The past week or so has been a hodgepodge of work and events. The weather has been alternating between cool and hot… so I’ve been enjoying my fortunate location near the sea. Here is a taste of what’s been going on…

Last weekend I went down to the pier and sat closer and closer to the water to play chicken with the waves. The wind and water were refreshing and I’ve ended up with a pretty impressive and awkward-looking tan on my forearms.

This is the view from the pier looking at the mountains. The odd-shaped buildings are Uozu’s buried-forest museum which I have yet to visit… another thing to add to the to-do list for the next month.

I’m spoiled to have an awesome conveyor-belt sushi place close by, it’s the best place for a quick meal that also happens to be insanely delicious thanks to our proximity to the sea.

I needed to get a wedding present, and having no idea what type of envelope/ how much to give I was generously helped by some kind ladies at the local convenience store. Turns out one of the ladies’ sons is one of my students! What a small world, or at least a small town!

Last weekend was a dance and music festival in Uozu! The night ended with these little lanterns spread out through the park.

Kind of a lonely image of the room where I have my Japanese lessons. Kind of hints at a more empty version of Vermeer’s room paintings.