So I haven't been updating my blog as frequently as I promised I would, but that is because I just didn't want to bore you with my unevventful life. I got really sick for a bit, and I had to postpone my trip to Tokyo. Instead, I have been staying home reading books and watching movies drinking tea and Hot chocolate with Baileys. Its incredible how cheap liquor and spirits are in this country. They dont over tax their alcohol here. For example, my bottle of Baileys only cost me $15, and I saw them selling the good Tequila for only $13 the big bottle. Unbelievable, but true. Just cheap enough to make anyone an alcoholic, including the poor.

I guess the most interesting thing that has happened in Fukushima as of late is the first snow. I didnt think it actually snowed here until I woke up one day and saw everything white. Here is a picture of my street on the first snow day:

The yellow building on the right is my building. Yes it is a horrible colour, but it can be a good thing in a country that doesnt have any street names: "Turn right at the second 7Eleven and you know that puky yellow building at the corner of that street? Yeah, that one. The ugly one that really stands out? That's actually my apartment building.. Pretty ugly huh?" Unless the architecture is not Japanese, every building here is somewhat of an atrocity. Mine just happens to be puky yellow.

Ive had a few parties in the last few weeks, but I have been so sick that havent been able to truly appreciate them as much. I hate not attending or leaving early... but sometimes that can be a good thing. Here parties mean a copious amount of junk food and booze. Everyone bring food and drinks for everyone, and the living room table ends up looking like this:

I truly believe that the one reason I gained so much weight here is because of these parties. So lately I have been arriving at parties with bags of tangerines, popcorn and cheese and crackers, to make the whole feast a little bit more healthy for myself an for everyone else.

One thing that I used to hate doing here (that I have learned to love) is grocery shopping. At first, I had all these people starring at me wondering what I was putting in my basket: "yes I eat tofu just like you!! How crrraazy is that? huh?" Anyway... I have gotten over the whole starring thing and now I really take the time to enjoy the crazy things that I find in the stores. For example, my friend Diane and I were shopping to make a sunday lunch and we found this carrot:

I wish we had bought it, but imagine the foreign freaks riding their bikes with a giant carrot sticking out of their front baskets. Yes, I have a basket on my bike and its considered cool here. The bigger the basket, the cooler.

Anyway, better leave now, I have a class in about 20 minutes.

Love you and see some of you in less then 2 weeks.

e.