i will miss them

i knew something was up yesterday in mysore class, because the normal early people were coming late and the latecomers were early and the room was packed so much we could not fit any more students, which is unusual. and the "clubbing" people were up through 7am, also unusual for a monday. i asked some people if it was holiday today, and i was right. founders day.

after class, we went to dhaba india again (really the best indian food outside of india, and even gives india a challenge) and walked around ginza. we went to the imperial palace and park, which wasn't much to see, but it was a lovely day. might as well suck it up, cause its way cold back at home. then we couldn't decide what to eat and spotted a conveyer belt sushi joint right in the ginza train terminal. you can get 2 large pieces of sushi for under a US buck. and talk about fresh. the fish market is just up the road from there. so you can stuff yourself silly for under 10 bucks. the waiter gave us an english menu and helped us out, which is always a welcome gesture, especially at the conveyer belts. it's difficult sometimes. most places have green powder you put in a glass and fill with hot water to make tea, squeeze wasabi on your plate if you like, a box of fresh un-colored ginger, and the choices of fish,veggies and soy are endless. i am very conservative, so i stick to the tuna, salmon,eel and tofu. but jeff likes anything slimy or different. and along came his dream sushi-a combo of natto (his very favorite) and okra. he always has dessert of ikura (fish eggs), but after, along came monk fish liver. he was a happy man indeed.

sunday we went to a popular restaurant called fujimamas. and i felt like i was no longer in japan. expensive, asian inspired western food with gratuity tacked on the tab. one coke costs almost 6 bucks. had to charge it. but it was worth it. delicious.

and yesterday was firestarter with jackie and the cedrics and little elvis at lush, the same club we went to before for supersnazz and fifi's birthday. i decided to stay in, but jeff had a great time. members of jackie and the cedrics befriended him and told him "we must keep in touch." they will be coming to the states in may.

i slept in today, but the 2 hours i stole were wasted in dreams of being late for teaching. nothing but stress. oh well.

today's class was pretty big. i am going to miss the students. they are very hard working and kind. i will miss the "arrigato gozai mas" when they enter and exit the room. i will miss the lack of questions and no arguments. i will miss the discipline, the oh-so-very clean feet from bathing daily. i will miss them. very much.

and masami gifted me for the 5th time with chocolate cake and cash to go out to a fancy japanese restaurant. she leaves for china tomorrow and i won't get to see her before i leave. very generous, very kind.