Rainy season is officially over! We had SO much rain this year! In early July, there was a major flood in several areas, including Sakamoto City, which hadn’t flooded in 100 years. Norman and Cameron volunteered yesterday, digging mud out of the home of an 80-year-old couple, who were cheerful and helping right alongside them!

Homeschool for this year began today! I have a freshman and a junior. We’re considering such topics as algebra, economics, world history and geography, US government, English/spelling/literature, Japanese, and physical science.

We had a new experience last week. Cameron had two wisdom teeth pulled. We had never had any major dental care needs to this point, but we were pleased with the turnout. An interesting cultural tidbit is what Japanese call “wisdom teeth” in their language: oyashirazu. The word literally means “parents” and “don’t know.” As Keiko explained (one opinion of the etymology), in the old days, by the time one’s wisdom teeth came in, one’s parents were already dead and gone… so you didn’t know them anymore. I found it interesting!