Hey everyone! It’s been awhile, so I thought I’d catch you all up on my life a bit.
Sandra’s In Town!
My dear friend and adventure partner Sandra came to visit me in Nagano for a couple weeks in August! We got to go see Togakushi and Matsushiro, experience a Tea Ceremony, Noh Performance, and much more. I can’t truly express how great it was to have my dear friend here with me, especially as I was just getting settled in and being with a friend during that crazy time made all the difference.
Work-Life…”Balance”
I’ve gotta be honest, getting used to working here has been a struggle and a half. Don’t get me wrong, my job working as a Coordinator for International Relations in the Inbound Tourism and International Relations Section of Nagano City Hall is rewarding, exciting, challenging, and full of amazing opportunities. There’s just a lot going on all the time, so I often feel like I’m drinking from a fire hose.
From day one, I’ve been rolling from one item on the agenda to the next, and often it was all I could do just to keep up with the pace of translation requests, interpreting events, office meetings, etc.
I’m sure many people working in a space that functions entirely in another language would tell you the same, but the normal stressors of work life are heightened and even answering the phone becomes an anxiety-inducing nightmare. I think the fact that I don’t feel like I’ve fully settled in yet makes it even harder to get a swing of things in the office, but I think I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
Bottom line: work can be tough. But that’s true anywhere. And though I do often have to work through a language barrier and lack of sleep and stress of being in a completely new environment, I’m trying my best to get better and push my limits every day.
Tokyo Trip
After my truly once-in-a-lifetime experience interpreting for the first time at the Olympic Museum Network General Assembly, I took some solo travel time to run around Tokyo.
It was a weekend full of fun activities and constantly moving, so it was heaps of fun but also extremely exhausting. By the time I got back to Nagano after the days away, I was a mere husk of myself.
Travelling alone can be really fun, and it’s so easy to be flexible on your own. But I gotta say, it’s not quite as great as sharing adventures with friends.
That being said, I had a fun-filled and spontaneous time on my own in the big city, and I even got to play quidditch on my last day there! Loved stepping on the pitch again, and I’m hoping to get a team started here in Nagano eventually!
Max in Town!
My cousin Max came for a visit for a few days in mid-September, and even though I was unfortunately usually busy with work, it was so fun to have him here! We explored a few new bars and food spots, and had a good time in Nagano for a couple days. I was grateful that he had time to go out of his way to come visit me during his big Japan trip!
Cooking Class
I’ve decided to start taking cooking classes! I was able to take a training course at the local ABC Cooking Studio, and it was so much fun that I knew I wanted to pursue upping my cooking skills while practicing Japanese and expanding my community by making new friends there!
In the last few weeks of September, I’ve been pretty busy with translation projects and preparing for school visits and events. It’s been challenging and busy, but also a lot of fun! I was even on TV!
School Festival!
This past weekend, I visited my friend Brigitta in the village of Ikusakamura. We had a fun time hanging out and watching “Austenland” which was silly and highly enjoyable! Then we went to her junior high school’s festival and I got to see how fun school events can be here! It was a great time. And oh my god the school was gorgeous and surrounded by mountains.
Cycling in Iiyama
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go cycling in the nearby city of Iiyama. I was excited to be back on a bike and to explore a new area! It’s gorgeous in Iiyama; surrounded by mountains and nature, full of golden rice fields, and easily bikeable.
We ended the cycling tour experience with some apple-picking! What better way to spend an autumn Sunday?
After the cycling tour, I met up with my friend and fellow CIR Leianne, and she gave me the tour of Iiyama! We had some amazing Jumbo Toast, which definitely lived up to its name.
And that’s September!
All in all, it’s been a CRAZY couple months. Sometimes I absolutely cannot believe half of the things I’ve done when I look back on them. And what is with this whole “time” thing? It feels like it goes slowly but then you blink and suddenly it’s OCTOBER?! I didn’t sign up for that.
In closing, know that I am doing my best and, though I may struggle quite a bit, am working hard and having fun sometimes too!
Thanks for reading, love you all!
Have some very boopable snoots!
P.S. SEND PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, JAPAN IS NOT FUELING MY ADDICTION AND I NEED IT.
Xan in Japan 