I've been enjoying my time off. I've been able to spend some days relaxing and do some fun things, too. I was finally able to talk with some of my friends and extended family on Skype (I'm usually at work during the times when it's easiest for most people in America to talk online), so that was nice. I miss the rest of you who I haven't been able to talk to!

On Saturday night, I met up with some of the other JET teachers from my region and we went out for drinks. We went out to an izakaya (a type of bar that also serves food) called the Lockup. This was different from normal izakayas in that it has a futuristic prison theme. At the front of the restaurant, we were greeted by a host in a military uniform. After we entered the restaurant, we had to go through a small mirrored maze, complete with wrong turns and a couple creepy haunted house type surprises, to get to the seating area. At the seating area, a woman dressed in a police outfit brought us to our table. If our party had been smaller we would have been seated inside a jail cell, but we had seven people, so we were seated in the area for larger parties of people. We began ordering drinks and food. The specialty drinks at the Lockup are fun because they're all served in beakers and test tubes. Another special experience at the Lockup an event that happens every couple of hours. The lights randomly go off and black lights turn on. An emergency message is played saying that "monsters" have broken loose in the restaurant. Employees in monster suits then proceed to run through the restaurant and surprise the customers. It was a pretty amusing experience. Our group had a fun time and I think we'd be willing to go back again. You can check out my pictures from this interesting experience here!

I also got the chance to hang out with two of my friends from America during my mini-vacation. I was able to see my friend Eri. I've known her maybe since junior high. She's Japanese, but grew up in America and returned to Japan after high school. I also got to meet up with my friend Emily from college today because she's currently visiting Japan. It was great to see both of them!

Tomorrow I go back to work. I think the real work with lesson planning will start soon because it's only a couple of weeks until classes start!