A lot has gone through my head since my last post, but I guess I haven’t felt the need to write about it. Or maybe I’ve just been too busy. Christmas was insane, and so far New Year’s has been also.
So what is there to talk about…
I played the role of a happy, cheery, song-leading Santa’s-little-helper-elf for the language academy’s X-mas party. I even had to fix Santa’s pants when they split. Thanks to a Chu-hi and beer vending machine, the humour of the situation, and my friends/coworkers cheering me on, I survived. I really enjoyed being an elf, for the most part.
I hope everyone got their X-mas presents. I was really happy about those. I also really appreciate the gifts that were sent to me. I got a lot of things to keep me warm until winter ends, including chocolate. Thank you.
I think that I may post some pictures of the things that I have knit recently. I have been more brave this year than I was last year. I am trying new patterns, and actually learning more abbreviations. I’m proud of my efforts, though I don’t want to focus on my projects with this page, I think it would be fun to show you what I have been up to.
As far as WOW is concerned…
Buring Crusade just came out, and we are now playing with more of our friends online. I still try not to play too much, but I have created a guild for our blood elves called “hair.” I am having so much fun with that. It has become a much bigger guild than I had expected. I guess it shows that many people don’t take this game too seriously.
Speaking of taking things too seriously…
I have sensed a change in myself, having lived in Japan for almost a year now. Maybe it’s teaching, and meeting many different kinds of people, I don’t know. I feel now that I was really worried I wouldn’t be the person that I felt I should be after having lived in Europe for a year when I first came back from France. I have felt a lot of those tensions dissipate over time, and now, well, I think they’re gone. Which is great. I can’t be anyone other than who I am, afterall. I think my students have helped me see this in myself, which says great things about some of them. Others…Well, I get sick of the royal English social hour (yes, I saw the Boticelli at the Uffizi, blah, blah, blah…meanwhile…), but I’ve learned a lot from them too. I’m becoming increasingly proud of my ‘country’ roots as I age. I often think about what one of my teachers (a sensei of kenpo) said to me about returning home. He told me I’d go back one day. I don’t know that I’m ready to move hack there physically, but my home is always in my heart, and I go there frequently in my mind. There’s a song by Loretta Lynn that I really like. Something about a mountain top she’ll never come down from…That’s not me, but I’m starting to see where she’s coming from, especially about knowing what you’ve got.
I still have a lot of countries to see. And a lot to do.
Finally, there’s a feeling that I attribute to the recent loss of Logan Whitehurst, and his courage. Live well. Carpe Diem, as I read it in a book on teaching and disciplining children.
Goodnight!
Awesome post, Nicole! Em and I missed reading your blog. Though, other than rambling about nonsense, I know it’s difficult or seemingly pointless to update all the time. So, I’m glad when you do write it’s well worth the wait!
Sad about Logan isn’t it? I’m still pretty bummed about the loss of such an amazing and talented person.
But I’m glad you’re finding yourself and I wish I could be there for some of your journey. Maybe when you come home, or maybe when we visit you. I miss you and Reed a ton as always. Glad we can WoW it up now and then though
There is a lot here to comment on, so I’ll say this:
Way to go for challenging yourself in the world of yarny crafts. I made a blanket…well, I’m almost there…
You fixed Santa’s pants? Whoa. That would be both traumatic and hilarious.
It’s beautifully fabulous that you’ve accepted yourself without worrying whether or not others will accept you. It’s really hard to do sometimes.
I’m not exactly sure what Buring Crusade is–a fantasy game, I imagine. But I’m happy it makes you happy.
Finally, you have many homes in many hearts.
Oh, hello Kelly! How have you been? What are you up to these days?
By the way, Nicole, I can’t wait to try all the street vendor food when emily and I visit! I’m sure you guys have some awesome hot spots.
Oh, and I’m also perfecting my sushimeshi so I can hopefully impress you guys! The rice cooker we got from John and Steph really helps too. And my spicy tuna maki is getting pretty good, for my standards at least! I’m getting better each time. Have you guys made any sushi yet?
I can’t wait until you and Emily visit. There are many places that we want to take you to. That goes for everyone. There’s a lot to do here besides just normal sight-seeing, and there are so many good and affordable places to eat that we’ve pretty much stopped trying to make Japanese food. We do make some things, like soups that our friends or students tell us how to make, but for the most part, we’re better off leaving it to someone who knows what they’re doing. I haven’t gotten sick of Japanese food yet. There are many things I’ve never had before that I know I will miss.