For the rest of July

I realize this entry is almost an entire week late, so I suppose at this point- it will be the entry for both last week and this week.

I don't have a lot to say, but I'll just list a few things. Sorry it's not very interesting-

-Last week, I finally passed my driving test and got my Japanese drivers license. It's a relief to know I can continue to drive after my International Permit expires in August.

-This week is my last week teaching until school starts up again from summer vacation in September.

-Today, I thought the temperature was bearable, but lately it's been very hot. Compared to other places, it's not VERY hot, but the humidity makes it sticky and gross.

-Next Sunday, I will be on a plane flying to California. I'll be there for two weeks, so naturally, I'll have nothing Japan life related to post. If reverse culture shock hits me hard enough, I suppose I might post here about it, but chances are, there won't be any entries during that time.

The Leavers Party

It's July 5th here now, but still July 4th back in the US.

Last night I was at a Kagoshima JETs party put on to bid farewell to the people who are leaving this summer. It was a lot of fun. Outside of my city, I didn't really know entirely who was leaving and who was staying, so it was nice to find out and talk to those people at least one more time.

There were people that I really enjoyed talking to in the past and I suddenly realized I should have hung out with them more. It was a very event.

Afterward, the big group split in two- some went to Me Gusta (a Mexican restaurant) and the rest went to karaoke. I was in the karaoke group. We had to split up into 3 rooms because there were so many of us. I ended up in a room with almost all JETs from the Osumi side (the other side of the prefecture.) They were really fun and I realized that I missed out times where there were events there and I decided it was too far.

All in all, it was a good evening out. No fireworks for the 4th of July, but you have to remember that ALTs come from all over the place- so the folks from the UK, Australia, New Zealand (etc...) don't really care to celebrate the US holiday. :)

I'm really looking forward to the new JETs coming next month.

And I am looking forward to visiting my family and friends in California later this month.