am getting better and better at baring the contemptious wind.

amidst the daily routine though, i enjoyed the company of isaac and his sister, greta, in tokyo a couple of weekends ago. we did it up in style visiting all the hot spots: harajuku, shinjoku, and even ginza. i even snagged a fancy pair of men's (yes, they are pink men's shoes). check them out, they are "oh, so cool and trendy."



we headed to ginza for the nightlife. actually, we just visited one bar in particular that greta had heard about from a friend. it turns out that the bar was really owned by "a crazy japanese man" named marc kagaya. marc's craziness came out as soon as we sat down. he puts on quite a show to bring you your drinks, and well, i guess you just have to experience it so i won't say much more about it. if you are ever in the ginza district of tokyo though i would definitely go!

on the train, we had yet another interesting cultural experience. actually, it was greta's experience. i was just there to document it.






well, i am heading to cambodia and thailand for the holidays with my good friend courtney and my good boyfriend isaac. we have been planning this trip since october so i think we have most of it settled...well, except a few details, but that's how you get a true cultural experience right? anyway, i'm sure there will be more to report when we get back. until then...happy holidays and god bless!