Japanese Broadway Lion King

I went to the Japanese Broadway version of Lion King yesterday, along with my parents on their anniversary. It was kind of them to let me come to the show with them. I was a bit wary about going as the show was all in Japanese, but figured it would be good practice to try to pick up what they are saying and what words they are using. It was an amazing production! I loved it. The, beginning was phenomenal, with all the different animals entering onto stage, the costuming was creative and well put together to be realistic. There was even a huge elephant that came onto stage, being followed by a baby elephant!

I found the Cheetah to be an amazing costume. The person in charge of the cheetah was the back legs of the cheetah, and she stayed standing up. The head and front legs of the cheetah were in front of the person, and wires from the person to the cheetah`s head were attached, so that when she moved her head whichever way, the cheetah`s head would move in that direction too. Her arms had sticks attached to the cheetah`s front legs, and so she would move the legs while walking around the stage. I thought that was pretty ingenious.

Another costume I liked were the Hyena`s. I know they are on the bad side in this show, but I really enjoyed watching the Hyena`s. They were funny, and the costuming was so well done, and the actors really made you believe they were hyena`s, displaying the mannerism`s of Hyenas so well. For the three main Hyena`s, the actor had their hands in the head (like a puppet). But the person`s head, was actually making the big humpback that Hyena`s have. Their elbows rested on these small, small stilts that were the hyena`s front legs, and the back legs were their actual legs, but in a slightly crouched position, so I could imagine that takes a lot of muscle and can be quite tiring to be in that costume. They did so well though, and were really funny. The other Hyena`s that were not the main ones, had Hyena masks over their heads, and their arms were the legs. They did this really cool dance routine as well, and it felt like a party was going on up there, with some really awesome dance moves.

The two big lions, Mufasa and Scar had really cool lion head masks. They were attached to the actor`s back by wire, and when they would bend forward, the mask would fall down in front of the actor`s face. When they would stand up again, the mask would rise right above their heads. And when the actor moved their head, their mask would move as well. It was really cool how they portrayed Lion behavior and the movements that lions make. Another great character was Zazu. The actor/puppeteer had this big bird zazu on his arm and hands, but Zazu was a puppet, the actor was not dressed up as Zazu, but he would work the beak, eyes, and the neck. The neck was really great, when Zazu was flustered or agitated, his neck would stretch really far. At one point, when Mufasa was lecturing him on losing Simba and Nala, Zazu gets all agitated and stressed, gets hysterical and the actor did such a great job, Zazu`s neck went everywhere, started banging it`s head on the ground. It was really a funny scene, with how well the actor was using his puppet, Zazu.

Timon and Pumba were also a very funny pair, of course. I was okay with not understanding most of what the actors were saying, but when it came to Timon and Pumba I really wished I understood more of the language. But the actors did a great job of being funny in their mannerisms and antics. Timon was a puppet, with an actor controlling his mouth and arms. Timon`s legs were attached to the feet of the actor. The actor was painted in green, and his outfit was green. He did an amazing job with Timon, making it so very funny to watch. When they first met Simba, he made Timon so nervous to see if Simba was alive, he had Timon shaking so much, it felt so read. Pumba was great as well. That was a huge costume, and the top of his head, where his hair goes, is where the actor`s head was, and the hair of the warthog, was the actor`s hair (wig).

I was wondering how they were going to do the scene where Mufasa dies, when all the wildebeests are on a stampede, and Mufusa goes and saves Simba, but then gets pushed into the stampede by Scar. Even though it was a sad scene, it was amazingly done. They made those huge cliffs with the valley. The closer it was to the audience, it was lower to the ground, the further away was higher, and to make it look like it was far away. So you have this layered valleys, and a picture of wildebeests on the top, way in the back of the stage. Then you hear a rumbling, and Simba starts shaking, to make it feel like the ground is shaking, and then you see the wildebeests, all picture, go down that huge dip to the valley. Then at the first layer back there, you see heads of wildebeests go up and down, up and down, then it gets to the next layer, and more wildebeests heads, except they are bigger because they are getting closer to Simba, then to the next level, bigger wildebeests, and then they are alongside Simba. I thought that was so well done. With the music, it made it seem very intense and scary. “

For that cheesy love song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, even though that is a really sappy, cheesy love song, they had these cool acrobatic dancers, that were in the air doing these dances for the song, and that was really cool to watch, despite the sappy song.

