January 16: A Quarantine Holiday

 

My Background

This is the tale of a trip I made, a flight to the US, to see my family for the first time in years, and to meet the woman I love. It has been a rollercoaster adventure, especially now that it’s over, but I feel I need to chronicle this. Hopefully it is fond memories for those involved, and a warning for those not.

            A little background for those who might not know. This adventure took place during December of 2021, but the planning began much earlier. This was the covid world, and still is depending on when you read this. I currently, as of this writing, live in Japan, in the northern city of Obihiro in Hokkaido. The covid situation was getting better, as Japan was shortening the quarantine bit by bit. Then two things happened. We got a new PM and Omicron happened. These two things panicked the government so much that huge restrictions from the start of the pandemic were brought back. But flights had already been booked on my end. Plans were made. I needed to make this trip. It would be the first time meeting my family in 5 years. And the first time ever meeting the woman I love. It would be a Christmas holiday to remember! And boy, was it…more on that later, but the basics are that Japan has been going up and down with restrictions for two years without ever really slackening them to a huge degree. Who’s to say that next year it wouldn’t be even worse? I couldn’t just sit and wait for the situation to get better. So, my love, my family, and I made our preparations. I had to have 6 separate hotel bookings, just in case of quarantine shenanigans, several different flights booked, and a metric ton of paperwork ready, just in case.

 

            In order to leave Japan and return, you need to have a residence visa. When you leave the airport, you need to make note with the immigration officer that you want to return. More than that, you will need a ton of paperwork before and after this process. In order to enter the US in quarantine time, you need a covid test done 24 hours or less before your departure. This is really inconvenient. In order to get back into Japan, you need a covid test done 72 hours before departure, you need a written pledge that you will abstain from several acts while in quarantine, you need a covid test certificate filled out by your doctor before you depart your home country, you need to pre-download two apps, My SOS and COCOA or, if your phone cannot support them, you have to rent a phone out of your own pocket money for the duration of your quarantine, you need to prepare a questionnaire before you return to Japan using their online website, and woe betide you if your state or country is on Japan’s naughty list, as your quarantine will be even rougher. Some areas have a mandatory quarantine under government watch in a government hotel of 3 days. Or 6. Or 9. Or longer!

 

            One more free tip, if you are booking a Japanese domestic flight, make damned sure you keep the order number, all numbers on the receipt page after you book a flight really, when you pay for your flight. You will NEED it to check in, though weirdly, not to cancel. I didn’t know this and so…it was a pain trying to check in to my domestic flight. They will NEVER give you any other copies of the order number, only the one you get on the one page when you pay. You can still check in at the airport and Japanese airports are very streamlined, so it shouldn’t take too long, but still, be warned.

 

            I prepared all these documents and flights, at least the ones that I could, before I left Japan. It expedited my process somewhat, but the level of stress was insane during my travel. If there is one thing I would have wanted to be different, I would have preferred to not be out of my mind with worry when with my loved ones. With that said, let’s get to the travel.

 

My Departure

            I started my journey by leaving Obihiro. Security checkpoints in Japan are so much quicker and more convenient than in the US and I was checked in and through in like 5 minutes. The JAL flight was lovely as well, with more space and service than what I’m used to from a domestic flight. Afterwards, I crashed in my hotel in Haneda, HOWEVER, we had to do more paperwork before we left. The biggest issues with traveling during quarantine is a lack of clear, consistent, and transparent information. So, I had to run errand boy between Delta, my flight, and the covid clinic in the airport. I had to do several bits of re-booking at the clinic because my initial booking wouldn’t give me a physical piece of paper saying I’d passed the covid test, just a digital form. And I had to go to Delta to get paperwork done digitally to allow me to safely travel. I advise talking to the staff and getting the QR codes you need to do this, it’s basically just a few questions about you and travel for contact tracing and the like.

            I ended up traveling for roughly 24 hours in total. I left the hotel and got my tests done, then I headed over to Delta and had to wait for their counter to open up, then it was onto check in. It was fast, though stressful, as I’d made promises to my employer to not leave the country unless I knew I could come back. So, until I got my re-entry permit, I was sweating bullets. But I got it, ate a short lunch before the flight, and then boarded. The international flight wasn’t…fun, exactly, it was 13 hours of being cramped in a loud, vibrating metallic tube shooting through the sky, but there were so few people traveling internationally, I could stretch out in my seat and be a bit more at ease. We had to wear masks during the entire flight, and let me tell you, that was tiresome. I watched Fantasia, played some games, tried to sleep, and listened to some podcasts.

            When I landed in Detroit for my transfer flight, I was struck by how much angrier everyone seemed than in Japan. I’m American, but the change in transition is always jarring. True, Americans are more personable than Japanese people but throughout immigration and customs, it felt like I was being interrogated ruthlessly. After that, there were 5 hours of waiting for my next flight and it was an agony. I wanted to sleep, as I hadn’t been able to do much rest on the plane. When I finally got on the flight, it was so much more cramped and so much worse than the international one. I hate flying domestically and it made me feel sick being in the plane. I made it though, and was finally able to find my family, waiting for me in Raleigh’s airport.

