hearthwherever

[hearthwherever]

probably the best advice I've ever got was from my grandpa when I moved from my town and started a university, he told me to leave the house everytime when I start to feel down, just to go to the park, a supermarket, a bookstore, to even drive in a bus or tram, just be around other people because staying at home all the time kills you; and you know he was right

[hearthwherever]

12/04/24 Looking west

I have started this blog as a digital diary for myself to keep as a reminder of my time in Japan. Just personal musings and everyday life things.

I've lived in Kyoto for months now, since July to be exact, and while I love the adventure of it all, I find myself looking west. How could I not when the sun that shines through our living room window comes boldly from the southwest and beckons my memories of home.

It can be trying living in the east in the light of the west and the comparison between America, my sweet Texas, and Japan can tug my heart in a multidirectional struggle. It does not mean that I hate one or the other, I know that I have enough room in my heart to love both and accept them for what they are. There are times, the ones where the elderly scowl at me until I greet them--hearing their native tongue always forces them to relax, where I truly feel we've made a mistake in coming here. More often than not, these are the fleeting thoughts of one who is homesick, one who is looking west for answers.

Evening will set the sun on the west and morning will relight the east with the promise of a new day, thus the promise of something exciting. My family and friends will always be there, but I will not always live in Japan, so I choose to enjoy it to the fullest while I'm here.

The leaves around the danchi have given way to the fiery reds and oranges that autumn usually brings, however according to our friends who own a local outdoor cafe, it's very late this year! It was very warm for longer period this year, the implications of which I'm going to avoid thinking about for my own peace of mind.

Job training will bring me to Osaka tomorrow--about an hour and a half away! It will be nice to leave our apartment and see another city again as it's been some time since I've left the area.

Finally, I end this entry by announcing that I have finished the first Outlander book by Diana Gabaldon and have readily started on the second! I highly recommend it if you can handle the dubius sexual themes and violence. I find myself drawn to the series as I've always had an extreme interest in Scotland and especially the Highlands. Plus, I don't think I'll ever get tired of time-travelling or various isekai stories when done well!

Perhaps I can persuade the husband to travel to Scotland sometime, though I don't plan on disappearing through the fairy hills and emerging through the heather in another time. It would be fascinating to see something completely different than what I've seen before, as I've lived here in the Kansai region of Japan before. But I guess I should adventure where I am first!

Until next time

xoxoxo