This whole "blogging" this is pretty new to me. I've kept a journal since I was 15, but I find that the process of writing for myself and writing for others is quite different. Anyway, I suppose what I'm trying to say is bear with me!
I decided to start a blog because, since I've moved to Japan, I've been coming across many things that I'd like to share with all the people back home. While I love that I've moved across the world on my own and that every day brings new, strange, and exciting things, I've come to the conclusion that the most enjoyable experiences of my life have been those which were shared. Ultimately, this blog has been created in that spirit - it's my way of sharing this particular moment in my life.
I'm currently living in Fukui-shi (福井市), Fukui-ken (福井県), Japan. I won't go on about all the of details of my marvelous city and prefecture, but please take a moment to check out the prefectural website. Situated on the Sea of Japan coast and considered rather 田舎, Fukui-ken generally isn't a place that draws in tons of foreign tourists. However, if you happen to find yourself in Japan, it's well worth stopping by. Fukui is beautiful, and its people are absolutely amazing. Although I had never heard of the prefecture before receiving my placement, I feel very fortunate to be living here.
So much has happened since I arrived here nearly two months ago (cockroach killing sprees, a fantastic Silver Week adventure, adjusting to the daily escapades of 中学校 life, etc), but I don't feel like backtracking here. Instead I'd like to write about things that are currently on my mind.
Today is Canadian Thanksgiving and, incidentally, the first real holiday that I've ever spent away from my family. My family is pretty close, so we usually have a big dinner for every major Canadian holiday. Even when people began to move out and away, we'd always make an effort to reunite for those dinners. While it was strange not be there this year, it helped that some fellow Canadian JET's and I celebrated Thanksgiving, Fukui-style.
Two nights ago, six of us gathered into my friend's cosy apaato and threw together a delicious feast! While cooking in Japan does have its limitations (the biggest ones being the absence of full-sized ovens and familiar ingredients), we did rather well considering. We spent the evening eating (chicken [for the non-vegetarians], mashed potatoes, greek salad [with super expensive feta!!!], these thin bread things, homemade carrot cake, and some pretty intense chocolate peanut butter squares), laughing, and drinking red, white, and plum wine. All in all, it was a fantastic evening and one that I won't soon forget.
Generally I don't find any particular value in most of Canada's holidays (I'm not religious, and I don't celebrate Canada Day), so I usually just appreciate the good food & company and the day off. However, for some strange reason, I actually took the time to think about what I was thankful for this year. I think that being here makes me more aware of things - I don't quite know how to explain it. I'm by myself a lot, so there is a lot of time for contemplation.
Anyway, what I'd like to say is that I'm thankful for this opportunity that I'm currently exploring, I'm thankful that I have people to miss back home, and I'm thankful for the new relationships that have been forged in Fukui. I don't know if I'm just feeling particularly genki right now or what, but, for today at least, I really love my life!
