Reflections of 2007

I've lived in Japan for about 6 months now!! WOW! I really can't believe it. For me the months have flown past. I'm actually shocked at how quickly time is going for me. I don't feel like I've done enough, learned enough, seen enough! I definitely have so much more I want to do before that infamous one way ticket back to the U.S.A. I get crazy sometimes and think about the state of my life (yes I know sometimes I get too deep) and just wonder if this was the right thing to do? Or if I am at a good age to do such things granted this year is the BIG 30, and in Japan no less.......hhhhmmmm....... BUT THEN I THINK THIS:How many people get the opportunity at "this age" to live overseas? I'm experiencing so much and learning so much and living life so much. I like what I'm doing. So what is wrong with what I'm doing???? NOTHING!! As you can see, I've had some "deep thoughts" lately!! But I flip-flop, even though I'm sure its just all in my head?!?



And finally, a few things I've learned these past 6 months in Japan:

13) Don't ask "why" in Japan- it is what it is for no reason what so ever!

12) You think you've adjusted and people in the neighborhood have gotten used to you, but then you go to a new grocery store and they still drop their bread and eggs and their jaws and stare at you!!

11) If you want to meet a gaijin (foreigner), go to Starbucks! It's true- gaijin love Starbucks!

10) Alcohol- the great equalizer

9) Japanese TV dramas are, in a word?, AWESOME and reminds me of Telemundo!!!







8) It's HOT, like living on the sun hot, in August!!

7) Overalls are back in fashion

6) Natto- just say NO!

Natto is fermented soy beans. The beans are boiled, wrapped in straw and left to ferment for several days. They have vitamins, fiber and protein and thus are a good source of nutrition.
Natto dates back at least 1000 years and eventually became a favorite of people living in Edo, the capital city of Japan at that time.
People sold natto basically door-to-door. Some people added it to miso, others added minced onions and soy sauce and then poured the entire sum over some hot rice. It's cheap and has a rather strong odor.
Natto is sometimes used as a breakfast food, mixed with beaten raw egg and soy sauce, then poured over steaming hot rice. Natto is definitely not a favorite of non-Japanese, though, and even many Japanese do not care for it.

5) I don't like earthquakes or typhoons

I have experienced more of these events in Japan than I have ever did.

4) Living abroad challenges everything you thought you knew about yourself

3) The world is a lot smaller than you think

2) Japanese people are in a word "interesting"

1) You are never "too old" to try something completely "out of the box"!!!!

jjc