I found it very interesting that the humor that was in this show, as there are humorous parts to the Lion King, it was all done in a Japanese comedic way. It was definitely not western style humor. The way Timon and Pumba were, reminded me to Japanese Comedic acts that I saw on TV, from time to time. It worked well though, and we even heard them use the sound “Bi-Bon” The sound that you make when you get an answer write, used here in Japan.

I enjoyed watching this with my parents. Dad kept translating to my mom, who in turn translated to me, at the parts we really wanted to know what they were saying, as there was some scenes that were not in the original movie. I could explain some more amazing set affects, and staging, and whatnot, like different things popping out of the stage, but that would be a really long blog of explanation, so as it probably already is a long blog, I will leave it as this. Watch the Lion King if it is around your area. And maybe it will be in your own language.

An Apartment of my own!

This is something I wrote while sitting at my desk at work, after I finished my planning for the whole week.

The weather has finally been getting warmer. Today is a sunny day and I only wore a light jacket over my outfit. I probably did not even need the jacket. I do not know if this weather will hold, but for every day that it is warm, I do not want to be spending that time inside. As a working person, I must stay inside. Then when work is done, I get to ride my bike back to home. Then I can go to a park or take a long bike ride to some unknown neighborhood near me. One day, I went to a park that we call “Lily Park”, where the tulips have been in season for a few weeks. I took a book, sat at a bench and read to my heart`s content. Pleasant weather, a book to read, birds singing, and an afternoon to spare is a beautiful and peaceful experience. I intend to repeat that, time and again while the temperature stays warm.

I mentioned that the tulips have been in season for a few weeks. They have reached their peak, and some tulips have lost their petals. I love spring and seeing a bunch of flowers blooming. I am slightly saddened when I see them go away again. I know that is the life of a flower. My parents wanted to make sure that we saw the tulips in full bloom at this one particular park “Lily Park”. Mom thought it would be a good idea to go early in the morning before I went to work. (We couldn’t wait till the weekend, because every weekend so far has been cloudy and rainy; while the weekdays are nice and sunny). So we had to seize the day and see the tulips in peak, even though I had work in an hour. We made the decision to go in two minutes, and after 5 minutes we were dressed, a breakfast had been quickly put together for me to eat on the way, and we were ready to go. My dad found a quick way to get to the park, trying to beat the rush hour. We got to the park, found the field of tulips of so many varieties of colors. It was amazing. It is nice to be at a park early in the morning. Everything feels new and fresh. It wakes me up. We spent like 10 or 15 minutes looking at the different tulips, and then we walked back to the car and were attempting to beat the traffic to get myself to school. We drove home, I got my bike and actually had 5 minutes to spare before I had to cycle my way to school. That was a fun morning and I am thinking that I need to wake up, get ready really fast and enjoy being at a park, before I start the days work.

