Catching up

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go "home" - back to the city where I spent over a year living and working: Okazaki.

I'll be honest, it was weird at first. I felt like I was walking through a ghost town. Not that the town was deserted - rather it was lively and just as I remembered it. But because of that, I kept feeling like...things should be as they were. There were so many corners and restaurants and buildings and parks that conjured up such vivid memories, I found myself expecting familiar faces to turn the corner and pick up where we left off.

All that to say, it was good to go back and demystify a little. Also, eating at my favorite Indian restaurant was pretty awesome too. I missed that place.

Anyway!

While I was out there, I had the chance to meet with the family of one of my students who, when I last saw him, was just turning one.

He's a little older now.

And best of all, I got to spend some time with my dear friend Mika

Who took me to all my favorite haunts like Gyu Kaku

Izakaya #2

Hatcho Miso factory

And even Nagoya for some fabulous festival food

Don't know if you picked up on the theme of our adventures together...........

kawaii jyan!

Ask any student of the Japanese language and they'll be able to tell you the word for "cute" (kawaii). This may seem like an odd word to be universally known...until you find out that 'cute' is ingrained in the Japanese culture. Everything - no seriously - EVERYTHING is cute. For some reason, it never seems to get old for me...

Meet PiPo-kun, the symbol of the Tokyo police.
With his danger sensing antennae and super big ears to hear cries for help (no seriously), he puts fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere.

What better way to warn train passengers not to get hurt by the closing
door than with a cute kitty?

Say hello to Kenketsu-chan, the blood donation mascot!
Her ears are droplets of blood and her smile gets bigger the more you donate.

This was looping at the Chinatown train station. Silly concierge touch card can't seem to figure out what he's supposed to touch. Thank goodness he figures it out in the end!

Kawaii...ne?

but some things never change

As much as I can revel in all the fun things that feel so different, the truth is - they're just the little things. No matter what side of the planet you're on, the pains and joys of life are exactly the same.

The couple I am staying with was expecting their first child but my dear friend found out she had a miscarriage. It's a sad time in the house, so please send your prayers their way.

It's the little things

Today, laden with books, I arrived at my first Japanese class. Studying a foreign language is always a lesson in humility. The staff speaks to you embarrassingly slow (where...are...you...from...?) which, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for. And, sometimes, you get put in level that's too high for you, so that you have to inform everyone the room that you need to try an easier class.

But...ever since highschool, I'm happiest when I'm studying this crazy language so despite first day headaches, I had fun. And I can't wait to go back tomorrow.

Exploring on my own today, I started taking pictures and videos of the little things you can't find back in the States. I missed these little things...

On every sidewalk and in many city buildings, the yellow walkway helps to guide the blind (though to be honest, I've never seen ANYONE use it)

Sugar syrup for your coffee

Lines. Honest to goodness lining up.

Chirping crosswalks that let you know when it's time to cross.

The Yakimo man, who drives through the streets singing about his delicious sweet potatoes for sale

I think I'll keep doing this - to share with you all, but also as a keepsake for myself. :)

tadaima!

Just a quick check-in to let everyone know that I arrived safely.

And no, I didn't cry when I arrived. :) There was no big splash of emotion...rather, as soon as I walked through customs, it felt like I'd never left. I'm even using the same cell phone I had when I was here in 06...so when I turned it on in the airport, it beeped with unchecked messages from several years ago. Weird.

Today, just a bit of exploring and getting settled. The friends I'm staying with live in the classy part of town (seriously, lots of Jaguars and Benz parked in this area). I kind of miss my little blue collar Aichi prefecture. I feel like I'm going to dent someone's million dollar home with my giant foreigner feet.

Here's my darling little room

and the view from my window

My computer is still on Chicago time. It's 1:39 am. Sleep well Chicago.

Take two

Well, this feels familiar

It's pretty strange to be using this blog again.... definitely not what I expected when I wrote my 'last' entry two years ago.

Here's the story in a nutshell:

-I miss my friends, I miss my other home in Japan...everyday.

-A dear friend moves back to Tokyo and offers me free housing.

-An American Airlines frequent flyer miles deal arrives at my door, making it possible to fly round trip for $500.

-I realize that my apartment and phone contracts both end at the same time.

-My amazing job says yes, I can take a leave of absence.

-I pack up my things and head out for three whole months just to study the beautiful language and reunite with the place and people that are so dear to my heart.

