It's been a while...

Since I've posted any good pics. Here are a few to tickle your fancy.

Our friend Cara had a birthday party last weekend that we got all dressed up for. 80's!!!

Sport's day at Kiire Junior High...

Ben gave me a little tour of the inside of the school, and this bulletin board was outside the nurse's room...

It explains the bad cycle that students need to try not to get into... (click on the picture, and you can take a closer look...) basically, it's telling you not to get into the bad habit of staying up late playing video games, because then you won't get any sleep, and you'll be tired all the time, and won't be "regular" and will have stomach aches...

Unko ga denai!!!

Ben's principal, Koucho Sensei threw a big "Enkai" (party) after sports day. All the teachers came, and amongst all the introductions, speeches, eating, and drinking, Koucho Sensei showed us his huge Shochu collection. This set was actually MAdE at the Jr. High he worked at previosly to Kiire. MAdE there!! The labels are actually drawings done by the students. Veeery interesting.

This weekend, we participated in a "soft volleyball" tournament with all of Ben's city office co-workers, only a few of whom are foreigners. Each team was comprised of mostly Japanese, and then a couple of Gaijin to spice things up.

I sat out for one game because our team had one too many players and was able to capture some of the formality of the games... Before starting, and after finishing a game, you must bow to the opposing team...

Then approach the net for a sportsman-like shake...

We were all tired after the many games we played... although none of the teams with our fellow foriegners won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or any top ranking position for that matter...

At the BIG Kagoshima Office Enkai after our Volleyball day. We sat at tables with our teammates, and the winning teams were rewarded with hug bottles of shochu or sake...
Cara and I...

Coolest Boss Ever... Taniguchi Sensei!