Sept. 24

Brett Clements, who studied abroad here at USP a few years ago, visited Hikone today, so Ayame, Rei and I went to dinner with him. It was a small CC reunion. We ate at an Indian restaurant down Bell Street. It's quite lovely at night with lights strung up in the shape of bells. I'm enjoying these last few free days though I am looking forward to having some structure and having something to do. Thursday is orientation and classes start Friday.

(Attached are photos from today. Photo credit goes to Ayame)

Sept. 25

We were taken to city hall to take care of a few things today. Though it should have been a fairly uneventful day, it wasn't so...

I went to the convenience store in the morning, and halfway home I realized I didn't have my phone. I searched frantically both retracing my steps twice and thoroughly searching my apartment. Not a great way to start the day, I must say. I have had this phone for three years and have never lost it. Wouldn't it just be my luck to lose it in another country? It never occurred to me to file a report that it was missing because in America I would have cut my losses and got a new phone, but the woman who took us to city hall took me to the police station to see if someone had turned it in or found it. Lo and behold, someone had turned it in. It was an emotional roller coaster of a day, and I missed out on taking a few pictures, but I'm so very glad to have my phone back.