For the last few months I have lived with my parents. I have really enjoyed being with them and being able to say good morning and good night. But I also have been looking forward to having my own place. For various reasons, one being that my parents are not going to be in Japan next year, and I would really like to know how to live in Japan on my own, before they leave. I think the transition would be easier then waiting till they left and start living on my own in Japan cold turkey. I found an apartment! We had gone to an apartment of some lady that was moving out and she was selling/giving away some stuff. So we went to the apartment to see what we could get for my future apartment that we were not searching for at that moment. We went to the apartment, and while driving around the area, both my mom and I really liked it. Nice neighborhood, full of gardens. There were nice parks around the apartment, and a nice bike/walk/run path I could go on. So when we saw the apartment, and heard how much it cost to rent, etc. I really wanted to pursue the possibility of getting the apartment. The apartment is not brand new, but it is cozy, and the kitchen size was manageable. But it is considerably small, but not as small as other kitchens in other apartments. There are two 6 mat rooms. This means two very small rooms. If I put a couch in one room, it would take up half the room. But the place is manageable and I can have guests over. I did not want a place that I could not have guests over. I am a people person, and love to be surrounded by others. Given I have some time by myself, of course. This apartment makes it possible to have friends over. Not a lot of friends but enough to play games and eat dinner. The location of the apartment is about a 20 minute bike ride to my parents place. That is not so bad. Only when it starts to snow will it be harder to get around. The place is near a bus stop and about a 10 minute bike ride to a train station. Which will be great until it snows. And then I shall manage with taking more time to get places. It`s also just a 12 minute bikes ride to school. This will really be the first time that I am renting an apartment without having any roommates. I am excited to have my own place, decorate it, and be on my own time schedule. I am also nervous, as I typically do not like being alone (all the time) and if I cannot control my anxious thoughts then the anxiety can take over. But overall, I am excited and cannot wait to move in. Beginning of July is when I get to move in to my apartment. It`s on the third floor, so I have a nice view of the mountains, and the sunlight is always shining through one of my windows. A new part of this chapter of my life…really living on my own….Let`s see if I can manage!

I want to get plants for my apartment. I have two right now in my room. I find plants exciting because you see them grow. Not instantaneously but throughout the days, you see new buds coming in or new leaves coming in. Plants are a lot easier to take care of then pets. Provides more oxygen to your place and it provides your apartment with natural colors. I am excited to see how I am going to decorate my apartment. Hopefully it will not be a crowded mess.

Cutting my thumb....

This happened two weeks ago but forgot to upload it to my blog.
What an ordeal! So I woke up to a lovely Saturday morning, got on the train and went to another part of Sapporo. This was to find a school that had a Cooking workshop where the students would teach us how to cook a Japanese meal, practicing their English. I was excited and love to cook, so this was going to be a fun experience. Well, I get put into a group, and we start gathering our ingredients. I get to cut the dried squid up for a dish we are making. Into really small pieces and I was doing a really good job of it. They were impressed. I got to the end of the dried squid I was cutting, and this is where my pride came before the fall. I was doing a good job and was really confident in my cutting skills, when my stupid left thumb decided to get in the way at a very wrong moment. Yup, I cut my thumb. It was not a little cut and neither was it a really big cut that would determine that I needed to go to the hospital. But it definitely started to bleed a lot. I go to the supervisor and tell him that I got cut and that I don't react well to big cuts, as I have low iron and makes me weak when I get cut. So they sat me down and started to clean the cut. That's when things started getting hazy. It became really hard to breath, and I started seeing spots and the room was getting darker. I was trying really hard to not faint. I felt sick to my stomach and that it was really hard to breath was really freaking me out and so I kept saying "Kowaii" (scary) because I did not know whether the ladies helping me spoke English and I did not know what else to say. They said that I went sheet white. I was determined not to faint. I could have let myself faint but I found that to be scarier. I like to see the light at all times. So I looked out the window and breathed really hard to make myself stay awake. Thinking in my head that this is really frightening me, because I have never felt so awful or reacted so bad to cuts or anything. I did not know why I was reacting as bad as that. I have cut myself by a knife while cooking once before and I did feel weak, and get really pale, and had to get fresh air but the breathing and feeling like I really was going to faint had never happened, so I did not think that I would react as bad as I did. I am glad to have learned that I am a determined person when I get myself to be, because I managed to not faint. They grabbed a 2 liter Oolong Cha (tea) to give me some liquid and got me a piece of cake. After drinking a glass of the cold Oolong Cha I started getting more color to my face and I could stand up and walk a few steps to wash my hands. By the end of the recovery, I drank more then a liter of tea. That means many trips to the bathroom. It sure helped to drink that tea though. Even when I do not really like that tea. I think I might like it now. So I had to sit out for the rest of the cooking workshop and miss learning how to cook a certain kind of Japanese meal my group was making. I got to eat the food though and it was good! I am just glad I was okay even though for a moment it felt really bad.

