And they called her "Painting, Wise, Flower"

So I have a Japanese name now. I think I'll get it tatooed on my shoulder. Last night, my fellow housemates and I spent a long time talking about the importance of names in Japan. I've really been impressing them, Jessica, with the phrases you taught me. It's come quite in handy. It's amazing how we communicate--usually in very broken French with a few English words and a couple of Japanese phrases thrown in here and there. But SOMEHOW it works.

Last night was the first night of my stay here where I haven't felt some twinge of loneliness. I think that's because I'm finally starting to connect with the people around me. Friendships are such a wonderful thing.

I've now made it through my first week of school in a foreign country. It starts at 8:30 every morning, Monday through Friday. Oh! Woe is me! Friday?! Since when do I have class on a Friday? And since when have I dared to take a class at 8:30? Ah, but I can tough it out for a year, don't you think? The classes have been quite an eye opener. I've got classmates in there from China, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Australia, Thailand, and the Caymon Islands. Sheesh. Who would have thought?

And, for those of you who don't know, my dad has a job now in Arlington, Texas! They still don't know when they can go back to New Orleans to pick up some of our belongings. Everything is still kind of up in the air. But, man, life sure does take a turn sometimes.