My poor husband :)
I've been on such a high since we received the news! lol
I took out all my Canada pictures and showed him the places I want to take him to. It gave me such a feeling of pride and homesickness.
It's funny. Up until the moment we received the initial rejection for my husband to come into the country, I was never homesick. And to be honest, I wasn't sure when I'd return.
But the moment I knew I couldn't, the urge was just so strong. On top of the fact that we lost a favourite uncle and almost lost my father, the desire to return consumed me.
Now that we can, I just can't wait! Spring feels like a lifetime away!
I know it will pass fast, but I'm just so happy and relieved and all warm and fuzzy inside, I am like a little child. lol
At the risk of sounding like a geeky Laura Ingalls, I must say: Home is the best word I know!
Happy thoughts, everyone!! :) Because mine are ecstatic!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Another published article of mine
Well, I just got another article published. It went up today.
This one is for Avenues Magazine, here in Japan.
Here is the link:
http://www.centraljapan.jp/history_details.php?id=93
Things are coming together :)
This one is for Avenues Magazine, here in Japan.
Here is the link:
http://www.centraljapan.jp/history_details.php?id=93
Things are coming together :)
Friday, October 16, 2009
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
We received my husband's ACCEPTANCE into Canada today!!!!
I cannot believe it! They advised it would take 6 months and we received it after a month from the first letter from Tokyo.
It arrived by registered mail today. I signed for it and while praying fervently to God, opened it up. The first line says: You will find your VISA affixed to your passport.
I must have read that line about 15 times before I could move forward. I had to keep rubbing my eyes to make sure it was right. I skimmed through the rest and then picked up his passport and opened it.
The moment I saw that BEAUUUUTIFUL red stamp, my hands started shaking and the tears came...and boy did they come!
I went to the bedroom to wake up my husband, but by the time I got there, the tears were flowing full-force I could barely breathe.
So he woke up thinking someone had died. I flashed his passport in his face because I couldn't talk. Then he thought he was rejected. Still not speaking because of the tears I opened it to the VISA stamp.
When he saw it, then he knew. And all I could do was nod my head up and down like a dummy, because I still couldn't talk. lolol
So now we know: WE ARE COMING HOME!!
God, it feels so good to say that :)
I'm crying while typing this by the way...lol
I could have never gotten through this with a solid thought if it hadn't been for my dear friends Mike and Heather. You guys are completely awesome and gave me such a stronghold. Thank you for everything.
Now, we are thinking about the best route to consider with timelines as well.
He has another month and a half to finish his photography course, then it will be Christmas, which will be too expensive to fly as well as the dead of winter. So we are going to wait until after Christmas and the New Year and send over stuff by crate.
We are thinking to stick to March as the time to come. That will be when the freezing cold is over and perfect timing to arrive, find a place to settle in, then fly to Brazil to meet his family for a month then come back.
We'll be back in Canada by April or May, which is the right time to start interviewing for teaching jobs.
Things all worked out and I am just overwhelmingly grateful.
I can't wait to step foot on Canada soil, see my country's flag, my people, my family. I can't wait to introduce my special husband to my amazing family.
I can't wait to drink Tim Horton's coffee, to have dinner at Swiss Chalet, to see the snow, to speak English, to watch English TV, to visit Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, to drive up to Barrie, Ontario and make maple syrup (which I hate, but will eat when I come!!) and to be among my fellow Canadians.
Canada...my home.
I'm coming home, guys.
Signing off with tears and happy thoughts.
xo
I cannot believe it! They advised it would take 6 months and we received it after a month from the first letter from Tokyo.
It arrived by registered mail today. I signed for it and while praying fervently to God, opened it up. The first line says: You will find your VISA affixed to your passport.
I must have read that line about 15 times before I could move forward. I had to keep rubbing my eyes to make sure it was right. I skimmed through the rest and then picked up his passport and opened it.
The moment I saw that BEAUUUUTIFUL red stamp, my hands started shaking and the tears came...and boy did they come!
I went to the bedroom to wake up my husband, but by the time I got there, the tears were flowing full-force I could barely breathe.
