Hiroshima Family Reunion My job here is steadily coming to a close... I can't believe it. July has been another emotional one for me. Many of my exchange student friends and those I've been coaching have gone back home after their year-long exchange in Japan. Said "goodbyes" and "see you again soons" to them at the airport this past Monday. So for the remainder of my time here, I'll be interning alone until next year's intern comes late August (right before I leave). ...Still can't believe I'll be coming home soon... Anyways! Sentiments aside, I made one last long-anticipated trip to go visit family in Hiroshima!! It was short, but sweet. I went by nightbus this time (was an adventure, to be sure - maybe got 5 hours of sleep on the 14-hour trip) and arrived the next morning at about 8AM. Needless to say, it was a wonderful family reunion!! Got to meet my little brother and sister, who me and my family hosted waaaay back (like 6 ye...

Lake Chuzenji and Nikko I had this past weekend off, so I decided to take a long-anticipated trip to Lake Chuzenji and Nikko in the Tochigi Prefecture. Nikko's Toshogu Shrine is the infamous mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that lasted for over 250 years in Japan. It was definitely a lavish sort of shrine; highly detailed in design, colorful, and really covered a lot of ground. I did quite a bit of walking around there, and I have a feeling that I still didn't explore everything the shrine had to offer 100%. Mainly because Danielle wanted to check out a different part of the Toshigi Prefecture. Predictably, Danielle thought the popular Toshogu Shrine was beautiful, and the trip to Nikko was definitely well worth it. But she thought the less-populated Chuzenjiko was prettier. :> I love a harbor town, and the smells and sounds of water. Had fun relaxing and watching the sunset at the lake. T...