yamaonna

All too often we tend to focus on the negative things in life.  I’m a big believer in thinking positive makes you more positive.  Recently I’ve been homesick, to the point that I’m counting down my time left in Japan (all two years… probably).  So, today I wanted to compile a 10 point list of things I love about Japan, just to improve my thinking. 

In no particular order –

1)      Flowers – Japan is truly a country of four seasons, and one thing I love about that is spring is beautiful!  Plum, Peach and then Cherry.  Now Azaleas, Wisteria, and summer will bring Morning Glories and Hydrangeas.  And that’s just a few of the blooms!  So much variety, all year round.  Japan is a flower lover’s dream.

2)      My work – or more specifically, the lack of work.  Only in Japan could you be paid to teach kids how to greet people with “yo”, and still be paid well.  On top of that, the 4 months a year (plus some) that I have as paid vacation.  I still don’t quite know how I managed to land this job.

3)      My co-workers – Great people.  If you don’t get along with your co-workers, then your job isn’t worth it.  I don’t spend much time outside of work with these people as they all have families, but when it comes down to the crunch, they are dependable.

4)      Eating out – Not only are restaurants in Japan relatively cheap (sometimes it can be cheaper to eat out rather than cook at home) but the variety in foods is brilliant.  Within a ten minute walk from my house there is about 3 family restaurants, 1 Italian, 1 French, 2 Japanese, 1 Indian, 2 fast food, 1 hamburger steak….  Etc…  And I live in the ‘countryside’….

5)      Hiking – Within 3 hours by train there are a number of hikes, all various levels of difficulty, and all with something interesting to offer.  As long as it’s good weather, then I will never be bored.

6)      Museums – Tokyo has many many many museums.  I don’t think anyone would ever be able to visit all (probably because there a number of small museums that don’t make it into English publications… but anyway).  If the weather is bad, I’ll never be bored.  Plus Japanese history and culture are fascinating to me!

7)      Aeon Laketown – 5 words – Biggest Shopping Center in Japan!  And its only 25 minutes from my place.  If I don’t feel like going far, I still won’t get bored.  Plus it has various restaurants, and a movie theater.

8)      Living alone – this one is something of love/hate.  I do love living alone.  Only person I have to worry about is myself, I can stick to my own schedule, I can eat what I like, I don’t have to concern myself over other people’s mess.  Conversely, it’s a bit lonely, and I have to do everything myself, and deal with my own mess.

9)      Travel – There is so much to see in Japan.  That’s one reason why I keep coming back. Once again, I don’t think anyone would ever be able to do everything.  On the short list for places to visit soon-ish are Totori sand dunes, Hakone, Nikko, Kyushu, Shikoku, Okinawa, Zao, Yakushima, a check point town somewhere between here and Kyoto, ummmmm….  I’m sure that list will get longer….

10)   And number 10 will have to wait till Thursday, because its home time now, tootles!