 

The Adventure

Seeing my family after such a long absence was a joyous occasion. I was able to reconnect with my father, mother, and brother and it felt different, but still familiar going home. I stayed in my parents’ cottage, which they are retiring in. The bed was a tad small but it was such a surprise being there at all. Christmas had already been mostly planned out and I was interested in seeing those close to me and enjoying some amazing food. I got a chance to meet my brother’s family, who I’d only had brief interactions with before. Including meeting my niece, nephew, and my brother’s mother-in-law. They were all lovely people and I was surprised to get a massive Christmas present of a new computer from my family. This…was a small problem, as the space in my bags, even after taking out all the presents for my family, was limited. Haha, I had to make some quick changes. Speaking of quick changes, the original plans for Christmas were modified by everyone trying hard to accommodate me. This was sweet, but I would have rather they relaxed and just enjoyed the time with me. We did shopping for new coats, for computer parts, for specialists to help with the computer…but the parts I enjoyed most was reconnecting. I got to eat lots of yummy food, Mexican, Chinese, BBQ, Mexican again, Christmas turkey, Christmas ham, etc. while staying with my family and I got to see all my old friends I’d left when I moved to Japan. It was nice. Like old times. I was very happy that they were willing to drive as I was jetlagged all to hell. I also saw my aunt and uncle, and met my dad’s new puppy, who was a cute little guy. Sadly, there will always be stress while traveling, and I needed to get a massive amount of data moved from one computer to another, especially when it became clear I couldn’t take my old laptop with me, I only had room in my bag for one. So…I was busy this Christmas.

            After Christmas with my family, it was time to meet the woman I love. The domestic flight out to Detroit was truly horrendous, as I felt sick the entire time(not covid sick, stomach pains) but when I finally got a chance to meet my lady, I knelt down, kissed her hand, and we proceeded into a super fun four day adventure. We walked and talked a lot, getting groceries for delicious meal plans. We watched some comfort food shows like Milo Murphy’s Law, the Librarians, and Love, death, and Robots. We also watched some movies, like my favorite Clue, Shrek, Unconditional Love, and the quirky Saint Young Men. Meals were a real treat, as my love is an amazing cook. We had fruit curry, pizza, chicken noodle soup, battered chicken and vegetables in orange sauce, cranberry pork, and a fun little evening where I was given instructions to make a meal for my beloved. We shared adventure in gaming with my Switch, her Lego worlds, and she even showed me the wonders of VR which…I’ll admit, was a heck of a trip. Much more than that, I think, will be for just me and her to know.

            Through all this, the best part of this adventure was simply being with the woman I loved. She was cute and funny. Quirky and charming. Loving and creative all the while. I think she appreciated that I did the dishes, haha. Even during the stressful times, she helped me get through it, like when I had to get my stateside covid test for Japan. We were lucky to find a clinic that would do the paperwork and the test close to her.

            Luck is one of the themes of this adventure, as I think you’ll find out when I mention my return.

 

My Return

            Leaving my love was one of the hardest things I’d done in a while. I cried as I was waiting for my flight. And, that last flight. Oh, dear god. So, I got on the plane, supposed to land in Atlanta for my connecting flight to Japan with an hour and a half to spare. So, I got on the plane…then we had a delay of 20 minutes. Then we had to get on a different plane. And all the while I was having a panic attack. My nice hour and a half window was cut down to FIVE MINIUTES. I ran off that plan after nearly losing my marbles for about two hours and miraculously, my gate was right across from where I got off and…I missed my flight. I was too late. I fell to my knees and cursed the heavens. And then, got up and tried to rebuild. I headed to the Delta service counter and prepared for an even longer flight that would make all my plans go up in smoke. Then they told me to run back to my original gate. Lightning had caused the plane’s departure to be delayed…and they were coming back to get me. I couldn’t believe my good luck. Coincidentally, I watched Saint Young Men with my love last night, so I feel both Jesus and Buddha had a hand in this. A true act of gods saved me. And I got on my international flight. And we left. The flight was again, not great, but I was so hopped up on adrenaline from the running and the panic that it was hard to settle down for a bit. It was a long 13 hours and the plane wore on me. Then we landed…and the paperwork began.

            Paperwork. Walking. Waiting. I landed at 3:30 pm and left the airport for my government quarantine hotel at 7pm. Good god, it was rough. We started out by being told that my checked bag didn’t make it. I was fortunate that I had my clothes and a spare blanket from my mum with me in my carry on. I was able to change clothes after and rest with some of my comforts of home. Anyway, we started out with presenting various different bits of paperwork, most notably the covid test certification from when I got my test in the US. After that, we had to get a covid test, nothing too major just spitting into a vial, and then we had to go through many many MANY checks of what we already had. The questionnaire which could only be presented in QR code form, the pledge, I needed my boarding pass and passport at the ready in case I needed to have my seat checked to see if anyone close to me tested positive. We walked and did paperwork. Walked and did paperwork. And then I had to get a rental phone because mine couldn’t download the My SOS app, so that was more money down the tube…except they wouldn’t take my credit or debit cards. Ugh. I was fortunate that I had cash on hand. Then more waiting, I was given…basically a keeper after the covid test so that I wouldn’t get lost on the way through immigration and the bus taking me to a government quarantine hotel. I went through immigration, then I had to talk to Delta reps about my lost bag, fill out special paperwork for it, and hope that I could get it after the mandatory quarantine. The customs check was a bit weird as my declared stuff was in my checked bag. Eventually they let me through. I was taken to a bus with others like me, and here we start feeling like in prison, and shipped off to a government run quarantine hotel.

 

My Quarantine

            Prison is kind of true here. Though I had a shower, a personal room, a bed, and a TV, the hotel was of relatively poor quality. Not the building or amenities per se, but the quality therein. So, here’s how quarantine works. You cannot leave your room. At all. You will be checked on by the My SOS app multiple times a day, sometimes asking for health checks, sometimes just to have you say you’re there. Sometimes with a video call. I personally emailed the health center a lot for clarification on issues with it. I also had to contact the call center of the hotel every day to report my temperature, which their thermometer often felt very faulty, because the app they wanted you to use to report didn’t seem to record data properly. It all felt very half baked. Then there’s food. You get three meals a day, left hanging from your door at specific times. The food is incredibly bland and always cold. I got three Japanese style bentos but none of them reached the level of quality I would call good. All of them stayed in the meh, to terrible situation. We got water and green tea only. And alongside the meh food, internet was incredibly slow and prone to outages. I also may have had the worst pillow I have ever used in my entire life. It was like a tiny piece of cloth in a pillowcase rather than a proper pillow. The entire affair was a joke, as far as I can tell. I spent most of my time sleeping, playing Switch, or trying to reconnect with family to let them know I was okay. After three days, we were given a covid test and then eventually allowed to leave. I say we because this was a group of foreigners in the three day bracket, some had to wait longer. I was fortunate, in that after my quarantine ended, I could pick up my bag from Delta and then make my way over to the hotel of my choice.

