Cabbage and Cotton Candy

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Lena-san's school during their Cultural Festival. It is an agricultural High School, so unlike my students, these teenagers are growing things, making jam, smoking pork, canning fish and raising animals.

It was so fantastic to see the (literal) fruits of their labors. When I have an extended conversation in English with my students, there is a lot of pride in their eyes. But it was nothing compared to what I saw today when one of Lena's students showed us the massive cabbages she grew herself. We can all treasure the swell of pride a person experiences when they have grown something to feed themselves, their family or others. It is one of our most basic and fundamental forms of productivity. It is so nice to see these teenagers' growing knowledge of self-sustenance (is that the right word?), rather than learning how to best serve the commercial market as a trendy consumer.

I really enjoy my students. They are intelligent, witty and passionate. But I wish a few of them knew how to make me jam. Selfish, really.

Leif, Lena and I ate hot dogs, cotton candy, sampled pork, tried delicious little cookies, pet bunnies, rode horses, said "hello" and "it is nice to meet you" many many many many many times.

Last night, before a party with two JTEs and Tom, I hung white Christmas lights in my room. I am feeling quite at home.
The heat is on.
I have laundry hanging from my balcony.
New music is playing.
The dishes are clean, and it is almost time to go to sleep.

I hope you are wearing slippers where you are. Don't ever forget how great slippers can be.