Update time..3 months later!

Well, it has been over 3 months since my last update. If there is anyone who is an avid follower of my blog; I offer you my deepest apologies. So let's get on with it and get caught up already!

November came and went with nothing of much excitement to write about aside from the new car. It continues to run perfectly and I love driving it whenever I can! December came without the cold weather and abundance of snow I was expecting and almost looking forward to after living in snow-free Moriya, Japan for 4 years!

Christmas was on the way and I was feeling festive and looking forward to the holidays ahead. My first real Christmas present came on December 23rd. My parents had arrived from Nunavut a few days earlier and were on their way to our apartment for coffee and chat before heading onwards to Guelph. Shortly before they arrived, the phone rang. It was Sandra Ricci from The Travel Corporation calling me in regards to my application for employment I had sent in nearly 3 months prior. She conducted an interview with me (which went amazing) and invited me in for a live interview with her in the new year on January 4th. This really filled me with happiness as I had been rejected for the position with Thomas Cook Travel a few weeks earlier. My parents were also thrilled for me. *More on the job coming soon!*

On Christmas Eve day, D and I drove from Toronto to London to spend Christmas with my parents, Jeff, Brad, Tina (Brad's wife) and Mya (my 15 month old niece!) We checked into the Radisson hotel and then made our way over to Brad's house. Christmas Eve day was a nice relaxing day. We ordered dinner from The Mandarin as it was easier for everyone than cooking. D headed back to the hotel early as he was tired, but I hung around and had a *few* drinks with my brothers as per Christmas tradition. Christmas morning was not the white Christmas I had hoped for but rather a slippery hell of freezing rain. We arrived in the morning to open presents and have breakfast with the family. I realized I had forgotten my laptop at the hotel as well as my new Christmas toy from D: a 32GB iPod Touch! I went out to the car and SLIIIIIIP! Right on my A$$! Freezing rain covered everything.. Not a great way to start Christmas with 2 scraped knees. Christmas dinner was amazing as my brother is a chef and made the most amazing food! On the 26th, we all headed to Cora's for breakfast before my parents, D and I headed to Guelph to my Grandmother's house. D stayed for a quick visit before heading back to Toronto. I stayed in Guelph until the 28th and had another day of Christmas festivities at my aunt's house.

New Year's was fun! D and I went to our friend's house for poker and food. It was a great time and the lobster was a particularly yummy treat! New years resolution: GET THE JOB! (the one I had a January 4h interview for!)

Well, January 4th rolled around and I got in the car, all dressed professionally and headed to 33 Kern Road (home of The Travel Corporation). I had my interview with my manager Sandra and Rares. The interview went great and I headed home. Not 30minutes in the door and my phone rings..and yes... I GOT THE JOB!!! YAHOO!!! Such, began my employment with The Travel Corporation; a privately owned conglamorate of companies which included the likes of Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, Contiki Tours, AAT Kings, Uniglobe Travels and many more! I would be working as a Reservations Sales Agent for the Trafalgar Tours USA. I would work out of our office in Canada but handle calls/bookings/reservations from US Travel Agents. I spent the next 3 weeks doing my training and really getting a handle on what my job would entail. I had never been more excited about a job in my life. I had went to school for Tourism & Travel but had not worked in that field since I had moved to Japan right after gradutation from college.

About 2 weeks back, I started handling calls & bookings on my own and discovered that I'm a natural at it! In my first day on the floor taking calls, I made 14 bookings. (A company record for a new hire!) I will be taking some pictures of my workplace soon and will post them when I do. Until then, have a look at the companies that fall under the Travel Corporation umbrella and a few of the brochures/tours that Trafalgar Tours offers!

Canada, Argentina, England, Indonesia.. Whoosh!

I arrived back in Canada late at night on August 4, 2009. I was quite tired from the long trip from Tokyo to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Toronto; but I was thrilled to finally be with D who picked me up at the airport. We went back to the apartment and I had flowers and ice cream cake waiting for me! (How sweet, huh?)



