Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Extended Absence Greeting

As you may have guessed, there was a lot going on during my last 3 months in Japan, and not a whole lot of time to work on the blog. I don't know if I have the patience to get entirely caught up again, but I will try to highlight some of the major events.

For pictures of some of my latest traveling adventures both in Japan and back here in the US, please take a peek at my Facebook albums. More to come, I promise!

As far as being back in the States, overall the adjustment is going pretty well. My first week back, I struggled with jet lag and a bit of an identity crisis. But now I am back on AZ time and the US dollar, so both of those issues have been resolved. I really miss my friends and some of the freedom I had in Japan (own apartment, regular paycheck, no car!) but being able to explore a wider variety of career options, eat non-Japanese food at regular prices, wear a size M and reconnect with old friends makes me think that I made the right decision to come home. At least for now--Japan probably hasn't seen the last of me yet!

I am currently applying for some part time positions in tutoring, working as a volunteer in the Planning/Development Department to learn more about the field before applying to graduate school where I would like to earn a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning. Progress in this area has been slow, but it now feels like it is starting to come together.
I may no longer be in Japan, but this blog is far from over! Please check back for more updates.

Love,
Wendy

We're not in Japan anymore, Toto!


"Welcome back to civilization"

That is a direct quote from the lady printing my boarding pass in Las Vegas for the last stint of my journey home from Japan. Um, thanks? I haven't really been living in a jungle or anything for the past two years...and if Vegas is what civilization is all about, I might have to rethink things a bit.


I had no idea you could see the Strip from the airport...but hey! why not?