pictures and happy fun time

Ah, I feel like Ive been falling behind with the blog with all that has been happening these days. Clare and I were interviewed for TV twice last weekend. Once at the shi shi festival and the next day at rice planting. I wasn:t able to actually see either of the interviews though, which is probably a good thing. At the shi shi festival the guys controlling the lion made it snap 4 times in front of my face...which is supposed to bring good luck. It was a little odd though because they were muttering to me in a deep voice and then snapping this huge head mere centimeters away from my face. In other news, random vacation days in the middle of the week a couple of weeks ago were fruitful with lots of hiking and fun. These days I feel like I could live in Japan forever. Japan is such an easy country to live in. I see why many people stay here. But, it is not home...and I do miss home. My time to visit home is quickly approaching and while I:m really looking forward to it, it will be strange to know that its probably the last time I will be in our house in Maryland because my parents are moving within the next year :(. Im also hoping to see everyone but I know in reality, time wont allow for that. My thoughts are fractured as I write this blog. A morning spent looking up international grad schools and places to volunteer/work has only proved to confuse me further by widening my possibilities for post-JET life. Do I really want to go to grad school? Where, When, Why, For What? Transient ideas fill my head, some more solidified than others. Nomadic life: is it a good thing? I frolic in the knowledge that I have another year of the Japan safety net. And as I am here, I really need to be HERE. That said...time to learning Japanese!