I spent the first few days in Toronto getting adjusted to my new home and surroundings. Toronto is a great city and truly the most multicultural part of Toronto. You never lack choices of food/restaurants here. A few days after I arrived home, my brand new Dell notebook computer arrived! I was ecstatic! For the past 4 years in Japan, I had been using a desktop so I really loved the mobility and freedom I had with my new toy! :) We went up to Golden Lake for the weekend with my family to visit their trailer and do some camping which fun. D got completely eaten by bugs (so maybe not so much fun!)



A few weeks later, we headed to Bariloche, Argentina for D's work. It was a beautiful place and Bariloche which is in the Patagonia Region of Argentina on the border of Chile in the Andes Mountains. The food in Argentina was great (especially the meat), however, most restaurants alot colder that I had thought it would be. We flew from Toronto to Buenos Aires and then on to don't open for dinner service until 8:30pm or 9:00pm as Argentinians eat quite late. The hotel we stayed at was amazing and the views from the room were spectacular.

On September 24th, our big trip commenced. We would head to London, England for 2 weeks for D's work follwed by a 3-week trip to Indonesia to visit some family. We had a great time in London, and were lucky to be staying in a beautiful hotel in the west end of London. We went to see 3 musical productions: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Oliver and Chicago. Priscilla Queen of the Desert was absoultely fabulous and hilarious throughout. London is a quite expensive city and easy to get lost on all the web-like streets but a beautiful place. I bought the London Pass and did my own touring around visiting attractions such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Apsley House, Wellington Gate, St. Paul's Cathedral and many more. I even participated in a "Jack the Ripper" walking tour which was both great and a bit creepy!

After London, we flew to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was a great place, however the traffic is terrible. There are so many motorbikes on the roads due to the price of cars being very expensive in Indonesia (while everything else seems to be dirt cheap). There are no "official" road rules in Indonesia which makes driving a feat I never plan on attempting. We visited Bali for about 5 days with D's family and had a great time there as well. It was quite hot with most days reaching about 36C but I quickly got adjusted to the scorching head (and shaved my head!)

Well, September 24 - November 3 was a whirlwind of travel but we both had a superb time. I love traveling, but it is true that home is where the heart is. Whenever I travel, I always seem to start missing home a few weeks in to the trip. When we arrived back in Toronto we were welcomed by a change in seasons apparently. When we had left Canada it was still quite warm in the end part of summer, however, when we came back we were hit by very cold and windy weather with temperatures going as low as 2C. I love the cold weather though and will take it over hot/humid conditions anyday!

We arrived home Tuesday night and on Wednesday went shopping at Walmart. Why? I NEED MY CHRISTMAS STUFF! That's right..I love Christmas and believe in enjoying the Christmas atmosphere for a full 2 months. We bought our tree, decorations and all sorts of other goodies. I listened to Christmas music while putting everything up and really am starting to feel in the holiday spirits. Christmas in Japan last year was great, spent with friends and having a good time, however it never quite felt like Christmas there. Oh, by the way..as of this moment there are 43 days, 18 hours, 2 minutes and 19 seconds til Christmas. (I'm just a bit excited)

In other news, my mother moved up to Iqaluit, Nunavut (way up in Canada's North) on October 14th to begin her new position as finance manage for Nunavut, Tourism. I was a bit worried about this huge move at this point in her life and how she would adjust to the culture, isolation, weather and living conditions there but she has adjusted amazingly and now doesn't wish to leave..EVER! My father recently obtained a 6-month employment position with the Nunavut Board of Education in the finance department and will be leaving to move to Iqaluit next Friday (November 20th). I'm sure my mother is thrilled that her husband will soon be up there!



I have been applying for lots and lots of jobs recently and even though the employment market is not as strong as it used to be, I have had a very positive response to my applications and resume. I have already had a few interviews. I have one today to be a speciality travel consultant for Thomas Cook Travel/Encore Cruise Escapes and one on Thursday with itravel2000 for a similar postion. Wish me luck, eh!