Job Update: Love it!

I think it is time for an update. Why? Maybe because I have gone through two weeks of teaching....and LOVE IT! It is a great feeling to wake up and go do something that you love. Despite the early morning. You would be shocked to know that this night owl (me) is now going to sleep at 10:30 and waking up at 6:30. I thought it would never be possible, but I proved myself wrong. Accomplishment! Also a new thing: I dress up every day (except the weekends)! It is weird having to look really dressy in a suit every day. I might be able to gradually get the suit jacket off, and just be in a nice blouse and pants/skirt. I am in such a different school system then in America or international schools. It's a new world to me, but I am enjoying it.

The students all stay in one classroom, and it is the teachers that jump from one classroom to the next. Each class has a homeroom teacher. The teacher's desks are all in the same room, including the Vice principle. The desks are right next to eachother, 5 to 6 desks to a group. I have my own desk as well! It's great. The teachers next to me do not speak English so that is a bit of a bummer, but am near one of the English teachers. It is usually really quiet in the teacher's room, but sometimes people have conversations. I understand some words, but feel so lost many times. I have been understanding more of the language, and sometimes I can tell that the teacher's are talking about me and I think they think I do not understand, but I can get a good jist of what they are saying. I think it is positive the way the conversation was going and sounding. (I hope it was positive) I am really wanting to speak more Japanese, but just like the students, am really scared to speak. But if I want them to speak English, I must force myself to join the scary world of diving into a language, mistakes and all. Kowaii!

The kids are great and I am enjoying working with them. I hope that they are enjoying the class, as well as learning. There are so many students, and I am wondering how I am going to memorize all their names. I memorized one class, and today I shocked them by going around and telling them all their names. They were shocked, and clapped and were going on and on. Saying, "Sugoi! Eh? Sugoi!...etc". (Wow). Now for the other 15 classes.....515 students......I want to stay with this school all year, but in the fall I have to move to elementary schools all over sapporo. I will like being with the Elementary students, but I am really liking my school and have great teachers to work with and awesome students! I hope they like me. Maybe they will request me for next year! That would be great!

I get to ride my bicycle to school everyday! I love my new mode of transportation. I get exercise and get somewhere at the same time!! :) I have to enjoy biking while I can before it snows again. But I am told till November I can bike so that is good. Then for 5-6 months I will be off a bike, and using buses, trains and walking in the freezing weather. I can do this!!!! I am going to toughen up! Yesterday was actually a warm day!!!! I finally got to bike in a T shirt! I biked to a park called Lily Park, and saw the garden of tulips. It was so beautiful! I have a lot of pictures of flowers. I might put up some pictures of them. Flowers in Sapporo are amazing!! There are so many flowers. Every house, green spot seems to be filled with flowers of all kinds. And such vibrant colors. We really celebrate spring, because it is such a long winter here. Maybe its the snow that makes the flowers look so healthy and happy, but whatever it is, its beautiful. But there are not so many Sakura trees here, and so have seen sporadic blossoms. Also for some weird reason, the leaves come first, and then the blossoms. In some cases. Weird. But anyways, spring is here, despite the still chilly weather. At least there is no more snow to be seen, except on the mountains. Which is fine. Makes the mountains look so beautiful.

Well I think that was a good update. I hope you enjoyed and got a glimpse into my life here. Later I will expand on my teaching itself. I have to really work my creative juices sometimes to figure a fun but learning activity for the kids. Hope to hear your comments if you have some!

The Time Has Come to Teach....

The time has come. I am about to embark on my new job. I have gotten training and have had a month and a half break, and now it is back to the grindstone. How am I feeling about this new job? At the current moment, I am feeling nervous and a bit frightened. The school system here is so vastly different from the western world and I am going to be a part of it now. This is going to be a very different experience but I am excited. More excited about getting the hang of it and understanding how the school runs and my role in the school. Right now I will be very new, clueless and trying to learn the ropes. I do not like that feeling but I know that I won't be like this the whole time. I just have to get through the first week. I just have this feeling of wishing I could already be at the "I got this" stage, knowing the ropes, knowing that I can teach English well, and knowing more of their language.

