Leaving

I just got back from camp and am doing some last minute packing. I am planning on writing a sort of conclusion to my time in Japan blog. I will probably end up doing it while I what for my flight from Haneda. I'll miss it here!

Sleep Deprived

I have a great blog coming up but since I haven't slept "properly" for three nights. It's better that I wait until I am well rested! Until then...

Wine and Love

I know, I know. I haven't been doing this posting everyday thing. I'm preparing to move three years of my life from Japan back to the states. What can I say? I'm busy!

Anyway, I was inspired by my friend Bailey to write a Wine and Love post (yes, I started to write Wine and Cheese first). So, here it goes!

Wine #1: Packing sucks! Initially we had decided that we were only going to send home THREE boxes. Only three! If we had more stuff than three boxes, we'd leave it. Well, let's just say that we are up to about SIX boxes, plus a few small ones specifically for customs and what not. I'm an official pack rat! I should watch an episode of Hoarders. That always, seems to get me to purge my stuff!

Wine #2: I miss my husband terribly! We've only been married two years, with our anniversary being July 31, which we will not be able to spend together. But, we've been "together" for about five years and the longest we've been apart is three days. Three days! Now, I have to spend three weeks without him. To be a honest, a Partial Love #1 would have to be that I do get some "me time" but I don't need so much. Plus, he gets to be state side and I'm still in Japan having to do all the packing.

Love #2: I get to spend a few more days with the friends that I've made here. In fact, my closest friend is coming to stay with me tonight! Yay!

Love #3: The weather has been amazing lately! In America, there is a terrible heatwave happening, especially in Kansas (where I'll be moving). Here, in Hokkaido, we've been averaging 70°. I've even been wearing sweatshirts at night. Crazy!

Wine #3 & Love #4: Saying goodbye! On the plus side, I get to attend tons of going away parties, but I have to tell people (that I'll probably never see again) goodbye. Plus, I have to give a few speeches in Japanese which is obviously on the wine side.

Well, that was fun! I'll have to do that again soon!

Nathan's Departure

After 2 years and 11 months, my husband, Nathan, will be leaving me to climb Mt. Fuji before heading back to the states for good. It won't be for another 3 weeks before I can join him back in Kansas. I will miss him terribly but am secretly looking forward to a little time to myself in Japan. I'll be sure to record my adventures!

Packing

Today I have been finishing my packing. We went to the post office with two boxes that were nicely and tightly wrapped up with an excessive amount of duct tape just to cut them open. Apparently, you can't ship electronics on a boat. They have to be shipped by air but by air is more expensive. We got to spend a good half hour sorting things out but we did eventually get things sorted out.

We then bought three more boxes to pack, came home and packed the last of our odds and ends. Luckily we had already figured out what was going and staying. I just had to put them into the boxes.

Now, my husband is leaving me next Tuesday to climb Mt. Fuji and to head back to the states. I would be going with him but I have to finish my work. Anyway, he has decided that he doesn't want to take more than a backpack with him. So, we have to send another box (i.e. box #3) with clothes and whatnot so he doesn't have to carry it in a bag. It's a bit annoying but I'm definitely getting in on that action and sending my stuff too. So, after he leaves I'll be living out of my little suitcase for three weeks. It'll be weird and tough but hopefully worth it!

Getting Fat

I have decided that until my husband leaves for the states, I'm going to allow myself to get fat. No really fat, but I'm going to eat whatever I want! I only have five weeks left in Japan and only one week left with my husband and I don't want to waste a minute! However, when my husband leave, I'll probably lose any weight gained because I don't eat as much when it's just me and I'll be really bored so I'll probably run all the time.

One of the main things I'm going to miss about Japan would be the food. I LOVE Japanese food! It's all very fresh and delicious, especially the fish. Coming from Kansas, we don't get too many fresh fishes to choose from and fish just isn't really a part of our daily cuisine. Let's be honest, we are beef eaters! Now, though, I definitely think I'm going to be making more trips to the seafood counter in the states.

The other problem is that I don't know how to make Japanese food. I know, I know, I've lived in Japan for the past three years and didn't learn any Japanese cooking. I'm a fool, but I'm going to learn before I leave! I already have a volunteer to teach me. I'll be sure to post pictures.

