My last entry provoked some responses, and I feel the need to clarify. A dear Belgian friend gently reminded me that perhaps Boursin is not the world's BEST cheese after all... I have to say, it is definitely to be held in high esteem, and I place it tops in one category [creamy/ brittle cheeses]. Of mild and sliceable yellow cheeses, best eaten on french ...er... Belgian? bread... the best I've found is Maredsous- a cheese made by monks in Belgium. My first experience with this cheese was during a picnic on a lovely wildflower-covered hillside, I believe in the Ardennes, with my friends and my sister. [Just before the picnic we picked wild blueberries. Just after the picnic we took a drive to Germany. I had never been to Germany and we were pretty close, so we just drove into the very tip, said hello, and on through Luxemburg back into Belgium. Unfortunately for my friend's car, in the course of one of the especially sharp curves that we encountered the box of hand-picked blueberries tipped and they went rolling all over the back seat. Hence, I spent most of the few minutes in Germany bent over picking up blueberries off the floorboard... Memories!]. Since that time, no visit to Belgium has been complete without eating some [a lot!] of that cheese! Of course no visit to Belgium is complete without eating a long list of delicious treats. Waffles [two mouthwatering types with variations of toppings-my favorite is Brussels waffel with whipped cream], chocolate [world's best, I can hardly eat other kinds... which is possibly better for my health... BIG THANKS to my "source" who unfailingly sends me a box of Neuhaus pralines for my birthday and other special occasions], spkeuloos, raclettes, seafood, fries... In Antwerp, my favorite spot to eat is De Pelgrom... a very cool restaurant with uniquely romantic ambiance and fabulous food. If it's winter, round off your meal with a hot chocolate! Must be the world's best... But... don't take my word for it. Go see for yourself! Delicious! Lekker!!! I am making myself want to get on a plane and go back... I think there is no end of culinary delights in Belgium. Food lover's paradise! [Not to mention it is full of beauty, charm, history, culture, and best of all, really nice people! But that is for another blog.]

It's a good week so far. Sunday was relaxing and a good time for reading, reflection and refreshment. I also had a nice dinner/ visit with a friend and neighbor. I made a Japanese home cooking favorite [apparently because I can make "niku jaga" I am ready to get married in rural Japan...]. We had really good talks. She's a great friend! Glad we ended up together in this small town in Japan! Monday was a fun day at school. Kids were great, and classes went really well. Today was another good day there. Lots of smiles and laughs!
Yesterday after school was nice. I went to Sportsbox for my regular Monday swim. I was feeling a bit tired so I did a slow 1 km and then hit the jacuzzi. After my exercise I was craving Italian so I went to the grocery store, and there I met another ALT [English teacher] who lives in town. He gave me a hug [very rare here in Japan!] and we talked and walked as I continued shopping. Turns out he's in a similar situation to me, searching for the best "next step" in life after Tahara... We decided to get together some time soon and talk. I came home and made a yummy dinner... Spaghetti with a meat/ tomato/ spinach/ eggplant sauce [mmm...], and asparagus rolled in bacon and cooked, and french bread with Boursin [the best cheese in the world, do yourself a favor and try it!], and the family favorite salad... As I cooked it crossed my mind how silly I was not to see if my friend had plans already, since I had all this food... So I called him up and we were on the same page. He came over and helped me eat, and we chatted. Nice time! He is a really nice guy and I learned a lot about him. We have some similar interests, it turns out, particularly centering around the developing world... Who knows, he might end up being a co-worker in another time and place. This experience reminded me to make more of an effort to get to know people and spend time together, even if our lives are very separate. The world is full of really nice people!!! Get to know a new one today!

It was an interesting day. My friend and I went to Okazaki for an international festival, and to meet up with some friends for frisbee/ dinner. We ended up skipping out on the frisbee part due to threatening weather, and perhaps a streak of laziness... :) The festival turned out to be a lot of fun! The food was pretty good [especially a coconut dessert from Brazil!] and there was lots of entertainment, and a recycled kimono "free [flea] market." I got a gorgeous kimono for a pretty good deal! There were many nice ladies there who were kind and helpful. We hope to join more OIA [Okazaki International Association] events in the future.
After the festival we went to join some friends at "Peppers" [a local restaurant]. We walked back to the station, since it seemed the only chance at finding a taxi. We got into a taxi and asked the driver to take us to Peppers. He looked at me like I was crazy. So I repeated it. He repeated it and looked at me like I was crazy. This cycle continued for a little while. Then he asked me more questions. He was disappointed to find out that I didn't know any more info on the place either. Oops. So he got on the radio with other taxi drivers, who acted like HE was crazy. Next step was rolling down his window and banging on the side of his door to get the attention of other taxi drivers in the line-up. Their interactions mirrored those of the driver and myself. None of them knew the place either. They were amused though [so were we!!!!]. Finally the driver ended up lending me his cell phone to call my friend to get better directions! They chatted and he found the place no problem [after passing along the info out the window to his buddies]. Now THAT'S service!!

went to Okazaki International Festival  

Our yards are being paved... I definitely live in Japan. 