The end.

I'm going to cry when I get there. I'm sure that'll go over really well with the customs officer.

Have I mentioned I hate flying? Leave it to me to fall in love with the farthest possible country to fly to. Feel free to send your prayers my way as I fly tomorrow.....

More upon my arrival.

Homeward Bound

In the last month I have been to Inuyama...


...twice.


I've bidden farewell to Tokyo

(what's that? A statue of liberty? Why...yes it is.)


Felt small under the big Buddha with Lisa at Kamakura



Stood at a World Heritage Site with Mika in Nara


Stopped in Kyoto to see the largest Pagoda in Japan with Yuki


Said my goodbyes to everyone in Okazaki, even at my favorite restaurant


And, in between, taught some little ones at a nearby Preschool


And now, I have only to spend the next 24 hours saying goodbye to my love, who I won't see for over two months...


I am exhausted but I feel content. I am sad to leave this place but happy that I was able to see everyone and go everywhere that I needed to before heading home.

This year wasn't anything like what I had imagined. It was a LOT harder than I expected (no one expects a Spanish inqui-er, kidney stone). But I had experiences and developed friendships that made every difficult day worth it. I would do it again. A hundred times over. This place will always always be in my heart....but..it's time for me to come home now.

忘れられない。。。

Owatta

I purchased the ticket. Then I panicked. Then our internet went down.

So it`s official. October 23rd.

I can`t describe how I feel. My favorite foods and streets, TV shows, hair stylist, restaurants, grocery store....my daily routine...my friends and family...my life is....here. But where is here? Japan or America? I can`t explain it. I want to go home, but then...I am home...

I feel like I`m on the last leg of a race and my loved ones are cheering me on.

Right now, I`m saying goodbye to my kindred spirits in Tokyo. I`m calling it my Farewell Japan Tour. I`ll be home (Japan home...) on Wednesday.

My castle on a cloud...

In my mind, there's going to be this period of time in my life of complete...rest. There is nothing to do but let my body heal, my mind relax and eventually, when I feel like it and with no sense of time constraint at all, get around to doing all those little things I've been trying to find time to do (upload pictures, send e-mails, call friends, clean, organize etc). At the end of this time, everything is taken care of and I am completely rested.

Hmmm. Think such a time exists?

I keep hoping. But one things for sure, this "month off" in Japan is definitely not it.

Last weekend I was in Inuyama to stay with my friend at her parent's new house. Then this weekend was a wedding in Kyushu. Friday I leave for a week in Tokyo. Then the next weekend is Yokkaichi and Osaka. And at some point I have to go back to Okazaki to meet up with some friends. And I've been doing some part time teaching at an English day school in Nagoya.
Oh - and I'm sick.

BUT

I did manage to upload a great deal of photos.

Let me break them down quickly -

August is host to Obon, one of Japan's major holidays. Amity gives it's teachers a week off for Obon, so Alex, Dawn, Mika and I decided to go vacationing together. We went to Takayama - famous for its beef and ancient Japanese homes - and Kamikochi - a popular vacation spot in the mountains and certainly on of my favorite places in this country.

The second batch of photos are all my farewell photos of all my students.

Check them out. Here. Now. CLICK. Wedding, Tokyo, Inuyama, Random photos will come...later. Are you sick of photos yet?

And in other news, ladies and gentlemen, if all goes as planned, I will be purchasing my plane ticket home tomorrow. The intended return date? October 23rd.

Yes, I want to come home. I want to see my friends and family, eat a turkey sandwich, BUY CLOTHES, drive, have a conversation with a random person on the street, go to the doctor, feel short and not pay $6,000 per minute on my cell phone. But I am so sad to leave this place. So. Sad.
Look forward to a panicked entry after my ticket purchase tomorrow.

P.S. Anyone get the title reference? 10 points if you do.

Love.

Remember that little boy I talked about before? The one I was instructed not even to teach because he was too bad and too dumb?

Before I left, one of the staff today me that the day before my last day, he wouldn't leave Amity. When his Mom asked his why, he said "I don't want Arden to go!" My Manager said she'd never seen him act that way about a teacher.

Then today I got this e-mail...

This is Itsuki.
How are you?
I miss you.
Love.



I am not quite settled in enough to post pictures and updates. But I needed to share that.