D bought a new car yesterday as we didn't have one and although one isn't really needed in Toronto, it's definitely a nice convenience to have. We are now the proud owners of an 2009 Acura CSX! It's a beautiful car and was a great deal! We get it Thursday after we have insurance and the car is ready with options and everything! Can't wait!

On Friday, I will head up to Acton with my Dad for my Aunt Colleen & Uncle Ken's surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary party. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my Dad before he leaves for Iqaluit and also seeing his side of the family (cousins, etc) whom I haven't seen since I was last home in December 2007!

Well........I believe that we're now caught up to date. I haven't written every single detail about every single thing I have done in the last month, but at least now you have an idea and I won't forget what I've done either! Expect more updates as we come closer to Christmas!

Sayonara Japan..I'll never forget you!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: SORRY! It has been nearly 5 months since my last update here on my blog and alot has happened in my life. I'll try to start where we last left off and work up to the present day. Hold on to your hats, here we go:
The last 6 weeks of my time in Japan flew by as I was busy with teaching and training the new teacher who would be replacing me. It was a very emotional time for me and I was filled with so many emotions around this time: excitement, sadness, fear, and nostalgia. I had a lot of fun with my students in the last few weeks I taught them and leaving them was perhaps one of the most difficult parts about leaving Japan. I was not overly confident/comfortable about the replacement whom I was leaving my students in the care of. He did not seem overly energetic or have a good grasp on how to effectively teach children. I have since learned that many of the parents have removed their students from the school. I get so many nice emails from them saying how great of a teacher I was, and how dearly they all miss me.

In the last week or so leading up to my departure from Japan, I had a great Sayonara party at Daryle's place (which almost felt like my apartment since he had taken so much of my things/furniture!) It was great to be able to have a good time with all of my friends once more before I would leave. Highlights of the night would include Absinthe shots, Amber getting sooo drunk and playing the amazing Japanese drinking game (oh, and of course the dance off between Daryle and Aurelien).

On the Saturday before I left Japan, I had planned a large farewell lunch at Keiyakidai park in Moriya to see all of my students and their parents before leaving. I was astounded by how many people came to see me! It was a great day and I was glad to spend it with Daryle, Brita and Anna. The 4 of us headed back to my apartment to go through the gifts I had received and finishing moving things out. It was at this time that the friendship nut club was formed. I had bought some really cool nuts from Thailand a year back and gave one to Daryle, Anna, and Brita and kept one for myself. Whatever our paths in life, wherever they may take us; as long as each of has one of these nuts we will always be connected in friendship. I keep mine with me all the time!

My last few days in Japan were spend with my closest friends. Daryle, Anna and I headed to Matsudo to visit Daryle's friend Prent and to see the great fireworks competition. The fireworks were great and seem to last a very long time! I will always remember this night. The day before I left for Canada, Daryle and I headed into Tokyo to meet the new Ibaraki JETs that were there doing their initial training. It was great to see alot of my friends there and to meet the new people. We went to a really cool izakaya and had some amazing food and drinks.

Tuesday August 4, 2009 - perhaps one of the saddest days in my life. This is the day I left Japan to return to Canada. Saying goodbye to my best friend Daryle as he left for work was perhaps one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. He played such a huge role in my happiness in Japan and we shared so many memories and good times together. Anna drove me to the airport and we both had a bit of a cry before I left her and headed into the airport. I spent 5 years of my life in Japan, and really grew up alot there. I had some amazing times, met some amazing people and never regretted my decision to live/work there. Japan changed me, and it will always be a part of who I am. I may live in Canada now, but a piece of my heart and soul will always remain in the land of the rising sun: Japan.SP

A Turn In The Road

Wow! It has been almost 2 months since I last update my blog. I need to spend more time on it so I don't forget what has been going on in my life. Well, since April 18th quite a lot has transpired. Where to start?