Tokyo just as I'd always imagined...  

Tokyo is a fun place to visit! 

UNIQLO Ginza 

this is the Ginza area of Tokyo. It reminded me a little bit of the fashion section of Antwerp, only full of Japanese people... Notice in one picture the UNIQLO building... my favorite store in Japan! [besides grocery stores] 

For the past week I've been at a great elementary school... one of my favorites! I've played some fun games with kids, had lots of laughs, made lots of funny faces, and counted from 1-10... some insane amount of times... The joys of teaching English in elementary schools!! It really is quite fun! The kids are the best!! :) At lunch yesterday I was talking [and LISTENING] with a really cute little girl [in Japanese]. After about 15 minutes of non-stop conversation she asked me if I could understand Japanese!! I laughed. Then I asked her what language we were speaking... She wasn't sure... maybe... English? :) It's funny how some of the kids can't believe when they look at my face that Japanese could possibly come out of my mouth... :) Another great experience this past week was the class that I spent with the special class [some of my favorites!]. They came to get me, full of smiles and excitement. :) The smallest girl [who everyone loves for her bright personality] was especially happy, and just kept saying "nice to meet you" over and over. We played a human board game and had lots of fun! After school on Monday I joined the tea ceremony club for a cup of green tea and a bean paste sweet. I am really going to miss those when I leave Japan! There will be many things to miss, and among the saddest will be leaving the kids. From other past ALTs' experiences it seems like my last couple of months will be full of goodbyes. I hope to make the most of the time that I have left!!

nice COOL swimming hole in the rainforest... just before I went swimming a group of students found a HUGE snake just up the hill from here... 

from the rainforest to the reef... 

Cape Tribulation area Far North Queensland Australia 

This bonfire at a local shrine was the place for people to symbolically let go of the past year and start the New Year fresh... the fire is fueled by last year's good luck charms etc. Other traditions include a thorough cleaning of the house, meeting with family, and making "mochi" [sticky rice cakes]. The following morning I went with friends to climb a nearby mountain and see the first sunrise of the year. It seems that not everyone follows the traditions these days, but many still do. I consider myself lucky to have experienced the low-key but meaningful traditional Japanese New Years.

Christmas in the tropics 

Swimming lagoon in Cairns... great place to cool off and people watch! 

For the Christmas holidays a friend and I went to Tripical North Queensland. We dove on the Great Barrier Reef, relaxed on an idyllic beach, visited "the world's oldest rainforest," discovered some amazing restaurants, and soaked up the warmth that is currently so lacking here in Japan. All in all it was much like any other tropical paradise, but disorientingly developed and modern. I felt like I had arrived in a place that was part Africa and part USA. It was a strange sensation. I was disappointed by the fact that the tourist industry was not devoid of people out to make a buck [or a couple hundred] more than to introduce visitors to the marvels of their homeland, or even to protect the natural beauty. I was also surprised by the attitudes expressed by many of the Australians I encountered towards aboriginal people. Also shocking was the obvious and stark contrast in their economic condition. It reminded me of the deep south of the US [only I suppose it was the "deep north" of Oz]. Basically, though, I think Australian people are very laid back and personable with a ready sense of humor. Next time I go to Australia [and I sincerely hope there will be a "next time"] I plan to avoid the tourist track as much as possible. It would be a perfect place to rent a car with some friends or that special someone and follow my heart or my whims to create a great adventure. With beauty and charm around every corner it would be hard to go wrong!

It is the New Year! It has been a time of intense introspection for me. Time to figure out which path to take for my next big step in life. The possibilities that lay before me seem as unlimited as the sky. I know also that whatever I choose will be rewarding and challenging with lots of potential to grow. So I am excited as I look to the future as an amazing series of days, each holding great new experiences and chances to learn. I look forward to the places I will go, and the people I will meet. I want to live each day as well as I can, sharing love and hope with the people around me. That is my path to success!