Just be

Tag: sistercity

20 Seconds of Insane Courage

“You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”

― Benjamin Mee

I believe in this with all my heart. I have experienced it, seen it and remind myself of this each day.

My first week of work has come to an end. The past five working days I had “English Workshop”. This is when junior high students come to learn/practice English. There were 6 or so ALT’s and we each had a group of 4-6 students.

These children were able to communicate using English and make huge progress in only five days! The bravery and courage these students showed was inspiring. I could have only dreamed of being that brave, that young.

These students are learning a new language. I am trying to do the same. They were able to get up, give speeches, laugh, learn new words, and continue to try even when it was incredibly challenging. At this point in my life I am able to say words and feel silly and embarrassed without giving up…but at their age I wouldn’t have even tried. I am blown away by this. Insane courage.

I have been befriended by wonderful people. People that are helping me grow and learn about myself and Japanese culture. Thelma is my friend I ran into at the store-who showed me how to get to the mall. She and her husband live here in Japan and have been accepting of me and willing to show me some new things such as my first public bath.

This was such an experience…I really cannot find the words to explain it-but I will try. Thelma’s husband, Satoru took me (before we went in he checked to see if tattoos were okay). On the way there he explained a few manners and do and do not do’s. I called Thelma beforehand as well because I was nervous as ever. She explained to me what it would be like…but even listening I still didn’t understand. At home we have NOTHING like this…maybe a public pool…?

Anyways. It is exactly what it’s called. A public bath. A place where people go and bathe. My best night of sleep was to follow. It is a cultural experience. I was so nervous…now I am thinking about what it might be like to take a foreigner, with tattoos, to an honorary place. I wonder who actually had the insane courage here…me or Satoru. Such accepting people who are willing to introduce me to things I never thought I would do.

Another friend came and spent a day with me…teaching me some phrases, helping me with the buses and just talking to me. She’s got a special place in my heart…She took me on my first bus ride here-WOOOHOOO! We are going to go on some more adventures soon-she’s a great guide with the most genuine heart.

I have another friend here who I can call when I just want to talk or have a funny story to tell. Beautiful Angel I call her 🙂 She reminds me of my best friend-and I think she will be one of my greatest life long friends.

I am still walking around with a smile on my face. I love the feeling of seeing/experiencing things for the first time. Every single day I am doing things for the first time…like a child growing up. I am trying new foods, hearing new words, learning a new language and learning what is right and wrong.

I found a little wooded area near me. It’s more like a wild jungle. It reminds me of my brothers. We use to play in the woods at our elementary school. They would LOVE these woods. The tree branches twist and turn, the roots have broken the ground and the stumps are huge. The bugs buzz loud, the dragon flies fly thick and the feral cats walk through these woods like it is their own jungle and they are lions/tigers.

my brothers…

Tom would explore these parts day or night. He would be the best exploration partner. I can’t wait to adventure with him here.

Dave would LOVE the people and the culture. He would fit right in and he would try everything.

Phil-he would enjoy the food. He wouldn’t even be nervous to order like I am 🙂

The sunflowers remind me of my mama. I see her in every flower.

The athletic complexes remind me of my dad. He never missed one of my games.

The tiny pick up trucks-they remind me of you!

I wish you could be here exploring with me. The world is so much bigger than I imagined and as my world gets bigger…I somehow become less lonely. Strange, isn’t it?

These are just a few of the people who cross my heart each day here in Japan.

I have the next week off from work. I was hoping to try and get to Okinawa but I think I better just get familiar with my surroundings and the city where I live. I hope to see the ocean soon and make it to the mountains.

Tonight I have made it up until 11:50pm…all my family is getting up for work while I am turning in for the night. I think maybe I am FINALLY adjusting to the time change.

Remember…20 seconds of embarrassing bravery.

illie

Until next time

August 8, 2018
165 hours

I have nearly spent my first week in Japan (just shy of a few hours)!

The things I have seen, learned and experienced are beyond words. I find it hard to stay up past about 7:00pm. I wake up at about 5:00am and am ready for a nap by 10:00am. I haven’t eaten as much as I do at home because ordering is a challenge for me. Hah! I have eaten the majority of my meals alone and every single meal has been out (because I have to learn to cook)…

Saturday, I rode my bicycle to what I thought was the mall…where I ran into a teacher I had met just last week. That was a SHOCK because I only know a handful of people here and I have met them only within this week. I asked her where I was at and she informed me that I was at a supermarket…(I know…how did I not know the difference?) She pointed me in the right direction of the mall. Once I got there I was overwhelmed with stores, smells and sounds.

I spent a few hours walking around and wandering in and out of shops. The entire time I had the biggest smile on my face as I saw people going on about their days. I had a 20 minute bike ride home, maybe less. I was able to go meet with a friend at the mall later that night. However…the bike ride there at night took be about twice the amount of time and on the way home it took me at least triple the amount of time!!

I’ve officially been lost. I’ve also fallen off my bicycle which I had to laugh about. It reminded me of a bee sting…it’s just one of those things that has to happen every now and then.

Sunday, a friend taught me how to use the bus and find my way to one of the train stations. We spent hours talking and exploring. She helped me figure out things it would have taken me months to figure out. Thank goodness for nice people. Tonight, I walked to the supermarket and got an ice cream cone. Someone told me that I might cut down on my ice cream intake in Japan due to the taste…but the only reason I am cutting down is because you cannot buy quarts here. Walking to the supermarket at night is an ordeal for me…I might not even do that back home since I’m such a baby. I’m overly cautious and afraid of most everything but I’m discovering that a thought is just a thought and a thought can be changed.

