Sakuranbo!

It's cherry season!!

Most things in Japan are seasonal, but fruit is the most exciting. Cherries in early spring, then watermelon, apples in fall, mikan in winter, strawberries for the new year...yum!

The main differences between fruit in Japan and America is that "out of season" fruit is still available any time of year in American supermarkets. The quantity may be smaller, the price higher and the taste inferior to "in season" fruits... but they're always available. In Japan, out of season means just that, and if you somehow find it anyway, the price is staggering. Also, in Japan, seasonal fruits are still expensive and the quantity is small... but everything is fresh and locally grown! It's delicious. Besides, by the time a fruit becomes available, I'm so excited to see it that I'd pay almost anything for it anyway. So while I paid $2.50 for these 20 cherries, I was thrilled to do so (even though my dad immediately told me that he can buy several pounds of cherries for not much more). If only I could get my hands on some raspberries....

Other news... since I've been a terrible blogger, I thought I'd give a few bullet points of things that I've done but have no pictures to show for it (so I haven't blogged about them).

- May, Tokyo Sumo Tournament -- on the odd months of the year, sumo tournaments are held in the national arenas set aside solely for these 6 2-week sporting events. Tokyo hosts 3 tournaments and Osaka, Sapporo and Nagoya host 1 each. We had box seats with a great view and really enjoyed the afternoon... I'm working on digging up some pics from the people I went with...

- Pen pal exchange -- the 2nd year class from one of my junior high schools spent the better part of a month working through drafts of their pen pal letter written to 8th grade students from my home town. The letters were received at home and we are expecting the replies to arrive in Japan sometime soon. Though a lot of work for me, I'm really excited about this exchange. For the students in Japan, these letters were a way for them to put their hard work in English to use on something that is tangible and important to them. They've been so motivated and excited that it's almost overwhelming. If nothing else, I hope this experience teaches them that English can open many more doors from them beyond HS admissions tests and exposes them to personal interactions with foreigners their own age, which may give them a kick towards an interest in traveling/studying abroad. My job as an ALT is half English teacher, half international/cultural education... I like to think this project tied the two together nicely.

- JET Recontracing Conference in Tokyo, early June -- little more than a hotel room and a chance to eat dinner with friends during the week, it was also nice to see some of the JETs who I don't cross paths with regularly. Stumbled onto the Gunma Association of JETs Council, which should mix up year 2 a bit and give me something to do during the week. Plus I get to help with incoming JET Orientations... and you know that the nerd in me just LOVES that stuff. (^-^) <--- Japanese-style smiley

- Track Team -- whenever possible, I like to go outside during club activites at one of my schools and wander around. However, thanks of the flexible nature of track practices (and because my track team experience from HS enables me to help students with their field events), I find myself landing there most frequently. Old habits die hard though, as my favorite event is still lying on the high jump mats gossiping with the other girls.

- Celebrated my 23rd Birthday -- had 2 wonderful dinners/nights out with friends in Tokyo, nice Japanese course-set dinner on Friday and Spanish tapas on Saturday. A few more of my friends have moved to Tokyo recently, so it's been great to see them again.

- Operation: Reorganize Apartment -- completed! Spread over a few rainy days during the month of June, I've finally put everything away in a place that I like, including the proper storage of my winter clothes. I'm very pleased with myself. Motivation for hard-core cleaning doesn't come to me easily...

I think maybe that's it for this installment... but I'm going to kindergarten to make curry with the kids tomorrow! I'm so excited. They spent all day today harvesting their potato garden, should be wonderful. I'll take pictures and post asap.