            All of this sounds pretty minor, right? Well, I assure you that the lack of even the ability to move around really made the stay tiresome and frustrating. And the short paragraph does not even begin to explain how exhausting and tedious the entire stay was. To add onto that, let’s talk about My SOS. This thing, this app, will be your parole officer. 4-8 times a day, AT RANDOM, you will be contacted on this thing. They may ask you to simply click your, I’m here, button to show you haven’t left quarantine, or you could have to register your health and temperature, or you could have to have a short video call with a human or an AI computer. And woe betide you if you have a nap, or long shower, or whatever, as you may miss it. Missing it a few times isn’t so bad, but you could be checked on or penalized if you miss these too often. It can be quite frustrating.

 

My Holiday

            My time in the US was an adventure, but my holiday would be a time for rest, because I was still technically in quarantine. However, there were some key differences once I got to the hotel of my choice. For starters, I had to pay, haha. Anyway, I stayed with the Haneda Excel Tokyu hotel and their service was quite good. In the quarantine hotel you had English speakers, but that was less common here. Still, they were able to consolidate 4 separate bookings(I had to have 4 different bookings due to the unpredictable nature of the quarantine and covid tests) and move them all into one booking with one room I wouldn’t have to change. This was a huge load off my shoulders. They did still request I tell them my temperature each morning, but beyond that I was allowed to go out into the airport terminal for food. It is so liberating to be allowed to go free, even if you must wear a mask and return in relatively short time. The internet there was better, the room was bigger, more pillows, better bathroom, I could have the room cleaned if I needed to, a working refrigerator, etc. This was still a quarantine, I was unable to return to work until January 15, but I almost enjoyed myself there, especially with my bags back. Almost. The time in a single room wore on me. I missed my regular home. My bed, my bath, my food, I was limited by restaurants and convenience stores in the terminal and I NEVER ate in due to the fact that I was in quarantine. Takeout only. It wore on me, day in, day out. I could exercise, read, write, play games and use the internet, but there was very little else I could do. The lack of freedom and constant checks from my phone made me very cross and upset throughout the stay. I was more than ready to leave when the time came.

            I dumped the phone I’d rented in a bag and gave it to a mail service to return, all pre-filled thankfully. I made my way to the flight, which was fast and easy, and took a bus home. I took a taxi to my school, picked up my house keys, and got home. Bought food, did laundry and FINALLY I could rest in my own bed.

            It was good to be home.

 

            Grand totals, I spent 8 days in America, 3 days total traveling, 14 days in quarantine, and two months of stressing over getting it all together and managed. Not counting the stress during traveling. It’s been an odyssey, but it was worth it for my family and my love. I hesitate to say I would do it again, at least during quarantine times, but I can say I am glad I did this one.

 

If anyone has comments or questions specifically about paperwork or quarantine, feel free to leave them below and I’ll answer them as fast as I can.

December 2020

     December 2020

            Surprised to see me again, eh, folks? Well, I’m on holiday and figured, what the heck? Let’s do an update and a year in review. So, let’s answer some of the lingering questions from January that people might not know about.

            Yes, I am still in Japan. I was hired to work at a school in Obihiro, Hokkaido. Not too many details there, but I’ll give a few. I was received warmly and my staff are very wonderful and cool. The children can be a bit young and feisty, but they warm my heart with their nature. Some can be stubborn, some can be sweet, but they are all special and learn in their own way. I’m proud of many of them for overcoming their fears or shortcomings and improving during my lessons. I felt great sadness leaving behind my children in Natori and hope I can go back and visit them when covid clears up. I did get involved in some online lessons with my school too and it’s been very fun. I’ve enjoyed all my time here, but it has been quite exhausting. Perhaps more on that later.

            To start, after I received the job offer was JUST when covid was starting to get serious in Japan. I was fortunate. Though it was stressful, I managed to get my new visa and cross the prefectural borders before everything got shut down. I cannot overstate that, despite 2020 being a dumpster fire of a year, I have been extremely fortunate…and for the most part happy. I got to reconnect with an old friend from China and despite losing my best friend, I did manage to forgive and reconnect with her, though the jury is still out on how close we still are. I am rambling a bit…let me just go down the line.

            It was very exhausting moving. I carried five bags with me…somehow, and I was blessed to receive many sweet gifts from my students, including books, drinking cups, and decorations which I still use in my house. When I arrived in Obihiro, I was greeted warmly, as I said, and my boss and staff were incredibly supportive. My apartment was a bit more expensive than in Natori, but the cleanliness, newness, the space, and the feel of it…it is a wondrous place with a small second floor, vaulted ceilings and enough storage space even for me. My staff helped me to get new machines and appliances for my house and I was even gifted a bicycle. It’s pink! Haha. I also bought a bed. It is a wonderful bed and the fact that everything fits so well together here fills me with joy. Even when I feel down or when I was worried about politics, I could look around my home and say…it’s not so bad, eh? You’re doing pretty good.

            We had a nationwide lockdown during my training, but our school has been super keen on safety and we haven’t had any cases in our care. Everyone is super serious about the safety of the children, so even after the lockdown was lifted, we’ve been doing well. I ended up falling off the horse with my exercise, but I’m starting up again. During that time, I got involved in a few series, like watching the Witcher and Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, and even recently the Mandalorian. It’s all been very nice. I even enjoy games again, THOUGH, my Playstation 4 is finally broken and I ain’t replacing it until the PS5 goes down in price. Still, my switch and PC have been good for me for gaming.

