Thanksgiving

It was my first time to spend a Thanksgiving day in Japan after living in America for 5 years. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because not only the delicious food but also it is a great opportunity to think about what I am thankful for. I got to eat a delicious Thanksgiving lunch on the Thanksgiving day with great people and I am planning on joining another Thanksgiving party tomorrow.

This year I am thankful for;
God
the plans God has planned for me
family
friends in Japan and America
my job
school
my students
health
my comfy apartment
the beautiful beach
Skype

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Happy Thanksgiving to ya'll from Okinawa!!

Adventure

It's been almost 2 months since I moved to Okinawa. It been 1 month since I started teaching. It's been really nice and fun living and teaching in Okinawa. There are some challenges but there are always people who are willing to help me, which I am very thankful. Kids are fun and keep me busy in good ways.

One Sunday morning after church, I decided to drive around to discover Okinawa. The day before, I found a sign said "Underwater road", but I got lost and the weather was bad so I decided to go back home. The sign really stuck on my mind because it is very fascinating to drive "Underwater road". I am positive that it is fascinating to everyone. How cool is it to go under the water and drive? Well, I follow the sign and drove and I saw an extremely long bridge/road between a main land and small islands. Yes, it was the "underwater" road. AWESOME. Even though I didn't go under the water and drive down there,I was amazed by the gorgeous and beautiful views. We had a typhoon so everything was cleared up and the water was so clear. I literary stopped every 5 minutes to take pictures and just see the beauty of God's creations.

I just love living in Okinawa. It is surrounded by beautiful ocean and mountains. Nobody is in hurry nor stressed out. I feel the least stress of my life right now. I feel God's peace in my heart. By feeling God's peace, a song came up to my mind. It is "You" by The Afters.

The lyrics are following:

"You" by The Afters

My heart is as frail as a dove
And my spirit is as weak as a rose
See my sorrow, feel my pain
You're my refuge, You're my reason
My strength in this beautiful place
That's where I find God
That's where I find God

You're in my heart, You're in my soul
You are my heaven, You're my home
You're my best friend, You're my true love
You are my treasure, You're my God

I watch as the mountains fall down
And the rivers part at your feet
Your creation sings Your praise
Even wings obey and angels bow down
At Your beautiful voice
That's where I find God

You're in my heart, You're in my soul
You are my heaven, You're my home
You're my best friend, You're my true love
You are my treasure, You're my God
You're my God

You're in my heart, You're in my soul
You are my heaven, You're my home
You're my best friend, You're my true love
You are my treasure, You're my hope
You are my peace, You are my joy
You are my Savior, You're my God

If you don't know this song or The Afters, please go to YouTube and listen to this song.

Okinawa thus far

It's been almost 3 weeks since I move to the beautiful land of Okinawa. My mom came with me for a week to help me move in and it was good to have her here because it was my first time to live by myself in Japan that there were a lot of things I didn't know. I successfully moved in my apt, which is nice and cozy. While my mom was here, we drove around and discovered local stores and restaurants. One sunny day, we stopped by a beach, which is only 10 minutes drive from my apt. I am not gonna lie, the beach, especially the water, is BEAUTIFUL.

Week 1
I attended Japanese seminars. On the first day of the seminar, I had no idea what the speaker was saying because the way he teaches Japanese and the way I learned/taught Japanese were different. Everything kinda went over my head and I got really nervous and scared if I could teach Japanese. At the same time, I was very frustrated because I couldn't answer Japanese grammar questions. I was like "If it were English grammar, I could answer and explain the contradictions." It is because I did not study Japanese; rather, I just learned the language as I grew up. Luckily, the speaker just published a book that I could read and study after the seminars. I believe that if you teach a language, any language, you need to know the language. I thought I wouldn't have to study once I am done with school, but I guess I was wrong. ha! I am really grateful that I attended the seminars that I learned A LOT.

Week 2
I observed Japanese classes for new missionary teachers. One of the former Japanese teachers at my school taught the classes. I was just sitting there observing how he taught and I was able to see a big picture of how I might teach my classes. I was not quite sure how I could apply the methods that I had learned during the seminars, but now I know. We'll see how it works once the school starts.

Week 3
I have new teacher orientations all this week. I got to meet all the new teachers and most of the school staff and teachers. Most of the new teachers are my age so I am hoping that I will be good friends with them. The staff and faculty are super nice that they are always willing to help me and others. I think this is one of the best things about working at a Christian school. I have a lot to know/learn and prepare before school starts on the 23rd. The other good thing about my school is that I can see the beautiful ocean from school.

I would appreciate if you could keep me in your prayers! :)

count your blessings

I moved back to Japan a few weeks ago and I have been keeping myself busy. I went down to Okinawa a week after I got back to look for an apartment and a car. Luckily, I found such great apartment and car. I really feel that God provided everything I needed, which I am really thankful and blessed. I am getting ready and excited to move to Okinawa. At the same time, I am nervous because it is my first experience of teaching and I don't know anyone. But I know that this is His plan and He will provide everything I need as He has done so far. July 23rd is the day!

I've started counting blessings. I try to remember how blessed I am and never forget to thank God.

I am blessed because
1. I have a great family (both physical and spiritual)
2. I have awesome friends.
3. I have great brothers and sisters.
4. I have place to sleep and food to eat.
5. I have a job that God provided.
6. I am healthy.

Master Hitomi

I decided to write my blog again since I am moving back to Japan and starting a job in Okinawa, Japan. I finally completed school two weeks ago. Now you can call me a Master Hitomi! :) I am moving out of Oklahoma in 2 weeks and have started packing, which is not fun at all. I have been in Oklahoma for 5 years, that means I have so many stuff in my apt and it is really hard to decide which I should bring back with me and which not. I still can't imagine that I am leaving here. I am excited about the new phase of my life that God has provided for me, but I am sure I will miss my awesome friends not only in Oklahoma but also all over the States. I will try to keep my blog updated so that you know what I am doing in Okinawa.

These are what I am going to do in Okinawa:

1. Teach Japanese to 1st-12th grades at a Christian international school.

2. Live close to a beach.

3. Meet new people.

4. Experience Okinawan culture.

5. No more ice, tornados and thunder storms.

6. Eat fresh fish, vegetables and fruits.

I know you are very jealous of me now! hehe :)

Friends, you are very welcome to come visit me to Okinawa. Make it happen!!!