My first true snow day..that is a lot of frozen water.

On Friday instead of English lesson the kids made a cake. Not sure I would have picked this combination of ingredients but the kids liked it.

Made it out to Izumo this weekend and went to the shrine there. Great trip. #japan #livingabroad

Today it is full on snowing. Quite an experience for someone from southern Texas. #japan #livingabroad

Today I visited the other middle school in town and had a great time meeting some new students. Glad I made the journey over here. #japan #livingabroad

Enjoyed an event at Shishi town center they called ‘Illumination’. Basically Christmas lights they put up around the playground area. It was a ton of fun and got to chat with some of the locals I hadn’t met yet.
#japan #livingabroad

First snow of the year and first time for me living where it snows. Driving wasn’t too bad, though I worry when it builds up.
#livingabroad #japan

Feeling a little under the weather today so taking advantage of some of my coworkers gifts and doing a yuzu bath.

My birthday present was a trip to Yunessun, a hot springs water park in Hakone. They have some oddly themed baths and some entertaining signs.

My kids are great. One of the best presents I’ve received for my birthday.

One off students gave me a daikon for my birthday so here are the first attempts at cooking with daikon.

#japan #livingabroad

Tuesday night is Taiko drumming night. Enjoying practicing with the community, and looking forward to getting to perform what I have learned at a festival.

Took a trip into Miyoshi to shop for a winter coat for me. While there we stopped by the station for lunch and my fellow ALT tried Okonomiyaki for the first time. Delicious.

#japan #livingabroad

This is my first Thanksgiving not at home with my family, thankfully my fellow ALTs were putting on their own celebration with a pot luck dinner and board games. Greatly enjoyed spending time with them and getting out of my small town for the day.
#japan #livingabroad

Yesterday I was talking about fall colors and today I wake up to this? Japan, I’m already scared of the snow, don’t make it come so quickly.

#japan #livingabroad

I often joke about Texas only having 2 seasons, summer and not summer.

Living someplace with a real fall has been an interesting experience. I am very surprised at how quickly we went from vibrant green full tress through the reds to yellow and losing leaves.

#livingabroad #japan

The weather today is the beginning of the shift into cold. Will be changing out for snow tires later this week, still absolutely georgeus, even after 4 months here.

#Japan #livingabroad

Today I was invited to read at my local library. The librarians were incredibly nice, we took some time to practice our language skills (me my Japanese and them their English). Reading to the community’s children was a blast, despite some initial hesitance on their part. They also gave some snacks.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a local shrine celebration where they performed a traditional Kagura dance. What an experience.

#japan