5 Things

Hi again. It's me. Sorry I left on such a sour note for such a long time. Despite what my last update would have you believe, I am actually doing really well. There is so much good in life, in this world, and so many reasons to be happy, despite what happened. Let me recount just a few things that have made me happy lately:

1. Going Home 

 At the end of that distressing journey from which I last blogged, there was a perfect ten-day trip home. It was exactly, exactly what I needed to refresh, regroup, and begin to move on. I am so thankful for all of the family and friends I met who gave me advice, encouragement, and love. I don't know what state I'd be in right now if it weren't for that trip. 

2. Friends

 Coming back to Okinawa was rough for a bit, but luckily I have incredible friends 

here who take me out for adventures to cheer me up or just sit with me in rough moments. 

 

of all sizes

My littlest friend, Dion, is the perfect cure for any blues. 

I also want to send a special shout out to my Canadian bestie, Sarra, 

who has been a huge encouragement from afar. Love you, lady.

3. Kudaka Island

One such adventure was a day trip to a gorgeous island. It was heavenly.

4. Rino's Wedding

 One of my local friends recently got married and I was not only invited to attend but had the honor to help with preparation. It was a great reminder that I will always be a hopeless romantic, and one failed relationship isn't going to keep me from having my moment someday.

5. Traveling!
This last weekend was sandwiched between two holidays as part of the "Golden Week" period here in Japan. In a nutshell, that means that everyone had time off, and that EVERYONE traveled. My friend I went up to mainland to finally experience some of the traditional Japanese culture

Fushimi Inari torii gates in Kyoto

Temple of the Golden Pavillion, Kinkakuji, in Kyoto

First, we went to Kyoto. These two temples were my favorite. Especially the top temple, Fushimi Inari. It's long been a dream of mine to visit and we went in the early morning and had the whole place to ourselves.

Osaka Castle

Next, we visited Osaka and while the aquarium was fun, if crowded, the highlight for me was seeing the Osaka Castle in person. Isn't it majestic? 

So, as you can see, life is pretty good. I still have tough moments, but they are becoming fewer and far between. I am excited about the future, discovering more small things to rejoice in, more adventures to embark on, and more life to live.

2012 Updates (BIG ones!)

I've developed this bad habit of saving up stories until I have too many to share. Feeling completely overwhelmed at the prospect, but going to attempt it anyway. The good news is that a post FULL of stories is more likely not to bore you to tears! ;) SO here is what happened at the end of 2012.

 In honor of the new year, I will do it in countdown style! 

10. Zoo Day! 

Javier and I took a road trip to the northern part of the island and visited Neo Park zoo! It's a unique zoo because most of the animals are wandering freely and you can feed them, pet them, whatever! No lions or anything like that, but some really fun creatures (mostly birds). 

Little nervous!

fishy kisses!

 

I really wanted to pet this guy but he was a little weary. Bummer!

  9. Kouri Island 

Javier and I also went to visit one of our favorite places in Okinawa: Kouri Island

We made sure to be there at sunrise to enjoy the beautiful colors.

We searched the beach and found lots of sea glass!

You're not supposed to eat it!

It was a great day!

8. New Friends! 

I've decided that I love having couple friends! Bonnie and Brandon are a married couple who came to the island in August. They are so much fun to be around! I am so glad they came!

 

7. Ice Skating! 

Speaking of new friends, we invited them along to celebrate the Christmas season 

and escape the sudden heat wave with some ice skating! 

             

 

 

Bonnie even taught Javier to skate backwards.

 6. Sanshin

I had to take a little break from sanshin lessons in December, but I am rearing to start up again.  

My teacher expects me to pass a sanshin test in June, so I better get to work!!

 

5. Trace Adkins Concert 

 Apparently the USO hosts a bunch of concerts on Okinawa that are free for military (and their friends). I am bummed that I've never made it to one before, because this one was so cool! It was rainy a lot and the concert was outdoors, but we still had a great time!   

 

 Bonne and Brandon came with us, of course!

Such a fun time. I was only disappointed that I didn't hear him sing 

"Honky Tonk Badonkydonk" 

4. Maternity Photo Shoot, Take 2!

Last year when Kazuno was pregnant with Dion, we went to Toyosaki beach to take some fun maternity pictures! Now is she is pregnant with a little girl and we decided to take Dion (Now more than a year old!) and have another fun photo shoot, this time on Ojima (their home island).

