Tonight as I am riding my bike home from one of my new favorite bars around 3 am, I stop at the crosswalk for traffic to pass and just as I am remarking to myself, "Goddamn does the sun rise early here," I look up to the sky and see a shooting star. I have rarely seen the moon here so far this month and only recently have seen the stars. Shooting stars always feel like a blessing. I am reminded of my luck. I am reminded of this constantly. When I arrived back at my apartment there was a bag hanging on my door with some sweet cakes inside and a note that read, "Kate, here is some gift for you. I hope you like it." Signed Mariko, my co-worker's Japanese girlfriend. She is incredible. So are the treats! I have already eaten all of them. 

Tonight at All Tomorrow's Parties, they began to teach me Katakana, one of the Japanese ways of writing, maybe the easiest and most crucial for forgiveness in all my fumbling foreigner moments. Hisake gave me "homework, " and I've finished it but am by no means close to the prize!