            Now, for some stories. When I first arrived, I walked all over town looking for an affordable table of all things because I didn’t want to inconvenience my staff and I wanted to be independent. I managed to get a cab after two hours of searching and headed to the book off and even asked the cab driver to wait for me, which he did, and help me get my table home. I was pleased with how I managed my Japanese and with the kindness of my driver.

            I started dating again in the midst of October and though it ended poorly, it was a good experience for me growing as a person. I was able to see that I could be madly in love, but still recognize toxicity in a partner and break ties, even if it is inconvenient and hurts, for my own health. I will try dating again after 2020 ends, just because I need rest after an exhausting Christmas.

            Most of the year was spent indoors, as we don’t want to be out and about during these pandemic times. But I enjoyed a few of my excursions and special events with the school. We had a fun Summer school event where I got to bust out my Mario impression and dress up as Porco Rosso again, during Halloween we were Hogwarts characters, and Christmas saw me, and others, being Santa Claus. For one of the online videos, I even got to see a proper Hokkaido farm and it was beautiful. Gloriously so.

            I decided before covid flared up again, during a brief down period, to head to Noboribetsu, famed for its sulfur hot springs. It was a fun trip, with lots of demon iconography, a wonderful bear park, a nostalgic old world Japanese ninja theme park, I had delicious red bean soup, and other wonderful food. But the precautions Japan has taken to prevent the spread of covid kinda shows why it is one of the best places to be. The contrast between Japan and western countries is stark indeed when it comes to safety.

            One of my friends put me in contact with new adult students and while I don’t charge them and only talk infrequently, it has led to some fun adventures, like heading to an izakaya before covid got bad and talking with my student while ordering some traditional Japanese food. It’s been a wild time.

            For the holidays here, in Christmas time, I intend to just stay in and do my exercises, maybe check out nearby malls in my downtime, but that’s about it. I want to set up some new routines to help with the new year, mainly around writing and exercise, but also rest. I love my job, but it kicks my butt every week, making me super tired. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

            Alright. Games roundup. I’ve had an on off relationship with Gwent and the card game Legends of Runeterra. Gwent is perpetually beautiful, but the balance is always frustrating and the gameplay is a bit bleh. Runeterra is exquisitely designed, but can be tilting or unhealthy. I’m trying a lighter touch with them this year because I love card games, but they can turn on you hard.

            Speaking of cards, I tried the commercial version of Faeria and it’s a wonderful card game that has lots of hours and lots of bang for your buck, but the devs have basically abandoned it and there will be no more content so that’s a major  bummer.

            I finally got to play Bloodstained Ritual of the Night and it’s…fine. It’s an okay metroidvania. I prefer the 8-bit versions, as the 3d graphics look a bit blah, even if the gameplay is fine.

            Spiritfarer is one of the most moving, beautiful, and engrossing game of the year, not my game of the year only because it can be a bit grindy, but also very heavy. It deals with death through metaphors and while it is fun and quirky, I wish it had been clearer, because the metaphors are sometimes more horrifying than the reality.

            Return of the Obra Dinn is one of, if not the best, game I’ve played in the last…5 years at least. It is a glorious detective story that will always surprise people. I love it to pieces and recommend it anyone.

            Hades is probably my game of the year, as it is the best rogue-like/rogue-lite I’ve ever played. Great writing and a fun new twist on Greek mythology, engrossing gameplay, and you CAN finish it. It’s a great game.

            Now, if Hades didn’t exist, I’d say my game of the year would be Merchant in the Sky. A fun trading game set entirely in an archipelago in the clouds, with no combat, only exploration, trading, and fun. I have played through it three times already and will probably again later. It makes me feel a sense of peace and adventure that has been lost to me, only reclaimed through games like Actraiser or the like.

            I can’t forget Sakuna of Rice and Ruin either, which is the most realistic rice growing simulator ever. Hehe, despite some meh presentation at times, it’s an enthralling game, mixing fighting demons with rice farming and save for one very mean spirited moment near the end, it is a great ride.

            I am excited for the Final Fantasy Legend collection and will play it very soon.

            Now, books. I did do a lot of reading this year. I ALSO did some audio reviews of the stories. If there’s interest, I might look to putting it online, but for now, they’re just for me. I read through all my Conan stories, I got a Solomon Kane collection and read all of those, and I FINALLY read through the entire bibliography of H.P. Lovecraft, which is incredibly up and down, some being really bleh, some being classics worthy of recommendation and reading even today.

            I’m excited for 2021. My birthday will actually be a hopeful new start for America, but also for me, as I hope to start dating again, and put all the stresses of politics behind me. You know what I’m talking about. 2020 was a bad year for most, but I was exceptionally lucky. 2021’s tarot reading is…interesting. Not bad, but I will need to watch out for a few things going forward. I am confident things will be fine though.

            Anyway, signing out for another year.

January 6, 2020

January 6, 2020

            First entry of the year. Quite possibly, also, the last. I don’t really get much joy out of doing this anymore, but I feel like perhaps I should, just to chronicle where I am after so much depression in the previous entries, for those worried. Some sadness still lingers and the beginning of the year has been…difficult, but I have had lots of fun things besides that.

            I should start that 2019, in reflection, was utterly horrible. Easily, one of if not the worst year of my entire life. I lost everything I cared for apart from my family. I lost the woman I loved, my best friend, my peace of mind, my self-esteem, my health, my sources of joy, my patience, and so many more. It was the year of taking. But I survived. And, I promised myself that in 2020, I would let go of my bitterness. I would not be angry with the people who could not be there for me, for I know it isn’t fair. I also had to work an extra day when I was supposed to have a holiday because of uncontrollable circumstances. I find it ironic that in summer I’m more prone to getting sick than in the winter. Everyone around me drops from influenza, but I endure the storm, no problem.

