My Life, The Country Song

You know that joke about American country music:
Q -What do you get if you play a country song backwards?
A - You get your job back, you get your house back, you get your boyfriend back, etc.

Well this weekend my life turned into that country song. Everything that could go wrong seemed to.

Most importantly, I received two separate pieces of devastating news from home regarding a great-uncle and a cousin. It was awful. I can only write this fact bluntly in the hopes that putting pen to paper (or cursor to blogpage, as it were) will somehow make it more manageable. The reality is that since I've come to Japan I've had five family members siezed by life-threatening illnesses. How is that even possible?

Saturday progressed into a random series of communication breakdowns and hectic appointments with friends as well as a large project gone terribly awry. Just when I was good and raw from all the failure and probable shock I received a stone-cold, old-school DISMISSAL from a person I barely know (always pleasant, eh, but even more so when there are language challenges to complicate the moment).

Let this be a lesson to you...NEVER EVER say aloud the following words: "Nothing else could possibly go wrong." Because it will. And it did. On the way to meet R at the train station I experienced not one but TWO car breakdowns. Its a long story. You probably wouldn't even believe it if it weren't for the fact that I have two friends who saw the whole thing. Argh! Little Hikaru (my car) is still in the shop.

Obviously, living abroad can be an extremely lonely, isolated existence. There are days when every moment can seem like a struggle for sanity, especially during times of extreme duress like my weekend. But you know what? I'm the luckiest person in the world. I have the strongest support system in all of Ehime and some of the sweetest and most caring friends I could ever hope for. Here's what went down immediately after that cursed Saturday:

The three lovely ladies in the photo above showed me more kindness and concern than I've experienced in a long time. I would not have made it through Saturday without them.

R sent me a note which honestly made me cry. And I'm not the kind of person who cries. Her words were absolutely thoughtful and beautiful.

Then there were four JET friends who were there for me without even knowing how badly I needed it:

Amake, without even knowing any of the details of what happened to me (was/still is out of town for a CIR meeting), made numerous calls from Tokyo to expedite the shaken (insurance) process in Ikata. Concerned, he contacted me within five minutes of receiving my text about the problem.

GenkiDavid, whom I haven't spoken with in weeks, reminded me about the meaning of friendship. It was pure poetry, D. Especially in light of recent events, I think you are right.

Miscellaneous goodness from Ms. J.G. and Mr. J.P. too.


I am truly a lucky person.

3X Photo Miscellania

Self Portrait...er, I mean replica of the Scream - Ikata JHS Sousou Art Class

Pre-modern Stairmaster?

Dance Performance, Misaki Bunkasai

Still Kickin'

I feel so sheepish. I've neglected you terribly, dear blogging friends. Its been a long time, hasn't it? I thought about you lots during our time apart, I swear it! I meant to call you. I meant to write to you. But things were so just busy in Ikata. Then, before I knew it, nearly a month passed by since our last contact. I know, I was selfish...thinking only of myself and my own needs. And your offline messages filled with concern make me feel even worse.

So, I sincerely apologize for being such a schmuck. Can we start over?

Here are some updates of what's happened since last time:

(1) Went to the Misaki Town Bunkasai where K, A, and I were forced to don (ugly) masks and dance provocatively and gyrate before a bunch of senior citizens. FYI this is not my idea of a good time.

(2) Triple A, K, and Rae went to Uchiko-za to see Kodo, the world-famous taiko group. What an amazing performance. This may have been the musical highlight of my year!

Ammended: The musical highlight of my year was the violin performance in my apartment by K's b-friend. Even better was getting an impromptu violin lesson myself. I am definately learning this instrument!

(3) Received the sexiest Japanese lesson of my life. Alas, now my two guiltiest pleasures (the second one being coffee) have strangely converged into one. Yeah, that sounds a little weird, doesn't it?

(4) Got tipsy at an enkai and told the you-know-who teacher that he is beautiful. Sake is baaaaaa-aaad!

(5) Delivered a (moderately) successful presentation at work. Lots of preparation. Otsukare yada yada.

(6) Rediscovered the joy of martial arts. You know how sometimes you hit a good run and everything seems to come together for you? I've found my groove. Unfortunately, I've got the bruises to prove it.

(7) I rocked the playground at Kucho shogakko last week. It was wonderful! What can I say, I am down with all the eight year olds. Was feeling pretty happy with myself until one eight year old told me I was the same age as her mom. Yikes - when did I become old enough to have an elementary school-aged kid?

Well, those are the highlights anyway. More to come soon!