- Nice thing about being white is that people have low expectations for my Japanese skills, so they're like "OH MY GOD YOU'RE SO AMAZING!!!!!!" Less nice but still hilarious are the blatant double-takes on the street. Think one lady even took my picture.

- So very rainy here in Kyoto. My shoes keep getting soaked. Got particularly wet when Matt left us waiting on the Shijo Bridge for half an hour last night. On the bright side, I got well acquainted with the Kamo River.

- Had amazingly mindblowing ramen last night. Best broth ever. Also went to Izakaya with Matt and his KCJS buds, and they had crab cream croquette, aka my favorite junk food ever. Entered nirvana.

- Have only seen Fushimi Inari shrine so far because of the weather, but liked it. So many gates!

- Watched both Onmyoji movies with Melissa, and now she is in love. We're going to the Seimei shrine today.

And that's about it so far! What is everyone up to?