A year in Japan and a year in Oz...

Saying goodbye really was so difficult, but my family and friends understand that this experience is a dream of mine.  Also, after the past year and the stress I've experienced, this couldn't have come at a better time.

So, now, here I am in Australia and the surreal feeling still has not left me. This morning, I went for a swim in my pool and did some sun salutations with the sound of birds all around.  Surreal!!  Waking up in what will be my house for the next year, is still surreal, but I'm falling into routines and a familiarity with the house and the city.

I don't like to always make comparisons about countries or back home all the time, but my year in Japan has been in my thoughts, as I start this new experience.

8 years ago, I spent a year teaching in Japan.  I taught at a small international school for children aged 2 - 6, at that time (they've expanded since). It was an amazing year full of growth, learning, happiness, and wonderful experiences (Seema and Daisuke, you're a huge part of that).  Personally though, it was a very challenging experience.   I didn't speak the language very well and I couldn't read food labels, cooking instructions, or even train maps.  I got lost more times than I can count and I made tons of mistakes.  Those experiences made me learn new things and taught me what I was capable of.  It was hard sometimes because I stood out so much - blonde hair, green eyes, Japanese tattoo, nose ring and a bright red face from the heat.  Wherever I went, people looked at me and sometimes asked to touch my hair or nose ring.  I experienced home sickness like never before and doubted that I would last the year.  Thanks to my very supportive family, amazing Japanese friends, coworkers and boss, I did make the year and loved the experiences I had.  Japan taught me that I could be independent, that I could travel on my own, that people don't have to speak the same language to share a connection or experiences, and that the Japanese people are incredibly welcoming, generous and kind people.  Japan gave me the travel bug even more than before but also the confidence to set out on new adventures.

Now here I am, living in another foreign country, and it's a whole different experience in a lot of ways.  Here, I walked into someone's home.  It's hard to explain it, but it's such a comforting feeling to walk into someone's house that they've decorated, furnished and made a home for their family.  That's part of the beauty of this exchange, is that you don't feel out of sorts or uncomfortable because you've got a space to call your own for the whole year. Also, I don't stand out here.  Well, not until I open my mouth at least as my accent is a dead giveaway  :)

Everyone has been so kind, generous and welcoming here too!  I was greeted at the airport with smiling faces of friends and family of Greg and Ali's and a bouquet of flowers. Phone calls and invitations have greeted me each and every day and I love it!!!  Greg and Ali's family and friends are incredible and I'm grateful for everything they're doing to help me settle in. 

Just as Japan taught me many lessons, I'm hoping that Australia will be full of learning experiences and lessons to make me a better person.  It's been a rough couple of years, and while I promise I am not running away from anything back home, I'm still looking for new experiences here.  I'm hoping for a year of new sights, new experiences, meeting new people, learning more about myself and the person I want to be, and most importantly, finding my "happy" again.

With the sun shining and a warm day ahead, I wish you a wonderful day wherever you may be and whatever your day may hold.