I did my first karaoke in Tokyo. It's a lot of fun. I walked around the entertainment district, Shinjuku. It's bright. I took the bullet train, or shinkansen, to meet my predecessor and supervisor in Sendai. They are great.

I was taken home. I love my home. It is a good size, layout and feel. I don't wear shoes in my apartment. There is a sink on the top of the toilet where the lid usually goes to the back of it. It even has a warmed seat for the winter. I have a Japanese style bathroom and it even has a shower. The apartment has sliding doors to the bedroom, and I even have a real bed. I feel very lucky. Most people don't get a real bed on this program, and I don't think they get a place as big as mine, and definitely not for free, like mine is.

The people of my new home and village are very kind. They are very interested to meet me. I have met the mayor and the heads of the schools and am already into my second day of work at the Junior High, although classes don't start until August 20-something. They have year round school, but there is a short summer break. This is good, because it gives me a short chance to learn a little bit about what I should be doing around here.

I still don't have a phone, but I will get an iphone as soon as a get my alien registration card. I get internet in my apartment tomorrow, which makes me ecstatic. Most of the time it takes about a month, but one of the elementary school teachers worked some magic. Right now I am using my school computer to write this post. There are mountains very near to Ohira village. They are actually in the next town, but considering that I biked two towns over the first night I received my bike (two nights ago), that is not quite so far.

Yesterday they took my photograph so that they could put me in the newspaper, I think. Most people hardly speak any English, but I am discovering that my Japanese is also much better than I previously thought. I understand more than I am able to convey, but I think even that is coming quick. I am trying to remember how to read and especially how to write. The kanji characters are what I have forgotten the most.

People are also very excited to meet Lindsey, my wife, when she arrives on the 18th of August. I guess the Junior High teachers are throwing me/us a welcome party on the 19th of August. I keep having/getting to do all these self introductions that are all in Japanese, and always in my suit, which is ridiculously hot this time of year. Lindsey will be needing to learn to do this same type of thing when she arrives and again, all in Japanese, and also in her suit. I suppose I'll probably have to wear mine as well when I bring her around for this.

Already I've been helping a couple of students with an English recitation contest that they are preparing for. I think they appreciate my comments, but seem very shy... so do all of them. I suppose it is like using Spanish in the States. Practically everyone studies it, but is afraid to use it.

I have a video of my journey and some of the things that I have been seeing and plan to put it up soon, but I must wait until I have the internet in my apartment, and then also edit it before I put it up. So, hopefully before another week has elapsed, you'll be able to experience just a little of what I've been doing.

Take care,
Luke