Post 100...Is About Japan...Big Surprise!

I was going through some files on my computer last night and came across a lot of cool things. Mostly, old poems I wrote in high school, none oh which I will be sharing! But, instead I came across an essay that I wrote about wanting to live and work in Japan. I know, that most of you have heard it, read it, or tried to get me to stop talking about Japan...but it's not going to happen anytime soon!

With post 100 I thought I would share with you that essay. I hope you enjoy it and I hope that you continue to keep reading! Moving to Japan isn't going to be an end of my blog but a new beginning...cheesy as that sounds. So, instead of boring you with words...here is the essay.


From the age of ten I have always had a fascination with Japanese culture. I’m not sure how to explain it other than saying that this passion didn’t come from my surroundings. I grew up in Texas, about as far away from Japan as you can be! I taught myself how to use chopsticks and wouldn’t eat a meal without them. As I got older I realized that my passion for Japan coupled with my compassion for helping and teaching others was a perfect fit. When I was eighteen I got the opportunity to go on a trip to Japan. I had just graduated high school and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. While I was in Japan I quickly began to realize that this was the place I needed to be. I immediately fell in love with the people I encountered and the spirit of Japan took me over.

It wouldn’t be for another eight years that I would once again get the chance to visit Japan. Once again my trip was a sign that Japan was where I needed to be. The summer I spent in 2008 was memorable for many reasons, mainly the children I got to work with while I was there. Being able to teach and interact with kids made everyday worth waking up early for. There wasn’t a night that I wasn’t out exploring the city, finding new places to eat, or stopping by a vending machine to experience something new.

For me, Japan has been a place for me to experience life in a completely new and exciting way. It has allowed me to see the person I am inside; adventurous and excited to try new things. Unfortunately for my friends here in the states it makes them hesitant to even bring up the subject of Japan for fear of me sharing another story. Going to Japan for me always reminds me of when I was child on Christmas morning. There is always an excitement of the unknown and the thrill of adventure.
Living and working in Japan would be a dream come true and a life experience that I would be proud of. Japan makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself. I have always felt welcome in Japan as if I were returning home from a long trip. Living in Lancaster Pennsylvania has made it hard for me to find good Japanese food, so I always make sure that I try and experience as many different types of foods while I’m in Japan, not limited to my eating of natto.

As I said before Japan has always been a great host to me and teaching in Japan would be something that I would never forget. As for teaching in Japan, I love being able to work with students and help them grasp the difficulties associated with learning a new language. No matter the age of the student we are never too old to learn new things. Being in Japan would afford me the opportunity to not only teach, but to be taught.

Click here if you want to help save baby animals from... poison...factory jobs...or something!

Are you excited??!!

What gets your heart pumping? Like seriously, what makes that surge of adrenaline shoot through your body. Your pupils dilate, your heart races, your mind is focused! Well, here is the big surprise...mine...is Japan!

I know right big surprise! Seriously, every time I get on the web, I check my email, hit up facebook...and then...then I gravitate towards the website for Tokai Village. I load up the 150+ page pdf and start reading. Everything is covered in this pdf. Trash disposal, child care, swimming pools, post offices, banks, you name it it's covered! That is what gets me excited. Reading all this creates a picture in my head. I wonder what the town looks like, where my apartment will be, who my neighbors are, and everything in between.

I have a very creative imagination and it takes a lot of energy for me not to go crazy with the thoughts of the unknown. There are a lot of things I can't control. A lot of unanswered questions but, that's what I love! From the second I step off the plane in Tokyo up until I move into my apartment is going to be an adventure.

I do however find the awesomeness in the small things. For example, cell phone shopping. I know this is a major nerd moment but please stay with me for just a second. This phone...is amazing! It's a Gundam Wing phone...I can't even talk about it anymore. You just need to see a picture of it!


Boom! There it is! 12 megapixel camera, gps, HD video, Global roaming, and the big seller...it's in English.

So, there you have it. Please don't get me wrong. This phone is not the reason why I'm excited...but added to everything I'm going to experience it gets me excited.

Going here...would do two things. First, I would be grateful. Second, I would make me not stress about finances. So, do it!

Friday Fun Fact now with 100% More Pictures!

So, the other day I posted some fact about Tokai Village, Ibaraki. Today I wanted to share a couple cool pictures. These are the flags of Ibaraki Prefecture as well as the flag of Tokai Village.


