These are a few of my favorite things.

So I've been homesick lately. But, that doesn't mean that there aren't great things about my Japanese life. Here are a few of them:

On clear days, I can catch a glimpse of Fuji-san on my way to church or on the train:

There are four second-hand stores in Fujieda. That in and of itself is incredible. The last two Sundays, my co-worker, Hiromi, and I visited them got some good deals on cute clothes. And during our second trip to the stores, I introduced Hiromi to an old friend:





That's right, Japan is now home to Big Boy. We didn't actually eat there because Hiromi wasn't too sure about the menu, but I did say a quick hello and grabbed a hug before we moved on.

On Monday, one of my students, Andy, invited me to Omaezaki, a beach about an hour from Fujieda. Kathi, a member of the church I've been going to (Andy introduced me to it about two months ago) came with us, too. Since I have never made it all the way over to the west coast of the States, it was my first time to see the Pacific Ocean (except from an airplane, but that doesn't really count). The weather was cool but still sunny and it was so good to be at the beach. I am definitely a beach person:

Andy

Kathi

playing some golf

After the beach, we headed to the fish market so Andy could pick up something for dinner:

mmmm, seaweed

The market included an ice cream shop that featured fish flavored gelato (wrong in so many ways) - which, Andy informed me, is their most popular flavor. Of course.

But, one of my most favorite things is coming home from a long day at work, putting on my pajamas, and stretching out on my hot carpet (like an electric blanket for my floor) to watch some American shows online and enjoy some royal milk tea:

cheers.