December

I've effectively consistently filled four out of five weekdays with interesting stuff that takes me out of Hidaka. My travel expenses have doubled. I've spent at least one night a week somewhere other than my own apartment. I eat out for dinner more often than I eat at home. This is evident by the fact that I haven't made rice for two weeks. Tuesday: Japanese class, Wednesday: bar, Thursday: hanging out in Sakado, Friday: Japanese class. Monday is usually a recovery day anyway, and I think my head would explode if I went out every single night of the week. Going out means getting home at 10 at the earliest, and usually means I catch the last train which gets me home around 1. Yet, I'm still doing my job well and being on time every day. Go me!

I'm going home today. I'll be back for a week, then coming back to Japan for New Year's. I'm spending New Year's Eve in Shinjuku, then going skiing for three days in Niigata. Beach to snow in a week.

I've also purchased a trip to the US in May for my sister's graduation. By US, I mean Seattle, Portland, Chicago, NY and New Jersey. Two weeks, five cities. It'll be epic.