I look forward to showing all my friends back home what I learn! Japanese food dinner party, anyone?

Packing

So we've been packing off and on for the past couple weeks. It's such a pain trying to ship all the boxes back. Whenever I moved in Lawrence, it was easy; just pack up a friend's truck and move it. With international packing, it's a whole other story.

When we initially came, we had three suit cases and a duffle bag. That's it! Since then we've acquired so many extra things (i.e. souvenirs, books, clothes, etc.) So, we can't fit it all in our suitcases. Surprisingly, though, the shipping prices aren't too bad.

With each day, it's getting harder and easier to leave.

Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day, America! It's a shame I can't be there to celebrate with you but soon I will be coming home to you!

Love always,
Megan

My Brother's Birthday

Today is my older brother's 30th birthday. I can't believe it. I don't know why but this year I was overly excited about calling him. Maybe it's because I'm coming back and we'll be building our friendship again. Or maybe it's because it's such a milestone birthday. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I did! Big brother, I love you and wish you the greatest birthday! You deserve it!

Hip

Though I haven't gained any weight during my two weeks of rest because of my hip, I have lost my muscle and self confidence. Why does this always happen to me?

Fabric

I've been blogging lately, meaning I've been looking at other people's blogs. Not to be confused with working on my own blog...hahaha. Anyway, I've become obsessed! I mean OBSESSED with sewing and fabric blogs. I can't get enough of them! Someone needs to help me....

Preparation

As I prepare for our departure of Japan, I can't help but feel a little anxious...

When I left for Japan, I was running away. I was running away from the debt that I had made for myself. I was running away for the bad decisions I had made. So, I can't help but feel a little nervous about returning to the town where all those things happened. Will I be able to make better decisions, both financially and personally? Have I grown up in Japan and, if so, have I grown up enough?

I hope to think that I have. I've spent the last three years ridding myself of the debt and bettering myself as a person. I think that I have grown up tremendously and I just hope it shows. I just want to prove myself.

I can't wait to be back HOME!

I'm Going Home

It's Official: We are moving back to America! Our time here in Japan has been great but it is coming to an end. I had already decided that I would be leaving my job here in Kitami but I wasn't quite sure where my next adventure would take me. With some intense reflection and thought, my husband and I decided going back to Kansas would be our happiest place.

I had thought of moving to Honshu (the main island of Japan) but, recently, I've been feeling really homesick and essentially, tired of being in another country. Don't get me wrong, I love Japan and everything it has to offer, but when my unhappiness overshadows the greatness of Japan, I know it's time to move on.

I am really excited about moving back home, to a country that speaks English, to a country I fully understand, to a country of convenience, and (most importantly) a country of family and friends!

The Mumps: Day 7

So, technically I still have the mumps but the swelling is really going down. With that being said, I've decided to stop posting photos of myself. You're welcome!

The pain has primarily gone away but I still can't manage to chew without causing excruciating pain for myself. I'm starving! Living on soup for a week, you'd think that I've lost tons of weight but I've only lost 1kg. Which, I suppose, any weight lost is good!

I'm still a bit self conscious, though. I'm embarrassed to go out into public. I wear a surgical mask anytime I have to go outside and face the big, bad, judgmental world. I am starting to recognize myself again which is the best part of the healing process.

The Mumps: Day 5 & An Earthquake

Last night the swelling started going down. I can start to see my jawline again! I'm still a few days away from normalcy but every little difference is great. Today's mugshot:

Also, if you haven't heard...Japan had a major earthquake/tsunami today. Luckily, I'm pretty far north from the epicenter but I definitely felt it. Some of you may not know this but I'M TERRIFIED OF EARTHQUAKES! In my head, I imagine the Earth opening up and swallowing everything whole. Is this irrational thinking? Yes, but at least I admit it. Anyway, I was laying on the couch (healing, of course) watching TV when I noticed the tapestry on the way across from me was shaking. I thought it seemed odd so I started looking around the rest of my apartment to see if something else was shaking. In fact, pretty much everything was shaking, so I started to panic (see above capital letters). I went outside in my pajamas and called my husband. The neighbors probably thought I was crazy! This happened four times today but, luckily, no major damage up here and everyone is alright!

