mainly to quell the incessant nagging, here:s a post.
life as of late has been an intricate series of movements within a tiny island formerly shrouded in confusion, called Japan. i:ve been moving, and will be moving, enough to make anyone:s head spin... but this seems to be a common theme in my life and thus i:ll float along this little winding river and see what shore i:ll eventually wash up on.
my three week hiatus into the english speaking world was met with rapt anticipation and all my hopes and dreams for that period were fulfilled beyond compare. mostly importantly, being in a place where more people look like me and where i could 100% understand everything around me, did wonders in clearing up that gnawing white noise of insanity that is everpresent in the back of my head here. it was so wonderful to spend time with my family and friends, and even though i didn:t get to see everyone i wanted to, i had an incredible time with those who i did spend time with. no regrets. oh, except that whole flying-through-america part. NEVER AGAIN! what a nazi war camp immigration has turned out to be there.
as i stood in line watching them rummage through my belongings, in my SOCKS, i sorely missed the politeness of japan and its complimentary security slippers it offers. how can i have dignity when i:m standing in my socks?
oh, and note to self, and other women travellers. always chuck in all those last minute pads n tampons on the top of your suitcase so when its opened and checked in front of everyone it:s quite the hilarious experience for the security guard.
back in japan i made my way to Okayama, where i unpacked and then packed up again to do a two month stint of emergency teaching in a small city called Ichinomiya, just outside Nagoya, starting the very next day. i:m enjoying my time here, it:s nice to be back in the classroom around kids again...
my next travel adventure starts on wednesday mornign when i make my way to Tokyo to leave for my winter vacation in Singapore, and, tsunami-permitting, Batam Island Indonesia. I haven:t had much time to get geared up for it, as i:ve been on the move during the weekends but i know tomorrow when i finish work i:ma be stoked to get away!!
then my life for the next few months is another series of moves. i:m spending another three weeks in ichinomiya, during which time i have some weekend travel plans to some neat lil cities in the area, and then i:m back to Okayama for one week. then i get to pack AGAIN (can you see why i:m becoming more and mroe of a minimalist now?) and move to Tokyo, permanently. or as permanent as my life gets. let:s just say i:ll be there for at least 9 months. i can actually decorate my place! within february and march, however, i:ll be taking monthly trips back to Okayama to conduct new teacher trainings with the other trainers. Dad, you:re right, I never stop moving! Ants in the pants of my life, I daresay. and my dear friend Melissa, from university, is coming to visit me from Korea AHEM DID EVERYONE HEAR THAT? A FRIEND IS COMING TO VISIT ME. CUZ SOME FRIENDS LIKE TO DO THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE A FREE PLACE TO STAY IN JAPAN. AND WHATS A 16 HOUR PLANE RIDE COMPARED TO MY LOVE THAT AWAITS HERE????? i mean, ya know, pfft, not like i need my friends from home... sob sob... ... she:s coming in February and it:s going to be a hella wicked time cuz i:ll be all up in my new place just outside Shinjuku, Tokyo and i will, with luck, get an extra day off on a three day weekend!
i:m really looking forward to all the changes of scenery and new work challenges in the upcoming year. I also have some international travel plans and meetings with friends in THailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I have to get serious about travelling again. since i discovered the pleasures of guiltlessly lying in bed all day reading on the weekends, i haven:t been much of a determined traveller.
well, i:m sure it:s best that i be going now. Taka came to Nagoya for the weekend and something tells me he came to spend time with me, not the inside of an internet cafe booth so i must bid you adieu. and don:t worry, i promise to be careful travelling and I:ll let you know when i touch down in Singapore and if we decide to go to Indo. in the meantime, stay funky! have a great holiday season!!!
life as of late has been an intricate series of movements within a tiny island formerly shrouded in confusion, called Japan. i:ve been moving, and will be moving, enough to make anyone:s head spin... but this seems to be a common theme in my life and thus i:ll float along this little winding river and see what shore i:ll eventually wash up on.
my three week hiatus into the english speaking world was met with rapt anticipation and all my hopes and dreams for that period were fulfilled beyond compare. mostly importantly, being in a place where more people look like me and where i could 100% understand everything around me, did wonders in clearing up that gnawing white noise of insanity that is everpresent in the back of my head here. it was so wonderful to spend time with my family and friends, and even though i didn:t get to see everyone i wanted to, i had an incredible time with those who i did spend time with. no regrets. oh, except that whole flying-through-america part. NEVER AGAIN! what a nazi war camp immigration has turned out to be there.
as i stood in line watching them rummage through my belongings, in my SOCKS, i sorely missed the politeness of japan and its complimentary security slippers it offers. how can i have dignity when i:m standing in my socks?
oh, and note to self, and other women travellers. always chuck in all those last minute pads n tampons on the top of your suitcase so when its opened and checked in front of everyone it:s quite the hilarious experience for the security guard.
back in japan i made my way to Okayama, where i unpacked and then packed up again to do a two month stint of emergency teaching in a small city called Ichinomiya, just outside Nagoya, starting the very next day. i:m enjoying my time here, it:s nice to be back in the classroom around kids again...
my next travel adventure starts on wednesday mornign when i make my way to Tokyo to leave for my winter vacation in Singapore, and, tsunami-permitting, Batam Island Indonesia. I haven:t had much time to get geared up for it, as i:ve been on the move during the weekends but i know tomorrow when i finish work i:ma be stoked to get away!!
then my life for the next few months is another series of moves. i:m spending another three weeks in ichinomiya, during which time i have some weekend travel plans to some neat lil cities in the area, and then i:m back to Okayama for one week. then i get to pack AGAIN (can you see why i:m becoming more and mroe of a minimalist now?) and move to Tokyo, permanently. or as permanent as my life gets. let:s just say i:ll be there for at least 9 months. i can actually decorate my place! within february and march, however, i:ll be taking monthly trips back to Okayama to conduct new teacher trainings with the other trainers. Dad, you:re right, I never stop moving! Ants in the pants of my life, I daresay. and my dear friend Melissa, from university, is coming to visit me from Korea AHEM DID EVERYONE HEAR THAT? A FRIEND IS COMING TO VISIT ME. CUZ SOME FRIENDS LIKE TO DO THAT. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE A FREE PLACE TO STAY IN JAPAN. AND WHATS A 16 HOUR PLANE RIDE COMPARED TO MY LOVE THAT AWAITS HERE????? i mean, ya know, pfft, not like i need my friends from home... sob sob... ... she:s coming in February and it:s going to be a hella wicked time cuz i:ll be all up in my new place just outside Shinjuku, Tokyo and i will, with luck, get an extra day off on a three day weekend!
i:m really looking forward to all the changes of scenery and new work challenges in the upcoming year. I also have some international travel plans and meetings with friends in THailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I have to get serious about travelling again. since i discovered the pleasures of guiltlessly lying in bed all day reading on the weekends, i haven:t been much of a determined traveller.
well, i:m sure it:s best that i be going now. Taka came to Nagoya for the weekend and something tells me he came to spend time with me, not the inside of an internet cafe booth so i must bid you adieu. and don:t worry, i promise to be careful travelling and I:ll let you know when i touch down in Singapore and if we decide to go to Indo. in the meantime, stay funky! have a great holiday season!!!
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