Saturday, November 13th--Monday, November 21st

Okay, so really I should be writing from Monday to Monday because I first arrived on Monday, July 11th. But last week I kinda jumped the gun, so I have to fill in the gaps until next week. Anyway...

On Saturday, the 13th, it was such a beautiful and perfect fall day, I decided to go to the next town over and see a waterfall. On the way there I stopped off for some apples, called "nagetsu" aka, golden delicious. Being adveturous, I picked them myself, and of course one ended up being bruised. >.< Now that I have peanut butter I will be eating apples way more often!

The waterfall is in Daigo-machi, and it is called "Fukuroda no taki" or "Fukuroda falls". I thought it would just be a little, nice nature attraction, because most of the tourist spots around here aren't very crowded, but I sure was wrong. There were people everywhere! I saw Koreans, and an Indian man, and even some white people! (I haven't seen white people I didn't know around this area, well, never.) I also had to wait in line for 25 minutes to get on an elevator. It was definitely more of one of those so-called "tourist traps". Stores lined the roughly 1km walk up to the entrance to the tunnel that led to the waterfall. I knew they were most likely only a facade, but I still had a soft spot for the aged look and dark wood.

The waterfall itself was so beautiful! It is honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. There were two levels where you could view the falls. The one I waited 25 minutes for wasn't even my favorite. At the lower one you almost felt as if the waterfall was crashing down on you. Flanked by fiery, changing fall leaves, and capped by a clear blue sky, it was truly spectacular. I also liked that from that vantage point, you couldn't clearly see the top of the waterfall, so it was like a mystery, where your mind could only imagine what lay beyond.

I actually did get to see the top of the waterfall though! There was this little unsuspecting set of stairs below the waterfall that led up onto the hill. Being stupid, I started climbing. And you know once you start climbing, you can't stop. (Because then all your work was then REALLY pointless.) There was a couple that started out in front of me, and then let me pass. I had noticed the girl earlier; she was wearing high heals, a skirt, and leggings. I wondered why someone would wear something like that to a destination like this. I can't believe she made the climb. I hope she made it down. >.>

At the top I was blessed with another beautiful view! Hey, so why is it that when faced by such a magnificent accumulation of water, you feel the urge to jump in?

After I got back down, I called it quits and headed to a local cafe called "Frambrose". It is an adorable little cafe with wonderful food and drinks. I treat myself to a nice meal out once a week. It helps bring my stress down. You see, I purposely put myself through things that make me nervous, because I will not let my anxiety get me down, and I want to grow from those things--almost like training for a marathon. So, I push myself, but then I also reward myself. I had the BEST dessert that day. Seriously, one of the best things I have ever tasted. It was like a peach/apple mix with a bunch of other identifiable things. Ah, I want to go right now!

On Sunday, I went to a chorus... I don't know what to call it. Assembly? Chorus groups from nearby areas assembled in Hanawa-machi, and each sang 2 or 3 songs. Why was I there, you ask? I myself don't really know! I love to perform, so I agree to do these things, even though everyone else is pretty much over 60. My town's group is called "Harmony Yamatsuri". Being perfectly honest, we are actually not that bad; good in fact! I was a little annoyed that we got there at 9:30am, practiced at 10:00am, yet the actual event started at 1:00pm. BUT that gave me a chance to talk to the only other young person there, and that was awesome. She is 24 but she has a 2 year old already! >.< Her name is Yuuko, and she is going to take a test next year to become a teacher. She wants to teach music at elementary school. When we were lined up to go on next, I could see pretty much everyone looking at me, and later I was again told I look like a doll. But that's okay! -_-;; I had a good time.

On Monday the weather was weird. The wind wasn't freezing as usual, but just mildly warm. So I knew it was going to rain. I took the opprotunity of the lack of my ability to do anything outside, and cleaned my apartment (finally). I took some pictures so I could finally share where I am everyday.


On Thursday I was playing tag with the kids at one of my schools and I totally ate it and tore up my knee. I felt so lame. >.< After being briefly concerned, they all wanted me out to play again. I told them after lunch.

On Saturday I finally gave in, and decided I would go home for winter break! I will officially be back in LA on Wednesday, November 21st! Besides seeing everyone and stuff like that, all I keep thinking about is eating. >.< I want to eat: nachos, tacos, In-n-Out, turkey, various cheeses, a multitude of fruits (especially strawberries), peach pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, etc.

It is gonna be so weird being home. It is going to seem like a dream, I am sure. Half way through this week I passed the half way point of my stay in Japan. When I am finished with next week, I will have been here for 5 whole months. It feels so long and yet so short at the same time.

Today I became an AUNT. My sister (in-law) gave birth today to an adorable baby boy! It is sooooo weird because I haven't yet had anyone that close to me give birth. I still don't fully believe it. But I am so excited to see him in a month!

It is getting really cold here. I try to exercise after school everyday, but it is getting more difficult because the sun goes down at 4:30pm. Around that time today it was 5 degrees, but with the windchill it must have been freezing or below. I think I might start going to the pool in the town nearby and exercise there.

Well that's it for week 19. I will miss Thanksgiving this week, but I do get the 23rd off, so that is good!

I'll cya later.