wordy wednesday

i knew it had been awhile since i'd even logged into blogger, but i didn't post ONE time in august? wow.

the month was a whirlwind. i just sat down to write tomorrow's things i love about thursday post and i had to actually take several minutes to remember everything that has happened in the month. it's been busy.


☆ my parents were here at the end of july through the first week of august. we climbed mt fuji, went to see the "snow" monkeys in nagano, i showed them where i work and the surrounding neighborhood, we had a welcome party for them, and then suddenly they were gone. i am always ready to go back to "my" life after things like this, but it was sad nonetheless.

☆ i went back to work on wednesday and proceeded to put in 9 to 11 hour days for the next week or so, until our week of obon vacation.

☆ during vacation, i went to the base with #5 to look into the paperwork and figure out where we even begin to start filing all things legal, which ended up being an entire afternoon. welcome to dealing with government offices.

☆ i also worked a day during that "vacation week" at our new site spending WAY too many hours finagling with excel sheets and time tables. but i actually kind of love that stuff.

☆ work got a face lift and new "toys" which changes the way we work, so i led meetings about that before "vacation" ended.

☆ i went to the US embassy (twice) and now have the system down pat. it's funny that it takes longer to get through the double security check than it does to actually DO what you are there to do. 15 minutes to get through security, 10 minutes for actual appointment. have a starbucks afterward for all your hardwork.

☆ we have 4 new teachers starting during august and september. making training schedules is my life at work now and it's one ginormous puzzle. i am easily working 8 hours and could work more, but usually just force myself to go home and pick up where i left off the next day. at least it makes the day go by fast.

☆ i made a trip to immigration (aka "the cattle call." ugh.) because my current 3 year visa is up this month. hopefully my postcard comes soon.

☆ i spent a lot of the rest of my time with #5 and friends, drinking good beer, eating good food and daydreaming about the future. i am simultaneously freaking out about how it will possibly work out logistically, too. we cannot wait to start our life together, but timing/our jobs and geographic factors are working very much against us. i wish i either a) didn't like my job and could walk away knowing i wouldn't miss it or b) didn't like my coworkers and wouldn't feel guilty about just walking away. but as it turns out, i love what i do and don't want to quit and i love my coworkers and have been screwed over way too many times by people who just walked away that i couldn't bear do that to my current coworkers. so yes, learning patience and good old japanese "gaman" everyday. for better or for worse. pun intended. ;)