Working on a script...

Yes, I can read this...can't you?

Lorry, working on the presentation.

My hotel...the Grand Prince.

CS...it is a huge shrimp or prawn and I did try to eat it. However, it had a lot of grit on it...so I didn't make it very far.
TM...found the Pocky!
LF...Yes, in some homes and in our ryoken there are separate slippers for the bathroom. From what I have seen, they are shared. It keeps that bathroom germs in the bathroom, I guess.
LF...my group, the Tama group, was about an hour west of Tokyo, so we rode a bus. Around Tokyo and Tama, I have taken several subways and trains. Some of the groups had to fly or take bullet trains to their destination.
CS...the volleyball coach at the Jr. High school was really, really tall. Much taller than any teacher or student. He said he was "asked" to coach volleyball and being a first year teacher he said "YES, SIR." He said he doesn't know anything about volleyball and feels pretty awkward coaching it.


Interestingly enough, and this won’t surprise you die-hard blog fans, I am going to miss the Grand Prince Hotel and it’s amazing toilets. Yep, I didn’t tell you that the toilets make a loud water sound when you sit. I guess it is to “discreetly” cover any other sounds. I will also miss having my bed made everyday and my towels washed. Hmmm… I know none of that will happen on my next Historical Adventure to Columbia University on July 6. Stay tuned for that!

Today, we had an art lesson. The owner/curator of the Tokyo Toy Museum led a discussion on the lack of true play time for children. We looked at some of the pre-TV and pre-video game toys and made a few.

A professor from Sophia University discussed the education system in Japan and made comparisons to the US and other countries.

I received an email from my host family. They used a translator on the web and did a good job. They said they were happy I was with them and they know that the experience was especially good for their little girl. Me too.

I had a chance to really go through my luggage. The weight restrictions are worrying me a bit. We were only allowed one suitcase and a carry-on on the way over. The suitcase could not weigh more than 50 pounds. Mine weighed in at 49.5. We are allowed to bring back two suitcases, so I had placed a duffel bag in my big suitcase. It is full and I wish it were bigger. I may be “carrying-on” a lot.

Lorry, Caroline, and I have been working on the group presentation since this afternoon. Lorry is a film teacher in Florida and is very talented. She has on her competitive face and is bound and determined that our presentation will be the best….and it is already. So, it is 12:54 am and I’m ready to go to bed. Last night, it was 3 am before I went to bed.

So, night-night.