Last Days of School and Random Wanderings

So, it has been 5 months since my last post and I think it is mostly because I had no more to say about life in Japan.  I was no longer "lost in translation", as the blog title suggests and I have also just been busy with work and life.  But now that my Japan days are coming to an end, the time here is fleeting by and I think it is necessary to capture some of the moments of my last days and also to share them.  My last days at school were both a relief and quite sad.  Some of the students I had to say goodbye to were kids that I had taught for two years.  I don't like teaching English and kids drive me insane, but there is something to be said about time spent together, whether it is always enjoyable or not.  Plus, you can't deny the ridiculous cuteness of (most) of the kids.  

Well, I am now officially unemployed for the first time in 4 years and it is scary!  But it is also exciting. The same kind of exciting that I experienced three years ago when I was moving to Japan out of the blue and for pretty much no reason, other than I was ready for an adventure.  Now that my adventure is complete, I honestly can say that I wouldn't change anything or take anything back.  I have no regrets.  I have met some of the most incredible friends here and had some of the most life changing experiences--and now I am ready to embark on a new adventure, and a new chapter of my life.  As usual, I am going to a place I have never been and hoping to get lost in an exciting adventure, only to find myself again and be better for it.  But until I step on that plane out of Japan, I am going to embrace life here and enjoy my final days in this place I have grown to love and this place I have called home for the past 3 years:

Coming and Going

It had been two years since Jan had been to Japan and with her last visit here to see me, I am surprised she had another go at it.  But I think it payed off in the long run.  During this visit she I actually had days off so I could spend time with her, so as not leaving her alone to fend for herself.  Also, I am not living in Miyagi anymore, and there is significantly more to do in Tokyo than there was in and around the remote bath house I was living in the last time she came to the land of the rising sun.

We got to see and do some touristy things that I never do and had never done.  For example, this giant pole, erected over the course of the past three years or so, but only recently finished, is known as the Tokyo Sky Tree and is the second tallest structure in the world, I think.  We went to it and saw it, walked around it, ate at the McDonalds at the base of it, and decided not to stand in line for 2 hours to pay to go up in it.  

We had some hot tea at the Canal Cafe by the river and enjoyed the chilly autumn weather.

Luckily, there was a dancing contest going on near my apartment the day after Jan arrived and we got to see all sorts of dancers competing all over the streets.

Jan wanted to see some sumo wrestling so we woke up bright and early to go to the nearest sumo practice spot, where they were going at it.  It is funny to watch, but they take it very seriously!

Here is Jan enjoying Shibuya's famous scramble crossing, the busiest crosswalk in the world!! 

Here is Jan not quite enjoying or knowing what to do with green tea ice cream.  At least you can say you tried it!

Jan and myself at the Sensoji temple on a perfectly crisp day to visit this famous tourist spot.  Bye now!

Well, Jan came and went and it is back to school for me!  And time for report cards and fake smiles because I have to have my picture taken with all of my students!  

Summer School

Isshiki Beach

Here are some pictures of the beach from last weekend.  It was the first time I was able to go this year.  I had been planning to go with some of my coworkers and friends for about three weeks.  The weather was finally perfect for it last weekend.  We had a lot of fun but we went to a beach that was kind of far.  

Tokyo Summer

Tokyo is in the midst of a hot summer and it has been very humid so far.  Every time you step outside it is like stepping into a sauna, with thick and syrupy air.  I forget every year how hot it gets, but I am quickly reminded when the humidity rolls around and you can't even walk to the station without breaking a sweat, no matter how casually you are dressed.  I have been trying to stay inside for the most part because it is really miserable to try and get out and do stuff.  Aside from work, I have been hanging around my neighborhood and I decided to snap a few pictures from around where I live.  

I popped into one of my favorite local restaurants, Ootoya, for their delicious chicken nanban and some green tea.

But after being outside for a little while, even just popping out for dinner, I quickly decide that it is more comfortable in my air conditioned apartment and head back.  Even after the sun goes down, the humidity just doesn't stop.  But it has been a good summer so far.  I haven't been able to make it to the beach yet, but I am planning on going next weekend!  I need a break from the hot city and all of it's concrete!

And a Japanese cemetery outside of the city, on my way to work.