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!!!

Still

Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

friends

アメリカに来てからよく思うのが、あたしって本当に友達に恵まれてると思う。本当に。男女国籍問わず親友って呼べる人がたくさんいる。これって本当に幸せなんだなって思う。マジでこれまで何人の友達に助けられたか分からないし、困ってたり、悩んでたりするとすぐ助けてくれる友達がいる。言葉はもちろん違うし、生まれ育った環境も国も違うのにこういう風に友達になれてすっごい幸せ全世界に何十億人っていう人がいるのにその中の人から出会えたわけでその確立って本当にすごいと思う。今のあたしの友達は出会うべきして出会ったんだなってつくづく思う。神様ありがとうございます 。

I just love my friends so much. I really think that I have such amazing friends both Japanese and Americans.Especially, the people I've met in America. I have best friends who are guys, girls, Americans and Japanese. I guess it is a blessing. I don't know how many of them have saved and helped me, and whenever i am in difficult situations, they always encourage me and help me get out of the situations.We speak different languages. We have different backgrounds. There is nothing that breaks our friendships.There are billions and billions of people in the world, and it is just awesome that my friends are chosen to be a part of my life. I can't ask any better friends and I just thank God that He chose them and put them in my life. I am happy and blessed.

Now I have two degrees...then what?

I finally graduated from OC a few weeks ago. Before graduation, I literary had a dead month which means I always had something turn in such as papers, projects and vice versa. On the graduation day, I didn't feel like I was graduating because I was so tired from all the finals and of course, sleepy. Plus, I was a candinate at that time and i was pretty worried about my literature classes which almost killed me. Now I passed all my classes and I am officially a graduate. For a long time, i had no idea what i was going to do after graduation. I didn't know if I should get a job or go to a grad school. I talked about it a lot with my friends and my family. About 3 months ago, i decided to go to a grad school to continue my education. It is a great advantage for me to have a master in the field even though i will be school for 9 years in total by the time i finish my master. I applied for the grad school before the spring break, and I finally got accepted this Monday. It feels so good that i have a clear vision for my future. I sitll have a lot of paper works to get done before the classes start, but now, i am going back home for summer in a few days and i am excited to see my family (well, they came over for my graduation) and all my friends in Japan. Of course, i am so pumped about eating good Japanese food.

Things to do in Japan:
1. finish reading four books that i had to stop for school
2. eat a lot of fish
3. hang out with my friends as much as I can
4. get some documents from a grad school
5. go to the beach
6. just relax
7. e-mail to friends with new info
8. have a Mexican fiesta with friends
9. have some fireworks at the beach
10. try to speak Japanese and try not to forget English

Be Yourself

I have been reading a couple of books since the break started. I already finished one Japanese book, "Why the vegetarian in America fat?". It was a very interesting book to read. It explains why the American vegetarians are fat, why the rate of divorce is getting higher and higher even though most of people are Christians, why Americans like to start wars, why Americans tend to compare themselves with others and so on. I have been living in America for almost 3 years and I have found things that I didn't even notice.
I have been reading two English books: "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers and "New Day New You" by Joyce Meyer. One of my friends recommended me to read "Redeeming Love" and i got this book about a week ago and I love this book! I just finished first 140 pages and I am very excited and looking forward to reading more.
"New Day New You" provides a page a day. I was reading a page the other day and i found it very interesting.
"God has made every one of us unique. He personally made you and gave you gifts, talents, and abilities. Just think about it: Nobody else in the world is exactly like you. That means what is best for someone else may not be best for you. So when you are tempted to say to God, 'I wish I looked like somebody else,' or 'I wish I could do this or that like them,' don't say it. Be satisfied with whom God made you to be. Remember that He made you exactly the way He wants you to be. If you try to be like someone else, you will miss the beautiful life God has planned specially for you."
I used to compare myself to others: "I wish I were taller", "I wish I were smarter" and so on. I think a lot of people tend to compare both mentally and physically. After I finished reading this, I started thinking that we shouldn't compare ourselves because God made us differently and uniquely. This is our gifts from God, I believe.

things make me smile

1. family

2. friends

3. chocolate

4. hugs

5. rainbows

6. Friday afternoon

7. postcards

8. cheesecake
9. kids

10. animals

11. tea(hot and cold)

12. Starbucks

今週はいい事があって気分はハッピー☆このまま続くといいな～

I've been in a very good and happy mood. Hope it continues!

