秋の歌

06:44 am

We are back in town now after about a month away. I realized that being in Pacific Northwest actually felt more like home than Tucson does…even though that is where we are ‘settled’.

In Seattle I had so much fun seeing friends with a shared history. Megan was my debate partner for 2 years, Jen was my dorm neighbor for 3 years (and first college friend). Kasea was also on the debate team, was the first of my girls that I met when I was the RA-and the first one to make me cry. We had a great time reconnecting and making new memories.

For the second half of this vacation, I headed over to Flathead Lake, MT for my family reunion. There were about 100 people there. I met several cousins for the first time since we were 5 or so, so it was fun to catch up with them as adults. Of course I also had a great time talking with favorite aunts & uncles and my dear, dear grandparents. Jacob & I shared a cabin with my folks and I had a fun midnight stroll and chat with my mom along the lakeshore. It was great to share with her about our life in Tucson.

After all that relaxation in MT we drove over to my in-laws home south of Olympia. Jacob was able to work from there, so that was a mixed blessing… It was great that he didn’t have to use up his vacation days and could save them for visits home from Iowa, and to still have income, but it was pretty exhausting for him to work in that temporary environment, with all the fun talking and game playing (Settlers of Cattan-look into it!) going on nearby.

We did get to go out to lunch twice with his dad though and we went to his brother’s house for dinner one night. Jerod & Donna have 2 little boys now and they are adorable. I’m really glad that we were able to spend extended time with them on this visit. They are growing up fast, and we wish that we could be a bigger part of their life.

After all this fun, we had to head back to Tucson, but we had one more stop to make. We drove a few hours south to Portland where we stopped for dinner and (surprise!) Birthday Cake at Steph’s home. It was SOO good to see her and talk about Aomori, Itayanagi Chapel, onsens, her life here…. Everything as if we’d just been apart for a week or two, not the year that its been. We had delicious Chinook salmon off the grill (and her parents’ famous spicy pickles) and we finished with cake and ice cream. That was such a great detour.

I really wish that we could have stayed the night, there were offers of a place for us to crash, but we had umpteen hours of driving ahead of us and we thought we should just get started.

The drive soon became exhausting and there were deer along the road that were testing our alertness. We did make it out of Oregon and into Cali, but in the bizarrely named town of Yreka (not Eureka), we decided to get a few hours of sleep. When we woke up the next morning we were somewhat refreshed and we started driving at 7am Monday morning. California seemed to never end. When we finally rolled into Tucson 5am Tuesday morning, we were absolutely spent. We grabbed a power nap, and then had to get up and actually be productive.

08:04 am - Weekend down in Oly

For the weekend I wanted to join Megan and Troy down in Olympia at the church where they minister each weekend, I also wanted to go so that I could hang out with Megan’s spunky parents! Ever since the NC days when I first invited myself over for dinner, I have loved being at the Calkin’s home. We always have great conversations and amazing meals, and I always look forward to seeing them again.

This time was no different. We had fancy grass-fed beef hamburgers with cucumber salad and Belgian endive with blue cheese as an appetizer for dinner. mmmmmm! Meg, Kenna and I chatted & laughed almost non-stop from when we arrived, the men left to practice for the Sunday worship service, we prepared dinner, and the men came home--it was so fun. Over dinner we got to hear great stories from Mark & Kenna’s recent road trip through Cali and Oregon (redwoods, SF, Ashland, Mt Hood). That night we watched a witty British legal sitcom, but alas, my movie malady kicked in and I fell asleep for the middle 25 minutes. ARG. At least I was among friends.

Sunday morning we woke up early and we 3 girls went for a walk around Olympia lake/water park. It was a wonderful way to wake up, I love the moist smell and the green everything and the mist that lingers on the pathway in the early morning. When we got back to the house, the guys were heading off to church. We had a leisurely breakfast and time of getting ready and then we joined the fellas about 2 ½ hours later. The church service was really good, Troy does a great job with the music and the pastor told a neat sermon story about when he and his family lived in Japan. They are a very well organized and very friendly church-plant, I’m sure they will grow pretty fast once they get into their permanent building.

