It took a few trains to get back to Shizuoka but somehow I managed to arrive before it was too late at night. I was kind of sad when I thought about how long it took because I love Shizuoka and being so far away from it doesn't seem like something I would want to do ... so I began to consider putting Hiroshima University out of my thoughts and the Kindergarten of the Forest. Instead I decided to focus on Shizuoka University.

But first I went to stay with my good friend Ayako, who I met ten years ago when we both worked at East Fuji High School together. She had a family with 2 kids and a house now. I was still single ... strange how the decisions we make really do change what path we take. Needless to say I'm a bit jealous because her kids are sooooo amazingly cute. I really really love them. I had met her son before, but this would the first time for me to meet her little daughter who was a mere two years of age with a smile as big as an apple pie.

The previous night I got to enjoy Oden which is one of my favorite Japanese dishes ... and I also got to enjoy it for breakfast this morning too. This didn't bother me one bit, because remember, I said it is one of my favorite Japanese dishes. And the person who taught me how to cook Oden was Ayako, so I like the taste of her Oden best!