Monday, Busy Monday

Seven hours of class is plenty. Which is what I did today. But on a positive note, I won’t always be so busy. This Monday marks the beginning of a new week, which means one step closer to not having Intensive Japanese. Most of today was spent trying to catch up on everyone’s e-mails I missed over the weekend, which was a lot, but I hope that they are all answered now. My classes are all really interesting, but we sit on pillows on the floor, so I’m still adjusting to the whole not having a desk thing. I usually go over to the boys’ dorm where they have a kitchen table to do my Japanese since it means having a hard surface. Other than that my home life is progressing well. I tried to make bacon this morning. I burnt it to a crisp but it was still edible, and I am learning. I even made a bagged lunch to bring with me to school. I almost felt like a mommy. My own mommy to be sure, but it was still nice to feel organized in advance for a change. I still have a lot of personal goals that I haven’t been able to focus on due to my tough schedule, but the semester here will end on April 13, and I don’t go home until May 15. That will give me about a month to finish my portfolio (the Friend’s World version of finals) and sight see and generally do everything I have left to get accomplished here in Japan. Plus, when I get all of my studies worked out, which I will be doing this week, I will have a better idea of where to focus my time, where as now I am just kind of running around being ridiculous. I made the mistake of staying up and watching The Spanish Apartment tonight, which was very good, but was about a boy spending a semester away from home. It was in French, which was fun since I could understand some of it, but now I want to count to ten in French instead of Japanese. It also showed the struggle of this guy who was abroad from his girlfriend and family and the stress that can be related with trying to maintain positive relationships with both. I do worry about the reverse culture shock of coming home. I really want to see all of my friends, but I also know that I’m going to need some time to evaluate my position within my family and with my friends at school. A lot of things can change in a semester. People can grow together or they can grow apart. I’m not afraid of this growth, nor do I want to stop anyone from growing, but I also do know that it may change things for me a lot back home. I guess the movie just got me thinking. But I shouldn’t be thinking about coming home. Each day here is crisp and beautiful. I am just now getting used to looking outside of my window and seeing a mountain towering in the distance. Every day I’m growing more self sufficient and satisfied with my life here. I am cleaning my room every day, doing my dishes, making my bed (sometimes), etc. and somehow it gives me a pleasure that I didn’t get from doing it back home. It’s like the pleasure of standing in the middle of my room and looking around and knowing that this is the home I made all for myself is worth the work it takes to clean every once in a while. Perhaps I’m not so hopeless afterall.

Music equivalent of the day: The Spanish Apartment
Food: Bacon
Meditation/ inspiration/ thought of the day: Growing
Top priority: defining personal goals