He looks so chivalrous holding that umbrella. ;)

Beautiful momma

I was lucky to have Javier with me for this photo shoot! Whenever I wanted to take pictures of just Kazuno, Javier would play with Dion. Those two were laughing sooo much! It was adorable!  

3.  Leaving Japan

I signed the papers and it's official, this is my last year in Japan. I've been here three and a half years so far and it's been the best experience of my life! But I am certain that it's time to go. As much as I love my job, I am afraid that it's just not challenging enough anymore, and as much as I love living in Japan, I feel I've grown as much as I can here and am ready to continue growing on my next adventure! Stay tuned to find out where! ;)

2. Puerto Rico!! 

 Javier is orignally from Puerto Rico and he wanted to take me home so I could meet his family! \
We had been planning this trip for months when, at the last minute, his job kept him from leaving Okinawa. I still had my ticket and decided that I would go anyway--alone.

Luckily two wonderful friends that I had met here in Okinawa were also home visiting
 their family in PR so I got to meet up with them for a few days.
They even invited me to celebrate New Year's Eve with their family!

Some days were pretty amazing and some were a lot tougher, but overall it was totally worth it. I am hoping to post another blog all about it, unless I forget or run out of time. ;) 

1. Engaged! 

Javier finally popped the question!

And of course I said yes! 

10 Things That Have Made Me Giddily Happy Recently: 2012!

It’s been entirely too long since I’ve blogged, so I am going to make this update quick and full of photos. In keeping with tradition, this will be another installment of Things That Have Made Me Giddily Happy Recently!

(In somewhat-chronological order) 

1. Visiting Idaho 

Being home for Christmas and New Year’s means so much to me, and I am incredibly grateful that I could go. I felt especially blessed this year to spend time with my great grandma (pictured in the center) before she passed away. I love you, Grandma!

2.  Visiting Seattle

No trip back is complete without a trip to Seattle. I feel so vibrantly happy and alive when I am back with my friends dancing, eating, singing, playing, adventuring. I love it!

3. Javier

 My sweet man was supposed to permanently leave the island in January, but he was back within the month because of some work issues. He is disappointed to delay his career change, but I am super happy to have a little more time to spend together! :)

   

4. Cooking with Sarra!

Sarra and I have started weekly cooking adventures where we try to make some new delicious (usually Japanese) dish. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week, because I love spending time with Sarra and, let’s not kid, I love food. 

5. Sakura

Cherry blossom season has already come and gone here on the island. I attended two hanami festivals and an illumination in February, and it was a great way to usher in the spring.

6. Sunflowers

On the topic of flowers, there is also an annual sunflower festival in Kitanakagusuku. It was beautiful to see all those sunflowers stretching out around me. If only the sun had been shining at the same time. :) 

7. My Alarm Clock

This little bird has made my balcony its morning perch, and I often wake up to his trilling song. I love it so much that I went and bought bird seed to encourage him to stick around more. It seems to be working! 

 8. International Food Club!

Another food post, I know, but it fuels life and friendships so how can it not make me giddily happy?!  For Chinese New Year, some friends and I put together a fun potluck at my apartment. We all tried our hands at Chinese food, to varying levels of success, and it was so fun and delicious that we decided to make it a monthly event. 

Our second meeting was Thai food and the food people brought was even more delicious than the Chinese food. I made pad thai, and was pretty pleased with the outcome, despite the absence of tamarind paste.

 I also thoroughly enjoyed decorating my apartment for the occasion, and used the excuse to buy a bunch of thai style décor that I’ve had my eye on for awhile. :D 

9. Student Skits

Lady Gaga?

 I always reserve the last few weeks of Oral Communication class for skit. It’s probably my favorite thing to teach because I get to enjoy my students’ creativity, encourage them to be expressive, and shock them with my dramatic outbursts. ;)

10. Western World!!

 Sarra, our friend, Logan, and I learned of this magical place over a year ago but we didn’t make it all the way to Okinawa City to check it out until February. Now, we can’t stay away!! Sarra and I are absolutely obsessed with line dancing and two-steppin’, the atmosphere is really friendly and fun, and we can sing along to almost all the songs (I had no idea I knew so much country). We love it so much that we went twice last weekend and are already itching to get back this Friday!

So there you have it! A short, and hopefully not boring, update of my little life here in Okinawa. I hope to be consistent with blogging again, but my technology curse always seems to rise up and present some obstacle. I am finding new and creative ways around it, though, so keep your eyes open for future updates. :)

Thanks for reading!