Ibaraki Prefecture Flag


Tokai Village Flag

Each Prefecture and town has their own flag. Ibaraki's flag is of a white rose on a blue background. The blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean as well as Mount Tsukuba. I'm not exactly sure what the flag for Tokai stands for but I did see a picture of people with their hands over their heads imitating the look of the flag. It still doesn't really help because I don't know what it means.

Either way, it's Friday! Enjoy the weekend and enjoy this last fun fact for the week!

Don't forget! I need some support in getting to Japan. Pass this along to your friends, neighbors, enemies, rich uncles, creepy uncles, crazy aunts, British nannies...whoever!

Fun Facts!

So, what's up? Yeah? Me? I'm moving to Japan!
(Theme song!)

I don't know what that was...but, I do know that it's time for Fun Facts!!!!!

Ok, you all know I'm moving to Japan in March. Tokai Village in Ibaraki prefecture to be exact. But, do you know what a prefecture is? Do you know what goes on in Ibaraki prefecture? No! Since you don't know I'm going to tell you! First off, a prefecture is similar to a state here in the US. There are 47 prefectures in Japan. There are a ton of facts about prefectures on Wikipedia (a trusted site for my college papers since 2006).

The capital of Ibaraki prefecture is Mito.

As of March 2011, the prefecture produced 25% of Japan's bell peppers and Chinese
cabbage. Yum!

Ibaraki is known for natto, or fermented soybeans. Natto, is made by cooking soybeans and then letting them ferment in the ground...and is not something that I enjoy.

That is all you get for this episode of Fun Facts! I'm watching 30 rock and eating an apple...typing is hard.

Don't forget to donate to my trip! Please!! I will need to buy toilet paper when I get to Japan!

What is Tokai Village?

Tokai Village

Population 37,503...about to be 37,504!

Tokai village, Ibaraki Prefecture is where I am moving to! Last night I received my call about placement. I will be teaching at one of the six elementary schools in Tokai.

With an average temperature of 14 degrees (57f) this Pacific coast town is know for it's black Japanese pines as well as having the first nuclear power plant build in Japan.

Tokai, is located 120km (74miles) north of Tokyo. During the month of April, Tokai will celebrate the annual sakura (cherry blossom) festival at Akogigaura Park.

From the town of Tokai: "Japanese have a strong affection for cherry blossoms. In spring, Japanese get together with their colleagues or neighbors under the cherry trees and enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms with food and sake (liquor)."

Stay tuned for more post about my future home...and don't forget...Donate!

Tokai Village, Ibaraki Prefecture Japan

Tokai Village...

Home of the Black Japanese Pine


The Lilium Maculatum



The White Eye



And now...Me!



I will be living and teaching here starting in April. There are still many details left to be ironed out but this is one giant step closer to March 18th! I will post more but this is just a teaser and a shameless plug!

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Thanks For Helping Me Remember My Dreams

A long time ago I almost forgot there was this desire within my heart. The desire to move to Japan has been something that I have thought about, talked about, and dreamed about. Ask anyone of my friends and they will tell you!

I feel sorry for them sometimes because I know I talk too much and when I start talking about Japan…I don’t stop.

But, the problem was I almost forgot. I almost gave up all my dreams for a fleeting chance at happiness.

About three years ago I was sitting in my dorm room. I was probably wasting time on Facebook or something when a friend stopped by my room. He knew that I had been having some relationship troubles and asked me point black, “Does she want to live in Japan with you.” I had been lying to myself thinking that I could somehow convince her and in the process had convinced myself into thinking I could talk her into it. I paused to answer and he could see it. He told me that if God wanted me in Japan he wasn’t going to allow me to be with someone who had zero desire to live there with me.

I hated him…my friend that is. “How dare he say that to me! He doesn’t know anything about the situation!” My thoughts were angry because I knew that what he was saying was absolutely true!

I am so grateful to my friend! Not just to him but to all of my friends. Who no matter what absolute crap that I was going through stuck by me. Who said we are going to love and support you no matter what. I hope that I can be that friend to all of you.

I had to lose all my “dreams” so that I could remember the ones that really mattered to me. The ones that I had as a child to live in Japan. A kid who grew up in Texas with a dream of living in Japan…that’s not your normal dream…

 

Higgins