Today is a hot bowl of soup kinda day.

Today was cold and rainy in Kobe, and I have a bad cold, so I made the ultimate comfort food - soup and grilled cheese.

Jen's in Korea this weekend, so I'm just taking it easy, trying to breath through my nose again. The next few weekends I'll have lots to post. Jen and I are going on many adventures before she returns to the US :(

Band Photo Shoot

My friend Gordon wanted some shots of his band, so after work Saturday I went into the city and shot some photos.

I was excited to try out my DIY collapsible softbox that my AWESOME Mom had helped me make while I was home over Christmas.

I must state for the record, she did the best she could. Needless to say, that thing is an embarrassing piece of shit, and I will promptly buy the real deal. (Sorry Mom. I love for, thanks for trying!!!)

Pocky and KitKats

Finally got around to documenting the new flavors of KitKats and Pocky that I've found. This one is Milk Coffee.

I have no idea. Corn soup? Mango soup?

Raspberry and Passion Fruit

Matcha (green tea). This is a big box, and you can mail it!

Sparkling strawberry

Milk tea. I don't know why it has sakura (cherry blossoms) on it.

Mixed berry Pocky

Ham & Cheese flavored Pretz that Jen brought back from Thailand.

The back of the same box, in Thai!

The Gang Goes to a Club

Friday was Jen's last day teaching, and Saturday was Ferron's first day by herself! To celebrate, Jen, Miho, Ferron, Lamika and I went out to a club in Osaka! Clubs in Japan stay open all night, because people purposely miss their train, dance all night, and then take the first train home at 5am. We, however, got a room at the Toyoko Inn.

We had so much fun! I don't like to dance really, but it was definitely shaking my ass. Apparently, strangers do spontaneously burst into song and dance at the same time, especially when a Beyonce song comes on.

Lamika, Me, and Jen with a puffy face.

Miho, Ferron, and Lamika.

Dancing.

Avatar in IMAX 3D

Jen, Miho and I took an adventure to Senri Chuo (on the other side of Osaka) to see Avatar in the closest IMAX theater in 3D. Oh. Wow. It was amazing.

Jen and Miho getting excited about buying tickets! Miho's dad gave her money for all three of us. HOW SWEET!

Posing with the sweet 3D glasses outside the theater.

Snow & Einstein

Wednesday on my way into school, I noticed it was snowing. Not a lot, just a few giant fluffy flakes. It was awful pretty though. I tried to take a photo, but it didn't turn out as expected. Also, I'm curious to know the Japanese equivalent of running out to buy milk and bread at the first sign of snow.




Saturday, I listened to two 10 year old student's fictional stories, and they were great. The teacher had been discussing inventors, and asked me, "Mere chan, do you know why Einstein is famous?" I replied that he came up with the theory of relativity. That was received with blank stares. I explained as follows:

"Imagine you are having fun with a friend. One hour passes, but it only feels like a few minutes. Then imagine accidentally putting your hand on a hot burner on the stove. It was only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. That's relativity."

Even I am impressed with that short and simple explanation. Boo-yah.

Yakitori & Karaoke with Myodani Staff

Monday after coming back from Nara, I went to dinner at a yakitori restaurant with my school staff. Then we went to sing karaoke. Good times.

L to R: Yoshimi manager, Akiko former manager, Risako assistant manager, Chika head teacher, Yuchika kid's head teacher.

Nara with Jen and Anthony

McD's 4 day campaign.


It was Coming of Age Day, so everyone who turns 20 this year gets to celebrate at a ceremony.


Souvenir shop.

Chomp

CHOMP

Jen: WTF?!?!?

Deer: Gimme some crackers. Kthxbai.

I can has camera lens?


Smooch

The deer even attack the monks.

Me in front of Todaiji.

This opening is the same size as the giant Buddha's nostril.

Who scared who?

Success....

Pinwheel sausages? Yes please.

Jen + Miho + Mere = Shenanigans

Hanging out in Paiyama with Jen.

Jen and Miho at the 280 izakaiya.

Jen attempting to win a big bear.

Saturday night at Hobgoblin.