I just learned that North Carolina is roughly the size of Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku combined! (that's Japan's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest islands, respectively. And in case you are unaware, I am on Kyushu.) And get this: North Carolina has a population of 8.5 million. Kyushu's population is 13 million...that is a major population density difference. The crazy things I learn when preparing to teach...