The stability of impermanence

Since my freshman year of college, a year hasn't gone by where I haven't had to pack up my things and move. There is a strange familiarity in seeing my life spread out on the floor of my apartment, being divided into "keep" or "throw away." The transient state of moving feels a bit like home itself, if that makes any sense.

This time it's a little more difficult, though. The cost of shipping things home is nearly triple the cost of shipping it out, so I'm being forced to leave behind a lot of clothes, letters and memories I would have preferred to keep.

I move out of my apartment next Sunday (the 2nd). I say goodbye to my students starting next Tuesday(the 4th). My last day is next Saturday (the 8th).
It's all happening too fast, with a pinwheel of emotions whirling around - sadness, anticipation, excitement, nervousness, hope...

I'll be spending a month in Japan, after my work is finished, just traveling and saying goodbye to the country and people that I love. And, I'll finally have the chance to write in more details about my plans, upload a lot more pictures and catch up on some seriously overdue correspondence.

But...enough about the future. Let's talk about the past...namely, my fantastic vacation last week.


It was fantastic.

Me and three of my best friends...





Here...



And here...



And here...



Can't say I really wanted to go home. Dawn said that by the end of the trip I had a look on my face that she'd never seen before...calm. Lol.

Reset

It's been a year since I arrived here in Japan.
It sounds like a cliche, but I mean it when I say that I don't know where the time has gone. In a sense, my world has been reset. The tastes and sounds and smells of Japan are exactly as they were when I arrived. The deafening sounds of cicada, the melting humidity, the scent of blossoming flowers, the fickle weather, the constant scurrying of insects and geckos, the fireworks festivals. I remember taking it all in for the first time, finding it foreign and yet familiar all at the same time. I feel like I'm back there again, back to the beginning. And yet, I am anywhere but where I was one year ago.

A year ago, I didn't know the myriad of children that would challenge me, delight me and make me adore them.



I didn't know my co-workers who would become my friends



I didn't have a clue about the experiences that awaited me...



Or the adventures I would have...



Or the people that would share those experiences and adventures



I didn't realize that my co-teacher would become would become my closest companion, best friend, daily support, the source of endless laughter and my confidant



And I certainly didn't think that I would find love...



But it happened. All of it. In one year. The world outside may be exactly the same as it was a year ago...but I certainly am not.

How do you say..."My kidney has revolted and wants to kill me" in Japanese?

Wow...it's been over a month since I last wrote.

Two weeks ago (to the day, actually) a small stone decided to make a PAINFUL announcement that it had taken up residence in my kidney. Said kidney stone resulted in a few other health complications, 7 or 8 doctor visits over the course of 5 days and a week off of work.

The experience of being SO sick in a SUCH a foreign country is something I'll never forget. Aside from the fact that, even with a translator, I had an near impossible time explaining/understanding what was going on...it's just that when you're feeling that low, you want (need?) everything to be familiar, comfortable, usual. But EVERYTHING was different, right down to how the nurse took my temperature (under my arm, in case you were about to get any ideas). I would have given anything for some awful hospital food or a hospital bracelet that can't be removed.

Luckily, I am surrounded with amazing co-workers, a saint-like boss and a miriad of loved ones who all took care of me by taking on some of my classes, driving me REPEATEDLY to the hopsital, dropping off food and drinks and videos, checking up on me via texts and phone calls or just stopping by to cheer me up. I, for one, am in awe of how completely God has taken care of me.

Anyway, I am on the mend and haven't felt any pain in several days. And so...life goes on:

Japan's rainy season is in full swing. The air is - quite literally - damp. And when it's not raining, the whole world looks like...a smoke-filled bar. It's the strangest thing I've ever seen.

Parent observations are also in full swing. I love my kids so I'm not too stressed about having their parents join the class. It's just that sometimes the kids act up BECAUSE their parents are there which can definitely cause me stress.

My one year anniversary in Japan is less than a month away. Creepy.

I miss you.

I think that about says it for now. Many things are happening in the next few weeks and I'll have lots to write about...

And now, for what you've all been waiting for. In answer to last month's quiz:

Answer: 20 years old

No lie.

<3

Quiz

Ok class. Here's a Pop Quiz for you.