            Despite my pains and troubles, I have always tried to keep a smiling face for the children I teach. I don’t want them to know I am bothered. I want them to have good memories and a future full of joy, especially at Christmas. For me, I could not find the rest, nor indulge in the traditions I wanted to this year, but I smiled, nonetheless, for my students. Because I like helping people. 2019 has been a year of disillusionment for me on many things, but I can never be disillusioned by those I teach. No matter what anyone says, I have the best students in the world. Kids with potential to be something incredible. And I will help them move forward, laugh, smile, and someday, travel beyond the borders of this town.

            The year started off well, with a reunion with an old friend. Our journey to the bathhouse was quite relaxing and we also got a chance to visit a Japanese ryokan. I was a bit worried about finances, but my friends kicked in and it helped cover all the major expenses. The bad news? Well, Tashirojima, the cat island, was very cute and all, but also brutally cold and windy, with very few bathrooms and very little cover. It was a test of endurance, with almost 5 hours of walking during the day. A day I woke up at 5am for and barely slept for the night before. Needless to say, I was cranky by the end of it, but the Ryokan and the bath housed within helped with that. The dinner we had was also something spectacular and something I feel everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. At least 20 different varieties of food in one meal. Crazy. Unfortunately, the day before my friend arrived, I blew out my knee with my exercise routine and the walking didn’t help, so I had to cancel our trip to the mountain of Yamadera. My friends managed to go on their own, which I’m glad for, and they enjoyed the local sights. It is a bit depressing that when my friends and family visit, everything is either too busy or just flat out closed, as was the case here in winter. We did get a chance to go to lots of different restaurants and they loved the steak house near my house. Oddly, Japanese steak is often considered far better than American steak. I am prone to agree. I also got a third bag to help me pack. Still not sure about when I’m going to move, whether it be to America or to another part of Japan, I think Japan since I’ve gotten a few soft offers, I just need something concrete. I felt a bit bad for needing to rest when my friend was visiting, but it was necessary. Few people can keep up with her. She’s a lady in her 60s with the energy of a 20-year old. On caffeine. Who doesn’t need to sleep.

            My family sent me a set of books for Christmas…and I could not be happier. I’ve missed reading so much. Of course I read in games and on the internet, but to hold a book in hand or lie under my bed covers engrossed in a story is something truly wonderful. I’m struggling a bit with trying to find my sources of joy again and my peace of mind once lost. Games are…fun, but still a bit empty. I will continue working on it. I’ve been eating a bit more than I should. Comfort food and all that. And indulging in podcasts for DnD and other silliness that helps me to feel better about life. I am…recovering. I will know how to move forwards once things settle and I either have a hard contract for future work or I find that I need to return to the US. Whichever, I will know soon enough. We start rebuilding now.

            My resolutions for 2020:

            Let go of my past bitterness.

            Find joy in video games again

            Read at least 5 times a week, if not more

            Continue with my exercise routine

            Continue writing twice a week

            Reach out to people a bit more often

            Eat less/snack less

            Watch some series(the witcher on Netflix looks very fun.)

            Be there for my students however I can

            Start dating again

            Hehe, most of these are pretty normal, I would do them anyway, but I think that’s fine. Small goals help you work towards larger goals. My Tarot reading for the future is…optimistic. I much avoid temptations, like the card games I’ve been too consumed by or the food that I have used for comfort, but it shows me working hard and finding some kind of bond. Be that in romance or jobs.

            To the woman who stole my heart, I don’t know if you’re still alive out there. I still think of you often. If you are out there, however, I hope you find happiness.

            Well, here we go. Let us walk into the future.

November 11, 2019

November 11, 2019

Hello, everyone. I don’t want to dwell too much on the bad. It’s been hard these last few months. Let me just get out what needs to be gotten out and give a short review. That’s what this is here for, yeah?

So, I broke up with my significant other. No more info than that. There’s no hatred in my heart, just sadness. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. The one thing I DO want to add. May you find happiness, wherever life may take you.

Anyway, I’ve had a hard time with stress as well. The job searching has been going very well, but the pressure can be crushing. And I haven’t had the support from stateside that I probably needed. I’ve had a few people chime in, but it’s easy for me to get lost in the shuffle. I don’t hold any ill will about that. But it has been hard. I’m going to be trying to get things into a more manageable situation over the next few weeks. I’ve tried before now, but I think I have a shot at changing life for the better through a number of things, so we’ll work towards that. Growing up, I’ve always held true that, when faced with adversity, you can be crushed by it and in so doing become bitter, angry, and hate filled…or you can try to rise above. That’s what I do. That’s what I’ve always tried to do. Because when you hurt others, who gains? No one. Sir Terry Pratchett said through the goblins in his book Snuff, that to live, you must hang. Hang high. Hang low. But whatever you do. Hang ON. So, I will.

I’m going to take a break from social media for a while, so this will probably be my last shared entry for 2019. I wish I could say my October holiday was great. I did go to a lovely little Ryokan, which gave me some much needed tranquility, with delicious food, a great sea view, and a gorgeous Japanese style room. But, it was also a bit lonely. This was right after the breakup. And after that, it was mostly job hunting. I’ve done well, but the scheduling, the stress, and the pressure has been hard at times. Still up in the air about whether I can go to Hokkaido or not, but I think it’s safe to stay I’ll be in Japan, for at least another year.

Alongside the job hunting stress, I’ve had video game issues. I know people will roll their eyes, but imagine. Imagine something you do to relax every day just suddenly up and stops working. How do you react? I actually was able to put it into words after an experience recently. Even if you can make it better, even if it’s not all that bad, you rage and feel great sadness because of the hopelessness and powerlessness of the situation. When you look back, it’s not so bad, but in the moment, it can be crushing. What I’m trying to say is my Playstation 4 periodically breaks and starts working again with no way for me to control it. I spent a good week trying to repair it, more stress, only for it to work like clock work that Saturday. Then break again the following week. And work again today. Sigh. It’s been an up and down experience. I believe that we get better at managing these stresses and surprises as we endure them, so I’m doing fine now, but it was not something I needed after losing so much already.