We spent Sunday afternoon talking politics while the lunch salmon cooked. Then we enjoyed lunch, salmon and couscous. We had a very casual afternoon after that, I got to see a picture of Kenna’s class (her students). I have heard so many stories from her classroom, so it was good to pair some faces to those stories, even if they were from different classes. Then they taught me to play Apples to Apples, a pretty fun and fast game. Surprisingly I won, even though I was surrounded by some pretty competitive people. ;)

We hit the road back to Seattle around 5pm, and hit a wall of traffic, so we decided to take back roads through Auburn and Issaquah, and go drive through the mondo houses up on Snoqualmie Ridge. The houses were amazing, we even walked through a couple of the building sites that didn’t have locked doors, but the mountain views were even more amazing. We tried guessing the prices and never really came close; the range was 400K-1.2M. Wow.

When we finally got home I think the weekends activities had pretty much caught up with us all, and we just had a light supper before trying to watch a whole Simpsons (Bart calls Australia) and finally I tucked into bed on the (very comfy) Ikea couch.

07:34 am - Seattle!!

On Thursday morning I left 72 degrees, drizzly rain and gray skies in Tucson and arrived in 85 sunshine and blue skies in Seattle. Talk about role reversal!

My friend Megan picked me up from the airport and I savored the ride to her home, looking at the trees everywhere, Mt. Rainier, and familiar landmarks. The Tully’s roasting warehouse has a very cool new paint job, bright orange, yellow & green, and when we drove past it we could smell the aroma of roasted coffee beans.

Megan & Troy just bought their first place this year so I was looking forward to seeing it. It is amazing, a very classy loft close to U village & Green Lake-a dazzling place in a perfect location. We prepared bountiful cobb salads and talked & laughed till Troy got home. Then we all went to walk around Green Lake. It was SO beautiful. We saw a rabbit & 3 ducks, and one fat rat. At one point, something weird happened and the pink sunset reflected on everything, so we all looked really tan ;), I don’t know how that reflection happened, but everything really did have a pinkish tint.

The next day we all got up really early so that we could drive Troy to work and see his office. He has an AMAZING view, a clear view of the Space Needle, the Sound, and Green Lake. I would be so distracted up there. As we were walking down stairs through the lobby & mentioned that it would be neat if we saw our one of our favorite profs, Ridge, since he works in the same building as Troy. Sure enough, we spotted him in the lobby and I yelled “MR RIIIDGE!” and luckily he heard us and we were able to go over and say hello.

This little event absolutely made our morning! You have to understand that he was one of those profs that left a mark on just about everyone who took his class/practically all of my friends, so it was fabulous to get so say hi after all these years (6?).

We next had brunch with Moira up in Lynnwood and then went shopping at Alderwood mall. Moira wanted accessories, and it is so much more fun to shop for them with friends who can give opinions. So we had a fun time helping her pick out funky necklaces, broaches, and scarves to accessorize her teaching wardrobe. Megan and Moira are such beauties, I swear, they can pull of the most dramatic accessorizing. :)

Around noon I borrowed Megan’s car and drove over to Redmond to hang out with Jen! I also finally picked up my wedding dress & potted shamrock plant that she had been storing for me for 4 years while we had been in Japan. We had a fun time talking and eventually drove into downtown Bellevue to choose a restaurant for our dinner party and do some shopping. All daylong I was reminded of how much fun it is to shop with girlfriends!!! We were incrementally joined by Kelly and Missy!!-I hadn’t seen Missy for about 3 years, and she, Jen and I were joined at the hip for awhile, so it was so fun to spend the evening all together again.

We had dinner at the Tap House Grill, near the newly completed (and impossible to get reservations in) Lincoln Square. Kasea joined us there for dinner. After our dinner, no one wanted the night to end just yet and so we went walking around Bellevue, we told raucous stories on a street corner for about a half hour before finally moving on to the Macy’s plaza where we could sit next to the fountain and listen to the live music. While we were there Kasea had a great plan, We should call Debbie & Julia (2 favorite English Profs) and have them come hang out with us!! She called Debbie, who counter-proposed that we just come hang out at her place. So we did, we spent the late hours chatting, laughing, and reporting on how everyone we knew was doing at Debbie’s til midnight. Julia happened to have just gotten home from a long boat trip in Canada, so I was only able to talk with her on the phone, but even that was special.

I finally said my goodbyes and hugged everyone in sight and drove back to Seattle. It was quite a familiar route; NC to the U Village area late at night, and having just seen so many people that had been incredibly influential on my college experience made it a memory-filled drive home.

