"From the Jump"

You'd have to be from the "hood" to understand what the title of my blog means. Or have family that is in the same genre as from where it comes from. I was talking to my JenniferRae and she said "from the jump" and it struck a nerve in me. A happy nerve.

From the Jump, I was born with a purpose. From the Jump, He knew me, even in my mother's womb. He knew what I was to do, when I was going to do it and why.

From the jump, children have always made me happy. The sound of children's laughter is by far one of the greatest joys I have. I can sit on a park bench and watch them play. I'm happiest in my classes when they look at me, confused, then ask their friend for help or when they say "ahhh wakata!" I love when they figure out what needs to be done on their own (after a little push from me); it's like they are a little tiny person (or sometimes a big person).

Anyway, as per my last post...I talked about seasons and reasons and all kinds of rhyming words. I decided to get over myself and keep pressing on. However, I still won't settle for bull. Life's too short to do so. Why do it? Why not expect the best? Why settle? Why not have a back up plan? Thank you JenniferRae for helping me realize that.

So... Over the last week or couple days since my last post, I've been praying a lot more and just sitting back and looking at my own actions (thank you Ana for your message). I cannot personally control anyone or anything. I can't control the fact that my iPhone hates me or that the Japanese bank hates me lol.

However, I CAN control the type of teacher I am. I can ask God to change situations, to change the hearts of others (that they focus on what's important and not just money). And I have. I know I was brought here to Japan for a reason. And I KNOW that reason is not just to teach. Or play volleyball. Or make new, great friends.

And I feel so selfish lately that I've been so blessed here. My kids are great. Seriously great. Even ones that I've complained about have changed since last month. My JTs are ridiculously amazing and fun and compassionate. And I've been surrounded by some of the greatest people in Japan, I'm sure! Thank you all for just being so nice lol. And again, the selfishness is overtaking me and I feel like: what can I do to give back???!!!!! How do I help others?

And duh. Just be me. "Do you girl, get you some," was what Emilee wrote in the card she gave me. Lol. And doing me: A silly, hungry, loving girl who will pray for you with or without you noticing. How do I give back? By doing what God called me to do:
To teach to the best of my abilities. To make sure the kids in my classes are learning as much as they can, but having fun doing it. To pray for ridiculous decisions, even if those people are older than me or make more money or make decisions. And to get over myself and trust God. Because when I truly do this, I know that all things will come to pass. BECAUSE they ALWAYS Have and ALWAYS will. It just is what it is. It's how my life rolls.

So, from the jump, I've set out to teach. And here I be.


Then I listened to this:



Thank you Keena, for posting this on Facebook btw.

And realized that my friends and family are amazing. Seriously amazing. I can honestly say that I am a blessed woman. Undeservingly blessed. I have some great confidants. Who kick my butt, but hug me when I cry; love me when I'm wrong and are patient with me when I'm ridiculous. I have confidants that get all up in my business to let me know: hey...it shouldn't be that way. oohh weee!

And here's to a coat of many colors. To stepping out of my comfort zone. To showing my thanks by working as hard as I can and knowing that things will be okay. Peace.

Hurry Up and Wait

I'm a little embarrassed to say that I think my honeymoon stage is over. There are things that I've encountered in Japan, working and living, that I'm just not too fond of. It's embarrassing to realize that things were and are not perfect here in Japan. The hype that I bought into (maybe that's too harsh). The excitement that I felt before coming here is not the same as I feel now.

I mean there are daily things I get excited about! My city is amazingly beautiful and the friends that I've made and am getting to know are awesome as well!

check out some photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012562&id=151900452&l=740ce4adb7

It may have been the whole: doing something new, teaching (what I love), traveling (what I love) and learning a new language (what I love) aspect of coming here. But, as I sit and complain, I realize: those things are still prominent.

Life, unfortunately, is not perfect. We, as humans are not perfect. I mean, I'm almost perfect, but not quite there yet lol. Seriously, though. Crap happens. We get excited about new choices and do hours upon hours of research and dive in to a new decision. We'll always have reservations about our new choices and sometimes those reservations hold to be true.

So, now that some of my reservations are all up in ma face what do I do?

I feel as though by some things not being as perfect as they could or as I thought they would be, I'm a failure. Or that I'm fickle for not wanting to continue.

But, then I realized... I'm 26 years old. Jennifer Rae told me that 25 was a sexy age (I agreed, then I turned 26... so I guess it's sexy with one year experience?). Anyway, what I think she was getting at was 25 is a sense of maturity. You're no longer a baby and you're still at your peak in life. Still in your 20's but not early twenties. 26 is even better because I can officially say I'm grown.

