Silence is Golden

We're smack dab in the middle of winter here in Sapporo.  Every day, a little more snow falls and adds to the snow mountains that are slowly forming outside our apartment.  Earlier this month, we escaped the snow to go to Tokyo and the surrounding areas, and it was a nice break.

I haven't written about that trip or anything else on this blog, because I'm at an odds about whether I want to continue writing or not.  When I first started this blog, it was to record my experiences working in Japanese schools and adjusting to Japanese life.  But now that we've been here for almost four years, all of those things seems mundane - too mundane to write about.  I guess I'm just trying to figure out why I'm writing this blog and what does it contribute.  I'm not a particularly talented writer, all my photos are from my iphone, I'm not a foodie, and although I love fashion, I'm not really comfortable posting daily pics of my clothing choices.  Those are the major reasons for blogs, right?  Haha!

Nathan and I have decided to stay in Japan for my fifth and final year with the Jet Programme.  Even though that's a year and a half away, I've got a lot to think about.  There's some things I want to do and improve about myself before I go back to America, one of those being figuring out what in the world I want to do with myself in terms of a job.

So I think I'm going to take a little break from this blog for now.  Maybe I'll come back to it sooner rather than later, but for now I'd like to focus on other things, one of those being writing songs!  I'll still be posting lots of stuff on my facebook, though!

I hope some people have enjoyed reading about my life and experiences.  But most of all, I hope it's inspired people to go out and have some experiences of their own.

More in 2014

I've been trying to think about what my resolutions and goals are going to be for this year, and honestly I'm having a hard time.  I mean, of course there's always the "being healthy, exercising more, blah blah" kinds of resolutions, but those are things I always want to strive for.  2013 was a really great year for me and the boys, and so I've decided....

.....I want more of that!

I want to keep singing, keep making friends and having good times.  I want to continue to be the best mom/wife/teacher/friend/daughter/sister that I can be.  I want to keep enjoying life!

In our home, I've posted a bunch of pictures of our time living in Japan.  I figured it was a cheap and easy way to decorate our little place, but it's even more than that.  Everywhere I look, I see pictures of our friends, or places we've gone.

When I see these pictures, I'm reminded of what a blessed life I have, and what amazing people I've met along the way.  I want more of those experiences.

So here's to more in 2014 (and more pictures to add to my wall)!

*I printed all the square pics through Printstagram.

Happy 2014!

Happy New Year, everyone!  I cannot believe it's 2014.  Is it just me, or does it seem like time is going by so much faster?

We spent the first day of the New Year visiting the Hokkaido Shrine and then going over to a friend's house to eat the traditional New Year osechi.  This is the third year that we've been invited to this family's home, and although we don't really see them any other time of the year, they always welcome us in as if we're an extended part of their family.  We eat and talk (it's great Japanese practice for me), as the grandpa of the home continues to pour me drink after drink.  Later, we played some games and watched TV.  When Grandpa found out that Ethan studies shoudo (Japanese calligraphy), he got out his own calligraphy set.  In Japan, there are many "firsts" that you want to experience on the first day of the year - the first sunrise, recording your first dream, your first visit to the local shrine.  There's also the tradition of writing the first calligraphy of the year, in which you write your hopes for the new year or a phrase you want to remember.  Ethan's, on the right, says "Bright Future", and mine on the left says, "Always Smiling".  I think those are two pretty good phrases to remember for this coming year!

My goals for 2014

Holiday Hermits

Folks, we've been lazy this past week.  I mean L-A-Z-Y.  I've only been outside once in the past two days, and that was to go to the super market to get food in order to be more lazy.

But all this laziness was much needed.  We've watched movies, taken naps, read books, and played card and board games.  We've also eaten candy.  Oh my god, so much candy...

...But that's ok, because it's the holidays and we deserve this rest time.  Now excuse me while I slip back into my pajamas and watch "Homeland".

We're Ready

Yes, after surviving the craziness that was last week, the Robinsons are ready for Christmas.  Today, Ethan and I made some cookies and we've been taking it easy.  Packages from family haven't come yet, so it looks like they won't be here in time for Christmas.  But hey, it'll be kinda fun to have stuff come in throughout the week.  And regardless, I'm just looking forward to spending some quality time with friends and family this coming week.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Plan B Tree (or Siouxsie vs. Christmas)

It was bound to happen, folks.

Last Wednesday, after many attempts to communicate to Siouxsie that the tree was off-limits, she finally brought down our small Christmas tree.  I walked into our home to find the tree was its side, and the ornaments strewn all over the place.  I decided then and there that kittens and Christmas trees don't mix, so Ethan and I put the tree away.

But I was determined to have some kind of tree in our home, even if it was not very traditional.  Something that Siouxsie couldn't destroy.

We have a rather large wall in our dining room, so I decided to get a little creative and make a tree out of a string of Christmas lights we had.  I think it turned out quite nice.

Siouxsie has pawed at the lights a bit, but she's not really interested.  And the glow of the lights are really nice at night.  Christmas isn't ruined after all!