Life in Okazaki

I'm psyched to say that things in Japan are going smashingly! :-)

I started classes on Friday, and I like my teachers, and I like my class, and while I have hardly studied AT ALL, I am slowly finding the necessary motivation. I study just a little bit more every day. :-) The plan is to learn Japanese, after all. :-)

I also absolutely ADORE Okazaki, which is the city where I am living. The lake right by my apartment is so full of life.

The Lake




This is one of the TWO swans in what I have so fondly come to refer to as my lake!

There are ducks and koi and turtles and ants and lizards and everything else you can think of. The turtles are SO cute. They float around with their little heads sticking out of the water, and you have to look close otherwise you might think it's a piece of wood. And every morning I walk to class to the beautiful singing of birds. And the air smells fresh and clean. I have to say, it's a nice change from France.

Even the sewer caps are amazing!


They are all this beautifully decorated!


This past weekend, I walked up to the BIG mall that's about 20 minutes by feet from my apartment, and can I just say - when I say BIG, I mean BIG!


the Aeon Mall

It's three stories, and it's nonstop. By the time I made it up to the third story, I was EXHAUSTED! Seriously. I had to sit down and just breathe for a minute. Luckily, there were some comfy couches with a woman playing the piano and another on violin. So I listened to beautiful music for a little while, then continued on my way.


How could I not be exhausted when all of the stores are crazy like this?

And I wanted to buy EVERYTHING! I'm used to France, where everything is beige or black and subdued and simple. Not in Japan. Everything was a blast of cuteness and color. And there was crazy music coming out of every store. And, well, I need to find more work and quick or else I'm not going to last three months here. Either that or I just need to avoid the mall. That is probably the better idea.

Other than that, I gave my first private English lesson today, and it was my first lesson with an adult, and I have to say, I think it went well. I think I could grow to like teaching adults. Though I'm sure it will never be as fun as private lessons with kids. Now I've just got to find 4 or 5 more private lessons to give, and I'm good to go!

YAY JAPAN!