Oh Hi, Summer, When Did You Get Here?

June. On the one hand, Yay! On the other, What the hell, when did we get to June?!

A brief update: The students have switched over to their summer uniforms (short sleeved sailor-like suits) and Cool Biz is in full swing.

Last year, I labored against the "no tank tops" rule in schools. As a sweaty American, I lived in perpetual fear of my perpetually sweaty armpits. But this year, I'm doing as the Romans do and I'm going to try some of the tricks of the local trade.

One such trick: adhesive pads you stick to the underarm seams of your shirt or cardigan to absorb the sweat. Let's hope they're lightly fragranced!

There are also myriad "cool" blankets and shirts and towels and pillowcases. I probably won't go too crazy in that department, but I have finally invested in a fan. I even put it together myself!

Note to self: add to dating resume "Bachelorette capable of putting together a fan sans English translation of instructions."

A thing of beauty is a joy forever!

Final trick, and gentlemen, here you may avert your eyes should you be too bashful to face reality.

Still there? Ok, I warned you.

I have small breasts. There it is. As a kid, it was a very sensitive topic for me and I was very self-conscious about it. I couldn't understand why my classmates were so top heavy and I was the head of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee. I received some brutal teasing for it, too. My classmates got much more creative in middle school when I heard boys were saying I was actually a hermaphrodite. Other jokes went along the lines of






"What's worse than waking up next to Marta? Waking up and you are Marta."

But I've gotten over that, and I realize there are benefits to having petite assets including less of a chance of getting breast cancer...and getting away without wearing a bra during the summer! There is no limit of the options in Japan. Some ladies tops come with or without lining, shelf bras or even a little modest padding under work-appropriate shirts!

These. These are my best friends for the next few months.

I've also heard that there may be some link between underwire bras and breast cancer? I don't know much about that...and I actually don't see much believability in it. But anything I can do to decrease that risk, I'll stick to like natto!