Haha. Just writing about my first week made me feel tired again.

I think the first couple weeks were so crazy just trying to retain a great deal of information being thrown at me combined with setting up all the necessary documents, etc (electric, water, gas, bank account...) combined with the intake of the scenery and events. It almost didn’t feel like I was in Japan at first.

OK, enough of the boring stuff.

Let’s talk about Hirosaki "City"... I use city in quotations, because it feels much more like a suburb, than a city. True the downtown area looks a little more urban, but not in the area I live. I can't complain though, because there is a charming sort of atmosphere to my neighborhood, and to Hirosaki in general. The fact that I live right down the street from Hirsoki Castle is pretty cool in my opinion ;) I can get almost anywhere by walking or bike (my bike is purple and awesome!) or bus...but the buses are definitely not as convenient as they would be in say, Tokyo or NYC. A car would definitely be nice, but let's see if I can last without the added hassle of one. My office, the Hirosaki City Board of Education, is definitely in the "inaka", surrounded by rice fields and trees. But we have an amazing view of Mt. Iwaki.

My apartment is small! but it's all mine ^__^ This is really the first time I haven't had to share my space with anyone, which is kinda nice. I always liked having roommates and such, but it's still cool to have a place to myself. Decorating Time!

Being in Japan in summer, equals two things.

1- omg humidity wtf! OK, I know I hear all the time about how horrible Japan's summer is blah blah blah, but they weren't kidding! It is HOT and HUMID! ahhhh! I'm just glad I live in the north, because in Tokyo it was 50 times worse (you walk outside and are immediatley soaked). Man, I can't wait for winter.

2- Festivals! I was lucky enough to come here right before two major festivals in my area..the Hirosaki Neputa festival and Aomori Nebuta. Both are pretty much the same--parades at night with huge floats (paper lanterns of various shapes (pictures soon)). Aomori's festival was probably more impressive...all the floats were these 3-D scenes and the people were super-high energy. Hirosaki's was a little more low-key, but still impressive. Last wednesday I got to participate by wearing the uniform yukata and walking with the City Hall group. Definitely had a good time :)

During the week I'm at the office and we don't have any real work to do yet. So I mess around on the computer, (except Facebook is blocked...noooo), prepare for my class introductions, study Japanese. So exciting (not!). I am so ready for some school visits.

I'm starting to getting everything settled here...except still no Internet in my apt (>_<) But my cellphone is pretty sweet. http://www.au.kddi.com/english/product/lineup/w63ca/index.html (i got the black one ^_^)

The language barrier is probably my biggest hurdle (even though I've studied for so long...I still have miles to go), but other than that, being here feels so natural that I don't really feel out of place.

I <3 Japan

School starts in a couple weeks and I can't wait!