WHY?

American film industry, why do you insist on smiting me just because I'm leaving you for Japan for another year? Honestly, I've waited YEARS for another X-Files movie and an Indiana Jones sequel, I might add! So of course you wait until I'll be gone to produce them. It's all rubbish, if you ask me.

In other news, I am trying very hard to convince myself that I need a newer ipod. As if 30gb weren't enough already. I attempt to justify the upgrade by reminding myself that, in addition to the three seasons of "The Office" I already have, I'll soon be downloading the new season of "Doctor Who" as well. Surely that demands a shiny 80 gigs, right? Right?

Picture update!

Wow, I'm really behind on posting pictures. These are from Easter and the outing Kami, the boys, and I had with Mai and Miho a couple of weeks ago.

Dad and Miroku having a "moment"


Samuel, the ladies' man, poses with Mai (one of my former students from Japan) and her friend Miho. What a charmer!


Mai, being cute


Miho and Jude


Miho and Samuel


Jana and I at Easter


Playing around with the new Photoshop, courtesy of Kami. Look how I can disguise the fact that I'm not wearing any make-up!

Oh BBC, why must you TORMENT me thus?

*writhes in impatience* Hurry up, series four!

Keeping tabs on Flocke

Some people follow soap operas, others have their local sports team. They keep track of how characters develop or how many points their favorite athlete scores, discussing it with great enthusiasm.

And then there are people like me who, you know, follow polar bears. I'm not sure when it started, this unusual preoccupation of mine, but I think it can be attributed to Knut, who was a ball of white fluff when I was in Japan. Now, a year later, he is quite grown up! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knut_%28polar_bear%29

But another famous polar bear cub has caught the attention of the international press. Her name is Flocke and she just may be the cutest little muffin I've ever seen. I blame Japan and its "kawaii culture" for turning me into one of those people who are so easily affected by cute things... This afternoon, I actually clapped my hands and cooed over one of the below pictures.

Still, I defy all of you not to be as equally charmed by this roly-poly baby! It's been fun watching her get bigger every week. I love the shot of her biting her trainer's toes. I would totally do that if I were a bear ;)

http://www.nuernberg.de/internet/polarbear/

*spasms of glee*

I won't pretend that I haven't watched this trailer repeatedly and didn't get chills with every viewing. Yay, Doctor! Yay, Donna! And the return of Martha and Rose to boot! My only regret is that I can't watch the new series on the telly with Mom :( Looks like I'll be buying it from itunes...

There and back again...

I suppose the cat is way at of the bag at this point, so I might as well announce it to the internet at large: on April 29th, I return to Japan for Round Two of my teaching experiment. I have been offered a comfortable position in Yamaguchi prefecture (the far western part of Honshu, near Hiroshima prefecture) that will allow me to save some money while I decide once and for all whether or not I want to pursue a Masters in Education. And since this will be more of a traditional ESL classroom setting (as opposed to the Mclessons I gave at NOVA, the McDonalds of English conversation schools), I'm confident that I'll get more out of the experience. Overall, I'm pleased and excited, though it's bittersweet knowing that my happiness comes at the expense of my family's and friends'.

I'm not very good at goodbyes, which is why I feel I have no sense of closure from my last few months in Japan. I'm haunted by the things I didn't do and the chances I didn't take. This time I'll try to apply myself more; study Japanese, learn the local history, and practice patience. I want to explore the subtleties of the culture and integrate myself as much as a foreigner possibly can. As Ube is a much smaller city than Kobe or Osaka, I think it will force me to be more active in the community. I've already contacted a team of missionaries with Christ Star that happen to be living in the same area as church planters. Mission work has always been an important aspiration of mine, and though I've thought of going to Romania or Africa, this strikes me as a wonderful opportunity to combine my enthusiasm for Japan with my desire to serve Christ.

So many things are falling into place with surprising ease. It's like a story slowly unraveling itself. I'm in awe of God's handiwork and His ability to give and take and give again, in His intricate tapestry of plans and blessings.

Let's all just think about this for a moment

I am a huge dork, but I've had a long time to reconcile myself to that fact. ;)

A thing of wonder...

I think it's important that we all take a moment to appreciate David Tennant's extraordinary eyebrows. That impish little quirk-- how does he do it?

The BBC has released two new promo images for season four, which begins in April. Looks like Team TARDIS is ready to roll!

The art of book-finding

Most people venture into a bookstore to choose a book; however, more often than not, I wander into a Borders and the book chooses me. Sometimes it just happens to catch my eye, peering shyly at me from between its neighbors. Other times it practically launches itself off of the shelf, “Pick me! Pick me!” And before I’ve realized it, it has buried its way into my mind, and I’m reading the back cover, tasting the story description, turning its words and images over in my mouth.