I have been learning some kanji now. I have learned five so far....I have so much more to go. But I learned the Kanji for sun (hi) 日, Year (toshi) 年, Round/Circle (Maru)円 (it is also yen), Big/Great (oo) 大, Country (kuni)国! :) I am hoping that being in the schools will help me learn the language as well, being amongst the students and teachers.

I got my bicycle!! It is so nice to be able to get places with it! I love this mode of transportation. The other day I was biking to the subway station and was thinking "Wow I am really here in Japan. Not visiting. I am staying here, I have a bike and a job here." I guess it just hit me. Or hit me again. There is just moments where you realize that you really aren't where you were a month ago. Life is different from my life back in America, and I have to embrace it and learn all I can from this time that God has for me here. How is this experience going to affect my life? We shall see.

I know it has been awhile since I have written on my blog. I have had a great month with my parents and meeting new friends. I have been able to hang out with new friends, get to know the city a little more, relax and settle into my current room (until I find my own apartment).

I Don't Know

I realize I say the phrase "I don't know" a lot. It's common to say when you don't know something. Life has a lot of unanswered questions. It is easy to say "I don't know" to life's questions and trying figure out one's life. So I thought, well what else could I say instead of "I don't know", so that when I am explaining my life to myself or someone else, the phrase "I don't know" does not have to come up every other word (exaggeration). Here are some suggestions that you could use in replace of "I don't know" You could say:
-I'm not sure
-that is unanswerable at this moment
-I am thoroughly confused about that point
-(complete silence)
-My life is a puzzle that is not put together yet
-No answer is coming to me yet
-Is that a rhetorical question you are asking me? Please be a rhetorical question you are asking....
-Learn how to say "I don't know" in other languages....
-Let me ponder that question for a very long time, enough time that you will get bored and forget you asked me that question
-Only God knows
-Not even my therapist knows
-I am not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel on that question....
-Ask me that question in 10 years
-I might need to go up to a cabin in the woods and ponder that question before I give you an answer
-Ask me that question after I get my third doctorate
-I don't have answers to anything until I have had my 10th cup of coffee...and I am only on my third
-Oh, were you asking me? I totally thought you were asking the person behind me
-Let me take this phone call, it is very, very important and I cannot answer that question, as I have a very important call, not because I do not know the answer to that question, it's just that I have a very important phone call from an important person, and I must answer this call right this moment when you asked me that question. So sorry

I think you get my point. Add on if you can think of some other ideas of what can be said in replace of "I don't know"....I am up for suggestions!

Chapter two: My First Earthquake Since Being in Sapporo

I got to see my parents in action in their ministry with International students Thursday morning. An Indian couple was moving back to India and a group of people were there wishing them well and these are international people that go to their bible study. It was really cool to see this community of people from around the world gather around this couple and pray for them. It reminded me of my goodbye party and having all my friends around me praying for me. It is cool how where ever you go, you can already feel connected with others. I was sad to see this Indian couple go, even though I never knew them before. From what others said to them as a farewell, I could see it would have been cool to have gotten to know this couple. Plus, I love Indian culture, food and dress :)

I then went to my parents mission prayer meeting. Every Thursday all the OMF missionaries gather together for a time of worship, prayer and discussion. It was really cool to see the fellowship and gathering of missionaries. I love being around other OMF missionaries. It brings back memories as a child meeting all the missionaries at conferences and different meetings we would go to. Being able to meet up with other missionaries, to encourage and pray for each other goes a long way. Gives you strength! I loved meeting them. I never knew many missionaries up in Sapporo because we were in Tokyo growing up.

