I aimed to update you all during my winter vacation, but you know how it is....fine California weather, places to be and people to see. Ah, honestly, I was super lazy. But ah, let's see...events from mid-November to December. Here it is a nutshell!
November
November was all about the business swag. The Nagasaki JETS gathered for the Mid-Year Conference in Nagasaki City. It was about 2 days of workshops and 3 days of fun. Felt more like a holiday than a business trip. As always, it's always good to see my fellow JET colleagues.
My Internet gets cut off...long story, but that has contributed to why this blog post is a bit late.
Iki Thanksgiving! Oh, what a lovely event. Given the tragedy early November brought, it was good to be around so many fun and energetic people. I was finally able to really smile and laugh on that day. I made a pineapple rum cake...from scratch. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but..mm, it was pretty damn good. Big ups to Kat and her crew for a fabulous dinner!
December-The Holiday Season
The Big Move! I moved from Ishida to Gounoura! I'm loving it so far. I had to tell myself to calm down with the home projects-I was planning to re-stain the wood, re-paint a wall, and start a garden. Alas, this is not a permanent home. I rent it, therefore I will only be re-painting that one wall. The garden will start in the spring. I've dropped the wood project. However, it looms in the back of my mind. The girl scout in me just wants to fix everything...and install central heating.
Oh yeah...IKI IS COLD!!!!!!
Anyway, it's about the same size as the previous apartment. It feels a bit bigger because it's two stories and it feels too much for just me. Anyone wanna move in? I'm in the midst of decorating now. What to do with the bedroom? Hmm...
Christmas parties galore!
Home! I went home for about two weeks. Now, honestly it was a bit of hard break. Going home, I had to fully confront the death of a friend. Being home didn't feel quite the same, but I was happy to be with my family and friends. As always, I spent too much money, cursed the L.A. freeways, and ate too much Mexican food.
Now it's January! 2012! A status my friend posted about the new year captured my sentiments perfectly:
"Usually, I charge into a New Year at full gallop, like a Mongolian warrior. This year, it is more a slow meander with many naps under trees, like Buddha with a full tummy."
Dude. I feel this. Since college, I've been on the go. Classes, working on shows, study abroad, write this, write that, update resume, find a job, always asking what's next. I know things are not set in stone, but for the moment I know I have a job, I know my loan situation ( that's very important), and I have my health (at least some it). I just want to take it easy this year. As twenty-somethings we're always looking for the next thrill and I pretty sure even in the comfortable position I'm in, I'll still seek it, but I truly want to take one step at time. I'm finally in a place in life where I can stop and listen to myself.
"What does Jasmine need?"
More chocolate........
Haha, no. Seriously, I've been focusing on other people and making half/empty promises to myself for too long! I remember I posted a post in another blog I have awhile back about being single and I was all womp womp about it. Well, now I'm all for it. Allow me to enthusiastically renew my membership in the singles club once again. I mean really...I'm only 22. It's okay!
So I guess that's my New Years Resolution. Oh, and more water, more exercise and more vegetables!
Alright, so I wrote this at work. Oop. Therefore no pictures for the moment. Anyway, that's what I've been up to in the last month and half. Ayiee!!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
