The Lighthearted Wanderer

7 & 8. Last night I found myself watching episode after episode of "K-on". It's about these high school girls who revive the "Light Music Club" and the different obstacles and adventures they face in establishing their club. So thoughts: - It was really quite adorable. The girls remind me of both my friends and I in high school (since we were overachievers in clubs) as well as my girls in the ESS club here at school. They had different personalities, were a little bit over the top, but really lovable all the same. And they were super dedicated to each other. - The overall story was a good message, good examples for younger girls watching. The main protagonist starts out as a directionless, lazy, and without motivation to do much of anything--but having the other members of the club depend on her compel her to be a good club member, learn guitar, that sort of thing...super Japanese-sounding, no? - Still, I couldn't shake the underlying feeling o...

6. I had lunch with one of the part-time English teachers at my school, and her 21-yr old daughter who just studied aboard for a year in Canada...lots of thoughts but will upload the Canadian food she gave me :) Isn't it funny that Reese's is just called Reese is Canada?

5...that I know will make me cry...but pretty music and pretty pictures set a good backdrop for feeling emotional.  Books and movies portray characters with big emotions, moments with extreme thoughtfulness, crazy climaxes...basically makes normal moments seem extraordinary, or extraordinary moments seem even more so. Is it all about how it is expressed? If we take more time to articulate a normal moment in an extraordinary way, does it come across in that way? Does regular life measure up or is it even more amazing?

4. Plum or ume flowers aren't as popular as cherry blossoms (sakura), but ume do come at least a full month earlier, AND they come in loads of beautiful colors! Is spring in the air? I sure hope so!

3. This is my "goshuin-cho" book. It's a book (mine happens to be accordion style) and on each page you can have the monks or monk helper write in calligraphy and stamp the special stamps of that shrine or temple. I started this in October when my mommy came to visit, and I finished it last weekend during my trip to Koyasan. I love getting to the end of books, journals, diaries. It's only happened a few times but it is such a powerful feeling every time. Blogs are different because they never have a last page...and I gotta tell you, it kind of makes me a little sad... But physical spaces aren't the only indication of milestones in one's life, I suppose.

2. Today was full of YouTube, Glee replays, humming and singing with my headphones on, only to realize that I was humming loud enough to be noticeable by my neighboring teachers. Not that anyone actually noticed anything. I dunno, it's one of those days where I feel like I'm not doing enough. Empty train on the way back from Miki at midnight. Oh yeah, it's a school night?

New semi-challenge. Inspired by my Pooh pack buddies: Reflect, take a moment, chill, breathe...(what other things do they say...) Haha, oh yeah--"Just Accept!" Anyway, each day I'll try to share a glimpse of how I'm thinking, even if it's just a few words or a picture 1. Probably the proudest "teaching" project from my whole time here. In terms of reaching out to a lot of students and sending some hype about English through the class...