15 September, 2013

さようならじゃなくって

My last month or so in Japan was emotional, stressful, busy and hot! It was almost surreal thinking “this is the last time I’ll be doing this”. There was so much paperwork to do, things to get rid of, things to send, people to see, places to visit, parties to attend and speeches to give I barely had time to slow down and take in what was happening. Before I knew it I was handing over the keys to my house and walking out of the beloved place I called home for the last 4 years. Dropping off car was also a big move emotionally – it felt like I was giving up my independence. Using public transport and walking everywhere was HORRIBLE, especially in the hot sticky summer heat. I know for a fact that if I didn't have a car I would not have stayed in Japan as long as I did. Lucky for me (and thank hey zues) a car was required for my job! In a way i'm glad I was busy and kept busy until the last minute - had I had time to think about what was happening I would have been even more of an emotional wreck!

I spent four wonderful years in Japan making memories and meeting some amazing people. Leaving was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do and to cram all my goodbyes into a few short months/weeks/days coupled with packing up my life and shipping it home was heartbreaking. I am blessed to have made some wonderful memories and friends and throughout all the ups and downs that life brings I couldn't and wouldn't have asked for anything different...ok well maybe a few things relating to he who must not be named - yes I have re-nicknamed him to that of Voldemort! 

Nippon my beloved, you are sorely missed but I know in my heart we will be reunited once more!

Last Karugahama sunset

Karugahama toes

Last koto lesson - gosh how I miss playing the koto!

Packing.

Farewell gifts from school that made my mascara run a marathon

Beautiful blackboard art by my kids

Last basketball Friday with team Jouzu

Last basketball Friday

Last ramen at Gaba with team jouzu

Last sushi at Sushi sen with Tom

Last touch practice 


Purikura with one of my fave students from JHS now a SHS student!

Purikura with two of my fave Hiroshima ladies!

We found the bed cafe!

beds, cocktails and dessert - YES!

Last night in Japan spent at a beer garden with lovelies including these two!

xx

05 September, 2013

August Instagramming

September is here which means I have been home for just over 1 month now...scary how time flies!!

The weather is warming up and then cooling down and then threatening to snow - make up your mind Spring! This is my first spring home in NZ in 4 years and I had forgotten all about the little lambs being born and the beautiful daffodils blooming everywhere - maybe I forgot or maybe I just never took any notice.

Spring time in Japan is beautiful - the sakura and just the spring time vibe that everyone gets. You know I'm the hanami grinch but I love how beautiful the sakura and ume blossoms are. I love that all the stores are decorated with the perfect picture of spring, you can buy spring time themed goods and decorations everywhere, there are spring themed food and drinks avaliable (sakura latte anyone?) and the streets are lined with sakura trees. The seasons are clearly defined in Japan and I love it. Contrasting that to NZ now - if the lambs weren't being born and the daffodils weren't blooming (and of course if I couldn't read a calendar) then I would have no idea it was spring - it's like the year is just one big blur of a season. Maybe it's a cultural thing - I don't know, but I do know I miss my Japanese spring. I did find sakura however!! Mecha excite!!

With limited wi-fi access my instagramming has waned considerably, but here's what's been happening in my #instaworld


1. My last night in Japan at a beer garden with some lovelies including Marc & Katrina who I had't seen in almost 2 years!
2. Breakfast on the deck in the beautiful winter sunshine.
3. Whanganui sunsets.
4. Home skies.
5. Relaxing in the tub after a particularly sore physio session.
6. Getting my fit girl on #fitspo #juicing #boxgap #cleaneating #ironichashtagging
7. Queen of Hearts for a cousins Alice in Wonderland birthday party.
8. First coffee back in NZ (mochiron soy latte).
9. SAKURA!

Follow me on instagram @thecandystripepaperclip.
xx

04 September, 2013

Unemployment in the inaka is

bleaching my eyebrows, sitting in the car park at McD's/town library/cafes scamming free wi-fi, spending far too long in the international section at the supermarket reminiscing over the Kewpie mayo and instant miso soup, baking the entire contents of the Edmond's Cook Book, making my nieces school lunch and sneaking in notes, sleeping in, eating breakfast out on the deck in the beautiful winter sun, going to the gym, teaching body pump, drinking too much coffee and herbal tea, taking too many photos of the sky because of lack of better subjects, taking my niece to tae kwon do, painting my nails, dying my own hair with supermarket dye (multiple times), spending time with family, "looking" for jobs, spending hours online looking at Korean and Japanese skin care sites and seeing who ships to NZ, researching plants for my vege/herb garden, cooking dinners in the crock pot, reading to my hearts content - novels/fashion magazines/gossip magazines, constantly reorganizing my room, reading blogs, trolling on FB/insta and twitter and using up all the internet, going to physio, long baths, juicing (#fitspo #boxgap) getting a new phone and using up my months prepaid internet in one day - daymn you unlimited Japanese internets you've ruined me! playing far too much candy crush....

Rinse and repeat.

xxx

3 weeks and 3 days...not that i'm counting or anything.

COME ON PENSION REFUND!



eyebrow bleaching is so hot right now

winter?

sneaky school lunch notes

coffee.is.good

walks with the dog

more coffee (and cheesecake)

pretty clouds 

physio..gah

#totessexyallthetime

giant ginger kisses

juicing!!

the next karate kid...i mean tae kwon do kid..?