07:52 am - fun & games

During summer vacation we have been getting together with folks from GCF (other Christian grad students) on Thursday nights for Game Night/Movie Night. It has been a fun way to stay connected and be reminded that we’re not the only ones who didn’t skip out of Tucson for the summer.

This week we hosted and for our movie we watched Howard Zinn: You can’t be neutral on a moving train. It is a political documentary/interview with Howard Zinn, narrated by Matt Damon. I think it is an amazing flick, really thought provoking, and really inspiring for me as I’m planning my upcoming syllabus. However, maybe this wasn’t the time to show it. I think people felt awkward watching it, or pre-occupied trying to figure out if Zinn really is a communist and if they can still believe him if he is.

Afterwards a few people stayed to talk and my friend said ‘Zinn’s ideas (on non-violent demonstration & anti-war propaganda) are valuable, but they are too extreme, they are too unrealistic.’ I find this statement ironic given that it was made in a Christian setting. A Christian’s whole worldview is shaped by unattainable goals, and it is precisely by striving for an impossible good that we recognize our failures, rely on Christ, and at least then reach a condition better than what were before, even if we don’t attain the unattainable.

Since we spent most of the night chatting and then watching Zinn, we didn’t actually play any games, but another friend had brought a board game that I wanted to learn & play with Jacob. So she let us borrow Settlers of Catan, and we have been playing that all weekend. It is a pretty fun strategy game, maybe like a cross between Risk & Oregon Trail. So far, I’m down 4-1. Apparently Jacob is a better strategist, but while he is at work today I think I’ll play the computer version and learn some new tricks.

01:49 pm - optimism for the week to come

This week I have a date with my hairdresser. I'm so excited. I haven't gone in for about 6 months so I could grow it out a little. I'm getting some layers and some lowlights. woohoo. It’s the simple things, eh?

In 2 weeks I get to go up to visit some friends in Seattle before my family reunion. Part of Jacob's new remote-access work plan is that he isn't taking off as much time before his move to Iowa. That is sad, because we had quite an amazing 3wk camping road trip planned, but having the job is more than worth it! Jacob will drive up to meet me in MT and then we will have a little over a week together drivin around and seeing his family. So, we will still have a fun trip together before his move and we both start classes. Conveniently, our schools are on the same schedule, so Aug 21 will be the first day of classes.

I was looking back at my old LJs and during this time last year I was having similar mixed emotions...excited about the coming school year and sad about the move. I am so excited to hurry up and enjoy my haircut on Thursday, and visit Megan & Troy next Thursday, and see my family the week after that, but shoot! that also means Jacob and I are 3 weeks closer to his move out to Iowa. Are things ever simple? And incidentally, our house should be finished right around that same time! I’m stuck, do I wish for the days to drag out so I can savor every moment, or to I wish that they fly by so we can enjoy the things to come???

09:21 am - more on politics

This comment was getting long, so it can just be its own entry...

Hi Luke, I was actually inspired to write again when I saw the -chide- in one of your responses to Jacob...I decided I couldn't just lurk and read everyone else's blogs and not contribute myself...

As to the 'debate' with Jacob, I think we agree on most things, though we do enjoy wading though the semantics. I agree that we need more Christian Thinkers, to give philosophic & religious direction to the people, but I'm still disappointed at the un-Christian actions at the government level.

The only indication of a politician’s beliefs these days is when he/she makes the obligatory "I trust in God/a maker" statement at some stage in the election race. Evaluating solely on actions once in office though, you'd never know. This especially boggles my mind now that we can see the extreme cases that Bush has presided over, where he is actually debating whether *torture* is acceptable. How can that truly be an option for a Christian nation??? Or any moral nation???

As to my ‘pensive’ state about the issue, I am depressed about this situation on a large scale because the establishment only further engenders the trend to continue. Politicians are not held accountable to the people for their actions; they must only please the lobbyists that fund future elections. The cycle of greed, corruption, and hypocrisy seems unending. Obviously, there is a need for moral people in all reaches of government, but can a Christian stay a Christian in DC?


Thankfully, this despair is softened by the examples I see in some churches, like ours, that do seek to communicate with and educate others about other Christian responses to situations like unjust war and immigration. So I hope that churches do step up and fill the moral void that is evident in politics. Maybe that is the way things should be.

10:35 pm - Patriotic Prayers

In church this week we had a wonderful choral/instrumental production of religious/patriotic songs. They were really powerful to listen to and that, combined with the sermon, were very timely for some thoughts I’ve been having lately about patriotism.

