it's not life that matters but the journey...

First of all, I have to say Thank You to blueleopard87 for the Christmas card and the lovely note! I got it in the mail yesterday:) I'm putting all my holiday cards next to my little Christmas tree in my teaching room, and they make me so happy! I'll try to post a picture soon:) I haven't taken any pictures since I got here, except for a couple pics of Mt. Fuji that I took today - it's so gorgeous with the snow on top. I'll post those pictures in the next couple days or so too... I finally started writing postcards yesterday, and will probably finish them up on Sunday and get them in the mail Monday - that's my plan anyway:) But I'm seriously lacking motivation, which is not so good.

and here's some news: we had two mini earthquakes this morning, which was quite interesting! The first was very small, and I hardly felt it. It was based in Tokyo and was just about 4 points. The second though, which happened about 20 minutes later, was much bigger, over 5 points, and was based much closer to us, in the Izu Peninsula. I wonder how many more earthquakes we will get while I'm here. We're in big earthquake territory, and also very close to an active volcano - scary!

Anyway, I've been meaning to post more fun observations and things about Japan, and do more frequent updates, but honestly things have been a bit disappointing, and nothing much has been happening around here (except for the earthquakes - LOL!). I guess that's why I'm not very motivated. It's cold, we still don't have any students for the school (of course we haven't really advertised yet, except for putting up the sign in front of the house - and it's only been about five days), and my husband can't find any jobs that he can apply to. He's getting really frustrated not having a job, and of course it's hard with neither of us making any money. But I won't give up yet - I vow to give it at least 6-8 months and see if we can get a website going, and some advertisement, and maybe if I can get 10 students, I'll be able to make enough money to stay here. But just in case the school doesn't work out, I've decided to apply for some teaching jobs I saw posted online - I have to keep my options open, and if we end up getting any interest in our school here at home, then I can of course always quit any job I get. I am starting to think that it actually might be better in this first year to just get a job outside the house - then I can save some money and be in a better position to get the school going later. But we'll just have to take things a day at a time.

I just really want to get some routine going - for both of us. So far, (and I've only been here a week and a half), most of my days have been the same: get up around 8, have some toast and coffee, feed the cat, put away the futon and straighten up the room, do some stuff on the internet, maybe get out for some shopping, and maybe do something practical like study Japanese. Lunch and dinner have been good - Masahiko's mom mostly does the cooking, and we've had good stuff like Sukiyaki, curry with pork, tempura, udon, etc. At night we've been going to bed early mostly because there's not much to do - and because it's cold! Tuesday I did get out again though - I met my friends (both named Naomi) on for some lunch and coffee at a big new mall in Fuji city. It was great seeing them - they're both friends from 10 years ago when I was teaching and living on my own. One of them was my neighbor, and the other has a pet grooming shop and actually came out to our wedding in Washington state in 2001. Anyway, Tuesday was fun - we spent more than an hour looking at photos of my former neighbor Naomi's daughter Megumi, who is now 3 years old. I was there at the hospital right after Megumi was born in 2006, and I have yet to meet her again, but I will in January.

I hope that once things start to get more settled (that is, once we both get jobs and have schedules), that I can start posting more fun things, like my thoughts on Japanese culture and funny pictures and examples of Japanese-English. That's what I did before, back in 2005 when I was living here. For now, though, I may just be popping in with updates, and hopefully a few pictures:)

hope everyone is staying warm wherever you are. I hear reports of snow in so many places - we might get a few flurries this weekend here too! So bundle up, stay healthy, and enjoy the preparations for the holidays - that is, if you celebrate Christmas. My Christmas will be pretty uneventful, but maybe we'll get some Christmas cakes and watch movies or something.

happy weekend!