2016-07-10, Good Surprises

I didn't have any plans this weekend so I started off by shopping for vegetables and going to my Japanese class.  I hadn't been there since March 26 because I've been so busy with other things.  I really enjoy it, but it's in the middle of Saturday afternoon so if there are other things going on I have to give it up.  Unfortunately they take off for the month of August (when I probably won't be out much because of the heat) so I'll go next week and then not until September.  Oh well.

Around 6 or 7 I had a call from Shioli asking me what I was doing (nothing) and did I want to go and see some fireworks (of course I did!!!!).  I like fireworks even more than flowers!  We didn't know if there would be food booths so I had dinner before she came (unfortunately because there were many, many booths with unbelievably good smells all around us).  We parked at the shopping mall and walked about 20 minutes.  It was very crowded and unfortunately we didn't have a great view because of all the trees but it was still a great, hour long show. 

Mata rainen (see you next year)

It was VERY crowded.

Shioli LOVES bananas!

On Friday I came across a flyer for an origami and tea class at the international lounge.  Emily decided to brave the heat (she hates heat like I hate cold) and join me.  It was fun, as all the classes there are.  The staff are so nice - especially to come into work on a Sunday morning a few times a year to hold these classes.  We each got some origami instructions and there were people to help since it's not exactly easy to follow those instructions!

We had green tea and sweets as well.

We stopped at the gallery space next door where they were having an exhibition of different types of artwork.

This is made from paper.

As are these.

These are made from different types of metal.

Again from paper.

Some of these gourds are painted, some are carved.

Bamboo lamps.

Emily was done with the heat (the International lounge only had fans) so she went home, but I decided to get some cold udon for lunch.  Yum.

And then a little detour to my favorite road near the castle, I hadn't been near the castle in a while.

See the cranes and egrets on the tops of the trees?

Once home I took a shower and started to prepare for tomorrow's dinner - I'm cooking for Emily and Erin.  It's the 2nd week of our 'community dinner' - we'll each take 1 Monday per month and cook for the others.  Then I sat down in the air conditioned room to watch a Korean drama and decide what to make for tonight's dinner.  But Cindy called and asked if I'd go to dinner with her and her husband.  My 2nd very nice surprise of the weekend.  We went to a place near me - but a place I haven't been - and then to a cafe for coffee and dessert (pancakes which are considered dessert here).

And tomorrow is Monday... can't wait to see what comes up for next weekend!