Nothing too much (TOO MUCH)

I know everyone assumes that our lives here are filled with adventure and sheer awesomeness. That every weekend we are doing something new and fun-filled. WELL... let me be the first to tell you... thats not 100% true. . . Maybe 80% :)

The last few weeks have actually been quite calm for the young Washburn lovers. Thayne has started a new weekly job, having an English conversation lesson with a Dr. Nagatomi. He lives in Wasada Town (about 7km - 4.3miles away on bike). He also recently had an exam in one of his online classes (20th Century Lit). Normally there would have been no (EXTRA) concern but there was a big problem getting the book for this class, which started in January. After ordering the book in December, and 3 separate problems the book finally arrived on February 21st. The exam was March 5th. There were 16 chapters of in-depth music analysis and other boring things. After MUCH studying he passed both of his test with a 96 and 100. YAY!

Last weekend a JET (ALT) friend, Kelsey, was in our area and stayed the night with us. In the morning we rode our bikes to Wasada Town, a shopping mall\area. We had a nice time but were exhausted from the ride. The next weekend both Thayne and Erika took a trip back out to Wasada town, and further, to try to find a restaurant Kelsey suggested: "Stephen's Pizza". We rode around totaling about 7 miles... but were unable to find it. (We know where it is now!)

We've been watching a lot of movies and spending a lot of time just enjoying each others company.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Thayne will be at work at the PreSchool but Erika will be attending a JET Pancake Brunch. Many of the ALT's will be getting together making breakfast foods! (Thayne is EXTREMELY sad about this since breakfast is his FAVORITE!).

Starting the 20th of March we will being the annual charity Bike-ride. We will be bicycling around our prefecture (county) as charity for Room To Read (supporting the building of schools\library's in struggling countries). We will be cycling for 3 days and just under 300 km (186 miles). We are very excited about this trip. (this is why we've been cycling to Wasada town so much - training!)

The weekend after that (27th) will start the Sakura (cherry blossom) viewing. In Japan it is tradition for friends\family to get together, bring a picnic and go sit with the cherry blossoms.

We are also getting pumped about our Golden Week (vacation) where we will be taking two weeks and traveling to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. (End of April- Beg of May).

Hope everyone is well!

PS; we have made our decision that we WILL be returning to Tampa in the summer. (aug-ish). Looking forward to see you all soon.