The Mumps: Day 4

Yesterday ended up not being so bad. Most of the pain was gone, except for sporadic ear aches. The only "real" problem was that it seemed to be spreading to the other side of my neck. Well, I woke up today and both sides are completely swollen.

I have found that the hardest part of this whole thing is staying positive. I'll go several hours without seeing myself and feeling almost no pain, then I catch a glimpse of myself and the self-esteem spirals down. I still hope that it will eventually go away but when it lasts this long and seems to be getting worse, it's hard to think that things will go back to normal. The irrational thoughts can begin to consume me. All I can do is just go to bed every night and hope that tomorrow it will be different in a positive way.

The Mumps: Day 3

So, I woke up this morning and thought that it didn't look to bad. In fact, I was feeling pretty good about it but by the time my husband came home from work (a couple hours later) it had gotten worse. I hadn't even realized that it had spread to the other side of my face. Now I look like I'm wearing a complete fat suit, you know, the kind you see in the movies!?! Check it out!

Just when I thought I might be doing better, it gets worse. Well, we've decided that if the swelling hasn't gone down by Friday, we're going back to the doctor. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update!

The Mumps: Day 2

So it's my second day with the mumps. I'm not allowed to go anywhere, so I'm stuck at home by myself with my computer. I woke this morning in more pain and more swelling.

I did take a shower today, though, and fixed myself up a bit (even though I can't go anywhere). I just didn't want to sit around feeling gross for another day. I feel like the swelling is spreading. Today there is much more swelling around my throat, making it much harder to eat. It seems that I will be on a liquid diet for the next few days. At least until the swelling and pain go down. I'll keep everyone posted on the Mumps Saga!

I can't wait for my husband to bring home popsicles!

The Mumps

Well, it appears that I will have more time on my hands. I have come down with a case of the mumps and I'm miserable. I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't talk. It seems that I can't do anything without causing myself more pain.

I am sure you are asking yourself, "Didn't you get vaccinated as a child?" Yes, I got all my shots! but in the past month, there has been a kind of epidemic of the mumps happening at my school. Around 80% of the kids have had the mumps at some point or another. I suppose it's the teachers' turn to get them. I do not wish this on my worst enemy!

Typically, I wouldn't show a picture of myself looking so "dirty & grimy" but you've got to see this!

  

             Before                 After (notice the left side of my face)

Another Year Over...

I have turned 27! Which in turn means that I will be turning thirty soon. For some reason this birthday was a hard one for me and no one seemed to understand it. Typically, I love birthdays, and don't get me wrong I still do but the internal feeling of getting older got me a little down this year. But I don't want to carry on about it. I just keep telling myself that "age is just a number." That should help.

Anyway, Nathan and I went to the Sapporo Snow Festival a couple weeks ago. I've been a bit lazy about getting the pictures up but I'll try and post them soon!

A New Post

I know it's been ages since my last post. I really need to get back into the habit! Not much new on my end. I'm sick and work is busy!

On Monday, I woke up with a sore throat and an inability to breath out of my nose. So, we went to the doctor, which I hate doing here. We have, however, managed to find a doctor who speaks English and actually used to live in the states but I still hate going. I am always surprised, though, with how cheap a doctor's visit is in Japan. I was able to see the doctor, have blood work, get an IV, and get my medication all for around $40! I also learned that get medicine from the doctor is actually cheaper than getting it over the counter here, since they have universal healthcare. It's no wonder that everyone goes to the doctor for even the most minor of things.

I'm just hoping that I feel better by Saturday because Nathan and I are heading to Sapporo for the annual Snow Festival!! I have tried to go to this event for the past three years and finally I have a chance to attend. I don't think anyone understands how excited I really am about going. The first year here, we didn't have enough money but Nathan ended up getting to go because he had to go for his visa (insert jealousy here). Last year, I had a work function. So, this year is my year! We even reserved a suite at a hotel right next to the park for Valentine's Day/my birthday. Apparently, it's a pretty famous hotel, so we're quite excited!

Let's just hope that I feel better soon, real soon!