March News

So, life has been going pretty well lately. Grad school is more amazing than I expected. The only downside I see is that I started with the 2 classes that interested me most and I'm worried the next ones will be a disappointment. The class on terrorism is my favorite. The great thing about these types of classes is that I'm not just gaining knowledge of isolated, unrelated events. Everything I learn I am able to apply to what I hear and see on the news everyday. Not only are my views changing on certain issues, but I'm able to see things from different perspectives and really scrutinize the news. I no longer feel like I have to simply believe everything I read in the paper. I know enough to ask the right questions and realize when the information I'm reading is probably flawed...which is often. So, as you can see, I'm still loving my classes (and doing well, all A's on everything!)

This past weekend was fun. Saturday started with our St. Patrick's Day parade in Ise. Two of my 4th grade students were there and I made them do an Irish dance with me! I'll post a picture after I download them, maybe next week. Then on Sunday, Shun and I had made plans to play tennis with another couple we're friends with. It ended up being 8 people for an entire afternoon of sports. We played tennis, soccer, and threw a baseball around. I had a great time!! We've already planned to do it again this weekend. It was seriously the most fun I've had in a very long time.

Soon I'll be leaving for my trip to India (14 days) and Nepal (4 days), leaving Japan on March 20th. I'm going with my friend Erica. Still not exactly sure what all we'll be doing there, but I know it will be amazing. India was one of the top 5 countries that I wanted to visit. I can't wait to see the Taj Mahal. Expect to see lots of pictures of it! Not sure what the internet situation will be like there, but I'll post if I can.

The only downside to my trip is....it's during the NCAA tournament! Do you think people in India are big college hoops fans? Maybe I'll introduce the nation to the amazingness that is Carolina!

Tomorrow is my Junior High's graduation ceremony and next week is my elementary's. I'm really sad to see my 3rd year students go. I'll really miss them, some more than others of course! I think it's actually one of the hardest parts of teaching for me. I get really attached to my kids. I hate to see them go. This year I gave some of them my email address, so hopefully at least a couple will keep in touch.

In job news, still no news. I'll probably be here another year. I'm going to take my last year here to really travel around Japan. I'll probably only do one big international trip, as well as try to come home one time.

Alright, it's late and I need to go to bed. Sorry if there are lots of typos. I'm really sleepy.

I love and miss you all......and Go Tarheels!!!!!!!!