You won't believe it...

I'm so anxious about Things That I Need To Do and my Time Left In Japan that I have begun to do the unthinkable. Those of you who really know me (and I assume that's pretty much 100% of you dear 3 loyal readers) will realize this is SO NOT ME. But as of this week, I've hit a new level of desperation in regards to having too much to do and not enough free time left to acomplish it all.

So anyway, its come down to a solution I'd been trying to avoid at all costs and never dreamed I would have to resort to. Dad, you'll want to sit down for this one.
.
.
.
I've been getting up early.
.
.
.
I know it sounds insane, for me, and before you get the wrong impression I better say its only been three days. I've doubled my panic by sitting down to look at the calendar- my two months left in Japan as a resident and trying to figure out when I can do everything I still want to do... and more importantly see everyone I want to see. I had to get up early to meet the fix-it guy who was coming to my apartment Friday. Something about being up for a good hour or more before leaving the building (I usually spend about 45 minutes between the moment I get up and the moment I lock my door) has been refreshing and calming. I haven't actually gotten that much done, but as I go to be panicked about being behind etc., its been reassuring to know I have time in the morning. I feel more organized, if anything.

Of course, this is destined to fail because... well I just can't keep it up. But I just thought you should know.

End of January Sighted!

Yes, I'm still just barely winning the battle against the impulse to hibernate. I've been busy, but not terribly inspired. I wish I had the energy to share New Zealand with you, but I am still trying to catch up with Tokyo. Here are some photos instead, I hope you (last 3 readers) forgive me for being so short in words.


News here includes:
Mailed my my first box of clothing home by boat this morning. About the size of 4 shoeboxes and filled with only summer clothing. Cost $40.


I applied for admission as a visiting student for the two summer terms at IUPUI, the Indiana/Purdue University campus in Indianapolis.

I will apply next for admission to the Post-Bachelor Teaching Certification program at Eastern Michigan University starting in the fall. It's not my first choice in schools, but Tom will be moving to Detroit (long story with confusing details, even to me) and so that's where We are headed. They have the right program and I will be certified. End of story.

I have officially decided to go to Tibet in April for about 3 weeks, though I haven't purchased tickets yet.

I am aiming to fly back to Indiana around the 25th of April!

That's about it right now and all of that is making regular life seem quite boring.

Cheers and I hope you're all well! (says the girl who is currently trying to herd preschool-ers without a voice).

ps. The photos are (top to bottom): Cape Reinga, the Northernmost tip of the North Island of New Zealand. You can barely see it, but at the tip there's a tree that is reported to be over 800 years old and it is, acording to Maori custom, the last stopping place of the deceased on their way to the next world. Next is a sand dune cowboy. I went boogieboarding down that sand dune. It was terrifying and a blast! The next is a shot of the Pohutukawa Tree, otherwise known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree since it is in bloom at Christmas time there. The final shot is a sunset while picnicing with friends on the "beach" near where we were renting a beach house in Bay of Islands. It really was this pretty... the entire time.

Be Back Soon!

Recovering from vacation is taking time. I had a fantastic time in New Zealand and Thailand and getting back in to Tokyo life has been TOUGH. I'm suddenly faced with the fact that I'm leaving the country for good in less than three months, need to apply to grad school/teaching programs NOW, have a 10k race on Sunday, another two weeks later and a half marathon on Feb. 11th that I haven't trained for, and want to plan my next vacation/adventure to Tibet (I know, that shouldn't be a complaint). Oh, and I have to go to work. And its cold (not for those of you in Minnesota... but it is technically FREEZING). I bike to work, ok?

Whine over, I'm still working on returning to routine (and worrying that I possibly never had one). While I'm trying to find my belly button... here's a photo of Emily (I spent Christmas with her and her family, which is when I took this photo).

Cheers!