Weekly Update & Weekend Recap: A beautiful blur.

I had a normal week of school. It was fun to work in classes for all the different grade levels. I had time to interact with the students and have real English conversations. 

Here were some of the highlights:

- hearing stories from students about their weekend adventures and mishaps

- singing the Pen Pineapple Apple Pen song over and over again

- teaching students how to say "I have a headache ... stomachache ... cough ... etc." 

- attending and observing an English Class demonstration at another junior high school

- finding out that many of the students love the NBA

- making origami pumpkins 

- trying a new yogurt flavor, mikan (orange)

In addition to having a great week of school, I also had a great week at the gym. I'm building momentum and gearing up for my 10km race in November. It's been challenging to follow my fitness plan, but it's unbelievably rewarding. I feel exhausted afterwards and extremely happy. I love the feeling that comes after I've pushed myself. 

Saturday

It rained all day  So instead of playing tennis here's what happened . . . 

A trip to Mojiko. 

It's about 40 minutes north of where I live. It's absolutely beautiful. I've heard from countless people that Mojiko is a place I must visit. It's also where I'll be running my 10k race in November, so I was happy to see it beforehand. 

Cafe Latte from Lawson.

Browsed through shop after shop in Mojiko Retro.

Beaded jewelry, crystal lamps, souvenirs, childhood anime character flashbacks [Kiki's Delivery Service], holiday decorations, and countless framed paintings. 

Rode the elevator to the top of Mojiko Tower.

A 270 degree view from the 31st floor. Looking out across the Kanmon Strait to see Shimonseki of the Yamaguchi prefecture. 

Took a ferry across the Kanmon Strait from Mojiko to Shimonseki.

Ate kaiten-zsushi (conveyor belt sushi) and toured the aquarium, twice. There were 26 different types of puffer fish to see! 

It was an unbelievable day and kind of a blur. I loved every second of it.

Coffee for the road trip.

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko Retro

Mojiko Tower - 270 degree view from the 31st floor

Loved being a tourist in Mojiko.

Mojiko Tower - 270 degree view from the 31st floor

Mojiko Tower - 270 degree view from the 31st floor

Taking a ferry across the Kanmon Strait.

Kanmon Strait Ferry  

Shimonseki Fish Market

Kaiten-zsushi, sushi-go-round, conveyor belt sushi

Shimonseki Aquarium 

Goodnight, Mojiko.

Sunday

On Sunday, I packed up my Japanese language books and headed to class a couple of hours early. Not before watching an episode of Mr. Robot (I'm obsessed), though. Unfortunately, I've only seen the first 3 episodes. The rest are unavailable to stream. I'm extremely disappointed. That will be the first show I binge watch when I return to the US. 

Orio Eki , Orio Station

I decided to make time to review and study beforehand. Since I had spoken with my instructor on the phone the night before, I had an idea of what we would be covering today. I tried my best to gather as much information as possible in order to be prepared.

I ordered a cafe mocha at Tully's and reviewed ... 

It's official. I'm cheating on Starbucks.

After our Japanese lesson, B and I headed to AEON to do a little shopping. I've been wanting to update my wardrobe. Fall is in the air here in Japan and I'm starting to feel like bundling up. I'm so obsessed with my purchases I had to show a few of them off ...

Some of today's pieces --- puffer vest, white sweater, & trench coat.

Today's Whole Haul:

- taupe puffer vest

- tan trench coat

- white waffle knit sweater

- powder blue waffle knit sweater

- celery green lace up ballet flats

- straight black pants

I wrapped up a great week & wonderful weekend by streaming my favorite movie of all time on NETFLIX, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and drinking a cafe latte.

Weekend Recap: From the Mountains to the Sea

Special Announcement

Recently, I reached out to a friend from college who runs his own business, SWIGER CREATION STUDIO, and asked if he would help me put together a video of my time here in Japan. For the last few months I've been sending him videos and pictures of everything I see and do on a daily basis. He's taken the content and pieced it together to give me a video that perfectly captures my life in Japan. I'm excited to share the finished product with you. 

 Click here to see southern Japan through my eyes.

October 15th and 16th have left me almost speechless. Here are the moments I captured ...

"Tennis in the mountains.
Lunch by the sea.
Cafe Mocha and MUSE.
Japanese Language Lessons and coffee."

