tsuyu and gratitude

So it's 梅雨 tsuyu, which is Japan's rainy season from HELL.  With the rains, has come lots of sweat, mildew, and splitting migraines.  However, I still have a lot to be thankful for.  I haven't posted anything since last week, and while I didn't do any of the things I wanted/should have done (study for my Japanese exam, put away more winter clothes, or scrub my sink), I did receive a lot of wonderful things from wonderful people, so here are some of them, in no particular order.  (Except the uni, uni comes first.)

Yesterday (Sunday) was our local Uni festival, but since I had a Japanese exam (that is only held twice a year and which I've already paid for), I couldn't go to the uni festival.  I think my test went pretty well, but that didn't stop me from almost crying and feeling bad about not being able to go.  However, today, one of the teachers at my school went to Hachinohe to buy some uni from someone she knew, and man, was it good.  She brought some to school and after we all ate a bite (or more--for me), I was able to take the little bit leftover home!

Also shout out to S-sensei, who took me to Cub (a huge supermarket in the city) and helped me make a point card and everything.  I was able to buy so many delicious things that I don't get to buy at my local grocery store, for example, cremini mushrooms that I posted below, various cheeses and yogurt, and more.

since i ate a good amount of the uni raw as is, i experimented with some ritz crackers and shaved parmesan.  lots of umami and a good mix of texture.  

the uni we ate in the staff room, i took home about a quarter of this, but i ate quite a lot while at school...

i bought these mushrooms myself (3 packs), but the point is that i don't see regular brown/cremini/baby bella mushrooms in my local grocery store.  i bought these at a huge supermarket in aomori city when someone kindly brought me there

i also bought broccoli, which i rarely do since it's so much more expensive in japan for some reason
i made this pasta with anchovies

i got these delicious cherries from my supervisor

more yummy homemade stuff from my supervisor

surprise gift of wonderful fresh turnips from a friend

shark jerky at the office that was honestly a little underwhelming
it tasted like regular jerky and when we looked at the ingredients, there was chicken stock...

i love hotate otsumami 

i got these cute sandals for the office (we wear more comfortable shoes at work for some reason--some people wear crocs) and a shoe stand... 

These are from last week, but I will post them now since I didn't have a chance before. 

my favorite chiffon cake from campagne that i got from someone at school

homegrown broccoli from a teacher i'm close with because she knows i love broccoli, but that i never buy (the overpriced) broccoli here...
also a cucumber and homemade strawberry jam

strawbery jam and a strawberry compote/ cream cheese type dessert that was just soooo good.