My dad and the team that went down to the Iwate prefecture, where they helped in the disaster area did a presentation of what is going on down there, and what they did and their impressions about it. Your heart hurts for all that is going on and hearing stories from those that went was interesting. I am glad I was able to be there and hear them. It hit me that I am now in the same land as the devastation and that maybe sometime in the next year I could go down and help. Which would be a really good thing to do. My dad wants us to go down in August and stay at our cabins by the beach. Probably to help out, not so much for vacation. Our cabins are standing but the whole village is gone.

While we were in the meeting, and they were sharing about their experience in Iwate, I experienced my first earthquake since I have been here in Sapporo. We were all sitting and listening, and then you just felt like you were being rocked back and forth very slightly. It makes you a little bit dizzy. But we just kept sitting there and listening. It was not very big, but you could definitely feel it. I thought to myself: I haven't felt these in a long time....I told my mom that we are alright, not to worry. It was interesting, it didn't phase anyone. As long as it is small, everything is good. The bigger shakes are on the Honshu island.

Today I went with my mom to meet some international mom's and their children at a little play area on top of a department store. It was really loud there and there were so many children. The kids running around, playing, laughing, and jumping all over the place were adorable and so cute. I got to ride a train today :) I haven't ridden a Japanese train in so long. All these familiar activities that used to be a part of my daily life in Japan, is finally returning to my life.

I will be going to Tokyo in a few weeks, visiting friends and then going to orientation for my job. I am looking forward to the time. In a few days, my parents and I are going up to our mission's cabin that is on a lake! I am really excited!!! Nature out here in Hokkaido is beautiful!

One more comment: Outside my parents window, and everywhere in Sapporo you can see the mountains!! They are still full of snow. I love being able to see mountains again. They aren't as magnificent as the ones in Switzerland, but they are beautiful! My dad and I are thinking about going skiing, as it might snow tomorrow. I am not too sure if I am excited about the snow in April. But I got to get used to the cold weather. Instead of experiencing two springs, I get to experience three. This is because I already experienced blossoms in Cleveland. When I go to Tokyo, the blossoms will be in full bloom, and then I come back up here, and it will still be cold. May is when the blossoms will come out in Sapporo! What a blessing!

I am sleeping well, and waking up a little later every day. I have been waking up at 5, but today I managed to get back to sleep. I am going to get rid of this jet lag, and hopefully soon.

Chapter One of the Japan Chapter of my Adult Life

I woke up in Japan, where 40 hours before i had woken up in America. Hard to believe that in such a short time I am across the ocean, in a new city and my parents are just down the hall from me. I have somebody to hug in the morning and when I go back to sleep. That is a nice thought. My trip was good. It was a long trip. I do not have a story of adventure from my travels.

I packed up my life into two suitcases (and some to be shipped to me later) and a carry on and a briefcase (which is a huge art bag actually). I stuffed my carry-on and bag. They were so heavy. Was painful to walk to the different terminals and sections of airport. Traveling alone makes you really appreciate others. When you have someone you are traveling with, you do not have to take everything with you to the bathroom, to get a snack, etc.

I flew into Sapporo and my parents came and picked me up. Was so awesome to see them. It almost seemed unreal. I felt that I was dreaming, and that us hugging was a figment of my imagination. But it so was not! It was the real thing. They are here and I am here with them. I can't wait to see their neighborhood, the church, the many friends they tell me about, and the city of Sapporo. I did not grow up here, so it is not my childhood home of Tokyo, but it will be the city I live in for the next few years.

So driving from the airport, I had to catch myself from telling dad that he is turning onto the wrong lane. I would catch my breath, and then remember that they drive on the left here. And guess what else I saw....SNOW.....piles of it all over. They pile them up so high. The roads are clear and safe to drive on, but you have piles of snow. I do not know when they will melt. Mom said probably May. Oh goody....So I am back to cold weather. My second winter in 2011, but then I will get a second spring as well :) I get blossoms twice this year!! That is a blessing because I love blossoms.

The houses in Sapporo look different from Tokyo . They are more square/boxed shape with flat roofs. In Tokyo they have a lot more traditional Japanese houses. These houses are made more for snow. It still looks like Japan. Just not the Japan I grew up in, as the houses look a little different. But inside is typical Japanese! I love it! I came into my parents apartment and like little trivial things I would not think twice about before, I now notice. The light switches are completely different from America. The kitchen is different, the way the house looks and made, is so different. It is hard to explain but I will try to take photo's of the place and post it on here.

