Tadaima (I'm back)!

So it has been nearly a year since my last post. I have an almost good reason for it!

First, last year, a couple of days after my last post, my laptop crashed! It was ... unexpected. I spent over a month without a computer, luckily I had picked up an iPhone the day before and was able to communicate with the world. By the time I got the new computer - a small, used notebook at the second hand store - and got an English OS installed (all thanks to my awesome homie Jason) I was in to 2nd semester at Minami Inukai Jr. High and Mutsumi elementary school so I was busy ... and forgot this existed.

I remembered about it during Winter Break but with Jason leaving and Nicki arriving I was busy. Then Nicki helped me to have more fun than I was already, so I forgot again.

Me and Nicki

I know, it's lame. But on the bright side, I decided to remain in Japan one more year! So I figured I would pick up the blog again!

I have a lot more I can say now. I've become much more accustomed to the overall culture and the pop culture in Japan along with picking up more and more Japanese. I am currently at Mibu Jr. High School and Mibuhigashi Elementary school, which have convinced me that all the kids in this tiny town are awesome. I really love my kids and my job.

Mibu Junior High School

The next few posts will cover some of my favorite things in Japan. Things that I've come to love over the past year that I didn't know existed before, things I've come to love more than I did to begin with or things that I'm learning more about! I'm looking forward to keeping this up again!

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

The Little Things

Being in a new country has meant many big changes. A new job, picking up more of a new language, living alone for the first time, being away from family, friends and church for more than two weeks; these are just a few of the major changes I've been adjusting to. So far, I think I'm doing well with that, but there are times when the big just seems so big, so different.

I'm a week into Natsu Yasumi (summer vacation) and some of the big things were getting me down with no work to distract me and having to save money along with that. But then the little things started popping up.

A friend sent me some new music (including the new Hillsong United cd which gave me a bit of a spiritual recharge), I received a package that included my favorite cereal from my family, I was able to text a new friend for translation help and she came through, I cooked some food with a Japanese twist I'd picked up eating school lunches, and, today, I went to an elementary school volleyball tournament.

About a month before the end of term volleyball practice began at Yasuzuka Shogakko (Elementary School), the school I taught at every Tuesday. I asked to watch one day and the coach invited me on the court to help and play. After that they said I could go to practice every Tuesday and so I did. The team is small (only 7 memebers, 6 of whom are 6th graders and one 3rd grader) but they work hard and I've been really impressed with them. I've also been impressed with their families. The parents show up and help out at practices and really support their girls.

Although the 1st term has ended the coaches told me about the tournament and so I exchanged a few texts (in Japanese, hence the need for translation help) with "Momo's Mama" and went to the tournament. The parents and the girls were so sweet! They seemed happy that I was there and tried to chat with me during breaks. When there was a break for lunch, the girls talked to me and we worked on my Japanese and their English (well, a little), then Nozomi gave me a One Piece cell phone charm.

It was a small thing and she had a couple extras from a trip to Round One in Utsunomiya, but because I like One Piece she gave it to me. That small gesture made my day. It reminded me why I'm enjoying my time here and made getting up early and finding my way to Kanuma completely worth it.

Hawkeye Mihawk fits nicely with my Ace screen cover. 

It is completely corny but it really is the little things that make the days good.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Time is Flying

I guess the old "time flies when you're having fun" adage is quite true. I am having a blast in Japan and now I only have 2 teaching days left until 1st term is over.

These first 4 months have given me a lot to think about over natsuyasumi (summer vacation). I feel like I was just fitting into the elementary schools and now I'll be moving to a junior high 4 days a week with a new elementary school on Tuesdays for 2nd term (I'll go back to the elementary schools in January for 3rd term). I like what I'm doing, a lot, and I'm starting to think one year isn't long enough. If I continue to make friends and enjoy my work I may try to stay another year.

How could I not love a place this beautiful?

There are still so, so many gaps to be filled. I need to improve my Japanese, I want to try more things, I want to explore the country more and I don't want to have any regrets about things I could have done while here.

Still, I really do miss my family and friends. Sometimes, Facebook gives me a much needed lift and makes me happy but it also reminds me that the people I miss are doing completely different and fun things without me. I'm doing different and fun things without them too but it does make me miss them.

There's still plenty of time but I'm going to do my best to make the most of this year and if, in the end, I decide to stay longer than it will happen when it happens. If I decide to go home ... or try out Korea ... then that will happen when it happens too.

The first term has flown by but there's still more to come!

Kanuma City outside my new friend's family's restaurant.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

"Though I know I'll Never Lose Affection For People and Things That Went Before"

So today is my best friend's birthday. Happy Birthday Kristin! Ha, you are now 24 and old like me!

Today is my best friend's birthday, Friday is my nephew's birthday ... I've already missed one of my niece's birthdays, my mom's, dad's and cousin Darnell's birthdays. These are all people I am close to. I hate not being near to celebrate or not being able to send gifts yet. Today, it bummed me out.

I wanted to talk to them, to see them, to give them a present and eat some ice cream or cake or ice cream cake but I can't. I've yet to make any real friends here as well. I was told that part would be difficult but when I stop to think about it, I miss already having friends close by. 

