I'm having some pretty heavy-duty jet-lag this time around - nothing like when I went from Tokyo to San Francisco last year, but enough to make me weak and tired, especially at night. For that reason I haven't written much in my blog, and I'm not sure I'll get very far tonight, but I wanted to write down a few things.

Yesterday was pretty rough, with excitement alternating with abject fear. I'm glad to be back, but the prospect of being here for a year, when it comes down to it, is a lot more intimidating than expected. I'm sure once I get settled it won't seem so daunting.

My room is nice, if expensive (about $700 with utilities) and small. It has tatami (traditional reed) mats, and if you have ever been around newer tatami mats, it is quite a pleasure to come home to--the smell is a healthy, sweet smell that fills the room without being pungent. I'll have pictures of the room as soon get up the energy to resize them for the blog.

It is warm and sweaty here, and I'm not looking forward to wearing a suit and tie everyday. Shoes and pants (um, rather than shorts) are bad enough.

Well, that's about all I can muster for the moment. Hopefully an early night will translate into more energy tomorrow.

Good night...