So, back to my realization: just because I'm apt to try new things then peace them out when they aren't as good as I expect them to be doesn't make me fickle. It makes me smart. I'm 26 years old, I have my Masters in Education, I have a loving family, friends, beautiful boyfriend and the most adorable nephew one could ask for. I feel like I've been given situations that I only need to be in for a while; those situations get me to my next step in life. Sometimes I get discouraged because I'm doing a waiting game! I wait for a phone call, for my pay check, to transfer money...to hear God, for Friday... But I guess I should: enjoy today for tomorrow has it's own troubles more often...
One of the best parts about my life is that I've been given a gift of discernment and the understanding that things happen for a reason, in a season. Not just for a reason, but some things have to happen only for a season.
So... the past year I've had so many different seasons that I've gone through. Some of which I could live without, some of which I needed to grow. I've lived and traveled everywhere searching to find myself and a job lol.

The point to my rant is that I'm going through different seasons. I'm waiting for my main goal in life to happen and until then, I am going to enjoy the ride. BUT that doesn't mean I will settle for just anything. No no no... I'm 26, I'm grown. You get to a point in life where settling is not okay.

AND if that makes me look fickle, then so be it. I'd like to think I'm wise...

For the record, waiting for what you truly want SUCKS! But enjoying the things put in place to help you get to where you really want HELPS lol!

Ganbatte

Nostalgia, Il Divo and Inflammation...

Hahaha!

I just had a conversation with some friends about inflammation of many things on the body... lol. I won't go into details, but as a girl, taking antibiotics, you'd understand. Even if you think you don't understand, trust me, you understand!

Speaking of antibiotics. I can finally sit up for longer than an hour without wanting to pass out. I've gone running AND have worked once already this week. I'm finally not feeling under the weather. Yay!!1 It's been two weeks and running since the sore throat started and such a sob story on going to the hospital etc... I think we've had enough of the being sick in Japan story...

Nostalgia has hit. But, I'd like to take it as my understanding just how blessed I am to have such loving and super, ridiculously, intelligent friends :). However, it's nostalgia. I was doing Pilates, listening to K-Love and a sense of nostalgia came over me. I wanted Lydia to be in her study nook studying (or in the corner four feet away from me lol) and my crazy babies running around and getting mad at one another. I wanted friends that know what I'm thinking and how I'm feeling before I act to be here, all living with me in my little apartment. So far, my phone bill is ridiculous! But, it's a small price to pay to hear the voices of my loved ones. Skype hasn't worked out thus far.

Il Divo makes me miss Ciro more than ever, but Il Divo brings back the fondest memories and makes me happy to listen. We still do our three-five minute phone sessions per night lol and on Sundays take more time to actually catch up in one another's lives. Sometimes we just whine on the phone, but it's nice to comfort each other. Il Divo is what is on my radio station now ;)

I'll have two weeks off in October :) Vacation time here I come.

I have my first volleyball practice on Saturday and have met, made a bad joke with and not understood my coach all in one night. I look forward to playing and sweating.

I've also acquired a running buddy! Yay Tai!!! He took me on a "trail" run and we ended up at track (said track that I always pass on the way to my staff meetings).

So, in an attempt to get through and embrace the nostalgia, I'm happy. Some days more than others. Some days I'm stupid happy. Other days I cry. Like today may be a crying day. We'll see. Granted... it's that time of the month again.

I had my first language exchange where I am helping a friend improve his writing. It's so much easier to improve the writing of others than to improve your own. But, whatevs.

Annndddd I'm done. Happy Thursday. Jersey Shore comes on soon I'll fist pump to that!

Nudo

I thought living, alone, in Japan, alone, without crazy kids (aka dogs) and Lydias (aka baby's mom) and Phils (aka brotha from anotha motha) making me feed them and pet them and sneaking into my bedroom to poop and leave hairs on my black comforter... would be Lonely.

Wrong! It could be because I am slightly a loner. Kinda socially awkward. I don't mind being alone. I laugh at my own jokes. I get myself. I watch what I want to watch. I cook...eat... you get it.

NOPE the best part is all the nakedness. I'm typing this naked. It's okay I won't post pictures. Don't get offended mom, you are sometimes naked too. I've seen it!

YES living, alone, in Japan without my crazy (though I miss them very much so) country family is okay because I can live alone naked.

The blinds are closed though. I get too many creepy stares from creepier half-intoxicated older men. Don't want to get too comfortable too soon. Blinds closed for now...naked.

Well well well...Welcome to Nagasaki City

Oh my oh my...
I've begun to settle into Nagasaki City and have fallen in love with my "little" port city. So much has happened in so little time.
For starters, I've met some great teachers (some work with me, some don't) and have been able to take day trips and two over night trips with them. We've had laughs and have gotten to know one another. I can say I honestly miss my friends back home who know everything about me: how I tick, what I like and don't like, who have inside jokes from last year or even ten years ago. BUT moving to a new place (and by new I mean a completely different country) is what I've decided and so meeting new people and opening myself up is what I get.

