A New Beginning.

So.  It's been a while.  (clears throat)  How've you been?

Oh, good.  That's good. 

Me?  I've been busy.  Sure.  You know, Japan.  And school.  Stuff.

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Sakura = Spring!  A fresh start!  Right?

Okay, really.  I'm sorry.  I know it's been a long time.  Dan and I should have written, I know.  But every week, more and more "things" piled up... more and more "things" to write about... and before we knew it, it was so overwhelming that the thought of trying to catch up the blog was a horrific, terrible, vomit-inducing prospect.

So, we're going to just start over.  Start fresh, from here.  One brief "catch up" (See below), then the RowStein Compendium will be back on a steady weekly rotation.  I promise.

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WR posing with her chocolate replica of the "Iron Throne."

ROW-Stein:
WR is really enjoying her life Japan, despite the occasional Phase-2-Culture-Shock moment.
WR passed the Japanese Language Proficency Exam, level 5.  (Yes, it's the easiest. But whatever.  Shut up.)
WR is getting better at her job, every day.
WR participated in a J-pop dance performance with her co-workers (sober, even!) at a school festival.
WR performed two 10 minute manzai (a Japanese comedy style) skits at school events with a coworker.  Entirely in Japanese.
WR is studying for the GRE and the next level of the JLPT.
WR made a friend on the train, who she talks to every day on the way to work.
WR loves Hakata Ramen.
WR misses her husband and cats.
But, all in all, WR is doing well.

DW with a Rags on his back.

Row-STEIN:
DW is kicking academic ass in his new program, getting straight A's so far.
DW got a Teaching Assistant position at his University.
DW has continued his physical training from the Tri, and is still biking, running, and swimming regularly.  (Okay, well, as much as Mother Nature allows.)
DW is still baking, making killer-delicious breads on a regular basis.
DW got into an awesome SLP summer program.
DW is enjoying his first steps along a new career path.
DW visited WR in Japan, and loved it.
DW also loves Hakata Ramen.
DW would not recommend laying-over in LAX, as it is very lame.
DW misses his wife.
But, all in all, DW is doing well.

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WR & DW, walking the Fushimi Inari.

There you have it. 

From here on out, expect regular updates of the blog.  No, really.  We swear this time.  It may not follow the same style as we used to... but we'll do our best to post often.

Thanks for reading (again)! 
And don't forget to feed the fish!  They're probably STARVING.

WR