Hisashiburi . . .

That means it's been a long time in Japanese. You say it when you see someone that you haven't see for a while . . . I realize that I have been a little absent the past few weeks, but it's been busy. The Center program has finally started full-bore, with morning and afternoon classes (4 hours a day) and tons of homework. Tonight I managed to finish my homework by 9, so I am using the evening to catch up on email, blog etc. I also made a yummy leek and potato soup for dinner, perfect for today's weather (rainy and cool). After all my complaints about the summer, it has very suddenly become fall here. I like it, though I could do without some of the rain!

Surprisingly enough, despite the long break, I don't have much new to report. My life in Japan has come to approximate my life in Madison. New people, but similar patterns. Work, homework, Starbucks, TV (Colbert, Stewart, Mad Men), sleep. This past weekend some people from the center had a pot luck - I actually didn't know them well (my friend Vanessa was invited and since we had had plans that night, brought me along) but it was really fun. And everything was vegetarian. And there was lots of wine!! This was my kind of potluck. It was great to get to talk to some people outside the center, especially since we were able to talk in English. The rest of the weekend I watched the debate (see below), did some grocery shopping, and did some work. I have an article to write and it's slow going - hard to find time to work on it with all the center homework. This weekend I signed up for field trip about archery as a shinto ritual (I think, I don't quite remember). It's in Kamakura which will be fun. I went there last summer (when these pics are from) - there are lots of beautiful temples, a giant buddha and sweet potato ice cream! My friends Vanessa and Will are going, so it should be a good time. I will take my camera and try to take some more interesting pics.

Food wise, things have been going well here. I have stuck to the same quasi vegetarianism that I practiced last summer. Eating no pieces of fish, but things with fish broth. Since we have a well stocked kitchen, I've also been cooking a lot, particularly stuff from this website. The lemony chick pea stirfry and the otsu are especially yummy. I have, however, been craving pizza. They do have some familiar names here (though not good) such as Shakey's and Domino's (and it's $24 for a medium!) and for your amusement, I thought I would share the English menu. Anyone care for some shrimp and mayonnaise pizza? How about mayo-tuna and corn? Yum! My roommate, Nikki, claims this conversation is making her mouth water . . .

Now, the debate. I thought Obama did well. Not amazing, but very well. I wanted to see him go after McCain a bit more, but I think since McCain was so cranky and grouchy (I believe Chris Matthews may have called him troll-like), it actually made Obama look better to be restrained - I think he definitely beat McCain on the attitude (of course, I also think he beat him on substance). Since this was supposed to be McCain's strongest debate, it says a lot that Obama came off strongly. Most importantly, he clearly came across as someone thoughtful and smart, a statesman with gravitas. I, of course, thought that Obama won the debate, but ever since my reaction to Sarah Palin compared with many other people (not my friends of course, but all those "normal" Americans), I have learned not to trust my own opinions. Still, most of the post debate polling seems to confirm that Obama did well. I particularly liked this exchange:



Wipe that smirk off your face grouchy man McCain!! I want more like this, where Obama is forceful and clear. Now, I am very curious to see how Biden/Palin goes . . . after the Katie Couric interview, Palin has got a LOT of work to do . . . .

What did you guys all think of the debate?