Things are going well here. I feel like I'm getting busy. Last week I had a paper to do, this week I have a presentation and a few tests. Also, I'm starting the BEST program, which is where we go to a second grade class at a local elementary school, play games with the children to help them learn about foreigners and the international community. I think it'll be quite fun and a good experience. But somehow I got appointed group leader for two out of the three days, so I think it's going to be quite a bit of work. Today I have to run a meeting and explain the program and I'm supposed to be recruiting people. I don't generally like leadership positions because A.) you're responsible when other people flake or screw up and B.) you have to boss people around, which I don't like. I think this will be okay though. I'll let you know once the program starts next week. It'll be fun to play with the kids and see what a second grade class is like here, as opposed to my mom's class at home. My last weekend was good, I went to a coastal town with Sarah on Saturday. We went there to see the Mikasa, which is one of only 3 historical ships in the world. It was used in the Russo-Japanese war. Her uncle is big into old war ships, so we went and took pictures/bought souveneirs. Then we hung out in the town and did some shopping. I bought a couple of sweaters because it's starting to get cold here and I'm realizing that I didn't bring very many winter clothes. I'll have to layer it up, I guess. The town had a U.S. Navy base, so as we were walking around we kept seeing American flags, Navy souveneirs, English signs, signs saying that bars accepted dollars as well as yen...it was kind of crazy. The American Navy people sort of infected the entire area. I guess that's why people don't want us setting up shop in their countries, we come in and americanize everything. I got hit on by a really strange Japanese man, he kissed my hand Barasel-style(that's an inside joke many of you won't get). But it was a fun trip, all in all. Other than that, I just hung out, went for coffee and worked on the mountains of reading I have to do. If any of you reading this have good Thanksgiving recipes, please let me know. My host family is having a Thanksgiving dinner and I'm supposed to provide the recipes. They keep asking me for a turkey recipe...is there a recipe for turkey? I thought you just stuffed it, basted it, stuck it in the oven and didn't let it burn, but perhaps I'm oversimplifying. So yeah, in a few weeks I'll be experiencing Thanksgiving in Japan, it should be interesting. It's kind of a weird holiday for them to celebrate, what with the whole pilgrim-indian theme, but I guess they started celebrating to make their exchange students feel at home, which is nice. Well, I have to go run a BEST meeting now, but I hope all of you reading this are doing well. Aunt Snookie, I hope you get well soon! How's the weather in the States? Cold enough yet? I'm glad none of you are in France right now...crazy, huh?