I think this entry will have more pictures than any other China-entry.

( 36, in fact. )

So I guess I'll start with just going over the itinerary for the first few days (Feb. 28-Mar. 3).

( Pictures included! )

So, last Friday I went straight from school to Gifu. My aunt had still been there since Ojiisan's funeral last month, and my two cousins and uncle were visiting for the week to go to the one-month later service. That was my last ride on the Shinkansen for this trip, and no, I did not get a seat. I did, however, use a student discount this time. It ( Read more... )

I apologize for some inevitable typos and the lack of detail. But I do have 12 pictures for you!

( Once again, my inner Heian-dork was happy )

So, as for that day trip yesterday, I'm sorry to say I don't have very good pictures. My camera has this thing against dark places or fast motion (despite having settings for them). So they're all blurry or boring. Instead, you'll have to hope I make this interesting with words alone ( Read more... )

Now that Japanese class midterms are done, I have another long update, but it is complete with photos! Here is a teaser:

( Read more... )

I had seen the sign for it everyday on my way to and from school, right around Gotenyama Station. But I had no idea where Gotenyama Shrine actually was, until I got a clue to look up the hill. There is an in conspicuous path up the hill into a bed of trees I couldn't see beyond, and last week or so they put up lanterns in preparation for a festival ( Read more... )

As promised, this was also an eventful weekend, and as promised, I have pictures! 35 of them, in fact. This is a long entry, and it’s taken a long time to upload the photos.

( So you better enjoy it. )

Last FridayIt was Okaasan's birthday, so I made dinner. Thankfully I had brought some Shake 'n' Bake from home to use for making chicken, and thankfully I can read ingrediants well enough to figure out what was closest to pesto sauce (but had a lot more garlic). I made an important discovery about Japanese ovens: you can't bake in them. They're ( Read more... )

First major event of the day: checking my e-mail and seeing that my little brother was born and healthy. Yay! Happy Birthday, Sam! Though it was yesterday ( Read more... )