I am SO happy and relieved.  I finished the paper I've been stressing over all week, but now it is complete and has been submitted!

It's great news because I can now take a small breather to enjoy life a little this weekend.  I really want to view the cherry blossoms in a beautiful location.

Yesterday, I walked to school and noticed the sakura are starting to bloom.  I'm glad they didn't all blow away in the crazy typhoon like conditions that hit Japan two days ago.

I had no idea the winds were so strong.  I came home from a party and could barely walk outside.  I got drenched.  I never realized how painful rain could be.

If I had only known ...

Thank goodness the weather is much better today.

The sunsets in Japan are beautiful.  

Every evening from my balcony, my room is lit up with red from the sun.

The weather is still cold outside though. I saw snow fall a couple of times, but as April approaches, the weather will start to get warmer and the cherry blossoms will soon bloom.  

I can't wait for it to be warmer.  I'm definitely a summer girl.

I really love being in Japan.  I feel grateful to be here.  I only hope an earthquake does not happen while I'm here!   

Miso Katsu - Nagoya, Japan

After not leaving my room for a week to finish my paper, I realized I needed a break.  I had to enjoy myself or else it might impair my ability to continue writing, so I decided to eat tonkatsu and shop at G.U. with J.

After all, today is commencement (April 1st) for our school, so I was up early anyway.

Everyone raves about tonkatsu in Japan.  Here in Nagoya, miso katsu is famous, which is no different than tonkatsu except there's miso on it.  The miso sauce they use tastes incredible ...

I tried some miso katsu today (finally) and it was AMAZING!  I had to wait an hour to eat at this place, but it was so worth it.  I think this might be my new favorite place ...

You crush the goma (sesame seeds) and put it on your tonkatsu ...

Rice with radish leaves ... It was GREAT!

A real deal dessert ...

For 200 Yen more, I get a parfait with my meal.  It had green tea ice cream, whip cream, cereal, a pocky stick, and some azuki beans in it.

I can't believe how much food I ate though. I felt like I was going to explode.  I didn't want to waste food though, so I decided I might as well eat whatever I could.  Next time, I'll have to be the crazy foreigner who brings a Tupperware to save my food.