First though, let me share this prayer that we said together:

~A Confession for our Nation~
O God, Your justice is like rock, and Your mercy like pure flowing water; judge and forgive us. If we have turned from you, return us to Your way; for without You, we are a lost people.

From brassy patriotism and a blind trust in power; Deliver us, O God!

From public deception that weakens trust; from self-seeking in high political places; Deliver us, O God!

From divisions among us of class or race, from wealth that will not share and poverty that feeds on the food of bitterness; Deliver us, O God!

From neglecting rights; from overlooking the hurt, the imprisoned, and the needy among us; Deliver us, O God!

................

My political thoughts have lately been centered around the combination of christianity and politics. How should they affect eachother? I have been thinking about the major issues in current US politics…war, death penalty, torture, marriage, abortion, minimum wage, immigration rights…so many issues that, at their base are fundamentally about valuing and affirming life.

I think my major problem with the current administration is that Christianity is trotted out as a voting rally-cry, and then Christian values (AS I SEE THEM) are no-where to be found in the actual policies! In the process my religious beliefs have been hijacked by Bush & Co. because their personal ambitions are being presented to the US public & the world as Christian ambitions.

I definitely lean toward being very patriotic. I sing the National Anthem with gusto, and even get teary at its beautiful, hopeful lyrics. I have typically thought of July 4th as my favorite holiday. This has put me in a predicament, given my present disgust for the POTUS. I have decided that I can still love America for all its potential, that is currently being neglected, and try to work for a better, brighter, more just & peaceful future. And I will continue to pray for this nation, and its leaders, and future leaders.

*Incidentally, I just finished reading 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' and the author describes similar disgust with the Iranian government when they went through the process of becoming the Islamic Republic of Iran and politicians began misusing Islam for political gain and power-mongering. Interesting comparisons can be made.

Current Mood: pensive

08:58 pm - Homeowners!

Jacob and I are homeowners!! Yea, I feel so grown-up! :)

We are actually building a new house, it is just under 1000 sq foot, has 2 bedrooms and an office, and a nice kitchen that opens into the dining room.

Lately we have had the fun of choosing colors and such. It is green stucco with orange doors. Today we chose the inside details, lovely tile floors set on the diagonal and (Jacob’s favorite) beautiful dark granite counter tops.

We also have a nice sized backyard and are looking forward to planning citrus trees, palms, and cacti!

It will be finished in about 9 months, so anyone returning to the states this year is welcome to come visit next winter when it is frigid in your own hometowns!

07:53 am - fat tuesday is only the beginning

Well, we are about to enter the Season of Lent. This time of year is meant as a time of re-focusing priorities and remembering the past. I have especially wonderful memories of Lent from last year. I really grew a lot with our Bible study group. In our Christian education class here we are studying Exodus and church traditions. We just studied Passover and the Seder meal. So many memories flooded back, especially making haroset and trying to make matzo ball soup with Ruth Mae’s supervision. My favorite memory though was the last day, the Good Friday (or was it Easter?) service, when we all shared what we gave up and our reflections on what we learned. That was a very special group of people. I think it is really unique to have so many people who are really earnest about both private sacrifice and communal worship/spiritual encouragement.

God Bless you guys! I will be praying for you during this special time of reflection!

12:27 pm

We had an eventful last week with Carter, but he is home in Idaho now. Last Monday night I got a call during my night class, it was Carter, saying he was in an ambulance being taken to the hospital. He was riding a bike and was hit by an SUV.

I raced home on my bike to get the car and go to the hospital. When i go there he was in Xray. After he came back down to a waiting room I went in to see him. I was so happy that he was still recognizable. When you get a call like that you never know what to expect. Miraculously, he was only minorly injured. The bike frame and tire were bent, so we would have expected a broken leg, but just muscle strain, and he flew from the bike, with no helmet, but his head just had surface bumps and cuts. He is still really sore and has whiplash, but we are so thankful that he is as well as he is.

So we had a last week of hangin out and letting him heal. We are so thankful!

He left on Saturday and then on Sunday we watched the joke that was the Superbowl. Jacob and I agree it was a pyric victory at best. Unfortunately the ‘Hawks didn’t play their best, but considering their momentum and 7 points were stolen by the refs in the first half…There will be another Superbowl.  I just don’t know how the Steelers fans can actually feel proud considering the refs worked harder for those points than the players did. I don’t really care. It is just a game, and I was able to use the commercials as a case-in-point as  to the value of Rhetorical Analysis in the real world with my class the next day.

