Month 5 in Review...and FOOD!

It's hard to believe that it's June already! Today marks one month until our first round of visitors arrive in Japan and two months until we head back to the US for our first home leave. I am enjoying Japan and also REALLY looking forward to seeing family and friends!!

The weather has been beautiful lately - temperatures in the mid-70s/low-80s and a mix of sun and clouds. And from what I've heard from almost everyone I talk to - it's best to enjoy the weather now as rainy season looms in the near future. The Japanese meteorological association announced today that rainy season is expected to start in the next week and then last into mid-July. I've never experienced rainy season before...so it should be interesting. I've noticed that the store shelves are now stocked FULL of mold remover and "creature" killer (mosquitoes and cockroaches). 

I've decided to add a new feature to my "monthly reviews" in an effort to share more information about Japanese food. I have started to film short video clips featuring a traditional Japanese food. This month's feature food is...OKONOMIYAKI! 

Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake that contains a variety of ingredients. The name is derived from the word okonomi which means "what you like" and yaki which means "grilled." Some of the most common ingredients include: the batter (flour, grated nagaimo (a type of yam), water or dashi, eggs and shredded cabbage) and then it usually contains other ingredients like green onion, meat (generally thin pork belly), octopus, squid, shrimp, and vegetables. At some restaurants, you actually get to grill your own "pancake" right on your table! 

And here's Month Five! :)

Places Visited (and Activities)

-Singapore (see "Travel" blogpost)

-Takayama (see "Travel" blogpost)

-Yamanakako Half Marathon/Mt. Fuji (Kaz and I ran our first half marathon in Japan last weekend. The race was in a town called Yamanakako and was at the base of Mt. Fuji. The race was around a beautiful lake, which provided wonderful views of Mt. Fuji. We lucked out because we were able to see Mt. Fuji in both cloudy and sunny weather! Truly stunning! The race also allowed us to experience how half marathons in Japan differ from those in the States. More on that topic soon!). 

Cafes Enjoyed

-The Fabulous Baker Boy (Singapore)

-Chemistry (Singapore)

-Costa Coffee (Singapore)

-Coffee & Toast (Singapore)

-Nylon (Singapore)

-Coffee Don  (Takayama)

-Metsa (Nagoya - Higashiyama Koen)

Kit Kat Flavors Tasted

-Strawberry

-Mint 

Victories

-Adding TWO new countries to my "Places Visited!" 

-Checking a few more items off of our "Bucket List" (and including some pictures!)

-Completing my first INTERNATIONAL half marathon (and the training that went along with it). We've signed up for another half in October. And, I have to decide if I am going to run the Nagoya Women's FULL Marathon next March by August (sign up is SO early here).

-Putting myself out there a bit more. This month, I've had some friends over to our place for a Friday afternoon "hang out," I've coordinated meeting up with some new Toyota families who will arrive in the next few months, and I've gone to a picnic at Meijo Koen with some new girls (a few of which who were fellow Michiganders!). 

-Continuing the language journey! During my lessons, I am beginning to make simple sentences about my day. I have added about 30 verbs to my vocabulary and am now starting to learn a bit about adjectives. When Kaz talks to me (slowly and in simple sentences), I am able to understand more than I thought I would. The other night at dinner, I was able to tell him about my day (in simple and repetitive sentences) with only a little bit of help. And, I still have no clue what anyone says to me in public! ;)

-Baked my first baked goods since arriving in Japan. A fruit cobbler that did not turn out that well...mostly due to the recipe and not the oven. And chocolate chip cookies...in which I substituted white sugar for brown sugar...and they still tasted yummy! I have learned that just because sugar is brown in color does not actually make it brown sugar. Brown sugar contains molasses - and GoogleTranslate is not that helpful in determining whether that's the case or not! :) 

-Reconnecting with family and friends even more over texting and Skype/Facetime! 

Goals

-Wrap up the school year! Get clients situated for the summer...and begin to brainstorm for next school year. This summer, I am hoping to read and learn more about working with multi-language learners, so that I have more ideas going into next school year. In August, I will start a full school year at NIS...and I am hoping to expand my roles there. Perhaps add some therapy groups and learn even more about how to better support the students in the classroom. 

-Talk MORE! I know, I know...this is a goal that I include every month...and will probably continue to include throughout my entire time here. It's getting easier to just "get by" with limited language...and so what I am learning in my lessons is not carrying over to everyday life. In my head - I recognize that I'm not talking - and so my plan is to...start talking!

-Read - OH, the list of books I have!

-Survive rainy season. I'm not sure what this will entail - however, I want to make sure that I don't just "stay in" due to the rain. 

-Start doing yoga and meditating on a more regular basis! 

Sunny Moments
In addition to the ones mentioned above...

-Sunny skies
-Remembering to enjoy the "little" moments
-Yummy foods!
-SINGING karaoke for the first time ever...thank you Luci!!  (This is for you Liz!)
-Planning some upcoming travel trips
-HUGS and SMILES from my students! (One of them kissed my hand the other day and told me "I like you Ms. Jaime).
-Root beer! (Found A&W Root Beer at a restaurant last night - YUM!)

Cloudy Moments
In addition to the ones mentioned above...

-Feeling far away
-Overanalyzing!

Sun, clouds, and lots of love to all!
~Jaime