Hmmmm...

I've slowly begun learning Nihongo slowwwllly. Granted I can pretty much read Hiragana and should be able to read Katakana soon.

I've had a ton of adventures: went on my first two-day business trip to Karatsu (where I was originally supposed to be) and loved it. Not as much as I love my Nagasaki though.

So.... Ana
She's the teacher I am "replacing" who lived here in NC for 8 years. There's no way I could replace her, but she's helped me so much with finding things and meeting new people. I think I mentioned in my last blog that I made myself go to the gaijin hangout (equipped with an American flag in the window). Kendall's... all I can say is: Kendall is already like an older brother :) and he just had twins that I plan on baby sitting ASAP! We all know how I feel about babies and he has TWO! Holla. His bar is full of all kinds of different characters and if I ever needed a sugar daddy...I think I'd play my cards there. ;)
Then there's the lovely Mayumi. She's a tiny character with a huge heart. She fed me yesterday and I well, fell in love lol.

I've met soooo many people and they've all been extremely nice and welcoming and just amazing. I'm seriously so blessed. OH and I got internet so that makes my life even better.

AH I finished my last Master's class with 100% on all assignments!!! My gpa ended up being awesome. All A's and one B (first class, boo).

Hmmm.... I talk to puzzo once or twice or three times a day. We argue for thirty seconds then realize it's the missing and laugh and make up. I miss him. But I have surprises in store in the near future ;)

OH Japanese emoticons are ridiculously adorable. As is most of Japan.

I met the Portugese Navy and that was great times! They were as excited as I was that we both spoke "Spanish" and English and even some Italian.

And then there's Wayne, my running partner; who ended up running by himself on Sunday because I have been sick! UGH...

So my job... I have my reservations. I think I need to dive into it further and make it my own and I'll be okay. I'm having way too much fun outside of work and finding new things that I'm not as focused on my job. I'll let it pass for this first month as I am getting to know my kids and my JTs whom are all amazing.

Seriously, having people pray for me and doing some myself has proven to be awesome. My faith is HUGE now. Even in crazy times (like walking four hours through the mountains to a classroom) I'm at peace. So... Japan it is.

It's not all perfect of course. And I like that. I like that there are some things that I can say...Anoooo :( to. Because it shows me just how perfect God is. hmmmm

I'll figure out how to post pics on here for peeps that don't have Facebook.

I love my apartment and can't wait to have extra money to buy used furniture! Thankfully, in Japan people take care of their things so used furniture hasn't looked very used.

OH dear. Speaking of Japanese. I almost forgot about my Ryota. I call him my Japanese boy friend because he's truly proven to be a great friend. He walks me home when I get lost, looks at guys meanly when they are getting too close to me and makes fun of my kiddish writing of Hiragana. He makes me teach him English and I try to make him teach me Japanese pero non funzione. It's okay though, it's nice to have consistent company and to be forced to figure out what the other is saying because neither one of us is even close to fluent in the other's language. Sometimes we just laugh at each other because we have NO idea what we want to say.

Pandora makes me happy.

My church is sooooo far away :( I have to save money to go to it. But until then, I've been doing daily devotions and watch TBN television which has some amazing dramas on it. I even cried yesterday! I'll blame it on feeling yucky.

Tonight is a dinner for Akaneezy (Akane- one of my favorite Japanese names for girls; chokawaii) and another girl Sami (such cute names). SO, I'll be doing that. Then coming home to prepare for my presentation for work tomorrow. yaaaay hahaha. I need some of Magui's creativity.

Misses:
I miss my family. My teeny tiny nephew and how he sleeps on my chest and watches sports so well... my mom and how she lets things stress her lol and my silly sisters who are both so sweet and so opposite but so much alike. My handsome Godson and mama (she keeps letting him grow ugh). And D...
I miss my naked Emilee lol. It's true, she's always naked. And my Korean whom I'm currently not talking to. And my Vannybunsbunsbuns who gives the best hugs. And my kids, my baby's mama and her fiance/my brother. My crazy Marine! My silly Model and baby bruv. My Bronte's sheesh! I miss you all!!!

Buuutttt... Nagasaki is good to me and I do NOT miss America. Mostly. Nope, no I don't.

I did cry last week sometime. But I got over it.

My book hates me btw. Just in case anyone asks. It's in the works. Editing yay. Ugh. VannyB has begun working on the cover...

Kiki IN Nagasaki City...

Literally...

I arrive and find John standing there with a huge smile and something in his hand. Ah, an umbrella. He offers to take one of my three bags (this is after me even sending two big suitcases to be delivered) and I politely oblige. We walk, through rain into what I originally see as: what is this, so many lights, so many people. It turns out that literally three...no four maybe, trolley stops from my house is a HUGE mall. And somewhat behind that is another HUGE mall and then somewhere else in my city is a third HUGE mall. Needless to say...