Jacob has been working like a dog for the last 8 weeks. Since it is tax season, he has been working 10 hr shifts. He just found out that he gets to move back to the regular 8 hrs tomorrow. Yea!

05:29 pm - Second Semester and some ketchup....

I survived my first semester of Grad school! YEA!

Last semester I took PsychoLinguistics and a TESOL Methods class, starting slow for my first semester, but I also taught two sections of English 101, and took an undergrad Spanish class. I continued taking Spanish over the Winter break.

This semester I have a much fuller schedule. I only have to teach one section of Eng 102, so I am taking 12 credits, Modern Eng Grammar, Teaching Academic Writing, and Cultural Dimensions of Second Lang Acquisition. To continue my Spanish studies I am taking a Spanish composition class. Overall, I think I have a great schedule, my classes are really interesting, the Spanish class gives me the student's view of my TESL writing class, and should really build my skills, I like teaching 102 much better than 101... AND I don't have to go to school until noon every day. Last semester I taught at 8 am, and I hope that doesn't have to happen again.

In 102 we get to teach rhetorical analysis as opposed to just close readings. The students get to research something that they are interested in, and I think I have a good group of students. I look forward to the discussion that we will have in the coming semester.

I'll try to be better about posting this semester!

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Today is jacob's birthday. I got him a tent so hopefully we can go camping soon. Isn't that weird that we could camp in January!!?! Beautiful Mt. Lemmon is just an hour away, and there are great spots to the south of us as well. On Friday, my brother Carter (who is here visiting us for a while) and I made a delicious surprise kebab dinner out on the grill. We can add this warm BBQ-weather birthday to our list of new experiences here in sunny Tucson. Christmas was a lovely 80 degrees, our first warm, green Christmas. Luckly we like it, so the next few (5 or so) years should be enjoyable.

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We are members of Trinity Presb church here, and today the church listened to and voted on a new pastor. It was really interesting to see how another type of church does this kind of business. Jacob and I thought he would be a good person to lead the church. We will know soon if he gets approved. Since we became members they have been eager to get us involved. We were greeters last month, and today we ushered for the first time. Fun to be involved and get to know a new group of people that way.

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Speaking of Carter, he is really cool. He has been here for a week, and will stay for an undetermined length of time. Its pretty fun having him around. We learned how to play chess together and have had fun cooking dinner together for Jacob. He made a funny comment...you guys have a good system, you get to practice having a kid but get to skip all that baby & teenage stuff. Indeed.

02:23 pm - ccchanges

1. We finally gave in and adopted two sweet older cats (to make up for all the kittens we have enjoyed and then given away when we moved). They are sisters: Tama chan, she has blue velvet coat and blue-green eyes and white chin, paws and belly. I named her after the seal that captivated Tokyo’s attention 2 years ago. Kameko, is tortoise colored and loves to snuggle, she head-butts us every morning to wake us up. They are really funny and sweet and we are so happy to have cats around the house again.

2. It was our 4th anniversary this weekend! Jacob took me up to a resort in the nearby Catalina mountains. It is called Westward Look Resort. The food was amazing and we had a spa package included with our room so we both got massages in the morning-to prepare me for grading my first wave of essays and to help Jacob focus for his first day of work.

3. We got a new car! We are just leasing so that we don’t have to worry about selling it when we try to move back to Japan in 4-5 years. It is a 2006 VW Beetle and it is so cute! And powerful! And fuel efficient (48mpg)!

Jacob has a ton of photos that he needs to put up, but I hear rumors of a new site in the works, so they might have to wait for that.

Sorry for posting so infrequently…it’s not at all indicative of how often I think about dear Aomori!

02:01 pm - when tucson freezes over

It is cold here this week. Seriously.
I know Jacob already mentioned this, but I have to add my agreement.

I spent the night shivvering when the night-time low was 68, literally dreaming that the bulldozers pushed snow all the way up to my 3rd floor window (in Aomori). Then I was chilly, NOT sweaty, when I rode my bike to school in the 75 degree morning heat.

What is going on with this place?? With my internal thermometer?? Granted, I still think a 30 degree swing from noon to midnight is pretty dramatic, its even crazier that I should be cold in Seattle heat-wave temps.

