It's been fun lately, nanoni I must see another doctor.

"nanoni" means 'in spite of' or 'although'

*I'm learning a bit more Japanese. I hope this will continue as my last year here speeds by.

This weekend was lotsa fun! Friday night we took Dan, our new adopted bachelor (Ollie got a girlfriend), to Sam's Anchor Inn, a teppanyaki place in Ginowan and had a super delicious meal with the best steak I've had on the island. Then we walked around KokusaiDori- the international street in Naha, went to Rehab- the international bar, Starbucks- it was late, and saw a a sweet ride- a pearl white scooter named Jasmine with blue running lights and a sick paintjob (this description is one its owner would give, could he speak English). Saturday night we went to a birthday barbecue for our new friend ReBekha in Mibaru Beach. We brought "found" (we'll say) wood for a bonfire and made s'mores! We had lots of fun, ended the night with a trip to Mac, and got home at 4am. Then today we went to the zoo with Ollie and his girlfriend, Mariko. I thought I was going to die because of the crazy was Okinawans drive, but I only got a bit carsick, and only once. We saw lots of animals at the zoo though, which was great, even though it was really hot and rained when we first got there (but gave us a chance to eat some lunch at Wendy's- the only one on the island). For some reason, all the turtles were fornicating... Then we went to dinner with Dan at the Southern Hill Izakaya for some California style sushi and other tasty treats.

Having mentioned all the fun we had, I must now say that the weekend started with my return to the doctor I saw last week for a follow up only to find that he wasn't sure what was going on in my ear anymore and decided that I need a second opinion from the specialist at the best hospital on the island- University of the Ryukyus. So I will go Thursday (not sure why they will see me on an Okinawan holiday) to see what the next step(s) will be. I can't wait to regain hearing in my right ear!!!