So yes, I went back to Sado Island for the Earth Celebration. And yes.. it was as hippie as it sounds. Well- Japanese hippie, which means they have all the necessary dreadlocks and hemp clothing yet missing the Greatful Dead, drugs, and brokenness of U.S. hippies. It was for Kodo; the Sado Taiko (drumming) group, probably the most famous Taiko group and definetly one you should check out if they come touring near you. Sadly, we didn’t get to see a whole lot of Kodo, but did enjoy an awesome Brazillian percussion group. And camped out by the beach (in the rain).. And was
serenaded by a sick jam band complete with a tap dancer! .. oh And ate amazing sushi. Sweet Hippies
It’s Sports Day season! I have yet to have my Junior High School sports day but was able to participate in an elementary one.. which is really not about sports but more a competition of adorableness. 
the kids were not enjoying the speeches
sweeeeet girls...
Taiko for the Festival
Matsuri Scene
And of course.. had a crazyface weekend in Tokyo (as they always are). Met up with some amazing friends, went to a matsuri (festival), ate giant hamburgers, and danced/partied/danced some more till the sun came up. And of course finished it off with some delicious Yoshinoya beef bowl at dawn.
6 am Yoshinoya.. necessary
shibuya.. view from our hotel
Other news.. sadly with no photos to back it up.
I moved! I have a brand new home.. a cute one room apartment in the “city”. It’s near restaurants and gas stations and supermarkets and, yes, even friends! I’m really happy here, but yes, I do miss waking up next to the rice paddies with an echo of frogs and some roosters being my alarm clock. It’s a hard trade off.
I passed my driving test! FINALLY. It was *#($*&# hard but.. dekita! I am now mobile on 4 wheels…. Most days.
We had a regional Speech Contest. And we won!! My students killed it talking about the difference of Japanese and Western food (yea, thank god they weren’t really grading on the content). So now its onto a statewide competition. Yea! To choose who was to represent Katashina all the students had to write an essay. Below are some more interesting ones…
aww maan.. i cant figure out these stupid japanese computers.. well.. to summarize its about pore epidermal cells. and how he loves them even though others hate on them. it was poetic to say the least.
so i guess with that ill leave you with this.... an adorable child with a watermelon...
