久しぶり!

Long time no see, right! I know, I know, it's been over a year. Every time I come back here after a long absence I always promise to begin posting more regularly. I never do. So I am not going to promise this time. In all honesty, my life is just too hectic to make such promises. But I really do want to update you all every now and then.

So anyway, yeah. Life is good, busy but good. I'm really enjoying living in Sendai. It's such a beautiful and amazing city and I'm so glad that I had the chance to come here. I wouldn't change things for the world.

...I actually don't know where to start telling you about everything that's happened. So much has come and gone that I can't possibly tell you everything. So I will give you a run down:

I'm currently nearing the end of my second year here in Sendai. I re-contracted back in January for a third year, so my new contract will begin as of August. Sendai ALTs have to move schools every two years, and so right now I am waiting eagerly to find out where I will be placed for the next school year. (Kind of worried too because I might have to change apartments. -But that's another story!) I'm going to be quite sad to say goodbye to some of the people at my current school. There are some amazing students there.

Over Golden Week this year I got to visit Kyoto and Nara. It was an amazing trip that lasted 5 days. I had previously spent some time in Kansai the year before, but I hadn't had the chance to see all the temples I had wanted to. Kyoto is an amazing place and if I ever have the chance to live there I would be so happy.

April brought lots of cherry blossom viewing and picnics with friends. April and May are my most favourite times of year here. There are so many flowers, it's simply beautiful. It's also the best season temperature wise. If you're ever planning to visit Japan, I always recommend coming at the end of April/beginning of May.

Cherry blossoms in Ogawara

January and February weren't as cold as the previous year, which was a bit of a relief. My first winter here had been so cold that every day had been a big challenge to stay warm.

I also joined a gym at the end of January with my friends. Japanese gyms are an interesting experience!

Miyajima, Hiroshima

Over Christmas I went on week's vacation, touring the southern end of Japan. I stayed at a friend's house in Shimonoseki and also saw places like Fukuoka, Iwakuni, and Hiroshima. It was an amazing trip and I had a chance to see some amazing places.

In the autumn I visited lots of temples, including Hiraizumi in Iwate. We rented a car out and went on a road trip for the day. It works out pretty cheap if everyone contributes. There are some really beautiful, scenic spots in Iwate and Yamagata over the autumn period.

My cello!

I began taking cello lessons in October. I had wanted to play the cello since I was a child. I had played violin for a year or two when I was about 11, but I was never really any good at it. ...8 months later and I am still going at it. It's not easy though. Whilst my Japanese skills have improved a lot, I'm still not fluent and sometimes communication between my teacher and I can be tough. But I am always so grateful to her for her patience with me.

During the summer I went back to the UK for two weeks. It was amazing to see my friends and family after being away for a whole year. It's funny how many things can stay the same, and other things change. It was strange being back in my old room with all of my things that I'd left behind. It was like having another life, one that was on hold. After spending time with my family and readjusting back to the noise and mayhem, it was really hard to say goodbye again.

In June I had the chance to see Shishi Odori at an Iris garden in northern Miyagi. I don't know if you recall a previous blog post mentioning Shishi Odori. I had seen them perform at the London embassy a year before I applied to come to Japan. Seeing them here in Miyagi really felt like things had come full circle. It also made me realise that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Shishi Odori

 ...I think that pretty much brings us up to date with the major events of the past year. In all honesty there's just way too much to share. This year has been an incredible journey of both discovering Japan, and discovering myself. I hope I can try to keep this blog updated more regularly. I think that sometimes I lack discipline in getting the things I say I want to do completed. More focus!

Until next time, fair ye well!