Tucson is such a foreign place, I just can't figured it out...

10:22 am - sometimes I even feel like a teacher...

This week my students begin peer-review workshops for their first essay. I was so nervous for them over the weekend, hoping that they would feel confident about the pieces that they would be sharing in their small groups. I didn’t know that teachers get nervous before deadlines in the same way that some students do. Over the weekend to make the whole process even more nerve-wracking for me, the university unit that hosts class websites was down, so all my students wrote me frantic…Really I tried to post my essay, but there was an error, what should I do??? emails. It all worked out in the end and my 8am class workshops went well. I hope the same holds true for the 12 o’clock class.

Hair Update: I got an A-line bob this weekend. Its just too hot for long hair here...
Student response: I didn't recognize you...your hair is cute.
Great...

12:28 pm

I am finally finished with all the preliminary bits of our transition! I finished my orientation, wrote my syllabus, registered for classes and took a weekend trip with Jacob to his HS reunion! Now it is time for school to begin. I teach my first class Monday at 8am, ideal for me, and my second one at noon. I am really excited to meet my students and to see if the syllabus is even remotely interesting to them...I also get to take my first class on Monday, a Spanish class. My other classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, ESL Methods and Psyc of Language.

Things are really going well. I love our home. It is so spacious, we have a great kitchen with tons of counter and cabinet space, and we have our own back yard with big shade trees. We only live a mile from school so I can ride in in 10 minutes and avoid parking hastles.

Soon I will post pictures of our pretty new scenery.

10:18 am - be my melon

Last week the good-byes started in earnest.

Said good-bye to my Deaf school on Tuesday. I will miss them so much.
Said good-bye to Sarah as she was leaving for her trip to Mexico on Wednesday.
Will really miss her, but she gave me a way cute bag that she embroidered a dandelion on…so I will always remember her.
Said good-bye to my officemates on Thursday. Gave my long Japanese speech, it was terrifying but satisfying to accomplish. And, the dinner was on the Hakkoda Memorial Ship in Mutsu Bay, so that added a nice festive touch to the occasion.

Saturday I practiced the Tri-bike course in Aji. From the hamanasu park up to mini shirakami and back, 40 K, and easier than I expected, though I know it will be tougher when it is following the swim. I went with Francois while Jacob was at his bunkasai. He is so fast!! I’m pretty sure he will win the gaijin class if nothing else. I’m glad I had that chance to see the course and get some tips from F, as he is pretty knowledgeable about bike races.

Sunday was the river of tears day… I started crying in the morning when I was going over my farewell notes, cried on the way to Itayanagi, DIDN’T cry when I walked through the doors surprisingly, but, of course once I was up front saying good-bye to my church-family I couldn’t keep my composure. I think I have decided to stick with See you later! instead of Goodbye from now on.

Today I had my last class with the 2A students at my hc school. They are the best. I read the schedule wrong, so I wasn’t expecting to have to say goodbye to them so soon. They all shared messages with me, in English. My favorite was: I hope you will be my Autumn Melon forever. (オータムメロン＝ヲータメロン)　Then, as if I wasn’t already on the verge of tears, they sang the Sakura song to me with changed verses that they re-wrote for me. After this they gave me shoe buddies that they had sewn in home-ec (little bags of charcoal that you put in your shoes so they don’t smell??), passed out cookies and we watched a Matsuken Samba DVD together. I am sad that our time has to come to an end, but I guess it’s a good last memory.

Triathlon Notes:

All transitions, start and goal lines will be in Hamanasu Koen. The park is on the Aji waterfront, next to the pedestrian suspension bridge and crazy roofed Kyotenkan. Tri starts at 9, ends at 1. After the race many of us will be *driving* to black bear falls for a very leisurely hike before dinner at Ajigasawa Chapel (which happens to be right on the bike and run routes). Dinner starts at 5:30. All are welcome!

Current Mood: nervous

10:26 am - caught in a whirlwind

So much is happening, I feel like I need to write down the highlights, just so I’LL remember them in a month or two...

Last weekend we had a church BBQ up in Kanagi. As you remember the weather was lovely, after a week of downpour, so we felt very lucky. The BBQ was held at the Kanagi Chapel, which was recently remodeled for the new pastors, the Messers from Germany. I’m so happy everyone was able to come, it was a very fun day hanging out eating delicious BBQ fare: mini burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, potato salad….mmm Afterwards we had a huge service welcoming the Messers to their new home. It was my first mini-break down, realizing how much I was going to miss all of them, while we were singing our hearts out after the service.

