Has it been two years already?

I just realized this weekend that I have been back in Japan now for two years. I guess the anniversary passed by unnoticed as its also the anniversary of all the NOVA finality from last year, but as I look back now I'm truly amazed at all the things I've been through these two years. I had expected coming back to Japan would make everything easy, but its been really hard dealing with all the problems. Thankfully I'm happier today than I was three years ago when I wasn't sure I would ever get back to Japan. Today I have so much more than I had then, and even though work and life are incredibly hard, I have so much to be thankful for.

Tonight I decided to finally watch last years NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen. The program is a famous song contest that airs live every New Years Eve which has two teams of singers singing the biggest songs in Japan over the past year. I had planned on watching it live as I usually do, but I ended up being invited to a party at the last minute that day, and I just never had time to watch it until today. Its a pretty interesting show as it combines jpop stars with those of the enka world. Enka is kind of similar to country music in the US. Its a very enjoyable show, although some of the enthusiasm is pushed a little too much at times.

The picture above by the way is from my trip to Shosenkyo last October. This is the waterfall at the top of the climb of the gorge. The pic was taken from my cell phone so its not the best quality but I wanted to post it here to show a little of the area I live near.

This week I have to get ready for another special lesson for my adult classes. This time I'm doing a movie activity lesson. I think I will be much more prepared for this one then my Wii night back in February. The only problem is, what to show? I'm thinking of showing a old "Three Stooges" short, but that could be both a good thing and a bad one one. We will find out soon how it goes.

Not much else is going on. Since its a busy time right now, I'm just resting and playing games. It's good though, as it doesn't cost me any money, and its good to save now. And hopefully this week at work will be a good one. I need a good week.