Today was seemingly productive. I went to Fukuoka to meet up with a friend and then traversed the Yodobashi Camera by Hakata station, picking up a "refill" of blank CD-Rs - probably the last 50 pack I will need until I return home.

Upon returning to Kokura, I had kaitenzushi and Smiley (we call him that because he is always smiling, unless something has gone terribly wrong at his establishment) gave me a discount coupon for a future visit. I'm pretty sure to return frequently next week, as I've become a bit lazy about cooking again and I'm on a sushi fix once again. For under 10 dollars, six or seven plates of sushi (2 pieces each) really isn't all that bad.

"Tokyo Sora" is on DVD now. I was initially interested because Yoko Kanno did the score for it. I looked at the DVD case while at Riverwalk's HMV store and noticed that it has English subtitles. Further internet searching revealed an interesting plotline, so I'm looking to rent it when I can.

I went to Whistle (a chain DVD/CD/GAME store) and looked for it, but to no avail. "Returner" and "Ping Pong" also have English subs, but there were only two copies of each and both were rented out.

Tomorrow I am back at Tahara for three weeks. Morizono-sensei called me up while I was returning from Whistle, asking me about tomorrow's lessons. I have three with the 3-nensei and I won't know about the others until I return. I'm pretty sure some self-introductions will ensue with the soon-to-be-surprised 1-nensei.

Last week at Chiyo I said "Hello!" to some 1-nensei during souji, and they just stared at me like I was insane. Once I pointed at myself, smiled and said "...Eigo", then they proceeded to nod and say "I see" in their own silly ways.

My mood has followed suit with the weather. Seeing new 1-nensei kids is great too, and seeing all the other students doing handsprings once again is a good thing. Spring is here to stay finally.

I started packing "non-necessities" into boxes to ship home. That, for some reason, included the US PS2 I have with me, in addition to a batch of games and more. Winter clothes. Recently-purchased action figures. Bits and pieces.

I'm getting excited, but why should I be? I'm going back to the Extreme Unknown Of It All again. I suppose that I am so used to moving around - each time opens itself up to some new challenge.