Saying goodbye to my sister and my friends have been hard. Saying goodbye to my sister at the airport went well, as in we did not bawl our heads off. But then later, when I was sitting in Chicago I was thinking about whether that was actually a good thing. I think we both just stayed strong, held our emotion in for later. But I almost wonder if that was not a good closure. Why did I not want to show Andrea that I was aching in side. I remember when Andrea and I said goodbye to Rebekah we all were bawling, tears flowing strong. I think I have been trying really hard to be strong because the emotion of saying goodbye hurts so much. I still have not had a big cry for saying goodbye to my sister. I feel it coming, its in my throat right now, but I probably will swallow it. I know it will come, I know I will have a big cry over saying goodbye to her. Andrea and Rebekah are such amazing sisters to me. Andrea helped me so much with packing. She has a big heart and I sometimes feel so undeserving of her love. Love within family can be a glimpse of the love God has for us.

I love all my friends in Cleveland. I was sad to say goodbye. It was really hard to say goodbye to the Ito's, who have been my family away from home. It felt like I was saying goodbye to family members, it hurt so bad having to say goodbye to them. It was hard to hold my emotions in, and I failed. My emotions just broke free, especially right after they drove off. It is weird that I will not be able to drive over to their house and get bombarded by hugs and kisses from the kids. I know that crying can be a good part of closure and I stayed strong saying goodbye to many. But that does not mean it did not hurt to say goodbye. I just cry later about the goodbye's. It possible trying to stay strong and not cry is a defense mechanism. I have had to say a lot of goodbye's throughout my life. All of you in Cleveland and Atlanta mean a lot to me and I hope we keep in contact, despite the distance. At least read my blog :) I love comments too!

Well I am going to go say good morning to my parents and give them a hug :) I can actually do that!!! Let's see what this first day brings! I am excited!!!

A Heap of Change

My mom told me that I was a baby who thrived with a schedule. I had to have my daily routine just so, or it would throw me off. Growing up, I learned that change is inevitable and that it happens all around me. I learned that it is easier to cope with small changes to your life, but the big changes is still a struggle to grasp and get used to.

As I have had to move a lot throughout my life, you would thing I would be used to change (I have counted, and I have 26 moves within my 25 years of life so far, going on 27 moves soon). I deal with change, but I don't tend to strive for change. Once I get used to a place, and the life I live there, it is hard for me to choose otherwise.

At the end of November, a job opportunity came up that my parents told me about. It was a job in Japan, to teach English. I did not really think much about it. When they emailed me again with more information about the job, I realized that it was a great opportunity for paying off loans and the chance to go back home for a while. When this realization hit me, I was filled with mixed emotions. Both excited for this great opportunity and saddened at the realization that there was a chance I would have to move and leave a lot of friends that have become like family to me. After a bit of crazy emotions ebbing through me about the whole situation, a peace came over me. I decided that I would go for this job opportunity full force, trying as hard to get the job, and if it was not to happen, God would definitely close the door. I filled out the application, got the phone interview, passed that and was scheduled for a seminar/in-person interview in January. I had a lot to prepare for that. I was a bunch of nerves the week of the interview. I went to the interview. A few weeks later I found out that I got accepted! I was excited and overwhelmed. I went for this job, and got it!

That is my heap of change. I am moving overseas! I will be returning to the country where I grew up in, but I know that going there as an adult and working in their school system is going to be a complete different experience from the Japan that I grew up in. This is a big change for me, and I am not sure yet if it has completely hit me that it is actually happening. I chose change. I am choosing to leave sturdy ground but God is carrying me through and only by God's grace will He get me there and help me through the many changes that will inevitably happen, both in these next few months before I leave, and when I do leave.

They have not placed me yet, so I do not know where in Japan I am going to be living, but I am hoping that they place me where my parents are.