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Weekly Update: That's Why You're Here

I had a lot of time to myself this week. I used it to work on projects, lessons, and materials for school. I also thought about and analyzed the lifestyle choices I've been making lately. And I thought about things that I want to change and made my plan of action.

Silence is nice. It's nice to be able to let me thoughts run wild and flow. I was able to solve, or at least settle a lot of things that have been causing me stress lately. I feel refreshed and ready for my next challenge.

The Week's Highlight: On Thursday I had my first body counseling session with a trainer from the gym. It was eye opening. The trainer, let's call him Mr. Fitness, took all my measurements and then handed me a printout. In summary the sheet said, "You're average." There is a lot of room for improvement and clear set goals that I am after. As disappointing as it was to read the print out I didn't let it discourage me. Actually, it motivated me. It outlined a fitness plan for me to follow and gave me a way to set realistic goals for myself. By having everything recorded on paper I can clearly see where I am beginning. I now have a starting point and what I am working towards. I am so excited to start this new routine. Lately, I've been missing PureBarre and the consistency I had when I was living in Texas. This gym is my solution.  It's going to be good for me. 

[Insert story of body counselling session here and how it took me about a minute and half to realize that it was being conducted in English, not Japanese. I was shocked and happily surprised. Even better, Mr. Fitness attended one of the JHS's I teach at and spent time in Australia teaching Japanese. Everyone I meet has such an interesting story.]

The biggest takeaway for me was what Mr. Fitness said when he saw my reaction to the information on the printout. He said, "That's why you're here." It meant a lot more to me than just changing myself physically and improving my health. It resonated with me because it reinforced the overall reason for me coming to Japan; which was and still is to grow as a person. With growth comes change and that is why I'm here. I'm changing myself for the better. I'm exposing myself to experiences that push me out of my comfort zone, challenge me, and make me form my own opinions and beliefs.  Whenever the time comes for me to leave Japan, I know I'll be taking habits and beliefs with me that I learned and developed here. Japan is shaping me in more ways than I know and I'm letting it.

This Week's Update: My focus is shifting. As of lately I'm staying local. Trips that I thought I would be taking have become less of a priority. I'm focusing on what the area around me has to offer and taking an active interest in building my life and routine here. 

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Here's how the rest of my week played out ... 

Monday

- Japanese National "Sports Day" Holiday 

- spent my day on the tennis court playing mixed doubles

- enjoyed the fall air and my new tennis clothes

Tuesday

- normal school day 

Wednesday

- normal school day 

- received my first letter from the United States! Thanks, MOM!

- bought housewares for my apartment and did a little decorating/re-organizing

- my apartment is starting to feel like home

Thursday

- semi normal school day  

- teaching observation in the afternoon with two special guests

- organic Japanese conversation at the bus stop on my way home

The story: I was checking the bus timetable and an old woman waiting for the bus began talking to me. She was speaking Japanese but I could understand a little of it. She was asking the normal questions: where are you from? what's your job? how long have you been in Japan? and I was responding in Japanese. I was so proud of myself and excited. We ended up riding the same bus but sitting in separate seats. When she was getting off for her stop she made a point to come up to me and say goodbye. It was such a sweet moment.

- Fitness Exam & Body Counseling Session 

Friday

- normal school day 

- had a lot of fun speaking with the students and staff 

- watched the tennis and baseball clubs practice 

- paid my entrance fee for the 10 k race in November 

Weekly Update & Recap: Magic

October 3rd - October 9th 

Monday & Tuesday 

- normal school day's - 

Wednesday

- semi normal school day - 

classes cancelled for students due to a typhoon

After school, L and I joined a gym!

[Insert experience of the whole process: filling out Japanese paperwork; using official bank account stamps; and committing to a three month contract.]

Thursday

- normal school day - 

Friday

- normal school day & tennis club practice - 

Saturday 

Tennis in the mountains. A magical day.

Mixed doubles with Coach A against Mrs. S and Mr. A.

We lost in two sets, 5-7, 5-7. 

In the morning Coach A picked me up and we headed to our mixed doubles match. I wasn't exactly sure where we were going or what was in store for this day. When we arrived at the sports complex I couldn't believe what I saw. It was truly magical. There were walking trails, sports courts, lookout points, and an array of grass tennis courts. It seriously did not feel real. 

Since Coach and I arrived early we picked the court and started to warm up. When Mrs. S and Mr. A walked onto the court I was so surprised to find that they spoke English. Not only did they speak English, but they were fluent English speakers. It was amazing. 