Work is going well, however. We had a very fun season. Though it was exhausting, the students loved Halloween and seeing them smile and enjoy the treats and games we laid out for them gave me life. Unfortunately, right after that, eiken interviews started up. Haha, the two sides of leisure and study, back to back. It’s a bit ironic, no? Still, I love my students and I’ve been blessed to be able to teach them.

I think I’ve had like…five or six job interviews up to this point? So, yeah, I’m doing well in that regard. I do have some solid offers, but I’m probably going to slow down a bit and focus more on Hokkaido, since I have enough offers on Honshu already. It’s not exactly fun, since my Mondays are now booked solid till the end of November, but I make do.

Life changing things. I’m still trying to fix my sleep schedule. That is…going to be a process. It will continue to be an issue, I feel, just because of all the stress, but I am trying. Nutrition. I think I’ve done well with eating good stuff here in Japan, but I’ve cut my soda intake by about half and replaced it with a less caloric and healthier tea alternative. It’s been nice. I am still snacking more than I want, but that brings me to: Exercise. So, one of the biggest hurdles to any kind of major change, in my opinion, is accessibility. You can say, “Just go to the gym,” till you’re blue in the face, but if people can’t find the time, or can’t bear to leave home(it is getting cold outside) or are embarrassed or whatever, it won’t happen. So, Nintendo released a game called Ring Fit, which uses a resistance ring and leg straps to track movement in a work out that is tailored to be like a JRPG. You can do it at your own pace, in your own home, with no judgement, and tailor it to your time and needs. How could I resist? I’ve decided to try it for the month of November and see how it does with me. So far, I’ve been good about doing it every day but Saturday, which I can’t because of schedules. And though I’m dead tired a lot, I do feel healthier, working up a sweat when I wake up. It’s…I hesitate to call it nice, so I’ll say, satisfying. Writing. As I am writing this, I am taking a bit of a cheat day. So, I’ve worked up my writing and editing to two days a week, my weekend days. Not perfect, but an improvement after the long doldrums I’ve had. Because of the length of this, I am going to count this entry as my writing for Monday, but still, point stands. I am back on track to try and finish my book.

Despite all the stress, I have found lots of things to enjoy in life. There is a wonderful chicken snack here called Karage-kun which has always wowed me with its flavors, but the latest, miso onion cream soup, is pure magic in my mouth. I received a generous gift of garlic cream cheese and orange cream cheese and it has been wonderful. Hazbin hotel was finally released, and while it’s not for kids(no really, don’t show this to your kids) it was a fun romp that I thoroughly enjoyed. Games have been fun as well. Monster hunter, Zelda, Luigi’s mansion, Ring Fit, and many more have kept me going, though I have been more tired of late. And the Moomins remain very fun. I just wish I had more people to share it with. It was nice to go on a team building with my school on Saturday, but I regret being so tired from working that I was probably a bit quiet. Still, all good things.

I don’t think “I want to be alone,” is the right thing to say, but social media isn’t the place I feel I need to be now. There’s not enough outreach, so to speak. So, this is goodbye for a while. I’m going to take care of me. If anyone does need me, however, you know where to find me. Most of you have my email, after all. Adieu.

September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

            Being 100% honest, I was not convinced that I would write one of these this month. Life has not been good. It hasn’t been bad, exactly, either, but it has been a tumultuous whirlwind. So, in order, I was sick for the better part of…good lord, 8 weeks? Only about four days out of that were so bad I couldn’t work, but still, when you lay it all down, it was one heck of a struggle. I’m doing very well now. Even though we’re doing lots of Eiken test practice, which requires heavy use of my voice, I’m handling it well. Thank goodness for throat drops. Busy time at school has been a blessing as it keeps me busy and, in many ways, fulfilled. More on that later. I’m dealing with a personal tragedy that I don’t wish to go into here, but I’m managing, as best I can. My community around me came together to help me through some of the hard times for a few days, though it can be easy to forget they do that when the support disappears once you can stand on your own. Still, I suppose that is for the best. As a wise god once said, perhaps it is best for the people to not rely on my power. The best thing we can hope for is for them to stand on their own. More on that later, too.

            So, the big thing for me recently has been job hunting. For any interested in working in Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Insider is your inside ticket, as the man who runs it has contacts all over the island. Beyond that, I’ve tried reconnecting with an old friend who lives in Hiroshima and a few of my Chinese friends. I’m job hunting most week days for at least an hour or two. I had to update all my information and I even wrote out an introduction and a resume in Japanese. It was…an interesting challenge. Oh! And I got my JLPT test score back. I passed! Spectacular, eh? But though I want to work in Hokkaido, I have to be open to all options, since I want to stay in Japan. That’s really been one of the big problems. Choice paralysis is an occurrence in many situations where an overabundance of possibilities leaves someone doing nothing, as they don’t know the correct thing to do first, which is a bit…terrifying until you come to grips with it. For me, I had to force myself to sit down and say, “You are going to do something job related for this one hour period!”

            Speaking of sitting and working, I am trying to get my book edited. It’s slow going, as my sickness and the personal stuff knocked me out of writing for at least two months, but I am coming back, slowly. It’s been hard, at times. My days being sick left me bedridden on the weekends, but I’m finally able to go out and do stuff again and it feels great. I went to the bath house this week, I went to a number of my favorite restaurants the week before, had yakiniku for the first time in like 3 months(Again, I was sick and busy) and I went for a long ride to go get pizza. It’s all been very exciting and enjoyable. Since it’s September in Japan, we also have one of the best treats of the year, the moon/tsukimi burger, which is a twist on an egg burger in the US. It’s really delicious and a personal recommendation for the season.

