Out of Sight, Out of Mind

I always knew she at least cared when she looked back after we'd said good-bye. It reassured me that she hadn't forgotten me as soon as I was out of sight. I had yet to be replaced by the life waiting for her on the other side of good-bye, taking one last glance to get one…

A Year from Yesterday

A year ago today, I didn't think things would be this way. I didn't expect for you to be there, Where I could meet up with you. Or for me to be here, Where I would need you. I didn't expect for things to change so much. I've loved so deeply And yet, I've lost so much.…

Merry Christmas Family and Friends

This is the way I wish my family a Merry Christmas! God bless you all. I wish I could be there with you to celebrate too! Enjoy all the food, gifts, and especially the love! ❤ Please tag or share if I'm missing anyone. I love you all so much! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiVzlRyjPmU

Kyoto Solo (Part 2)

Somewhere along the way in Kyoto, I had gotten lost in the crowds (it was like the third or fourth time it had happened; so the panic and shock I had felt the first couple times had faded). I was separated from the group, but I learned that they wouldn't leave me too far behind. Soon,…

Kyoto Photo (Part 1)

At my graduation ceremony, my family had a thing for photo-bombing, which wasn't hard to do since it was such a crowded place (it seems wherever my dad goes he starts a trend). My brothers all started photo-bombing. Even the youngest one (6-years-old) photo-bombed who he could from three feet off the ground. Somehow the trend…

My Job in Japan

I work as an English teacher at something called an ekaiwa, which essentially means an English conversation school. It's a place where parents pay money for their kids to take English classes. The school where I teach has it's own specific teaching method that consists of a certain curriculum, and teaching style. With this method, the native teachers are…

Welcome to the Seaside

Here are a few snapshots from my visit to the nearby town of Onomichi (尾道). It's a seaside city about 20 minutes away from my town. I went with my friend Yumiko. She's been a great help to me in my time here.

The Pleased Parents: Part 3

My schedule at work is kind of crazy. After lunch, my day is packed with six to seven regular lessons back-to-back (I ain't complaining though; there are worse things. Also, the overtime pay is nice money). The breaks that I do get are the 10-15 minutes between each of my classes. Sometimes in that time,…

A Grocery Challenge (1 Year in Japan)

In college, I had no car so I usually brought a small suitcase to travel with my groceries through the DC metropolitan transportation system. I usually ended up sore the next day. It was actually a very rough experience, but now I have challenges of a different sort. I have no idea what to buy. One time,…

The Pleased Parents: Part 2

My second-to-last class of the week is on a Saturday evening and consists of three students. One of them, she is my all-time favorite, Alana. Another, a boy named Len, is beautifully happy and just energetic enough to still be manageable, but the last one--she's the sauce, Ai (pronounced "eye"). She looked at me and…