On Snowlessness & Big Decisions

OK... Time for something a little more light-hearted, to say the least... Thank you, everyone, for your condolences and kind words. They meant a lot, even if I haven't personally thanked you. Upon my return to Japan, my school offered their condolences in the form of money. It's customary in Japan, when someone dies, to give their family members a little "comfort money," if you will. Money is always the right gift. Weddings, funerals, you name it. Anyway, I got the set "grandparent amount" (which was about $45) and to follow custom (or perhaps it is just my school's custom) I had to give a short little speech (in Japanese) during our morning staff meeting to the other 80 teachers to thank them for their kindness which I humbly received.

Haven't been able to post because my beloved Mac is on the fritz and is hopefully being repaired at the very moment as I type away from a cybercafe in downtown Kumamoto City on a balmy February night. No, it certainly does not feel like February outside (as I know it does for those of you back in the Midwest and the sub-zero temps there....) and for this fact, I am actually NOT rejoicing. This global warming thing really freaks me out, and I actually miss that white stuff I used to curse so much. Winter does not feel like winter without it, somehow. At least I got another little taste of "winter" (after January in Michigan) again last weekend when I went up to the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, to check out some of the highlights of the world-famous annual "Yuki Matsuri" (Snow Festival) in Sapporo. It was a trip that we had had planned for some time. I skiied with some friends (good to get back on the slopes after a good 7 or 8 years) and then got to see some of the snow and ice sculptures as they were being built. Unfortunately, I had to leave before the festival actually started but it was great to be out and about in the winter wonderland that it was. Sadly, I heard that a lot of the sculptures ended up melting because it just got too warm as the week progressed. I promise to post some "Up North" pics next time when I'm not on a public computer.

It's a 3-day weekend here and believe it or not, I plan to go NOWHERE. I'm too exhausted and broke, and figure it's probably about time to finish unpacking my suitcase from two weeks ago when I came back from Michigan. That's how crazy 2007 has been so far.

Other big news... for those of you who have been wondering... February is the time that I have to make the big "should I go or should I stay" decision, even though my contract doesn't end til August. I officially signed last week NOT to recontract at my school. It really felt like the right decision at the time, but I have of course since been freaking out somewhat since, wondering if I'm doing the right thing to give up what I have here... just don't like closing doors, I guess. And where to spend a year of your life is definitely a big decision. Hopefully I can report, by my next post, whether that really was my "Final Answer" or not. Because, as you know with me, I am somewhat prone to change my mind, especially at the last minute, especially when leaving a country is involved. Damn indecisive Libraness.