I really like my job. I like the kids, I enjoy the classes, I think the teacher's are very nice and helpful. I come home everyday tired but in a good mood. But sometimes, when I see that barrier of not only language but the one from not being at one school all the time and being familiar with your co-workers, I feel isolated.

I've taken 2 Intercultural Communications classes so I know mentally what I'll be going through, but really feeling isolated and really missing home is different. It's hard to be somewhere new when you love where you came from. 

But still, I feel like I'm supposed to be here and the good is outweighing the bad. It's challenging and some days I feel very alone, but during the course of the day I often get a "pick-me-up" from my kids. I get a "Crys-sensei! Asobimashoo (Play with us)!" or a little group yelling "Hi Crys-sensei!" from down the hall or have a particularly fun class and I can't help but feel blessed for this experience. 

The lonliness does come and go and I know it will continue to as I have only been here a couple of months. I don't think that's a bad thing though. I'm lucky to have people I love and miss so much. People who supported me and send me e-mails and Facebook messages or stay up until 1:15am to talk to me via Skype.

The title line is from "In My Life" by The Beatles. It doesn't totally go with what I'm saying but I love the song. So here it is:

 'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Scatter-brained Bunny

I haven't been sure about what to blog about lately ... there seems to be a lot yet not much. So this may be a bit of a scatter-brain blog. Writing down a few random things usually helps me cut through writer's block.

1. First off, the Daily Titan 50th Anniversary Banquet was okay. Not many people I knew showed up but I had a good time with Jess, Amy and Christee. We even got a little drama as they didn't ask any of the staffers (myself, Jess and Amy included) who worked on the Nick Adenhart extra to speak. Jess was an awesome Exec Editor. We're not even her staff anymore and she fought to get us recognition. The whole things made me miss writing and editing again. I loved my time at the DT and the Sports section was just a lot of fun. Michal join Amy, Christee and I afterwards in Downtown Fullerton. That was cool too. It was good to see Michal. He helped me and taught me a lot so I've always thought of him as ... hmm ... like a mentor or something.

2. Christee and I got to talking at Heroes and I think I might want to teach English. I've never minded kids and teaching has been in the back of my mind before but I always pushed to be a writer. Truth is, I enjoyed being a tutor and I really am a grammar nerd. I like school and I like learning too. So I'm really considering going back to school to get my masters and credential. I can always freelance write too so I don't really have to give anything up. I've learned I'm not big on office jobs, I need more variety to stay happy. That's one thing the newspaper offered. It was routine in that we had to go in every day and do work, but something new and different happened every day. Teaching offers that variety too, I think. I still need to think this through though.

3. I went to my first Dodger game of the season last Thursday! They lost but I liked our seats and the game was fun. Plus, they won three straight right after so I can't be upset. Actually, in May I'll be going to three Dodger games! Holy crap! The college group at my church is going this Friday, I'm going on the 18th for Andre Ethier Bobblehead night and I'm going to see them on the 28th in Denver. I'm flying out there and taking my niece for her graduation present. It's a Go Blue kind of month I guess.

4. I've been really up and down spiritually lately. Just can't seem to feel settled or relaxed ... or calm. I put too much pressure on myself sometimes and it affects my relationship with God. I'd like to find a way to fix that. It doesn't help that I don't like to talk to people about it though. Sunday, we talked about accepting our weaknesses and realizing everyone is broken, but I struggle with that. I'm the type to hide my weaknesses and keep everything inside. For a while, I was using my journal to talk to God but I've gotten away from that recently. I should find it and try that again.

5. I hate American Idol ... but I might love Lee DeWyze. I think I'll talk more about that tomorrow.

6. I'm going to visit my big brother tomorrow I think. If not I'll do it Thursday. Part of my turmoil has been missing him more lately. My brother was so strong and easy to rely on and I really miss that about him. Memorial Day is coming up soon too so it makes me think of him.

7. That felt refreshing!

'Nuff Said,
Crysania

Good Times at the Titan

Tomorrow I am excited to be going to the Daily Titan 50th Anniversary Banquet.

The more I think about it, the more excited I am. I'm excited to see my DT friends again and I am happy just to have been a part of the DT for the year I was. Writing and editing for The Daily Titan was seriously the most fun I had in college.

I got along with the staff and, while we all worked hard, were always stressed out and were there from early in the day to late at night ... it was a good time. My time at the Titan as a staff writer and Sports Editor was awesome. The hardest work I ever had to do but the most rewarding and most fun. I can't believe a year has passed since then. I still remember most of it like it just happened.

I miss it. I miss the people and the job and loving what I did so much, I miss it but I'm glad for it. Remembering my time there makes me want to go back into it again.

I know my thoughts are all over the place right now, but I just wanted to say I'm excited for tomorrow. I hope  a lot of the staff show up. We had fun and accomplished a lot so I hope they show and I know if they do it'll be a good time.

The majority of the Spring '09 Editorial Staff graduated together :)

More of the DT staff at the after party for the Spring '09 Daily Titan Banquet

That's all.

'Nuff Said,
Crysania