Lights up, camera pan. Soft dewy focus on my extremely sweaty face in the Japanese heat. Pearl-like drops bead and glint on film like a 'Rupaul's Drag Race' Season 1 filter. I wonder, is this what my old Biology teacher Mr Green meant when he said that women don't sweat, they glow?
No, probably. He was a lovely guy, but that statement I think erred too much on the side of fiction for use in a Science classroom. No matter what's going on in the Hollywood lens of my imagined life, I am not a glower. I sweat. Buckets. It's a nice cinematic parallel. though, to the tears I shed this time last year when saying goodbye to the UK. Yep, that's right reader - it's my one year anniversary of living in Japan. And as it stands now, one year in Japan equates to 50% of my time on the JET programme. It's passed in a flash and a fizz, and I'm sure it will go out with a bang. This time next year I'll be writing a long goodbye tome detailing all of the things I've learnt and the ways I've changed, but I thought this seemed as good a time as any to do a little reflecting on where I've been and where I'm heading. So here we go, a wild-ride check-in for me to look back on:
Where I've been:
Travelled around many parts of Japan. Highlights from each season include Yamagata in Autumn, Hokkaido in Winter, Gunma in Spring, and Enoshima in Summer. Sometimes I feel guilty seeing other people's Instagram stories, and I wonder if I'm doing enough with my time here. But then I remember to give myself grace - I am working a full-time job, after all, with regular pay and irregular days off (big up my days off being Friday and Sunday - definitely interferes with travel dreams).
Made good headway into my next book - nearly 40,000 words, to be precise. I learnt a lot from trying and failing to cobble together a marketable text whilst in London, and I'm hoping this new book will be ready for agent submissions by the time I return to the UK. Hoping this one teaches me yet more still, and helps me achieve my grand dreams of publication. In other writing news, Tokyo has been extremely beneficial for my identity as a freelance creative. I've been able to put all those little spots of homesickness to good use and am amassing a decent portfolio of poems that I perform regularly around the city.
Though I miss my friends and family in the UK every single day, I've been gifted a wonderful circle of friends here in Japan. From staying at Tsu-chan's family home in Gunma, to late-night karaoke sessions, to stress-revising for the JLPT exam with my nearest and dearests, I struggle to feel truly alone in this city. Obviously there have been a few missteps and let-downs along the way, but generally I've become quite content in how my circles cobble together. In particular, I'm grateful for the quiet moments - watching 'Pokemon Concierge' with a cup of coffee at Taher's, writing sessions with Ocean and Calypso, chuckling at some children play football whilst eating lunch with Risa. Mitchell cooking dinner and browsing MTG commander games on Youtube with our feet side,by-side. In a world of noise, I'm grateful for my quiet friendships above everything else.
Where I am:
In one week, I shall be catching a flight to Bangkok, before travelling up to Laos by train. I'm so excited for my two-week gap year, and will surely write a little reflection on this holiday next month. As a sidenote, if anyone has any tips for how to be a more ethical traveller when visiting these countries please do get in touch - I want to be careful with how I act as someone privileged enough to travel around these populated places.
I'm preparing my next poetry set for a short reading as 'rising guest voice' at a poetry book launch this week! Will pre-show jitters ever go away, dear reader?
Currently reeling with wistful excitement following a period of visits from old friends. If you're reading this, Dan and Liz, it was a pleasure to have you! Thanks for bringing home back into my life.
Where I'm going:
Travel dreams for Year 2 include Okinawa and Hiroshima. I'd also love to spend more time travelling outside of the country, possibly to Korea, Australia, or Vietnam!
This year I want to expand my poetry portfolio even more, going back to redraft some of my sloppier stanzas. I also want to finish the first draft of my book! Aiming for 80-90,000 works. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
As is the nature of making friends abroad, they may become very distant once we're far apart. I want to make the most of every moment with them. I'm not a hundred percent sure what the future holds for all of us, but I'm going to try my best to make this next year either a glorious conclusion or (hopefully) a riveting mid-chapter in all our stories.
Other highlights from this year include improving my Japanese, hosting an event with Amnesty International Japan, and making the best of it every day at work. I've learned a lot, yet still thirst for further knowledge. Which on the face of it is a pretty groovy place to be.
So, dear reader, this is your sign to do the next cool thing you can in your life! It's never too late for an adventure, even one close to home. So if you're feeling like a change of pace, I'd try doing something different - the results are often far beyond what you could expect. And for those of you planning on adventuring Japan way over the next year, let me give you some tips:
Carry cash; don't bother with katakana or hiragana; learn some phrases; research the rules; eat everything; wear good shoes; strip down in an onsen; take your rubbish home; and most importantly come and say hello!
I hope to see you soon. And if I don't, a year isn't really that long to wait.
With all my love, stars, and dreams, I sign off as a second-year JET,
Char
xxx
What on earth could be next? Stay tuned in to find out...
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