This is a picture of the neighborhood near my 45 minute walk school, Shouwa High School.  I haven't made up my mind yet of which one I like better, actually I haven't actually taught anything yet, just preparation work for one day at each school. Anyway, I actually like the area Shouwa is at.  It has a nice country feel but really only one trainstop with their special line to the middle of Kasukabe. In regards to skateboarding, there's really nothing to jump up and down off of, but the streets are smooth as silk.  In the last two days I cruised down to the station switching lanes according to cars, sometimes faster than the people on bikes on the sidewalk. As for this weekend, in effort to meet people as well as save money, my current plan is to grab some coffees at a coffee shop in Kasukabe, open the books and let the magic happen.  This is in continuation of my friend Kris's social experiment; if you're white and displaying a desire to learn Japanese, you will be approached. It actually already happened once. I was sitting on a curb of a combini and a lady walked up asking how to pronounce the "@" sign.  I blew it by not mentioning that I could give English lessons. Anyway, I got a lot of practice speaking '15 year old girl Japanese' today being elected the coordinator of the English club.  Cool with me cause it's a two way learning opportunity.  The only unfortunate aspect of my other school, the one I use a train for, is that I get home at around 6:45. Normally that would be hell in America, but I got nothing to do but learn Japanese anyway, so I don't mind.  I look forward to what may develop through making these routine commutes. The train school is only 2 days a week anyway.