Amity, while primarily geared towards children, does offer classes for adults as well. Given this information, please estimate the approximate age of this Amity student:



Leave your answers as a comment in this blog. I will post the answer after I have received everyone's quiz. Gramma, please keep your eyes on your own quiz! :)

Ittekita

This morning, I spoke with my Mom just long enough to learn that she was safely at home, laying in "my" bed, watching 24 (big surprise there!). I can hardly believe she has already come and gone!

I won't presume to say how the trip went for her, but I as for myself I was sooo happy to finally see my Mom and get the chance to show her all the places and people that mean so much to me. We cram packed a lot into just one short week...various and sundry places in Okazaki, the ocean in Hamamatsu, the temples and old market in Kyoto and of course the sights and sounds of Tokyo! I feel like I could really use a vacation after my...vacation. :)




Even though I cried when we said goodbye, I was able to rest in the knowledge that (God willing!) I will be home in just a few short months.

Now I'm just settling back into the routine of work and preparing for the next enslaught of...insanity. Rainy season in Japan, parent observations at school, starting to look for a job back in Chicago and...maybe a trip to Thailand? Yeah, my plate's full. Anyone shocked?

Golden Week

The next time I talk to my Mom - it will be in PERSON! I'm SO EXCITED!!!!!!! We have a busy week planned, with trips to Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Kyoto and Tokyo. I can't wait to get started!

Since I won't be near my computer for a while, I decided to upload the rest of my pictures.

The first (and biggest batch) is from the Iyeyasu Parade. A famous Japanese leader (named Iyeyasu Tokugawa) was born in Okazaki and so....every year Okazaki hosts a parade to celebrate him. Many of my students marched in the parade, playing music or performing. And of course, the parade included many...many Samurai. A few foreigners are given the opportunity to join the Samurai and, thanks to knowing the right people, Dawn and I were given two spots. I wasn't sure what to expect but.........I certainly never imagined this. Dawn was put in the gun squad (they actually "fired" their guns!) and I was placed at the head of the band of foreigners. The armor was heavy and the shoes were made of straw and we walked for HOURS but it was certainly one of the most unique and unforgettable experiences of my life.

Second, I uploaded pictures of the cherry blossoms. I had hoped to get to Kyoto to see them - but unfortunately the blossoms are only around for about two weeks and I didn't have a chance to go during that brief time. But thankfully, Okazaki is a hot spot for cherry blossom viewing. And now, so is your computer screen.

Lastly, I uploaded a few pictures of my school classroom and my darling children. You can see those here.

That's it! I have to get to bed. I have to get up early and do some last minute cleaning/shopping before my Mom arrives.

Feel free to pray that she arrives safely.

Fall behind...Spring ahead...

I have definitely fallen behind, as Spring races ahead at full speed. In an attempt to catch up, I've turned down Sunday plans to clean, organize and update.

A lot's happened since I came back from Korea (though, admittedly, most if it was me trying to get well). But - one thing at a time....today's entry is only about Seoul.

It isn't fair to try and experience any city in three days, much less an entirely new culture. But Mika and I did the best we could, with the help of her incredibly kind Korean friend Jin. (Jin and Mika met while studying English in Canada.....so, the only language we had in common was English. Which was great for me, but strange, nonetheless.) In my brief, whirlwind visit here were the few interesting observations Mika and I made...

- In Japan, no one speaks English, allowing you to say ANYTHING in public at any time. In Korea, everyone speaks English. We learned this the hard way.
- Korean men are MUCH more attractive than Japanese men.
- Koreans are, in general, much taller than Japanese. I didn't feel like a lumbering giant for 3 whole days.
- Unlike Japan, Korean customer service is much more like American customer service (non existant)
- The Korean alphabet can be learned in 3 days or less
- Despite being so close to Japan, Korea is surprisingly different from Japan. They are INCREDIBLY Westernized. The buildings, the cars, the stores...it all felt like the downtown of any American city.
- Just because your currency is in 10,000s doesn't mean you have a lot of money.
- Don't try to convert 10,000 won to 750 yen to 1 dollar. It just doesn't work.
- Don't laugh too hard when your friend uses in a payphone at the hotel front desk to call her friend but accidentally calls the...hotel front desk. (Perhaps you just had to be there but there's really nothing funnier than seeing your friend turn around, look at the receptionist and say "I'm talking to you, aren't I?")

The pictures are here of course.
Mika has a few more I'd like to post, but I haven't gotten my hands on them yet.

Stay tuned...pictures of Arden and Dawn in the Okazaki Samurai parade will be coming soon....