Well, I suppose I will start with my Golden Week vacation. I stayed in Japan and did quite a bit of relaxing. Daryle, Michelle and I spent the weekend in Tokyo. We went out to Shinjuku 2-chome a few times, walked across the Rainbow Bridge and briefly visited Odaiba. Friday and Saturday night were spent in Shinjuku (we got a hotel for 1 night) and Sunday night we all headed to AGEHA for the Shangri-La gay party event. We had a great time but my feet were killing from all the walking we did around Tokyo.



In the middle of May, I found out that my boss had decided not to recontract me. This news was shocking to me and threw my mind and life into a bit of a whirlwind for a while. I was going to try and fight his decision at first and was working with head office to try to get recontracted until August 2010 or at least Christmas. After alot of thought and consideration, I decided that it was time for me to go (after living/working in Japan for 5 years) and I stopped fighting it and just accepted it. Around the same time, I met a very special guy on BiggerCity and we began talking. We talked for quite a bit and continue to talk every day. My feelings for him are very strong and I'm very excited about the future that I might be able to share with him. It has been said that the best things come to us in life when we're not looking and its very true. I have never had such strong feelings as I do for this man. He makes me laugh, he makes me smile and most of all, he makes me feel so special every time I talk to him.

I will return to Canada on August 4, 2009 at the end of my current contract and am both anxious and excited about my return. It will take some time to get used to living in Canada again and will take some time to say goodbye to Japan. I will always remember the friends I have made here and the memories we have created. I will cherish them always. I am not sure exaclty of what I will do when I return to Canada, but I do know that as long as I have my man by my side I can do anything. Exciting times are ahead and I can't wait. It is important to remember in scary times that "before we can explore new oceans, we must first have the courage to lose sight of the shore".

Expect more updates as my time in Japan comes to an end and my new adventure in Canada commences! :) 7 weeks til some major changes in my life..can't wait!

Spring Is In The Air

Again, I have neglected my blog for almost a month! It has been really busy lately as April seems to be the beginning of the life cycle for all Japanese people. We had so many new students join my school this year (probably because I'm an awesome teacher! *LOL*) but along with this came many class changes, new students who don't understand my tough love approach and even a whole new teaching environment. The daycare that is below my apartment (owned by my boss), where I have been working in the morning since 2005 has closed. A few new cheaper daycares were opened in Moriya by the city hall and as of April 2009 we had 0 students enrolled so my boss shut it down. I moved my whole English class and everything in it from the apartment beside mine (where I used to teach) down to the daycare. The room is a lot more spacious which I'm really happy about (so are the kids!)

I have just recontracted for what I hope to be my last year and a bit in Japan. I'm hoping to return to Canada by July 2010 at the latest to begin my life back home and start working on new dreams/goals. I'm both excited and anxious about this but I'm sure I'll land on my feet!

April has so far been full of ups and downs. Most of the downs have to do with the stressful time at my job but things seem to be calming down now which is great. I went to the Kawasaki Penis Festival on April 5th with Daryle, Jarek & Liyan and had a really great time. It was my first time to go there and Daryle's fourth. We actually were interviewed by an online news website and might be on the internet as I type this. After the festival, we went to Yoyogi-koen for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). It was quite nice! Brita invited me to a huge hanami picnic party she was having in Yoyogi-koen on April 12th and I went to that as well. I got really drunk on whiskey but had a great time and met a whole bunch of new people. I was also very happy to see my friend Lauren again!
The biggest thing I am looking forward to currently is my upcoming Golden Week vacation which spans from April 29-May 6. I don't really have any solid plans yet but might be going to the Mount Fuji/Yamanashi area with Daryle & Liyan to see Fuji and go to Fuji-kyu Highland Amusement Park! Should be fun! More than anything, I'm just looking forward to a break from the students and some time to relax. I need to refresh and re-energize! Hope everyone is having a great beginning of spring! :)