So, we make it and wait two hours for the gas man to come and install gas. My apartment is small. Imagine a dorm with a kitchen. That, is a Japanese style apartment. However, everything is new. Thankfully I am replacing a girl, Ana, who decided that she wanted to get a new apartment in the downtown area. And she got one. Everything in my apartment is new, pink, and green. It smells like fresh paint, the floors are nicely polished and I have a real bed. AND a real view. I can see gorgeous mountains outside my balcony and a shrine (can't remember the name). It's absolutely wonderful and I've taken to decorating it. I'll post pictures on a later date.

So... The first week began and John and I walked around, in the rain, to get my information. Thankfully, John was here to help me get regisitered. He, however, was not available to help with my getting a bank account and cell phone. But, with a lot of gesturing and saying a million yeses (hmmm?) and drawing pictures, I was successful and now have both a bank account and a lovely (of course) iPhone. No iPhone 4 :( the guy at the softbank place made wide arms to indidcate that it's a looooooong wait. To be honest, I'm content with my black berry and iPhone. And feel slightly spoiled. I guess my mom's, sister's, family, friend's many prayers really paid off.

I am in Japan where down the street is a street market. It's closed off (no cars may enter) and people line the streets to buy produce, fresh meat, fresh fish, clothing, enter the 100yen shop (woo hoo) and I found a pair of cute white and black polka dotted rain boots.

I have also signed up for Japanese lessons with a private tutor and start those today at 7 pm (2 hours from now). I now realize that I am one of those people who jet away to a far off land and fall in love.

On my way to my classroom (I have an office week, which means I don't teach any classes, but I head to my empty classroom and prepare lessons for the rest of the month)... was the best ride ever. The scenery is absolutely breath taking and it literally took my breath away over and over and over again. I seriously wish I could knock on heaven's door and thank God personally for allowing me to be in such a miraculous place.

So... I've met many different people so far, in my training.
They are all deeply missed already and such wonderful, accepting people. We, honestly, were all as different as black and white, but almost identical in a way. I guess, you'd have to be there to understand. I truly miss you guys and wish I could share the excitement that Nagasaki City brings to me...we had some good times exploring Nagoya together. AND I expect visits! Capicc??

So, my life consists of waking up, reading Joyce Meyer, praying for family, friends, myself, this city... and whining about being tired. Then finding strength to do my hair (which is growing out of the cute cut it was in...) and getting dressed and heading outside. I live literally on the outskirts of downtown. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to China town, five more minutes to walk to the big outside mall and add five minutes here or there and I've circled all of downtown. I have learned to get around (yaaay and am learning kanji..slooooowwwwllly, but surely). I also, don't turn my AC on much because the rain has cooled everything down a bit.

I enjoy my apartment (which John says is a steal considering my location) and that my clothes were almost crazy enough to fit-in with Japan style. Granted... I haven't been able to wear any of my heels :( On another note, I bought these beautiful shockingly blue Ns! Yaaay shoes.

Some advice for those reading who are just heading to Japan:
1. Bring cash; but finding a 7-11 is pretty much easy and you can use a debit card to get money out.
2. Have fun!
3. It's not as hard as it seems.

I can't think of anything else lol. I've asked a million questions to the same people over and over and am learning a lot about Japan. I also learned that there is a nice American bar down the street from my house which I will go to tomorrow night for Happy Friday! And there's another bar that frequents the English speakers and some Japanese locals that I will visit on Saturday. Japan has treated me well... even having four (or five) different bags for different types of trash! lol.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll be able to play as I have about 3 days off :)

First two weeks in Japan...

So far, Japan has proven to be nothing but awesome. I mean I miss my family and friends but have absolutely NO regrets about coming.
I am on an hour train bound for teaching! So far, we've been training A LOT but also playing and eating A LOT! The balance has been great.
In Japan, I have found that (besides deodorant and toothpaste and maybe some shoes) everything is readily available and everyone is readily available to help you.
Let's talk about that...
So, I ended up getting lost on my first day of classes (where I taught two different levels of classes back to back; both of which I had never done before in training)... Long story short: I am half hour late and am crying in the rain. Just little tears :( But everyone I asked for directions was nice and felt really bad when they had NO idea where I was going. Lol. It turns out the map was outdated. Tsk tsk... But now I have a sob story to tell...
Everything went well and the kids enjoyed my games and were pretty good kids.

So far, I've seen castles, shrines, raccoon-dogs, been eaten by mosquitoes AND done fireworks in the park. We've eaten everything from ramen to tofu-burgers and laughed until we've cried.

I feel really blessed to be here in Japan and with a set of peeps I can call family already.

And a shout out to C-Dog aka charred leaves aka Mistah Charlie: You betta don't!
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