So I started my BEST program this week. It went well. I was a little nervous about how it would go because we were short on members in both of my groups, but the kids were supercute and it was fun to play with them. It was difficult to communicate with them, though. I don’t understand Japanese that well sitting at the dinner table with my family. When you put me in a crowded classroom with 30 children screaming at the same time it becomes substantially more difficult for me to understand. But we were able to communicate well enough to introduce ourselves and help them make their passports. We only had a problem with one of the kids in my Tuesday session. One of the groups had a kid who when asked what his future dream was answered, “to kill and mutilate people”. A few minutes later he threw his pencil box across the room. I think maybe he needs to lay off the Japanese horror movies and manga and possibly get a little bit of counseling. Other than him, though, the kids were really good. So yeah, I’ve been really busy with BEST this week. Also, I have two midterms next week, which I need to start studying for. My Japanese language mid-term is 3 days long, which I think is a bit ridiculous, plus I have my politics midterm on the second day, so I have to memorize a bunch of random facts about Japanese Prime Ministers and factions. Should be a fun weekend. Last night, I was talking with my host mother about my family and I mentioned that my Grandpa was in Japan after WWII, during the occupation and that he loved Japan. She talked a little about what she thought of American soldiers when she was little (she was 8 when WWII ended) and she said that she had a good impression of them. So that was good to hear. Well, I need to go do some reading now, or more likely, go to the library with the intent of doing reading and end up talking to someone for the next 2 hours. I hope everyone is well. Peace. P.S.-Does anyone know if Everything is Illuminated has come out yet? I'm reading the book now and I really want to see the movie when I'm home. Movies are too expensive here. I also want to the Chronicles of Narnia cause I'm dorky like that.