Afternoon is the loneliest time.

Afternoon is the loneliest time. Especially because now is when I have the time to sit down and talk because I have about an hour and a half to kill before going out for dinner, and it’s 4 am where y’all are. It really sucks. After I try to get all of my housing settled out I think I might start going to the inkai for the late shift so that I can Talk to people in the morning. But for now we have to get started in the morning to get everything accomplished.

Did I mention on my drive yesterday that we saw a dead snake on the side of the road? I have pictures, but my camera cord is packed away somewhere, so I don’t think I’ll be uploading anything until next week after I can unpack. During my drive I also almost hit a few baby birds who decided that the middle of the road was the perfect place to learn how to fly, a crab, and a large shell (snail or hermit crab, couldn’t tell which one). And yes, the wind was horrendoius, so walking out to the end of the cape was kinda scary. I wouldn’t go out to the edge by myself, but when Mike and Nick came with me it was really pretty and neat. The waves were at least 3 feet high, but waaaay below us on the cliffs. It was the first instance where it really hit my brain that I was on an ISLAND. It really made me respect the ocean, it being literally on about 300 degrees of all sides.

Also there’s this old legend of this local woman who was in love with the lord of Miyako and couldn’t be with him so she threw herself on the cliffs there. There was a shrine set up in her name. And a giant rock that was thrown up there about 300 years ago by a tsunami. I’m told I shouldn’t worry about tsunami though. If it’s a small one, no worries. If it’s a big one, no worries. Very dark humor, but I get the idea.

After the boys went to expensive dinner, and I went to the combini for a 200y meal so that I could afford the 1600y Transformers movie ticket. It was out of focus, and the sound was wired funny, and it was a small theature, but it was Transformers, so I was happy. I don’t think I’ll be taking Leo there when he comes.

Today I got up EARLY, then realized that I didn’t have to get up for another hour, which stunk. But after a productive hour at the inkai (I was coping down my schedule of schools in the planner) Nick picked me up and we went to see my last 3 schools. It was nice, and in most of those smaller schools I have English rooms. The A/C, you ask? What A/C, says I. But we can open the windows and I may get a fan for the ones that I actually have a classroom for, to put right next to the window and oscillate around the room.

Next we picked up Teresa and met Mike at this Chinese place that was not back, but everything was less than 480 a plate for the lunch special and the portions were huge. I could have easily packed up ½ and taken it home before I started, but I didn’t. The egg drop soup was made with what tasted like cream corn. It was divine.

We dropped Teresa back off at the inkai to finish her day’s work and we started out to one of the not so pretty beaches so that we could just walk around a bit, it’s still too windy for volley ball. (apparently another typhoon is hitting Ishigaki Island, but missing us) But we never made it. I got pulled over.

It was really confusing because he just had his lights on and was speaking over the loud speaker and I couldn’t understand him, but when I did pull over he asked for my license, which was fine. Turns out my brake light was out. So we went directly to the hardware store. Nick bought me new lights and changed it out for me. I also bought a toilet seat converter while I was there. I’m so happy with that purchase. Justin already has a converter, which has been lovely, but Nick has a Japanese style toilet, which is not. I can, and have, use them, but I really prefer to be able to sit down. Especially in the middle of the night.

We also drove around and set up the gas to be put in my name starting on Saturday, and I went to the two video rental places and got rental cards. Weeeee. They had Happy Feet. I thought about renting it, but I think I should wait until next week. When I should theoretically have more time to sit on my bum. Which, surprisingly enough was the name of one of the teachers I met at the beach the other day. Bum, as in your bottom. He teaches at a private school.

So, today was adventurous. We made it back to the airport in time to greet Amy and David (DAH-vid, he’s German :D), whose plane was about an hour late. Winds, again. And now we’re gonna take them out to soba later, which is less than 500y a head, which is nice. Apparently a big bowling party will ensue on Saturday.

Mmmmm, that’s it for me. More later, I guess. Party on.