The people appreciate when I try to speak Japanese. Sometimes I know I must sound and look like a fool…but I’m okay with that because at least I’m trying. I’ve always envied people who do what I am doing…it’s hard for me to believe that I’m living something I use to dream about. I look out my window from where I am sitting and I see a porch light blinking like it is going to burn out. It is the only thing I have seen each night that remains the same and I find comfort in that.

I have to keep my tattoos covered. I think that my tattoos are friendly and happy but tattoos are not yet accepted here. I cover the ones I can with clothing and the others with band-aids. I thought it was more of a “cover up for work” kind of thing…but it turns out it is better to cover them up any time I am out. When I walk out the door I begin dripping sweat so I wear two shirts now…the first is to absorb the sweat and the second is to try not to show the sweat. At home I swear two shirts just because it’s how I am comfortable…now I wish I could only wear one without it getting soaked. Once I walk in the door my clothes are off as quick as my shoes (which is at the door). I have so many updates I want to share but I cannot think of a way to string them together smoothly and in a timely manner…

To say the least:

The people are friendly, helpful and appreciate any effort I put forward.

The children are SO CUTE. Seems people love the word cute 🙂

Disney is big…and hedgehogs, I LOVE hedgehogs!!

The fabric is BEAUTIFUL and I need a sewing machine ASAP..

People take good care of their pets…

I went to the dentist last week which was a terrifying experience for me, only because of my past dental experiences. You see, I take care of my teeth…but if something is to go wrong, it will. At the dentist, a dear friend who took me under her wing the even before i got here, translated. As I was sitting in the exam chair hearing that my nerve was dying and I needed to get a root canal, the tears started streaming down my cheeks. I’m going to be getting a root canal…(TBD) I was too scared to do it then. I didn’t want to cry and it wasn’t because of dental care in Japan…I just cannot explain the amount of dental pain I have endured and the amount of time/money it has cost me. I hear the dental care here is wonderful- that will be to come.

Everybody at school does their part (I saw the assistant principal mowing the lawn last week, how amazing is that?!)

My bike was making a funny sound…so I was outside fixing it and a stranger stopped and tried to help me. The language barrier made it difficult but I knew he was asking if I needed help and I was able to let him know I had fixed it.

I have will have officially made it up until 9:00pm by the time I get into bed. The list of experiences I have had in a weeks time cannot be written or told. You would have to see it to believe it.

illie

August 5, 2018
Running on Empty
I have been in Japan a total of 4 days. Well, today is my 4th day. I know I will get busy soon and not write as much…but I want to remember as much of this journey as I can in the years to come.

I started work yesterday. First day in the world of bicycling as well… A wonderful woman who works here in Japan took me to set up a bank account and pocket wifi. Now I am able to have a device with me…which means I don’t have to worry about getting lost (YAY!). I have met incredible people here that have helped me greatly. I am extremely thankful to be in such a place…where people are willing to help even when they do not know me and have no incentive to help…This is my kind of community.

Today was my first day with students! The children are junior high age. The group I worked with today was incredible. Their smiles, effort, ability and happiness filled the room. One student in my group especially made me laugh. I met some wonderful ALT’s today too. They were extremely helpful, funny, and kind. One even showed me a burger joint after we were finished with our English Workshop…Mmmmmmh mmmmmh!

Last night I went to bed when I got home from work at about 4:00pm. I woke up at 7:00pm but went back to sleep. I am exhausted. I’ve spent the most amount of time in my room running the AC and my fans because by the time I walk in the door my entire body is dripping sweat…HEAD TO TOE dripping sweat. Today it says it is 91…but I find that hard to believe. With the 60% humidity…it feels unbelievably hot.

A few challenges I have had or am expecting are:
- Sleep/lack of energy…I guess I now know what Jet Lag is.
- shopping for groceries…I cannot read anything so if there is not a picture on the item I have no idea what it is.
- I need to go find sunscreen today-I couldn’t find it at 711. I walk to 711 every morning (I’ve been waking up at about 5-6am).
- the communication barrier makes me feel a little embarrassed. When people talk to me and I don’t understand, I feel bad, like I’ve done something wrong. As soon as I am settled in I will start taking Japanese lessons.
- BIKE RIDING! The traffic of walking/driving/biking seems to be random. I get scared I will run into something/someone. Everything is bigger in Texas…everything is smaller in Japan (vehicles, lanes, food portions).
- There is Baskin Robbins but there is not pralines and cream! : o
- you cannot buy a quart of ice cream…but the selection of a scoop size portion is unbelievable.
- The date is written differently (2018*08*02) and when writing my name it goes last name then first.
- I must cover my tattoos completely, each day. That means a bandaid on the forearm and on the ankle until I find something more appealing.
- The absolute hardest part of being here…is the love I left at home. Hearing from you makes me incredibly happy but it also brings tears to my eyes. I miss my dog and my people. I am enjoying myself so far…but when I get a phone call or a video chat…my heart flutters but I have to hold tears back. I hope that part gets easier…I’ve only been here 4 days-that part has to get easier even though I will miss you greater. I’ve always had a hard time with HappySads as I call it… Some people call it bittersweet.
Today will be my first time venturing home without guidance.

Looking forward to the journey-because now, even my ride home is an adventure.

illies
August 2, 2018