journal entry #12 - april showers pourin in JUNE

Wednesday June 16, 2010

I’ve been putting this off. I’m not sure why, but I think I have been subconsciously avoiding my blog. I think about how I should write an update all the time, but then I think of the gazillion other things I want to do as well and I think, “I’ll write an update right after this...” Well, June is flying past me now and I haven’t written a single post yet... I apologize to all the followers of my blog for the delay--both of you. :-) There are still those gazillion other things I could get done right now, but this time, they can wait.

I think one of the reasons I haven’t been writing isn’t because I have nothing to say, but because I don’t even know where to begin! I feel like every single day has been an adventure and I have had the opportunity to witness daily miracles all around (and within) me that are truly precious. I feel like I could sit down every single day and recapitulate all that occurred, but I would never be able to stop writing! I don’t want to forget a single moment of my time in the marvelous country, but I don’t want to spend so much time journaling my experiences that I overlook new opportunities around me, either.

Also, I think it’s been hard to know what to write about because my perspective has evolved from the time I made those daunting steps off the airplane in Tokyo. When I first got here, I felt like I needed to write about everything because it all seemed so absolutely foreign (obviously) and I was astounded by all of it. Now, Sendai feels like home! I’m still just beginning to scrape the surfaces of the complex language and intricate culture and I am ever-aware of my place as an outsider, but it’s impossible to feel alienated here. The people are too kind, the land too beautiful, and the food too delicious to keep them at a distance from the heart. Japan has quickly become dear to me and I have already formed relationships with people here that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Although I am still baffled by most labels at the grocery stores and cannot accomplish anything beyond the basics at banks and shops without assistance, I have really settled into my work, my home, and my life in Sendai. I know where to go for groceries, which stores have the best prices and/or selections of what I’m looking for, and I’m actually enjoying the complexities of maintaining a budget, cooking, commuting, and all those other fun “grown-up” tasks I anticipated as a 14-year old but only really thought moms had to worry about. Still, I know I have so much to learn and I’m excited each day by something new that I hadn’t seen, heard, or known before. My life has by no means become monotonous, but it does feel calmer now.

Japan is currently experiencing what is referred to as “rainy season” and I have to say that I laughed a little to myself when I read the forecast describe “tons of rain” and “lots of rain” as weather predictions. Well, the forecast was right! Rain in Sendai is unlike rain I’ve experienced ever before and it literally goes days without stopping—and it pours the entire time. People frown when they talk about rainy season and they always apologize to me when they talk about the weather, as though it were up to them to keep the sky sunny for my enjoyment. However, I sincerely enjoy the rain! I love the sun, don’t get me wrong, but I love the sweet smells and soothing sounds of heavy rain. Plus, I found some super cute rain boots and each day it rains is a perfect opportunity for me to justify the fact that the most expensive footwear in my closet at this moment is now a fancy pair of galoshes!

My version of practical footwear! They keep my toes oh-so-dry!

Along with the heavy rain I am discovering the stifling combination of summer heat and coastal humidity. Anyone that knows me knows that I love hot, hot summers and has probably never heard me complain about being too warm...ever...but, wow—humidity makes a much bigger difference than I had ever anticipated. My bike commute is close to an hour each way and my schools do not have air-conditioning. Also, the humidity saturates everything. My clothes are damp, even when I first pull them from my closet to get dressed in the morning, and they seem to continue absorbing every drop of moisture during my commute and throughout the day—whether or not it’s raining. Nothing is ever completely dry.

I’ve heard people describe the effects of humidity before as constantly feeling like you just stepped out of the shower without drying off, but I couldn’t imagine it really being that extreme. News to Karianne—it is! The heat isn’t uncomfortable at all and it hasn’t broken 90 degrees more than a few times so far, but when the humidity matches the temperature percentage point for degree (or exceeds it), it’s incredibly stagnant. The wetness in the air in my apartment has already caused the pages in my books to warp (eek!) and the corners of my photos to curl up. All my food must also be kept in the fridge unless I want it to spoil over a matter of days; even potatoes, onions, and bread have gone bad before I realized that I need to refrigerate them!

Needless to say, I soon accepted that humidity has more control over my hair than personal preference and I am, even if reluctantly, embracing the long-suppressed natural curl in my hair. I’ve worn it straight a few times, but it takes nearly three times as long to dry and flat iron and I have to go back through it several times a day, even on the driest and sunniest of days! Tonee Marie, you win...at least during rainy season... (My BFF has tried convincing me to wear my hair curly for 10+ years.)

Still, I am thoroughly enjoying my first Japanese summer and there are many stories, observations, and thoughts that I would like to share here! I will try to sort through my random abyss of photos and discombobulated reflections enough that I can provide a more complete view of my life in Sendai. I still haven’t tried gyu tan yet, but my time is quickly approaching! I will update soon! By the way--these are actually really, really comfortable. On rainy days I walk in them for 1-2 hours and my feet never ache! LOVE.