Then on Tuesday & Wednesday I had 3 soubetsukais, they were all fun and low-stress, so that was a relief. They are so early on that I will actually see all of the people involved a few more times before we leave, so there wasn’t so much Good-bye pressure at them. Phew.

On Wednesday I actually took the day off to hang out with my good friend Erika Toth. She loves horses and I found a riding center here in Aomori, so we went to check it out. Miraculously, the clouds parted for 90 minutes and we had blue skies while we were riding. It is up near Moya and the drive out there was gorgeous. It was great to have a casual fun day with her before we both leave Aomori this month.

Since we were going out to eat every night, it has been difficult to fit in our work-outs. I got just a short run on Wed, it was cut short by crazy downpour that soaked me to the bones in a minute flat. But then yesterday I got a good swim in and this morning I had a great run. 10K in 61min!! Yeea!! That’s a personal best! 6 min faster than my Apple 10K last year in Hirosaki and 3 min faster than my previous pb from 2 weeks ago.

Countdowns:
4 more office days
2 days at the Roh Gakko
4 days at the Yogo Gakko
4 more farewell speeches
16 days til the Triathlon
18 days til we leave Aomori

By the way, if anyone is interested in coming to the Triathlon, it goes from 9-1pm on Sunday the 24th in Aji, I will probably come in right around 12:50… I know it is a really long time to sit around but it would be cool if you came for part of it!

Current Mood: energetic

01:58 pm

Last weekend was wonderful. Went up to Sapporo with friends to see Luke and Yuko get married. The ceremony was beautiful. I know weddings get a bad rep for being an over-hyped, waste of money that is emotionally draining way for a couple to start life together, but I really see the value in them, especially Christian weddings where the couple genuinely believes that their vows are a covenant with God to be faithful literally til death. I think weddings are important cultural ceremony. They pass along family values to children and celebrate those who have kept their vows (as in Luke & Yuko parents, both have been married for 30+ years). This is a good heritage to pass on. Congrats Luke and Yuko!

Sunday Jacob and I headed back to Aomori on the first train. We stopped over in Hakodate for 2 hrs to walk around and have lunch. I am so glad that we could stop. Hakodate is my favorite city. We first visited there for our 2nd anniversary and have taken several trips up since. It was so nice to walk through the fish market, along the water front, and through the random shops one more time before we leave.

When we got back we quickly showered and headed to church. We were so tired, it would have been easy to stay home, but I’m glad we went. Martin’s message was about Jesus as our Friend, and how we should always be in prayer/meditation/conversation with him. I have been thinking today that instead of meditating on God lately I have been actually meditating on things that stress me out. No wonder my stomach has been upset and I’ve been having bad headaches! Instead of focusing on all the things God has already done to smooth the path ahead of me and the promises I know I can rely on, I have been dwelling on my frustrations.

All in all, I know our preparations are actually ahead of schedule and we have a good plan to finish the rest, it is just when I let my mind dwell on the whatifs that my stomach balls up into knots. I am sad to leave, but I am really excited to start school, and I can’t wait to be out of this transitional period. I am a pool of emotions.

Can’t wait to see so many friends at the Govs farewell this Friday

Current Mood: sleepy

08:56 am - Dynamite!

It turns out I'm not the only who loved Napoleon Dynamite...and found it to be a realistic depiction of my JH experience in the public school system.

http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/HCR029.html

Three cheers for the Idaho State Legislature!!!

09:56 am

On Saturday Jacob and I decided to try a major ride. We rode from Shinjo up to the airport (such a steep hill!) down into Namioka, along the 7 and back into Aomori. Total distance 50 K, total time 2.5 hrs. It was a beautiful day to ride. Once we had climbed up to the airpor the views were spectacular; the rice fields and azaleas along the road made every peddle worthwhile.

Though, to be honest, the last 15K I was tired and the last 5K I was completely beat. I sang aloud the song Falling on my Knees as I peddled that last stretch into town. The last vesrse especially encouraged me.

hungry I come to You
for I know You satisfy
I am empty
but I know Your love does not run dry
so I wait for You
so I wait for You
I'm falling on my knees
offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart is living for
broken I run to You
for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
so I'll wait for You
so I'll wait for You