Sometimes learning happens in the most unexpected ways. I must admit that I have been somewhat intimidated by a written language that is very foreign to me (Japanese). I have been afraid to push buttons and experiment with the GPS Navigation in my car, the controls on my washer/dryer (that's right, they are combined into a single unit), TV, my computer (this blog).

So here is the lesson: I watched one evening with awe as a colleague from work started pushing buttons on my car navigation to find a route to a restaurant where we were to meet some of our friends for dinner. There was no fear. I thought "if he can do it, so can I." Ever since then, I have been a little bit braver and I have begun experimenting with "pushing buttons." As a result, I figured out how to get past the block (excuse) I have been hiding behind for the past 6-weeks.

As a result of this learning experience, I am ready for my first new post since arriving in Nagoya, Japan on August 2. There is a lot to catch up on but time is precious for everyone so I will try to compress and hit the highlights... and I promise to do better in the future.

So, here we go... Yes, that is who you think it is, Colonel Sanders-san. That's right, you noticed that I added something to the Colonel's name; different from the way you recognize it, no doubt. Respect for people is extremely important in Japanese culture. This respect manifests in the language. The phrase "san" is added to end of one's last name as a sign of respect. The familiar form of this is to add "san" after your friend's first name. You never add it to your own name; that would be arrogant.

Upon my arrival in Nagoya, I stayed in the Nagoya Hilton for just over a month. But I am now in an apartment and it is beginning to feel a little more like home every day. The weather is very different here than in Arizona. It is very hot and VERY humid in the summer but the weather is beginning to break a little and the evenings are quite pleasant.

This is the real deal. Nagoya Castle is in the distance across the moat. I have not yet ventured onto the grounds but hope to do so soon.

Nagoya has a central corridor that is very high-rent called Sakae (sak-i). There is a very beautiful park that runs right down the middle and guess what it is called? You guessed it. "Central Park." There are all kinds of things going on there like bands and booths. One very famous land mark in this area is the TV Tower.

As promised, this post is short but I will post more in the very near future. I hope to hear from all of you soon. Think of your email reply to this blog as a care package. I'd love to hear from you and will answer everyone who is brave enough to "push the button."