今朝８時の授業に向かってる途中にふと空を見上げたら虹が出てて朝からとっても幸せな気分になりました♪

This morning when I was driving to school, I looked up the sky and saw a beautiful rainbow. It made me smile and my day. That's why I love rainbows.

It was a fun night!!!


Another happy couple!



I love the Keesee family!



Lunch at Ted's



Three of my favorite people EVER!!!



The happy couple,Penelope and Loren!

life in Oklahoma

Oklahomaについて早２週間。時が経つのは本当に早い。

It's been 2 weeks since I got back to Oklahoma. I really think that time flies so fast.



１日目 荷物届かず。結局次の日の夜に友達を空港まで迎えに行ったついでに取りに行った。そしてもう２度とNorth Westは使わないと心に決めた。

Day 1
I didn't get my luggage from Japan. I thought I would have plenty of time for the immigration and the customs, but I was wrong. It took more than an hour to get everything done...I finally got on the plane to OKC 15 minutes before it took off. I got my luggage when I picked up my friends the next day. I've decided I'll NEVER use NorthWest.



２・３日目 Pennyちゃんの結婚式！！！Arkansasまで約３時間半のドライブ。途中で車のエアコンが壊れるハプニング！！！ちなみにその日の気温は３８℃。軽く死にました。結婚式はすっごいよかった！！！！！ウェディングドレスを着たPennyちゃんはとってもきれいでしたすごく幸せな気分になりました 帰りはエアコンなしでOklahomaに帰ってきました・・・でも、そんな中でもあたしは時差ぼけのせいか爆睡してました・・・（笑）

Day 2 and 3
It was one of my good friends,Penelope's wedding. Six of us all went to Arkansas together and it took about 3 hours and a half. On the way to AR, the air conditioner broke. yeah, it BROKE!! I think it was more than 100F on that day. We had to drive there without the air conditioner. I was melting...I guess, everyone was...The wedding was so wonderful...Penelope was beautiful...it made me so happy. Also it was good to see my friends at the wedding. Some of them are going to China in a few days...they all are my good friends so I'm pretty sure that I will miss them A LOT!
So, we made it back to OK without the air conditioner...we survived...even though it was pretty hot, I slept almost whole way back to OK because I still had jet lag. ha!


先週の金曜日にもまた結婚式に行ってきました。花嫁さんすっごい綺麗だった。幸せな気分になれて、やっぱり結婚式っていいなって思いました。自分のはいつになるやら・・・（笑）来週の土曜日にもまた結婚式に行ってきます。

I also went to another wedding last Friday. I wasn't planning to go there, but my roommate asked me to go there so I did! It was another beautiful wedding...of course, the bride was gorgeous... I also got to see my OC friends. It had been for a long time since I met them before. It was like a reunion. I'm going to ANOTHER wedding next Saturday. I realized that weddings make me happy. I don't know when my wedding is going to be! haha!

来週の月曜日から授業・・・教科書も徐々に買って準備を始めてます・・・

So school will start on Monday. I'm not ready yet, but excited to see all my friends. I'm getting textbooks. I got seven books today and I'm suppose to get two more sometime soon. Those are for just one class...yep, I have to read 9 books in ONE class. It is a literature class...yeah, I am an ENGLISH major...I will try to survive from this semester in America so please keep me in your prayers!

I don't have a good internet connection at my apt so I can't upload pictures, but they are coming soon for sure!

