it's not life that matters but the journey...

I've added more photos from our trip to Nagano.   I took so many photos of the nature, including a little tiny green tree frog, which you can barely see because its the same color as the leaves on the hydrangea bushes.  Next to it is a cicada you can see in this picture: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/img005.jpg

Also, I took tons of pictures of the little village of Shinanomachi, which we drove through to reach the cabins where we stayed.  I fell in love with the little village, its so green and peaceful, like something out of an old movie or cartoon - old Japan.  The old houses used to have straw roofs, most of which have been covered by metal, but you can see how old they are when you walk by them.  you can see all of them at the site:  http://photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/

You can also see where we swam in the lake:  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/img014.jpg

and where we picked blueberries:  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/img015.jpg

There is a picture also of my former Japanese teacher, Mrs. Ogawa (she's on the right in the picture), and her friend, Fumie.  I will be teaching Mrs. Ogawa English from now on - private lessons.  She is my "japanese mother."  http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/laurafuji/img017.jpg

anyway, I plan to write some more about my recent teaching experiences later on.  but I've been on the computer all morning, so its time for a break.