so, this is what it means to be a grownup??

9.05.2011

safety.

O Japan, I feel safer already...

9.04.2011

heart.

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."

- Mother Teresa

Finding myself smiling a lot these days... feeling a little lighter, with a heart more healed and whole...

9.03.2011

talas.

TYPHOON: a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean etween 180 and 100 degrees E.

And we headed out to sea again... running away from a storm that never hit Yoko... just swell.

I hope the areas hit have a steady recovering. There was a great deal of destruction felt further south in Japan, the same week the East Coast got rocked by Irene. There is so much destruction that can come with no notice and no apparent rhyme or reason. I am reminded how thankful I am for the safety all those that I love and my home here in Yoko.

9.01.2011

part-time home.

A few pics of where I spend all my time away from home:

desk. yes, auburn comes with me, which i wear every sunday. :)

bed/rack...yes, ive hit my head more than once. and yes, i get made fun of for wearing the rain boots to work.

my "closet." very few pairs of shoes get to travel with me. it's tragic really.

can you say cozy? this makes the dorms look huge.

8.31.2011

afro.

Has this ever been ok?? The eclectic crowd exists even in Japan.

8.30.2011

palace.

Last weekend I spent a day in Tokyo with some friends. In the heart of one of the largest cities in the world, you find the beautiful grounds of the imperial palace. It was amazing to me to see the massive park of green grass and bonzai-like trees that lead up to the palace. We visited late in the day when it was very quiet on the grounds. It was incredible to see how you can find peace amongst all the chaos of the city.

The peace I felt there was not unlike my life these days. I run around like crazy pretending like I semi have it together most of the day.... On occasion I will make my way topside or take my time walking home at sunset, and in those moments I find my peace. The quiet reflection in just those few moments can bring such peace and comfort amidst all the stress of the day.

I am learning how much the little things mean and just how much I can survive on my own. Sometimes the "me time" I never before desired is what returns my sanity at the end of the day.... it's during these moments that I think back on the day about all the opportunities and blessings that fill my life and make it all so worthwhile...