Generally, I’m pleasantly surprised by my fateful discovery, though there has been the rare occasion where the book and I quarreled. But the best experience of all is the unexpected falling, when you’re under the spell of the author’s words and in love with the characters before you even recognize it. It’s those experiences that are the most priceless, like uncovering a treasure in the sand. Some of my favorite books, my dearest literary friends, have been discovered this way. I recall that “The Virgin Blue” and “Year of Wonders” found me among the labyrinths of possibilities (and by the way, I highly recommend both).

It’s fun to imagine, and I tend to imagine a great deal, that certain things like books come to us just when we need them. Maybe unconsciously we’re looking for a specific companion to get us through a certain period of our lives. If only more people knew to take refuge in the faraway places and beautiful impossibilities of books. I think there would be fewer stressed out and miserable individuals out there. Thank God for the luxury of reading ;)

Through dangers untold...

Well, it's finished. After several day's worth of frustration, courtesy of the board of trustees in Japan, I finally finished filling out my NOVA paperwork to reclaim a portion of my lost wages. And when I say "portion", that's exactly what I mean. I suppose I should be grateful to be getting any of it back at all, but it's really quite ridiculous the hoops you have to jump through just to get 60% of a salary that should have been 100% mine. But I digress...

Spring has (almost) sprung! And my allergies are having a field day with all sorts of weird sinus issues, daily headaches being the worst of these. I suspect a visit to the allergist will be in the near future. Does anyone have any good tricks for de-puffing eyes? Besides cold water? Despite the funny tricks pollen has been playing on me, it's really nice to be able to smell flowers and hear birds chirping again.

It's time to start a new book, but I've been dragging my feet about which one to read. Since the one I'm writing is a blend of fantasy and mythology, I've been investing in young adult fiction and literary fiction of a similar vein for a little research. I recently started "The Stolen Child", which is a bestseller about a changling and a little boy switching places in the WWII era. It's very good, but I think I'm burnt out on genres of a fantastical nature, which is why I haven't been able to start Neil Gaiman's "Stardust" either. I think I need a good historical novel to change things up. "Peony in Love", by the author of "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" looks good; has anyone heard anything about it?

Look at that! Borders just sent me a 25% off coupon. It's like they know...

Blast from the past

I was probably a little too amused by this tongue-in-cheek reference to one of my favorite childhood films. Any other 'children of the 80's' out there want to venture a guess? ;)

Prima Ballerina

On Saturday night I had the very good fortune of acquiring a pair of free ballet tickets, so Kami and I headed downtown to see a program of four French pieces, two of them world premieres. I can't emphasize enough just how much I love the ballet. Since childhood, it has always represented everything that is graceful, beautiful, and emotive for me. Our performance was no exception. The last piece, a contemporary ballet, was particularly impressive, with its first five minutes of silent, rapid, and passionate dancing. It was so quiet, we could hear the dancers breathing. Just awe-inspiring.

After the show, we went downstairs to inquire about season tickets. They were having a special promotion for four shows, including my all-time favorite Swan Lake. Kami and I exchanged eager glances, fiddled with our wallets, and then ended up subscribing. Now we have an entire season to look forward to, for around the price of $50 each.

On one of the tables, there was a large basket of used point shoes. I lingered close by, eyeing them with a childlike longing, before finally asking how much they were. The woman manning the station told me they were given away in return for a $20 donation-- and they were autographed. Which dancer did I like, she asked? I inquired about Yuka Iino, a new OBT dancer from Gumma, Japan. Did they have her shoes? They did. I wrote them a check ;) Tax deductible, so why not? Plus, they put your name in the program *sheepish grin* They're adorable shoes, tiny and worn to ribbons. I was told she goes through a pair a night. Not surprising; I saw for myself how hard she danced.

Yuka in the leading role of Odette from OBT's 2006 production of Swan Lake

...and in the role of Odile

It was a nice girl's night out. I'm very much looking forward to our first show of the 2008/2009 season, which is Swan Lake in October. It's my very favorite ballet and I'm crossing my fingers that Miss Yuka will be dancing the lead again this year!

Not again!

Heavens, as far as blogging goes, I sure seem to move around a lot, don't I? Why the sudden change? Well, people keep inquiring after my Japan blog (http://sakura-breeze.livejournal.com/) and why I don't seem to be keeping it up. I've felt a little torn about this, mostly because it was my journal specifically for Japan and now that I'm not there anymore it doesn't seem appropriate to keep updating. And as for my other livejournal account--having to constantly lock entries to keep certain people out is just getting annoying, because half of my friends aren't able to read them. And what's the use in that? Moreover, they have so many advertisements plastered all over their site and I'd rather not have to keep paying for an account just to get rid of them.

So here I am! Back on Blogger after three years ;) Friends, family, and former students, you'll all be able to keep tabs on me from now on. I'll try to post regularly about what I'm doing and keep you up to date with my writing and art projects.