さよならは突然に・・・the sudden good bye to my lovely dog

昨日家の愛犬コロちゃんが享年１４歳で神様のいる天国へ旅立ちました。最後に見たのは昨日の朝。いつも通り元気にご飯を食べてる姿でした。昨日の、この暑さ、人間のあたしでも大変だったのに１４歳のコロちゃんにはすっごい辛かったんだろうな・・・

小４の時にうちにやってきた。お母さんが子供のころに飼っていた犬と同じ名前。
小６の時に５匹の子犬のお母さんになった。
チーズが好きで毎食後にねだってた。
チューイングガムをあげるとよく鼻を土で真っ黒にして隠して、隠したあと得意気にしてた。丸見えだったのに。
お散歩が大好きだった。
人も好きだった。決して人を噛む事はなかった。
でも猫は大っ嫌いだった。
最近はめっきり弱くなっちゃって多分目も見えなくなって、耳も聞こえなくなっちゃってた。
毎年帰ってくる度に年老いていくのが見えて辛かった。

最後に散歩に行ったのはいつだろう。この頃は忙しくて（これは理由にしか過ぎないけど）かまってやれなかった。いつも見てるだけ。明日にしよう明日にしようって。でも、もう明日はない。

今日の朝ペットセレモニーの人がコロちゃんを迎えに来ました。最後のお別れです。コロちゃん、今までありがとう。あなたのおかげで犬が大好きになったし、動物を大切にするっていうことを学びました。

昨日の朝の教会のBible classで"God's timing"について話した。神様は全ての人に全ての物事においてタイミングを決めてるんだって。例えば、あたしは中学生の時にアメリカに行くチャンスがあった。でも、その時は拒絶した。大学生の時英語が話せなくてアメリカに行かなかった事をすっごい後悔した。でも、茨キリに行かなかったら、大学時代の親友に会うことはなかっただろうし、ＯＣについて知る事もなかったし、今いるアメリカ人の友達とは出会ってなかったと思う。今考えると、それは神様があたしに与えた試練であって、その時はタイミングが合わなかったんだと思う。で、この話をコロちゃんに置き換えると、コロちゃんはもしかしたらタイミングを見計らってたのかもしれない。最初は昨日（５日）にあたしはアメリカに帰る予定だった。でも、８日に変更した。コロはそれを知ってか知らずか分からないけど、あたしが帰る直前に天国へ旅立った。その日にこんな話をするなんてタイミングがいいと思った。

天国でまたお散歩しようね。

Yesterday, when I got back home, my mom told me with tears in her eyes that our lovely dog, Koro, passed away. She was 14 years old.The last time I saw her was yesterday morning before going to church. She was eating her food as usual.I guess this hot/humid weather was really really hard for her because it was even tough for me.

Koro came to my home when I was 4th grade. We named after the dog my mom used to have when she was a child.
She became a mom for 5 puppies when I was 6th grade.
She loved cheese and always mooched it after every meal.
She loved to hide her snacks and came back to me with dirt on her nose and she looked so proud of it even though I could see the snacks.
She loved walk.
She loved people. She never bit people.
But she hated cats.
I could see she was getting old. I think she couldn't see, hear nor smell these days.
It was really hard for me to see that she got old every time I get back home.

When was the last time I walked with Koro?When was the last time I patted Koro?I've been busy (I think it is just an excuse) so I didn't have time to play with her. I was just watching her. I always thought "OK, I will play with her tomorrow." But there is no tomorrow anymore to spend time with her.

I had the very last good-bye to Koro this morning. I tried not cry, but I couldn't stop crying. Tears just came from eyes.I still can't believe she's gone. I don't know how many times I've cried so far. I cried last night. I cried when I saw her house this morning. I cried when I got her bones.I cried whenever I talked about Koro. It's just hard for not only me but also my family without seeing her because we spent so much time and had such great memories together.

Yesterday morning at the church, we talked about "God's timing" during the Bible class.God gives everyone a certain timing.For example, I had a chance to go to America when I was 8th grade.At that time,I just didn't want to go.When I was freshman and sophomore at college, I really regret not to go to America. I really thought I missed the biggest chance.However, I think it was not a good timing to go to America at 8th grade because if I had gone, I would have hated America,I wouldn't have met all my friends at IC and wouldn't even have known about OC and wouldn't have met all my American friends.I think going to America after graduation from IC was "God's timing". For Koro, I think yesterday was her timing. I was going to go back to America on the 5th which was yesterday, but I changed it to the 8th.I don't know if Koro knew that, but she went to Heaven right before I'm gone. I think it was "God's timing" for Koro so that I could say good bye to Koro.

Thank you,Koro. Because of you, I've become to love dogs and I learned to cherish animals.

Let's walk together in Heaven in the future.