            Game wise, I’m still debating the value of Magic the Gathering, as I love the art, lore, and mechanics, but it is addictive. I have to be very careful with that. I’m also juggling a switch controller repair, which has been tough because I can’t send mine in from Japan and they won’t ship to America, so…I’ve had to collaborate with my family to get the ball rolling. I also got Astral Chain, which I beat even during a power outage, thank you Switch, which is fun, but a bit too complicated for some players. I also got Monster Hunter Iceborne, which I love and is a good replacement for Warframe, which I’m on a break from again. In media news, I’ve also developed a deep love for the Moomins, which is a series that is both very old and very new, with many charming incarnations.

            Now, before I finish, I do want to take a moment and say something rather personal. I talked before about standing on your own and fulfillment and I’ve had to take a hard examination at my life when it finally sunk in that I’m…well, I’m going to be leaving the students I’ve taught for almost three years. I’m kinda thankful they don’t read this blog. I don’t want them to be sad. Anyway, I’ve seen many of them struggle, some of them misbehave and learned the quirks that make them tick and I feel the kind of overwhelming pride and protectiveness that I can only imagine must be what a parent feels. I’ve taught over a hundred, maybe close to two hundred, kids over the last three years, with new faces arriving and old ones bowing out. I’ve always wanted to help them. To give them the courage and the skills needed to stand on their own, unafraid of English or of the trials of life. Sometimes, I listen to my students share their problems and I am always reminded of the teachers who helped me through my own crises, like Brenda Williams. She sadly passed on some years ago, but it is a nice reminder how profound an impact a teacher can have on someone. My teacher saved me, in more ways than one. And I hope that I can help my students in just the same way. Whether that’s as a friend, as a mentor, or just as someone who cares. I’ll say this. I have a few naughty kids, but I don’t have any bad kids. All my students are good and special in their own ways. And I am going to miss them dearly when the time comes. Haha, I funny thought for a few of my friends in the area is, what if you stayed in Miyagi? True, it is possible. I could even come visit. But it’s not the same. I’ll truly miss them.

            I’m not sure if the message of how important this work has been to me can be properly gotten across through a blog. To often we get mired in the small stuffs, in the personal details, or just in life in general. But, I’m hoping that at least at tiny glimpse into my mind has given people an understanding for why I love this career and why I have such respect for any teacher who truly cares for their students. Now, if you please, send me what good wishes you can. If this has been a whirlwind so far, a tornado is on the horizon. Busy busy busy.

August 12, 2019

August 12, 2019

            Lately, it seems like I only want to write one of these after having one of my night time walks. I don’t do them as much as I want to, sadly, but hey, I’m on vacation now, so, here we are. First, an addendum. To the list of things I wish my past self knew, TOILET SEAT COVER! Can’t believe I forgot this, as I wrote my last list right after buying a new one. Get a poofy, fluffy, cushiony toilet seat cover for yourself and come winter or summer, you will always have a throne fit for a king. I am 100% serious.

            These last few weeks, nay, these last few months have been difficult for me in a number of ways. Stress from studying for tests, an incredible amount of sickness(I missed the most work I ever have this month) and a few family and personal crises. But, hey, I’m still here.

            After being sick and out of work for four days in a row, going back gave me a new found appreciate for my kids. They were a bit nervous meeting our head teachers(my lovely bosses) but I feel they all did a great job with their English. It really did feel good going back and seeing them again after my absence. I had more energy, despite my weakened body, and some were worried about me, which was touching. Haha, one of my most surprising moments is homework I had given one class three weeks prior that I didn’t expect them to remember, because I was sick, they took out right away when I showed up and while I couldn’t tell them right then and there, I felt so proud of them. They were paying attention.

            I’m trying to wean off of sodas. I did this stateside when I had my homemade stevia tea, but they have a honey tea alternative here that I’m trying to slowly replace my soda stock with. Besides, I haven’t drunk almost any soda in like 2-3 weeks because of my sickness. I missed exercising too, so tonight’s night walk was very refreshing. Just me, my music, and a bit of darkness. Pleasant.

            I’m dealing with some personal issues now, but I’m trying not to let it get me down. As my best friend said, self care is important, so I’m practicing it in various ways. Good food, games that I can stop, but which also are fun and don’t make me angry, and good memories. Speaking of memories, I did have a few sad points. They were…mostly from reminiscing. An old singer I used to love, but fell out of favor with, a girl friend left behind long ago(If my current GF is reading this, NOT YOU, this was in my college days) and of course, the passing of Sir Terry Pratchett. His work was…and remains some of the most thoughtful and important fantasy satire in history. The writing remains amazing even decades down the line. But he’s gone and…that’s a bit sad.

            I haven’t been writing due to countless factors, but this holiday, I want to jump back into it. I need to edit my book if it’s ever going to see the light of day. And I have a few other hobbies I want to return to. You might think holiday means travel, but not so much. I want to go to the bath house and visit Ishinomaki, but my health determines all this. I’m still fighting off a bit of sickness, mostly just a cough, but I don’t want a relapse, so I’m focusing heavily on rest this season. Summer has been hell, but it’s lightened up these last few days, which has been a blessing.

            I’m holding on and doing my best, as I always do. I want to send lots of love to my best friend and my special someone. I want to give my family their best wishes for a bright future. And for the last six months of my job, I’m hoping for lots of fun and a lot less sickness.

Tips to my past self(Natori Japan)

Tips to my past self(Natori Japan)

            It’s been a rough patch here lately, but in a rare moment of feeling good, having played good games, gotten encouragement, medicine, exercise, and rest, I feel like…let’s have some fun. So, I decided it would be interesting as a way of both looking back and maybe preparing my successor, to give some tips to my past self. There might be elaboration, there might not be. It’s a surprise! I will say, don’t try to Terminator 2 this. You can’t prevent tragedies beyond your control, me. Just follow my advice and have fun with whatever comes your way.

1.     You won’t have internet for a month. It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Buy a tv and PS4 and relax.

