JET Update 6 and a General Update on Life

Hey everyone!  It's been a long time since my last update, and I apologise.

I've had some news from JET, as you've gathered from the title... I know the city I'll be posted in!  Hehe...it was formerly two fishing villages that combined into one so that they could be called a town...  That should give you a hint about what it'll be like living with just under 14, 000 people on the Pacific side of Shikoku.  Kuroshio-cho, Kochi-ken, on Shikoku.  Kuroshio is the town name, Kochi is the prefecture, and Shikoku is the island.

When I got the news, first thing I did was load Google Earth and searched for it (you need to remove the 'cho' and 'ken' in order for Google Earth to recognise it).  As that was loading, I Googled it, and lo and behold, one of the first two entries that popped up was talking about a SURFING SCHOOL (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) that was located in my town!  WOOOO!  As many of you know, I've wanted to surf for a long time, and not just once or twice, but really learn to surf.  This is perfect.

Then, I started researching the local art traditions, and wouldn't you know it, but that matches my interests too!  Apparently this prefecture is well-known for it's washi, the paper making that results in the paper lanterns, kites, origami paper, etc.  Excellent.  I have been interested in paper making and the like for  a while, especially since my grandmother uses the Japanese paper to make special birthday cards for me and my sister.  I hope that I'll be able to learn part of this traditional art...

The prefecture is beautiful.  The mountains in the area lead right into the Pacific, in a very similar fashion to my current home (although there is no island sheltering me from crazy wind and waves...).  There are gorgeous beaches, and it looks so lush and green.  It reminds me of some of the landscape that is featured in the movie "My Neighbour Totoro" which would be awesome!!!!

The next thing to pray about is finding a church there.  I'm worried that there may not be one in the town at all.  I wouldn't mind travelling to another town or city, but I really don't want to have to take a six-hour train ride to get there, yeah?  Please pray for this, and begin praying for my supervisors, teachers, students, and neighbours that I will have there.

Other than that, my life is pretty much as per the usual.  My sister is currently gadding about Europe, and will return exactly one month before I depart to Japan.  I'm still working at both of my jobs, and am looking forward to my convocation ceremony from University with my B.Arts.

Warmer spring weather is upon us, and I've been playing beach volleyball at a local park with some friends a couple of times a week.

Life is pretty darn good right now.

To Catch Up...

Here are some things that I wish to share with you, and while they may seem unconnected, they all had some sort of root in my day today...

-My favourite sandwich is plain cream cheese, cucumber and pepper on whole wheat or flax bread.
-My new favourite colour, in addition to green and white, is yellow. (But not that awful mustard yellow)
-I miss Hawai'i, the heat and the tan that goes along with that particular US state.
-I think my fashion-forward friends would be quite happy with me today
-I had a shopping trip with my mother today, and we got along! No fight, no arguments, and that continued into the rest of the day.
-I am amazed that there are only 22 days left until my sister leaves for a 62-day trip to Europe.
-I am completely done my Bach. Arts. DONE! I handed in my last paper, and I don't have any exams!
-I am really looking forward to the Convocation Ceremony on June 4th.
-I most definitely want to go karaoke-ing with some friends soon.
-When I find out about JET, I will most definitely will NOT be announcing it on Facebook.
-The end of this semester was one of the best ever. Last class was in the pub, involved beer, home-made wine and beer, and mead.
-I really enjoy mead.

Update On Life

It's been a while since I last posted, so I thought I'd do a quick update.

I'm currently house-sitting for someone and their demon-cat, who used to love me, but has tried to swipe me five times already (and it's only been three days)!  I have a tiny glass of Pinot Noir by my laptop, and I'm glad it was such a miniscule amount, because it's disgusting.  I really don't know how anyone can drink that!  Too bad I'm cutting my sugar intake, or I'd add some to see what happened.

I have so many news stories buzzing around in my head.  There's one that I've wanted to discuss for so long, but I simply don't have the time to analyse it as well as I would like to before posting about it.  But now I've discovered that the BBC has taken it off their site, I can't find it in my bookmarks AND I've lost the hard copy I had.  It was about the negative effect ambitious parents had on their children....I'm pretty sure it was the BBC...

I cleaned my room for the first time in about two years.  And I took pictures to prove it.  A Before-and-After moment (hours!) if you will.  But now the camera is lost!

I've been working on a paper for my Beowulf class.  I really appreciate having this as my only class.  I wouldn't be able to handle another class with all the working I've been doing.

I still haven't heard anything from JET.  That won't be until sometime in April.  Which is really hard because a friend and I are trying to plan a trip to celebrate our graduation from Uni.  My worry and anxiety has gotten really bad.  However, I did recognise the problem, and through the grace and promises of God, I am worrying a lot less about it.  I'm also not thinking about it.  I actually went through the Bible and wrote down verses that seemed applicable to me.  I wrote them down on sticky-notes and put them on the dresser by my bed, so that they are the first thing I see when I pry open my eyes.  And then I made a set of verses for my purse, and another for my car.  I'll read those ones when I'm having a bout of anxiety.

I'm really clinging to God's promises right now.  So many people told me that whatever happens, happens for the best or better.  I KNOW that!  I've heard it so many times!  BUT, another friend put it a different way that really stuck with me.  If God doesn't put you in the program, it's because His plan for you is THAT much better.

It's amazing how simply changing the wording can really get one's attention.  In this case, my friend made God the subject of the sentance, and that makes all the difference, doesn't it?

And that's the way we should be living our lives, isn't it?  Because God really is the subject of the story that our lives live out.