Oregon Trip (Part 1 of 2)

Okay I am going to stop being a whiner and complainer (for a bit) and talk about my awesome weekend in Oregon.

How do you pronounce Oregon? For me, it will always be or-eh-gen. I was watching a TV show where the main character was like, "You're from Organ???? I'm from ORGAN!!!" I shook my head at that TV show. Because they know nothing. And that girl is not from Oregon otherwise she would never say organ. But feel free to comment if you're from Oregon and set me straight on the matter!

Anyways, Seaside Oregon is a lovely lovely beach town. I have been there many times, and it is always a soothing relaxing place to breathe in the sea air, forget your troubles, and walk on the beach for hours. You can't not be happy there. It's beautiful.

All along the boardwalk, people have bought lamp posts with little plaques for their contribution, where they can say anything they like. Some of them are dedications to family members who built their summer homes for generations to enjoy. Some are romantic. And some are just quotes about why the sea is wonderful. I like them all.

Maybe I'm biased because the weather was simply perfect this last weekend, but it was such a nice nostalgic getaway.

This past month has not been easy for me for a lot of reasons, and just getting in the car and driving away from everything was surprisingly helpful. We left the rain behind, and the weather was significantly warmer and SO sunny. Beautiful crisp blue skies every day.

In the early morning it would be cool and dark, and as the sun came up over the mountains, it would slowly turn the sky pale pink and go into a blue gradient. Just amazing. As the day went on the pink would go away and leave just a rich blue sky that contrasted perfectly with the light sand and the green dune grass. Then in the evening, there were just enough wispy clouds to bounce around the light of the setting sun and transform the sky into an enormous masterpiece. Wet sand mirrored the sunset so it was all around me as I walked down the beach. Superb. And it was not windy! Usually it's so so windy but this weekend, it was perfectly serene. I got amazing weather and didn't get gross windy hair. 10/10.

We walked all over the town, rented bikes, and ate at a local sushi place that was not bad for a resort town, not bad at all.

It's very important to take pictures of the food! If Japan has taught me anything it's that. But you see what I mean. Very nice weather, happy dogs, etc. 

Oh and guess who has the best mom ever? That would be me. Because my mom knows how much I love my puppers, she rented a pet friendly hotel for us. It truly touched my heart. Because I would have been happy to let them sleep in my car (it's cool at night, and it's just 6-7 hours so don't judge) but my mom thought I wouldn't want that, so without asking me or anything, she just went ahead and  booked the room. What a kind gesture. So the dogs got packed up in the car and had a great weekend with us. The pet friendly hotel was a big surprise for me because I've never stayed in one. I think they liked it. 

Fun fact about Beihachi. He gets VERY nervous when suitcases come out. VERY. Maybe it's all the travelling we do and he knows somethings coming and it's likely he wont like it. But yeah he gets very clingy when I pack. Also as I was putting suitcases in the trunk of the car he jumped into the trunk on top of the suitcases. Ridiculous. Poor buddy thought he'd be left behind homeward bound style. Not that day, Beihachi! You're coming with me! What a dog, though. Even non dog people have to have a smidge of admiration for his loyalty. 

Well that's all for part 1. Part 2 with more and better photos will come shortly!

Road trip!

I hate being in the car for so long, but I would give the roadtrip a thumbs up! I needed to take more breaks, I got very grumpy by the end. 

LA living

If I was looking for a gentle transition into American living, this is not the place. Everything is so crowded and busy and bustling here. But, not necessarily in a bad way.

The day I left Japan, I didn't really mind too much, and I don't miss it yet, because I was ready for a change. Well I got my wish! Things are definitely different, but not in the way I expected.

The first thing I thought I would want were noise cancelling headphones, because I thought understanding everything people said would become irritating and that general noise would make me annoyed. So far, not a problem at all really. It's really quiet in the neighborhood Leah lives, and when people do chatter it's at reasonable volumes and background noise hasn't bothered me either.

That's been a big surprise and also a big plus!

One of the things I need to get under control are food portion planning at restaurants. In restaurants where I used to live, unless I got a course set for lunch or dinner, I would usually order 3-4 things off the menu for two people. Not necessary here! 1 thing off the menu is PLENTY for two people. Goodness gracious. So so so so so much food. I have been in serious pain every time we go out because we over-order and I don't want to waste food (and it hasn't been convenient to get leftover boxes because we are always running around)

Another thing that I expected that turned out to be totally true is the huge impact smartphone culture has made. I have to pull out every conversational trick in the book to hold someone's attention long enough to finish a thought, sometimes even a sentence! I understand people are busy and have business to attend to, but it's just generally sad for society that speaking face to face is a dying art. On the other hand, maybe it will improve my conversation skills because I will have to try harder to be funny/interesting/engaging. I'm not referring to speaking to strangers, I'm talking about talking to people I already know who are trying to "have a conversation" with me. I don't take it personally, but I definitely try harder than I did talking to people in Japan, where the slightest conversation about weather will hold someone's full attention. Of course there are smart phone addicts in Japan and that's fine too, just generally speaking.

My sister has been a good host and we are making the best of sharing a studio apartment for the week. I told one of my Japanese friends who lives in Osaka how much she pays for rent and he was blown away. Said it was more than the banking district in Ginza, which is one of the ritziest districts in Tokyo. Of course I enjoy cultural centers, but I am really happy to be moving to Washington where rent is reasonable.

Living without a phone and not knowing where I am 98 percent of the time is pretty difficult, but I am getting used to it. After all, how many times in life am I going to be truly lost, especially in this age. So I guess I'm just going with it and the anxiety is fading away.

I went to a supermarket for the first time today, that was probably the biggest culture shock thing so far. towers and towers and towers of food. Just incredible. And you know they wont be sold before the expiration date. So much food waste in America for no reason.

Anyways, things are going well and should calm down soon enough!

A new journey begins

I feel like I have been waiting for this moment forever, but now that it's here I'm like, "uhhhh I think I'll stay where I'm comfortable, thankyouverymuch! good day!"

I am leaving Japan for good after 2 long years and 2 remarkably short ones. My past two years here have been filled with so much happiness, relaxation, and adventure. I have been so happy here, but I know it's time to move on!

Lately I have been applying for jobs. Okay, well really only two...but no write backs! it's enough to make me want to pull the covers up over my head and say, "oh nevermind I will not go back to America, it is a silly place!"

But I knew this would happen, of course. I just so hope I can find something that isn't mega stressful and hope hope hope I can find a job I can bicycle to. That would be living the dream!

One of the things I really want to keep up is being someone who walks the talk. I say I love adventure, travel, and being active, and out here in Japan I truly live it. Every day I find something beautiful, I am out with my dogs,  and I am discovering new places and things. I don't want that to change! I don't think it will because I will always have the dogs to rustle me out of the house, but it's still important for me to keep it at the top of my resolutions list!

Anyways, I am hoping to fly back to LA, see Leah for a bit (and job search at hers) and then drive up the coast to Seattle. I need something a little more cathartic to end my time abroad than a flight into Sea-Tac :)

Everyone wish me luck!!!!!!

Waterfalling

My time in Japan is coming to a close, so I have been trying to get out and do as much as I can with free time that I have. Because it's so hot, exploring waterfalls has been the best activity!

I can take photos and explore and still get away from the stifling heat, it's a win win! It's been in the 90s every day here (35 C) but the water in the pristine mountain rivers is cool and refreshing.

All aboard the nightmare express

Lovely day at the Aquarium in Perth