you know those killer hornets in japan...

well, they were flying all over the place during my welcome barbecue a few weekends ago. they were huge and nobody seemed to care - so i just drank more beer. anyway, the barbecue was a lot of fun - see some pics below.

the next day, i went to a sumo tournament in nagoya (also pics below) - with kit and my manager and another student. surprisingly, it was a lot of fun. we were yelling all sorts of things to cheer on our favorites. i just asked my manager who should be my favorite, then i would yell "kick his ass!!" or "gambatte" (good luck). we sat in these neat little areas with cushions. if people get pissed off enough at the match, they will throw their cushions at the stage. most of the tournament is consumed with ceremony and a little singing - wrestling only makes up about 10 percent of the whole affair. nevertheless, it was enjoyable, and something you have to do at least once.

so, i'm officially a foreigner - i got my alien registration card last week and my bank account and cell phone yesterday. internet will be coming soon - so, i can update this thing a bit more often.

i emailed most of you my new phone number and my phone's email address - if you didn't get it - email me and i will send it.

well, i miss everyone. i'm really enjoying myself in okazaki - going for an hour bike ride every morning, and getting myself lost and then found again. i find new great food everyday. and, stephanie will be here soon - in fukui city. i have a bit of a break coming up in august and i'm thinking of going to tokyo for a few days to visit friends, then going to a hot bath resort for a day or two. this weekend, i'm going cormorant fishing and maybe to a water park on monday - like splashtown or waterworld. i'll take pics. take care everyone.