Even though Coach and I lost the match, we had a blast.  I think the more we play together the better we will become. We're going to have to learn how to break the language barrier between us. Right now we're unable to talk to each other about game strategy, or when to "switch" in the middle of a point. I think all of this will come. We just have to keep trying.

After the match we all headed to an onsen. An onsen is a traditional spa/bath house. When I was a child I remember going to one with my family when we lived in Okinawa, Japan. However, that was many years ago and I don't remember a lot of it. So when I explained to them that this was my first time going to an onsen they all had a look of uneasiness and shock on their faces. 

The onsen we vistited was not co-ed. There were specific men and women areas. 

I've linked an article explaining what onsen's are ... click here.

[Insert whole onsen experience here.]  

Overall, I enjoyed my first onsen experience. I left the spa feeling refreshed, relaxed, and my skin feeling softer and healthier.  I'm glad I was able to experience this unique part of Japanese culture. 

Afterwards, we had lunch at the onsen's restaurant. It was absolutely wonderful to talk with Mrs. S and Mr. A. They are so interesting and I am happy Coach A introduced me to them.

We made plans to play tennis again later this week.

Lunch at the onsen: udon noodles, tempura, and sashimi rice.

Before being dropped off at my apartment we did a little shopping at COSTCO. Timing could not have been better. I have been feeling a little homesick for the US lately. It's the time of year, holiday season.  I see all of my college friends attending football games & tailgates; drinking Starbucks; and enjoying the fall weather. I love this time of year. There is a lot I am missing, so it was really nice to walk around COSTCO and see familiar products. I saw Christmas tress, Halloween costumes, English books, and tons of other things I recognized. It was like coming home. 

Shopping at COSTCO --- Einstein Bros. Bagels & iced coffee.

This Saturday was truly magical. A day filled with experiences I'll never forget. 

Sunday 

... lazy like Sunday morning.

I woke up exhausted this morning. My whole body ached. It was the good kind of aching, though. They type that comes after a full day of exerting yourself.  I made a latte and wrapped myself in my new COSTCO blanket and settled into watch the series finale of Gilmore Girls - Season 7, Episode 22, "Bon Voyage".  I am so ready for the new episodes of Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life to be released. 

In the afternoon I attended my weekly Japanese Conversation Class. B came with me and we had a challenging time to say the least. We left the class with our heads tangled and me on the verge of tears. Learning a new language is overwhelming. Just when I start to make a little head way a new challenge is thrown my way. I'm not complaining, I'm just explaining myself. 

B and I had Halloween Pumpkin Spice Latte's at Tully's and tried to re-balance ourselves. 

For this upcoming week I plan to study:

hiragana and katakana Japanese characters;

basic vocabulary; and telling time. 

After our latte's we took a train over to the AEON shopping plaza. I needed to buy new tennis/workout clothes. In Japan when it comes to workout attire the more conservative the better.  

After a successful shopping trip we each boarded buses in opposite directions and said, 

"Mata ne." - See you.

I ended my night by watching The Internship on Netflix and Facebook video messaging with my parents. It was so nice to catch up with them. 

Monday

Japanese National Holiday

SPORTS DAY

Sleeping in a little later than planned was well worth it. Once I woke up, I tidied up my apartment, did laundry, and enjoyed a huge cup of coffee. 

In the afternoon I changed into my new tennis clothes, packed my bag, and waited for Coach A to pick me up. We had plans to play mixed doubles against Mrs. S and Mr. A.

We were supposed to play on hard courts, but something happened with our reservation, and we ended up back on the omni surface (grass). I'm becoming quite used to the omni surface. It's actually weird to think of playing on a hard court now. 

Today, Coach A and I won against Mr. A and Mrs. S! It was awesome! We played really well together. I poached at the net, made my serves, and even threw up quite a few successful lobs. 

The weather was so nice today, too! The sun was out and there was a constant breeze. For the first time I was actually cold  --- unbelievable. 

After a full 3 hours of tennis, our time on the court was over. We all said goodbye and made plans to play again later in the week.

I'm really happy to have what feels like a standing tennis reservation.

When I got back to my apartment, I showered, changed, and wrapped myself in my COSTCO blanket. I was exhausted. I made myself a cup of coffee and toasted my blueberry bagel.