I saw a snake today! Well in-fact I saw a snake 2 weeks ago too but that one was of the deceased variety. Having had an unfortunate run in with a car its profile had been severely diminished. The dead snake I have identified with some certainty as 'Akamata' to give it its Japanese name. Its scientific name is Dinodon semicarinatus. Upon describing it to a co-worker he also thought it was 'Akamata'. The second snake is a little more of a mystery. I didn't get a picture of this was as I was on a run but I did get to observe it up close (a few feet) for a couple of minutes. It was also on the road so not obscured by vegetation however judging by the size (about one foot) I think it was a juvenile and therefore possibly not fully displaying its adult characteristics. It is possible it was a Habu (The term Habu is actually a blanket term for three species of Viper). This would be interesting as it is claimed Izena has no Habu. Its colouration suggested Habu (probably Trimeresurus flavoviridis) but it definitely did not have the arrow shaped head typical of Vipers (to contain their heat sensing pits). Perhaps Vipers do not develop the characteristic head shape until later in life but I shall have to look into it. Stay tuned to discover if Izena is being infiltrated by the deadly Habu!

On Monday I attended my first Nyu-gakko party, celebrating a child starting elementary school. The most notable thing about this particular Nyu-gakkoIwai was that the only food on offer was goat and duck sashimi, yes that's right raw goat! It was a fun night though and apparently I do like goat sashimi. There is very little I will not eat. The following day I was invited back to finish the job and this time all the teachers came and there was an even bigger feast! In addition to the raw goat there was goat meat soup and regular fish sashimi as well as vegetable and tofu dishes. I think I ate for 3 hours solid and still had room at the end for cake. I was very tired and left at around 9ish. Lame I know! But in my defence I haven’t had a proper nights sleep for about 2 weeks what with having guests on my island and what not. I had hoped to get to sleep early that night but no! I was called up for a farewell nomikai for Nagi, she will be leaving today (wed), I suppose the date must have slipped my mind! I had to leave that early too, at about 11.30, but I really, really needed sleep. I had a class with my new ichinensei first period so energy was required, that and I am an old man. A very young old man, but an old man none the less. Although I enjoy the busy times in Izena I am also beginning to appreciate the quiet times more and more. It's a shame I have no control over when and where they happen. Oh and apparently they wanted me to join in with their sea ranger thing during Golden week but unfortunately I will be in Tokyo/Kyoto during that time. It is a balancing act trying to give time to my island and do other things; I'll get it down eventually, perhaps.
Ah yes! In other news! My plants are growing! The Cosmos, carrots and tomatoes have all germinated and are little baby plants now! I will plant some more plants in the other half of my plot soon, I weeded it yesterday. Although perhaps I should save some space for transplanting the carrots when I thin them out. Oh the simple joys of gardening! I reckon my minigarden will be the horticultural gem in the crown of Izena Junoir High ;). Yeah right!

Sunny left yesterday to continue her epic journey and I am back at school now. I have two classes today including one with the new ichinensei (1st yrs) so I am looking forward to that. Sunny's visit ended with a fun trip to Okinawa honto. We left a teachers dinner/party early on Friday in order to be able to make the 1st ferry on Saturday and it was definitely worth it. After a lunch in Chatan Kelly joined us and took us on a tour of her castle (by that I mean Kitanakagusaku-jo) were we had the singular pleasure of watching some Japanese posing in full samurai get-up and samurai swords. Later in Shuri castle we were joined by Chris. After a quick sorte to Kokusaidori (International street in Naha) we made our way back up to Chatan for Elvira’s birthday party and on the way managed to pick up a bottle of tequila and a lemon (limes were nai!). After joining Elvira and company in the bowling alley we undertook some deliberations it was decided our only course of action was to drink the tequila then and there. A kindly bar maid cut our lemon and supplied glasses while a trip to Makudonaludo bestowed us with salt. Much fun ensued. There was dancing and shenanigans, the usual heady Okinawa JET fun packed night out! I very almost did not make it back to my island on Sunday, as I arrived at the ferry port the gangway was detached and the ferry about to leave. Luckily a sailor spotted my predicament and alerting me with a piercing whistle indicated I should board by the car ramp. I did so and they began winching it up as soon as I had passed inside, by the time I made it to the upper deck we were already underway, a close call indeed! I intended to laminate some flashcards at the school and then have an early bed but no. I was summoned to a barby at the beach for a friend who was recently married, Naomi (of the Japan Forum) married a Turkish man in January and this was there first visit together to Izena. Naomi lives in Tokyo and is 50% of the Japan Forum team who organised the visit to Izena of 7 international and 7 Japanese students way back in November last year. The Izena connection comes from when Sunichi (then attending Izena Junior high school) was one of their first Japanese students on the program. He is sort of their 'showcase member'. After that I went to the school and finished the flashcards, it's a hard life ;).