I know I don't write every week. Mostly because its the almost the same thing each week. I go to work teach English to my amazing students who learn so quickly and try hard. Come home, eat, watch some t.v. go to bed and do it again. Sometimes on the weekends I got shopping at the mall. Every Friday night I have dinner with other English teachers around the area and that is when we enjoy talking and using "Normal English speak" compared to our slower teaching English speak.
The holidays have passed. They were super hard for me. I had 3 weeks off, mainly due to my herniated disc issue. With Christmas I was able to go to a beautiful dinner with friends and had a great time. We went to a city by train named Nagoya. Where we ate at the Marriott restaurant. Wonderful food that was cooked beautifully. I was even given a treat by Santa Clause! We went and saw some Christmas lights and had some Apple Cider and Dean and Deluca. It was a very pleasant night.
I struggle a lot when it is just me and my house for days in a row. Sometimes it is nice but sometimes I wish for the company from friends and family at home. It has almost been one year since I left. I love Japan, I can honestly say you do not know Japan until you have been in the country side of it. Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo... They are more of what is known by the tourists, they are also aimed for tourism I feel. Out in the country though, people are just living like they always have. Being here you can see the many traditions and ways of Japanese life that has been around for hundreds and some thousands of years. It is a blessing to see and be a part of.
On New Years at 1 A.M. I went with friends to Tanagumi Temple about a 15 min drive from my house, this is where many of the towns folk go on New Years to pray. I went and threw in my coin and prayed for a good year. I am trying to start fresh and new. This is going to be a happy year full of joy. Some part of me wonders if I should go home after this school year? Can I do another year? There is a void in my chest since leaving home that I cannot fill or ignore. It hurts all the time. I get up, go to work, and smile through it though. I know this is an amazing thing I am doing, part of me wishes I wasn't doing it alone. By alone I mean I wish there was someone here with me who was going through this, brand new, like me. My friends that I am with have been here a while and have done many of the things I wish to do. I am also losing a good friend soon as she goes back to the states.
Sigh... let us move on from such thoughts for they do no good. I went to Tokyo this last weekend. It is HUGE! Can't get much sun while you are there because the buildings are so high and everywhere, the sidewalks are mostly shade. During the summer this would be nice, but winter the bitter wind and shade made it chilly to walk in. When you go to Tokyo you must go to the Sky Tree. Even if you fear heights it is something worth doing just once. Also walk through the Emperors East Gardens. It is beautiful. Take a look around and see all you can see, there is so much! However, as stunning as Tokyo is, my favorite place to visit so far is still Kyoto. I also would not trade anything for where I get to live while in Japan. I love my countryside house. Well I really don't know what to say at this moment and I need to start getting ready for sleep. Night and be safe out there!
