Small update! Sakura usher in Spring.
March was a laid-back month, though still quite chilly this year. Some of the things I did included: Going to Dai & Yuka's. Olivia, Yuka and I made cookies and chatted, and Dave played golf with the guys then assisted in eating the cookies! ;) We all played cards before going home! I think the game was call rich man, poor man or something like that in Japanese. In March, I finally went to Spa World and to watch a friend's band on the same day in Osaka. We also said good-bye to many Interac ALTs in the middle March, including Maria and Andrew, Justin and Martin, and Emily. After the last ALT meeting for the school year, a bunch of us went out to Sara for a delicious all-you-eat-and-drink-dinner. Then we went to A-bar and karaoke. I met this girl Elisa that was totally cool the lost her number when my phone broke! She moved up to Sendai, I think. I also met a lot of other cool ALTs who were unfortunately leaving Japan.
I had a really long break this year, almost 3 weeks! At the end of March, I went to visit my sister near Yokohama. It was an eventful trip. My sister introduced me to Zumba. It is an aerobic work-out where you combine dance moves from all different styles of dance. I love the latin and african ones. We finally went out in Roppongi Hills together. Among other places, we went to Gaspanic and Bar Mania. We got free drinks there and go to talking to the Brazilian owner an Polish bartender. The nightlife there is very different than here in Kyoto, and in my opinion, a lot less stunted and reserved. It was very international, too. Though, Kyoto is international, too. I also went to Kamakura and Enoshima Island for sightseeing. Oh, and we had this giant burgers in Kamakura! They were deliciously huge!
Then on March 30th, Dave and I headed off to northern Kyushu. We got back to Kyoto on Saturday, the 5th. That Sunday back in Kyoto, we went to a lunch in Daigo with Olivia and Osamu with Guia and her family. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom! We were all impressed with Guia's filipino cooking! That week, I started my new contract. I also went out to an enkai with Dave and teachers at Hiyoshi in honor of Emily's return home. Dave, Dave, Emily and I went to the Starbucks in Gion for a little while after, too
On Saturday the 12th, I went out with Julia to Sam & Dave's. I was glad we went out because the night before they'd gone out, but I was tired and stayed in. We had drinks by the river, ginger-flavored Smirnoffs to be exact, then went to the Mushroom Bar, where we got free champagne! At S&D, we also got drinks for free all night because Julia knows the bartender, who also happens to be called Sam! The next day, Dave and I headed to Cento Cento Cafe for the lunch special. I was very hungover to be honest and could barely stomach my food, which was a shame because it was lovely. That week, I stopped by Lindsey's for tea and cake. We also played Portal. She was very busy with her play.
The next weekend on the 18th, I went to a barbecue in Northern Kyoto with Yukari and Nicola. That night I went out for Thai food with Christine and friends. Dave came out later and we went to A-bar for a little while, too. That Sunday, Olivia and I made delicious cookies, then we met Yukari at Toho Conemas and watched My Blueberry Nights starring Jude Law and Norah Jones. It's by a famous director called Wong Kar Wai. This is his first crossover film, but it wasn't very impressive! I liked the cinematography, though. I guess that Wong Kar Wai is famour for his cinematography. I need to see some of his more highly esteemed films. Also, I want to see films by the director of Infernal Affairs, later remade into The Departed. That Monday, I had a great dinner with Olivia, Osamu and their friend. On Thursday, Olivia and I met for the quiche lunch at Papa Johns on Karasuma-dori.
