Sukiyaki

It seems like my postings lately have been pretty hollow. I could chalk it up to being slammed at work and busy organizing myself for my move back to Reno, but I think there is a more likely culprit: Japan isn't new to me any more. I don't get so excited about seeing new and strange things because, well, these things no longer seem new or strange.

For example, last night I was invited into a Japanese home for dinner. Granted, it's been a long time since I've been in the house of a Japanese person, but I've been in Japanese homes before. Dinner was fabulous (we had sukiyaki) and little cakes for dessert.

The bubbling pot of mushrooms, beef, tofu, onions, and noodles in a broth of mirin, soy sauce, and sugar

Sukiyaki bites are dipped in raw egg before being eaten (very tasty!)

A lovely swan cream tart

And then on the way in to work I managed to snap a shot of a kindergarten bus. If you could see inside you'd see seats full of small children in sailor suits and hats (just like Madeline!).

Perhaps before I leave I can work on regaining my sight and learning to see my surroundings with renewed (and not tired) eyes.