I'M BEHIND.

I HAVE SO MUCH TO BLOG AND NOT ENOUGH ADEQUATE WIFI OR TIME!!!

Life has been going full speed. I moved out of my apartment at the end of July and since then, I've been vagabonding it around Japan! It's been incredible...and I was able to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Toyama and now I am back in Tokyo for a few last days. 

It's pretty surreal wrapping up my life here and saying goodbye to this place that has become my home for the past three years...but I know the timing is right for me to go back stateside and start a new adventure there. 

So...i'll be posting a lot of photos hopefully soon...probably when i'm back in LA...but for now here's a photo of my recent little solo time snack right outside of Tokyo station. Hot coffee (black, no milk or sugar) a little snack, my journal, and time...that is my happy place. 

heartbreak.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Yesterday I heard tragic news that a dear family friend of mine passed away. He was young, in his early 30s, someone I have known my entire life. 

I went into shock. I had to re-read the text from my mom again, and again, and again...as if my brain couldn't fully articulate those words. Tragic news. He passed away today.  What?? How?? Why?? What??

Immediately my mind flashed to his mom, his dad, his sisters...and thinking of them, how they must be feeling right now in the wake of this tragedy...broke my heart. These are people who I love and treasure, people I grew up with, people who are my friends, my roots, my family. Their son, their brother - gone.

What do we do now?? What do we do in the face of tragic death. I don't know what to think. What to say. How do I go about my day sitting over here at a hotel cafe in Osaka, Japan...thousands of miles away from my loved ones who are in pain? Who are in shock? Who are suffering?

Lord, help us. 

Jesus is our source of all comfort.
And in this time of tragedy and heartbreak, I cling to Him.
There is no other answer.

冨士山 : MT. FUJI : PREVIEW

I did it. 

I climbed Mt. Fuji.

It only took...8.5 hours up to the summit and 4 hours down. 

No big deal.

Was it crazy? 

Yep.

Would I do it again?

Definitely. 

...

more pics and details to come!!! 

"Amie sensei"

Well folks, I now have officially cleared out my desk, given a farewell speech and retired my title as "Amie sensei"

Wow.

Three years teaching at Ichikashi absolutely FLEW by. My last day at work (July 20th) was filled with plain disbelief...lots of tears of gratitude...many bouquets of flowers paired with the sweetest cards...and countless good hugs. 

I thought i'd share a few of the social media posts my students shared on my last day. For the past three years, I haven't shared my social media contact with my students, just to keep some teacher-student distance...but now that my job has ended I have now accepted A LOT of students (mostly on instagram) and they have shared some of the sweetest photos and memories of us. 

These pictures are the reason why I love teaching. It's so much more than the textbook work...it's truly getting the honor to be in these kids lives, cheering for them, encouraging them, and assuring them that they are not alone.

It has been my greatest joy being their teacher! 

SA YO NA RA.

This past week was full of a lot of wonderful sayonara (farewell) parties with a bunch of people who have become my family here in Kashiwa. God has blessed me richly with these relationships! 

First up...

1. VOLLEYBALL.

Once a year, a lot of PE teachers in the area gather at one school for a fun teachers volleyball tournament. I look forward to this day every year because it's a rare chance for me to put on some bball shorts, pin my hair back, and get a good work out in! I'm lucky because, even though i'm not a PE teacher, my coworkers know I love sports so they always invite me to these things. After our fun tournament, everyone met back up later that night in Kashiwa for dinner and drinks. At the dinner, Mori sensei (who planned the event) thanked me for working for three years with everyone...and it was so sweet of him.

Next...

2. KIRA

Last Saturday, the Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA) class that I teach once (sometimes twice) a month threw me a goodbye party at a suuuuuper amazing Japanese restaurant in town. This group is really special to me because although I was their "teacher" they were all really like aunties and uncle to me here in Kashiwa taking care of me, making sure I knew about local events and news, and giving me life advice. When I gave a speech, I got really emotional because of how kind they all are!!! And...bonus was that Tanbata san performed the story of MOMOTARO on cards he hand drew...and Okayasu san played the Ukulele and sang 4 songs!!! 

3. CHURCH

On Sunday last week...Ikeda sensei, steph and I went to Fujimoto senseis church for the first time!! Last year, I learned that Fujimoto sensei (my coworker at Ichikashi) was a Christian!! We bonded over our common faith, and he invited me to his church and finally we were able to go! It was really encouraging to worship with a small house church of faithful Japanese Christians. After service, we had coffee and talked about the Bible, doubt, other religions, etc. It was a blessed afternoon. Then, for dinner, Ikeda sensei, his wife Mari, their son Kai, Steph and I all went to eat Shabu-shabu!!! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!

4. WORK LUNCH

Once or twice a year, during finals when our work days are a little bit shorter, the English office likes to go out for lunch at a nearby golf course that has the BEST $15 lunch buffet!!! The reason why it's the best (in my opinion) is because it has an AMAZING OCHAZUKE BAR!!!! (btw ochazuke is green tea + rice) MY FAVORITE!!!! It was my last lunch here as a teacher...which made me kind of sad thinking about. These people are the ones I work with every single day and they are a huge blessing in my life. I really thank the good Lord for them and all the times we were able to share a meal together :) 

Lastly...

5. JOSHIKAI

A common event in Japan is a "Joshikai" (ladies party)! At work...we have a Joshikai once a year or so...and this one happened to be our end of the first term party + my farewell. The ladies presented me with a beautiful silver cross bracelet (because they know I am a Christian!!!) and so many sweet letters. I gave a little speech and thanked them for really being an incredibly beautiful, smart, kind group of women. 

WOW...and that's just the beginning!! More farewells and goodbyes coming up this week. So many emotions...and I am so thankful to have the good Lord as my rock and strength through it all. I am so sad to leave these people, but I know God has good things in store for my future. He is good, all the time!