They're still checking on gravity...

As one simply assumes that the sun will make a daily appearance, so I've always assumed that it was simply a natural law that a person cannot contract more than one miserable illness at a time.
Then, this weekend, I found myself host to the stomach flu AND walking pneumonia.

I must admit, I opened the curtains this morning a bit worried that the sun might not be there either.

;)

When I can consume more than toast and sleep less than 12 hours, I will write all about Seoul and post a miriad of pictures. Until then, be wary of all those so called "natural laws" :)

A day of firsts...

When I arrived at my school, nigh seven months ago, there were many things impressed upon me by the outgoing English teacher I was replacing. But there were two things she made extra sure to impress upon me

1) The Japanese staff absolutely dislikes the foreign staff. Do not attempt to befriend them, as such attempts will be in vain. You'll be lucky if they say hello to you in the morning and goodbye to you at night.

2) While there are many wretched students to be dealt with, the most wretched, the most horrid, the most evil is one little 7 year old boy named...Itsuki. He is a nightmare and incredibly (and I quote) "dumb dumb DUMB" so the best advice is to not try to teach him at all. Just keep him distracted so he doesn't destroy anything or anyone.

Those are not particularly the most encouraging things to learn on your first week in a foreign country, in a new job. I distinctly remember writing home to my family, absolutely depressed at the situation I was walking into. But at the end of my letter, I told my Mom that I was resolved to have the best attitude possible. Just because the Japanese staff was cold didn't mean I had to be. And just because Itsuki was bad didn't mean I had to treat him badly in return. When Dawn arrived, I filled her in on the situation and she came to the same conclusion as me.

In the beginning, it seemed a hopeless cause. When I asked the Japanese staff to lunch, they'd just smile and shake their heads. When I said hello to Itsuki he might reply with a "How are you?" if he was in a good mood. But slowly...ever so slowly...Dawn and I started to notice a change.

Then today...today...
Every Friday, Dawn and I go to lunch at our favorite Indian restaurant. And every few weeks, I invite one of my co-workers to join but she always turns me down.
But today, she stopped by my classroom to confirm a meeting for later on in the afternoon.
"Will that work?" She asked "You and Dawn will still have time to go to lunch?"
"Yep!" I replied
She paused for a second and then said "Maybe I'll come with you..."

I nearly fell out of my chair.

After what was, without a doubt, one of the most enjoyable and laughter filled lunches, I returned to work. A few hours later, Itsuki trotted in the door. To my delight and surprise he leapt into my arms and unprompted asked "How are you?!"

I almost burst into tears.

This has been an unbelievable day of firsts, of things I was told were impossible. Dawn and I keep joking that we're taking an "accelerated growing up" course - but in part it's true. Today, I learned that sometimes things can change if you are dedicated and loving, inspite of everything. As silly as it seems, I feel like...Christie or Anne of Green Gables.

And now, to another first....
packing...for KOREA!

Poker Face

Last week, I asked one of my semi-bilingual students to bring her favorite Japanese comic book to class. I figured we could go through it and she could tell me the story. So yesterday, she arrived and, after telling me about her preparations for her first in year highschool (the Japanese school year starts in April) she excitedly pulls out her comic book.

She flips to page one. A young girl is sitting on a bed, with a man standing over her.
"This is a story about a girl who is...a..." She pauses and says the word in Japanese. "Do you know?"

I shake my head. "She's a what? Can you tell me what she does?"

And that's when I look over at page...two, which in absolutely no uncertain terms, shows me exactly what she does.

"Oh! She's a...prostitute?!" I say, trying my best to control my face from contorting into any number of shocked expressions. My student nods eagerly and moves right onto page three, while I sit there wondering if she even knows what she's looking at and what parent would let their 14 year old have something like that.

She happily left her books with me and within 15 seconds of her leaving class, I raced over to Dawn's room, turned to page one and waited for her reaction. Luckily, she was allowed to react the way I wasn't. I believe it went something like "What's she doi-OH MY GOD..." and then side splitting laughter.
Sometimes, if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

Anyway...things are going well. It was 60 degrees this weekend. I went out without a coat and almost wept with delight. But the temperatures have dropped back down to the 40's. Bleh.

Two weeks from today, I'll be just returning from Korea! Ah, the countdown begins. Anyone have any suggestions for our tour of Seoul?