The Power of Dreamz

I had a dream that was so happy and good that I woke up crying tears of joy. That has never ever happened to me before. I now have a bad case of joy ache that might make me burst into tears at any moment today.

I had a dream that I was suddenly in Quito and walked through the door and surprised Zulay while she was doing the dishes in her kitchen. We saw each other and were screaming and hugging and that is when I woke up in my bed all “boohoohoo”. She was my host-mother in Ecuador and is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. I haven’t seen her or my host-sisters or my other host-family in over two years.

I am going to take my joy dream as an omen that I need to go back soon.

ASSertive

I am trying to be more assertive! I am signing up for an assertiveness training! I am trying to tell people what I want more and not be so uncomfortable with conflict or awkwardness. I really just want everyone to like me! So it’s hard!

If you hear me wussing out or deferring or saying things like “Um, I don’t know, what do you think?” or “But that’s just me.” PUNCH ME! Seriously.

THANKS!!!!

Thanks.

I love my friends and family. I have been real sad all weekend and they totally know how to make me feel better. Especially when my mom hit me in the head with her water bottle when I was feeling sorry for myself. I needed that.

Crazy Hail on Blaisdell Ave

streetstoriesmpls:

What the hail?

reblogged from streetstoriesmpls

Japanamania

Sometimes I get scared that when I tell people I am in the JET Programme, they think I am like this girl.

People always ask me “Why did you come to Japan?” and I still don’t feel like I can answer that. The opportunity presented itself, it seemed like a good idea. I don’t speak Japanese, I don’t know much about the culture, I do not have a manga collection or go to conventions. I don’t have any hats with dragons on them or tattoos of kanji. I have never felt a lifelong need to come here. But here I am. And there are things I like about it and things that I don’t. But please, don’t assume I am one of them.

I actually avoided doing a lot of research before coming here because I wanted to form my own opinions about Japan. Here are some things I do like about Japan.

1. It is so clean here. When I see a piece of trash in the street I actually take notice of it. I went to a huge music festival and there was literally not a single piece of trash on the grounds as we were leaving.

2. Umeshu.  It’s a Japanese liquer made with sour plums and it is delicious. 

3. In general, the people here will go SO far out of their way to help you. It’s nice, but sometimes overwhelming. For example, I asked my supervisor if he knew where a laundromat was. He went to the office where he and two office workers spent at least half an hour googling, printing and writing on maps. It was nice…but I also almost wished I hadn’t asked?

4. Onigiri: Rice balls with stuff inside. I still can’t read the packages so it’s like a surprise every time I eat it!

5. The arcades here are the best. There is one game where you get into a netted room and all of a sudden ping pong balls start flying at you and you have to hit them at moving targets. The Taiko drum game and Purikura are also the shit.

6. Drinking outside is allowed. During the summer we go to the convenience store and buy beers and drink on the river in the entertainment district. People from all over the world are there and it makes for a cheap night full of stimulating conversation.

7. My high school students. They are too quiet but overall they are really cute and act like 4th grade girls a lot. Even the boys. The boys also sit in each others laps. Which I also like in a non-creepy way. It’s just like “Hey, we’re just bros lap sittin’ over here. Whazzup?!”

Maybe I will become a Japanamaniac, but instead of wearing Sailor Moon outfits I will just become cleaner and more helpful and dress up as a giant rice ball while sitting on young men’s laps.