Well, there's actually more, sort of a novel if you will, coming, but alas, I don't have time to write it right now. I would, however, like to share some moments from yesterday. A day in the life of a Japan ALT: I was called "wild" by a 9th grade girl for eating an apple without cutting it up. Tammy and I witnessed a (boys') game in a 9th grade classroom in which the loser was tackled by the other players, pinned down with a chair, and tickled until he couldn't breathe. The best part was that several teachers came in during this fiasco and, besides suggesting that they tone it down a bit, merely laughed and basically encouraged the game to continue. I ate Kraft macaroni and cheese for dinner - a gift from Nate's apartment when he moved to Tokyo. Now, this probably sounds better than it actually was. It expires in 3 weeks....think about it. How old does Kraft macaroni and cheese have to be if it EXPIRES in THREE WEEKS?! Needless to say, it was less than fresh... The best part of the day, though, and many days, are the moments when I realize that I just understood a conversation in Japanese. Granted, they're simple words, and I don't understand every word, but it is the BEST feeling in the world to realize that I didn't have to translate everything in my head. I just got it. It's not too common, but when it happens I feel like I'm on top of the world. Dewa, ima tsukareta. Ja mata ashita. Oyasuminasai (or however you spell that). (If I wrote it correctly: Well, now I'm tired, so I'll connect with you all tomorrow. Good night!)