Another one bites the dust..

Ever since I came to Hitachi, I have been so happy with the group of gai-jin friends I have here. But for gai-jin, Japan is a place of coming and going. I've had to say goodbye to 3 really great friends I've made here. Although I know I'll see them again, it still isn't the same in Hitachi without them. So...to Rach, Syl and Matt -- Kanpai! and Matane because I know we'll see each other again.

On a happy note....I had Rachel and her boyfriend Rossen stay at my apartment this weekend. They came mainly because Sylvia is leaving. Rachel is back in Japan to live with her boyfriend in Osaka. It was awesome having them here and I really enjoyed having some company in my lonely little apartment. :P I am really happy because I'll see them both in 2 weeks when my brother and Gilly come to visit. Rachel has kindly offered to allow us to stay with them for 2 nights.

This weekend was a good one because it's the first in a while where i've felt somewhat normal and less mono-ey. I got to go to Karaoke on Saturday to sing my little heart out and then went to a Japanese ballet recital on Sunday with my student/friend Wakana. The recital was very interesting for me because I wanted to compare it to what is done in Canada for recitals. The main differences are as follows: 1) the recital was free to attend but the dancers had to pay about 70,000 Yen (the equivalent of about $700 CAD); 2) The costumes were so beautiful and expensive looking and were all exquisitely designed tutu's; 3) a lot of the dance numbers lasted for a minute or less (a waste of a beautiful and expensive costume if you ask me; 4) they only do 1 recital every 2 years.

Here are some pictures from the weekend's events: