Train Adventures

The inevitable occurred today...I got lost riding the train. It wasn't a big deal. Apparently it's happened to almost everyone, but let's be honest. If anyone was going to get lost her first time riding the train, it was definitely going to be me. Thankfully, Rob and I found our way without too much delay and gained some crucial knowledge about the JR (Japan rail) system. I don't know that I've ever seen two people get so excited when the loud speaker announced where we were going, and we were on the right train. I understood none of the Japanese, other than Kamatori, but that station name was all we needed to hear! As if we don't stick out enough, our widened eyes and ear to ear grins immediately distinguished us from the regulars, who somehow manage to fall asleep on the bumpy train ride. It was a fun adventure that, knowing me, will probably happen multiple times while I am here.

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to spend the whole day with a missionary family here that has three young boys. Probably the cutest kids in the entire world, no joke. They are all blonde and adorable, and we spent the day hiding from sea monkeys (whatever those are) and making huge forts with pillows and toy chests. I think I am going to have the opportunity to teach pre-school one day a week to their oldest son and maybe some other young Japanese children to give them some exposure to the American alphabet and give their mom a chance to connect with the Japanese mothers. Please pray for me in this endeavor! Also, yesterday was college night, and we all went to dinner at this delicious Japanese restaurant.

I am so in love with the food here, it was delicious! But more importantly, I was able to meet some really awesome people who I can't wait to learn more about! After dinner we all had some good laughs as we played a game called fishbowl. The language barrier made the game all the more fun; I didn't realize Japanese even has different sound effects than English does.

Tomorrow there is a talent show that the students at the school are putting on, and I'm so excited to see it! I'm just kind of living life day by day, and that's totally alright with me! Here are just a few more pictures of some random things that I thought were pretty cool:

This is the house that I am staying in. It's so nice and big, especially for Japan, and I absolutely love it! 

My main source of transportation here is my bike. It's good exercise, and it really helps me learn the layout of the streets here. I only use landmarks because obviously I can't read the signs, and most of the streets, besides the major ones, don't really have signs. But I am excited to report that I can ride solo to a few key locations, and I am so very thankful! It's the little things in life :)

 This is in Makuhari, not too far from where I am staying. There was some definite damage from the earthquake here, like this crack, but thankfully, at least in this location, not really any of the buildings were affected.

This is one of the walking paths, which are one of the best things about this place. They are large sidewalks that are everywhere that people use to ride bikes, walk to school or work, and exercise. They go through essential locations, so a person doesn't always have to cross a major intersection. I ride through this one almost everyday!

Please keep me in your prayers, y'all have no idea how much I appreciate you! Thanks so much :)