Filed under: Happenings
I’ve been back in the US for over a week now, and honestly, it doesn’t feel as though I’ve been gone for so long. Everyone here seems to think I’ve been gone forever; perhaps it’s like one of the CIRs (Coordinators of International Relations) said at one of our first meetings – time flows differently here. Whether it’s because our lives seem much faster-paced as new foreigners in a foreign land or that not much changes at home, I too have felt this difference. To me, it’s as though I’ve only been away at college or whatever for a little longer than usual. To some of my relatives, it’s as though I’ve been away for a year. It’s interesting how we preceive time, isn’t it?
So now onto blogging.. there’s a lot to write about but I’ll only give you the CliffNotes version at best.
I came home Thursday the 18th after a long nearly-sleepless flight, through evil customs people and a long drive with my cousin from Kansas City only to walk into the courthouse the next day wearing pants I’d worn the past 36+ hours and my tofu shirt which some waiter at El Himador spilled hot sauce on. At least we got married though, and as Ryan’s mom said, “we were the loveiest couple there and that’s all that mattered.” I’m just glad only select family members were able to see how undressed, mismatched and otherwise cranky I was.
A short day after that, Ryan and I drove up to St. Louis and caught a plane to Chicago where we spent a few days taking care of his visa work/honeymooning. It was nice to get away with him for a while and to go somewhere different. Our hotel was really nice; located directly off Michigan Avenue only one block from the embassy we were able to go shopping, admire the snow, and order out all types of ethnic food to enjoy while sitting upon the leather couch and/or bed in the hotel room, watching tv on a ~27 inch flatscreen. Yes, the Chicago deep dish pizza and the Mongolian beef will be fresh in our memories for a long time to come.
The next paragraph would no doubt have to be dedicated to Christmas, where the Japanese Santa Claus, as I’ve been calling myself for some dumb reason, was finally able to give out the gifts she’d been collecting over the past month or so in Japan. It seems as though everyone liked what they got. I really wanted to give all my cousins on my mom’s side something “Japanesey” so that they’d have something more or less authentic from a part of their heritage. The boys got Daruma figures or Japanese lion figures and the girls got dolls dressed in kimono. Since I don’t know if I’ll be coming home next year for Chirstmas, I made sure I brought something for everyone, and was happy to receive a lot of good gifts too.
I’m very thankful to have been able to see almost everyone. And if I am to be completely honest, the thing I’m also most thankful for is the FOOD! Thank you Grandma Beck for making all the Christmas fixings and chocolate dessert, Grandma Kyo for the Korean bulgogi, Aunt Nancy for the delicious turkey and peanut brittle, Aunt Karen for the American vegetable tray and ranch, mom for cooking up anything I’ve asked for, and Ryan for humoring me with my frequent trips to American Chinese restaurants. I know I’m leaving many people out, and for that I’m sorry. Just know, that if you’ve treated me to some type of American food or another, that I’ve greatly appreciated it. You know, in all I probably lost close to 10 pounds in Japan after deciding to really watch what I ate. And you know, I’ll probably gain 5 of it back if I don’t cut back after the New Year. Keep an eye on me guys.
I’m down to the single digits. One week from now I’ll be home in the States. Amazing that Christmas time has come already, it’s remarkable how quickly time has passed, but at the same time, how slow this week has passed. When you’re a foreigner in Japan (and believe me, you are always aware of your foreigness) time nonetheless seems to flow differently here than it does for those back home.
Just yesterday I learned of something important. Apparently there’s a rule that the apartment I’m living in can only be lived in by one person. Although they will allow Ryan and I to stay here until March (end of the school year) after March I must move out. At first I was saddened by this, and honestly quite annoyed. You couldn’t have told me this earlier?
Anyway, I had several options including going into a lottery and trying to get a family apartment in the same apartment complex, but I thought the uncertanity was a bit annoying, especially because I’m an online graduate student and can’t have my internet usage interupted. So, I checked out the ALT houses that are located closer to the school yet farther away from any grocery stores, etc. Though it’ll be a bit more difficult living here without a car, it doesn’t take so long to walk to and from these houses. While I don’t mind riding the train, it’s kinda nice that I won’t have to take one every day, as Fuetsu is within a walkable distance and I can still catch the student bus if I don’t feel like walking up the mountain. (We checked on Google Maps and there is about a 100 meter difference between normal Iida and where the high school is.) Downtown isn’t far away either. As soon as you get out of that residental area, bam, your there.
This house will be a lot nicer if family or friends decide to visit too. There’s two 6 tatami (Japanese grass mat) rooms, one hardwood room off the main enterance, a separate kitchen, separate shower/landry room, and bathroom. It is a bit older than my apartment and because of the former ALT it’s a bit torn up. A cleaning crew has already been through and the teachers said they’ll replace the tatami and sliding doors with new (cat-scratch free) ones. However, once I spread all my awesome posters everywhere, it’ll brighten up considerably. I once thought this apartment I’m living in now was pretty drab.
Anway, I’m not sure when Ryan and I will be able to move into this house. Probably March during Spring Break, although we might be able to do so sooner. There’s really no rush so we’ll just see what happens.
