Goshikunuma (i think)

Goh in Japanese means 5. There are 5 lakes in Fukushima along this beautiful hike, and each one is a different color. The first one is the most vibrant (I think), and the red one is just...creepy to me. Melissa and I went last August and then again to see all the leaves change color. Keiko, Tesla (who is a new teacher at James and just a burst of energy), Melissa T, Melissa S and meee.

Halloween

Just a bunch of friends acting silly and attracting stranger looks than usual. Yee haw!

A day in style

So, for some reason, the gyms in Koriyama are much more reasonable than those in Yamagata (and Utsunomiya for that matter). In Yamagata, they cost about $100 a month and are only open from about 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (the exact hours I worked). In Koriyama (with Melissa's help), I found a gym that's about $50 a month and open from 8 a.m. to midnight. Much better!! AND, I have a personal trainer for about $15.00 every 3 months. (I KNOW!! I couldn't believe it either.) So, my trainer's name is Kazue and she's a hoot. I think she works a couple of different jobs, one being a Kimono coniseaur. She invited Melissa and I to one of her fashion market-sort-of-things. We really had no idea what we were getting into, but it sounded interesting. Before we knew it, 2 (probably bored) younger Japanese tailors were dressing us up like dolls in the finest threads. One of these costs roughly $40,000 US. A small downpayment on a house. All of the decorations are hand woven in silk....They were just gorgeous. I never really understood the beauty of a kimino, until I wore one. They make you feel like the most elegant being on the planet.

Dake Onsen

On a whim, Wendy, Kengo and I decided to drive out to one of the most famous little onsen spots in Japan. People from all over come to this prefecture just to soak in a hot bath outside. The town is riddled with little quaint places to stay and ... lots of hot water. I'll always appreciate how the Japanese people light up natural spots at night. It's not something we really do back home. But somebody thought the river was so beautiful that it should have a spotlight shone on it after dusk. The fusion between the natural and the man-made, the ancient and the modern, nature's cycle mirroring the hustle and bustle on the street...I love it.

Tail end of a Housewarming

Unfortunately.......I had misplaced my camera for most of the night. And...well, I was having too good a time to go look for it. BUT! There were still a few die hards there at the end of the night, so I got a few pictures to post. Throughout the night there were about 30-40 people there. So good to see everyone! Even a few students from my very first classes at Geos. It's funny how some things just keep going 'round n' 'round. Thanks for coming and warming my house!

Imoni Party and Yamagata Folks

These are just some shots from the Imoni party in Yamagata. This annual event happened just as I arrived and I was happy to catch it on my way out too! Nothing like soup by the river. There is also one of Esther and Hitoshi, the happy newly weds!