I was listening to Vanilla Ice while my girlfriend crimped my mullet

The best 80's quote ever by John Friday. I think he is the goofiest Canadian I've ever met....probably the goofiest man...person....being of any kind. He always makes me smile in the office. I can see why Nadine loves him so. They act like an old married couple.

That reminds me of one of the sweetest things I've seen in Japan yet. First of all, most of the population in any urban area rely on bikes for transportation. Many elderly folks can be seen with their baskets full of groceries, mom's have kids in their baskets and on their backs, high school kids in their uniforms can ride while holding an umbrella in one hand and sending a text message with the other. They ride tandem, through the leaves, through the cherry blossoms, through the heat and on the ice (which is sooo dangerous!!) I was walking home one night when I saw an elderly couple, they must've been in their 70's. He was riding the bike and she was sitting on the seat with her hands on his hips and legs stretched to the side. I quietly wondered how long they had been together. What they had seen and been through. If their neighbors or family envied their relationship - and the fact that they would never even think of such a self centred point of view. Or if I was just romanticising it and that they really couldn't stand each other anymore. In any case, it was a sweet moment, if not for them then for me.

If I had to guess what the secrets to good health here are, I would say the green tea, the bikes, and the rice. Simple. I've finally started to make more Japanese food on a regular basis. Miso soup is great for winter and you can put so many good green things in it! I just wish someone had told me sooner that you need an ice-cream scoop of miso to make it. I kept using about a tablespoon and wondering why it tasted so awful. Anyhoo. I highly recommend it.

Lots of people are leaving this week to go home for the holidays. Bryan will be here and we've vowed to complete our TEFL course while it's quiet. He has a girlfriend so I'm sure I'll feel like a third wheel most of the time, but that's okay. At least I've got some company. I'm sure we'll venture out to Rough Roll, the local gaijin bar here. I really haven't spent time getting to know other folks in Yamagata besides my co-workers. Honestly, I've just been concentrating on my lesson plans. It's amazing what you can do when you've got the resources to do it!! As the honeymoon comes to an end, I'm sure I'll be a little more social.

The snow flakes are so big today. I swear some of them are as big as Barbie's head. It's time to break out the boots. Okay, here I go.