What do I do on the weekends? ~In pictures I take subways and take pictures of subways. I try new things, like eating "fast food" Japanese style.  This is a ramen shop.  Press the name of the food you want, insert your money, and you get a little ticket . . .   A closer view, for those interested  And a menu with pictures: very important if you can't read Japanese characters!     After choosing what you want and getting a ticket, step inside the little shop.  And within a few minutes, you can have this: Or this: I opted for a dish without an egg! Back to weekend activities . . .  I visit new places; this is near Asakusa.   And I take pictures of interesting buildings I attend LEX Fellow meetings . . .  . . . Waiting to introduce myself in Japanese.  It was my first time to do a long introduction, and at the point this picture was taken, I was praying I remembered everything!  I did, and it went very well.

What do I do on the weekends? This post was written last week; finally got around to posting it. After a busy week of work, I'm definitely ready for the weekend, but I've noticed that it comes and goes very quickly! Two weeks ago, on Saturday, I went shopping with my host mom. I had a small list of things I wanted to buy, so we went to Kopunbunji. It's a subway station, but it also has an attached 8-story shopping center. It's like a department store, but within each floor there are different, smaller stores. My favorite floors were the two devoted to food and groceries. There was such an international variety: teas from France and Scotland, Market-O (a popular Korean brand), the American yeast brand my mom always uses . . . all of this found in one tiny little shop! I LOVE this international aspect of Tokyo. It's definitely a bonus for anyone of a culinary disposition! The following day, after church in the morning, I went to a LEX Fellow's wor

Looking Back The Month in Review: As we begin February, it is time for me  to write my monthly report. Technically speaking, I haven’t  been in Japan for a month yet, but this report covers all  that I have done in January. As part of the report, I put together a summary of different categories within my life.  While the following is rather dry, I thought my blog readers  might find it interesting and informative. Host Family: I have a wonderful host family, and I’ve enjoyed settling in and getting to know them. My 8-year-old host brother has adjusted to me, and we get along very well. My 13-year-old host sister has been a great help as I learn Japanese; she has a notebook where she writes down new Japanese words and phrases that I am learning. Sugoi-ne! My host parents are wonderful. My host mom makes me feel like part of the family. She understands about the little things that make one feel “included” in family life. Something as small as a bedtime hug means