2.     Put your bed as far from the wall adjoining your neighbor as possible. They’re loud.

3.     Stay away from the window facing a parking lot(the one facing the main street is fine.) You’ll see why later.

4.     Don’t wait until January to buy your Switch. It’ll help you through some dark times.

5.     Not everyone will like you. That’s cool. Like yourself and the people who are awesome.

6.     Don’t worry so much. You’ll be fine. You will make mistakes, as a teacher and a person, but you will be fine.

7.     Buy a bicycle asap and get a basket for the back end, it will really help with shopping.

8.     The Yamaya and Aeon Mall have foreign sodas, but their supplies won’t last. Stock up. No, really, even more than you usually would. Stock. Up.

9.     The coin laundry close to your house? Go there, it’s convenient and it gets your clothes really clean and smelling great. Same for the dry cleaner next door.

10.  The bakery is great, but the conbinis are where it’s at. Don’t wait too long to go there regularly.

11.  Not all your ideas as a teacher will pan out. It’s okay. Keep on trying.

12.  Go to the Yakiniku store named Tanuki. The three words you need are Gyutan, Butatan, and Karibi. Enjoy.

13.  Next to the Yakiniku store is the drug store. It’s got good meds and the best candy in the world. Black Thunder is what you want. The pizzeria across the street is also pretty good.

14.  Go to the Ramen Shop next to the 7/11 as soon as possible. They’re good folks.

15.  Go to the bath house over the bridge asap. It’s great.

16.  If you’re worried about anything, ask your co-workers. They’re good folks and will help you with anything from words you need to know to doctors you can visit.

17.  In the spring and summer, bugs will invade your house. Duct tape up the gaps in the wall and get Mushikonazu spray. It’ll be a rough few weeks, but you’ll manage.

18.  In the rainy season, the duct tape might cause water to pool. Be watchful.

19.  Buy tissues. They’re useful for everything from sickness to cleaning and you will get sick.

20.  Go to the clinic when you feel down. Don’t wait. Healthcare here is super cheap and the clinics are the only way to get reliable meds. Colds and fevers don’t just blow over, they get miserable.

21.  Go to the dentist on your first holiday. It’s cheap and you can get those nasty wisdom teeth out.

22.  Set up an exercise routine and try to stick with it. It’s okay to rest when you’re sick, but jump back into it ASAP.

23.  Start online dating sooner. Someone awesome is waiting for you.

24.  Warframe is a fun free-to-play, but don’t take it too seriously. Don’t let it consume your life.

25.  Gwent is sadly doomed and Magic the Gathering will release an awesome, but far too addictive card game. Steer clear of both of them. For your own good.

26.  Get a humidifier to help with the dry seasons.

27.  Uniqlo is your friend for clothes that might possibly fit you.

28.  There’s lots to explore and many cool places waiting for you, but never feel guilty for just staying home for the weekend. Life isn’t always about racing to the next adventure. Take time to smell the roses, sleep in, and talk to good friends.

29.  The environment is both dry and cold in winter and hot and humid in summer. Either way, bring at least two bottles of water, tissues, and a sweat rag with you whenever you go out. No, really, WHENEVER, even if it’s just for a short walk.

30.  Digitally back up all your files. Just in case.

For more specific tips about my trips, I wanted to add a special segment. So, here we go.

1.     Go to Ishinomaki in your first year. The train ride is lovely and the manga museum is magical.

2.     The ocean is close to Natori. You can ride there on your bike. Bring tons of water and enjoy the serenity of the sea. It is a long ride though.

3.     Matsushima is more than just beautiful coastline. Go to the museums and enjoy. Make sure you go to the trick art, music box, and history museums, not just temples.

4.     Yamadera is a beautiful mountain, but only go after your exercise routine has built some muscle, otherwise, you’ll be sore.

5.     Zao is best visited in fall. Don’t go during the summer unless you get a hotel for the night, as the heat will be miserable.

6.     The fox village is adorable. Take pictures of the English there. You can use it for class. It’s fun.

7.     Hokkaido is amazing, but don’t be afraid to use taxis. Seriously, if you’re not leaving your bags and going for a walk, take a cab. The hotels can call one for you.

8.     In Hakodate, Sun City Hakodate hotel is your best friend. Also, it’s close to the Hot Box, the best burgers in the world. You’re welcome.

9.     The Food village has lots of great stuff. Try and explore more than just three restaurants.

10.  Mt Hakodate is beautiful, but the lift is almost always out of service in October. Be prepared for disappointment.

11.  Hiraizumi is a beautiful place to visit. Rent a bicycle and enjoy.

12.  If you’re going to ride your bicycle for a long stretch, make sure it’s not super windy outside. Otherwise, it’s best to just take the train. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone.

13.  You’re going to be sick when you go to Tokyo. See the doctor at least a day or two before you go. If you lose hearing, don’t panic, go to your regular clinic and get a recommendation to the Nagamachi hospital. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble. This is my one gimme for disasters. The rest isn’t your fault or responsibility, but this…this sucked.

14.  You won’t eat Kaiseki in Tokyo. It’s fine. You’ll still have fun with your family. Bring your Switch when you go to Kawaguchiko though. You’ll thank me.

15.  Summer festival is fun, but don’t over hype it. It’s no big deal.

16.  The Senbon Zakura flower walk is in Ogawara. Go. Trust me, go. Even if you get sick, it’s unlike anything you’ll ever see anywhere else in the world.

17.  Tanabata is cool, but just see the decorations when you have other errands in Sendai. It’s hot and crowded and not your thing.

18.  The Sendai City Aquarium is also cool, but also crowded. Make your best judgement. And again, taxis can be great friends.

You might be wondering where are the standard tips like don’t be afraid to explore, or practice Japanese with the locals…well, I did those things. I came prepared. These are just tips I wish I knew earlier, because I did get here eventually. This was a fun walk down memory lane. If my successor(s) see this, these tips can also apply to you. Do your own thing, but bear these in mind.