So he woke up thinking someone had died. I flashed his passport in his face because I couldn't talk. Then he thought he was rejected. Still not speaking because of the tears I opened it to the VISA stamp.
When he saw it, then he knew. And all I could do was nod my head up and down like a dummy, because I still couldn't talk. lolol
So now we know: WE ARE COMING HOME!!
God, it feels so good to say that :)
I'm crying while typing this by the way...lol
I could have never gotten through this with a solid thought if it hadn't been for my dear friends Mike and Heather. You guys are completely awesome and gave me such a stronghold. Thank you for everything.
Now, we are thinking about the best route to consider with timelines as well.
He has another month and a half to finish his photography course, then it will be Christmas, which will be too expensive to fly as well as the dead of winter. So we are going to wait until after Christmas and the New Year and send over stuff by crate.
We are thinking to stick to March as the time to come. That will be when the freezing cold is over and perfect timing to arrive, find a place to settle in, then fly to Brazil to meet his family for a month then come back.
We'll be back in Canada by April or May, which is the right time to start interviewing for teaching jobs.
Things all worked out and I am just overwhelmingly grateful.
I can't wait to step foot on Canada soil, see my country's flag, my people, my family. I can't wait to introduce my special husband to my amazing family.
I can't wait to drink Tim Horton's coffee, to have dinner at Swiss Chalet, to see the snow, to speak English, to watch English TV, to visit Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, to drive up to Barrie, Ontario and make maple syrup (which I hate, but will eat when I come!!) and to be among my fellow Canadians.
Canada...my home.
I'm coming home, guys.
Signing off with tears and happy thoughts.
xo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Ever had a Yo-Yo day?
Okay, this is not a happy post.
Things have been very different for me these last couple of years. I have lost lots of 'friends' and have been struggling to get my hubby accepted into my country.
I always thought the one thing I could rely on was my job. I've been here for quite a few years, have had an amazing rapport with my boss, who just happens to be the head of the Board of Education. He's the head honcho.
Unfortunately, an 'ex-friend' has kind of swept in and seems to have made himself appear like a GOD and I've felt the rapport with my boss has changed. He no longer asks my opinion on things and no longer treats me the same. Not bad, just not the same.
This ex friend is ONE: a man and TWO: fluent in Japanese.Those two things alone make the Japanese swoon over him as if he is Buddha incarnate.
Like I said, I thought I could rely on my job, until tonight.I just received a phone call from my boss asking what my plans are after my contract is up in 6 MONTHS.
I've worked for the man for almost 5 years. Contracts are not discussed until x-mas time. I told him that I'm waiting on the Consulate's decision for my hubby's application and we were advised we should find out by Feb-March. My contract is up March 31st.
I understand they can't wait until the last minute to find out if I'll stay or not, because they will need to replace me if I leave and March will be too short of a notice. But I DID expect they give me at least until January.
He made it clear in his own Japanese beat around the bush sort of way, that they need to know NOW. And if I can't tell them NOW, then I can't expect to have a job after March, if my hubby is denied.
This came out of the blue and I am really deflated. I can't shake the feeling that my so called friend had alot to do with this. And it disgusts me.
I hate hypocritical people. I hate people who think and act like they are better than others. The only thing this guy has on me is his Japanese skills, because when it comes to the job, I have more experience, more know-how and I've had the most results.
So now, come March, either my hubby will be accepted into my country and we can leave as soon as my contract is ended. = the perfect scenario (and we all know how often THAT happens.) OR I will be out of a job, out of a house and with a husband who cannot live with me in my country.
This is a very crappy night.
BTW, we are in the middle of a typhoon...sounds like my windows are going to shatter from the wind and rain.
I'm feeling so down. Have you ever just felt so defeated, so double-crossed and felt like the whole world is against you?
In all my years in Japan, if I were to leave tomorrow, I would be leaving this country with 0 friends. Count 'em. ZERO.
Yes, I have 'friends' we hang out with sometimes, but it's just that kind of temporary friendship as they too have found that finding true friendships in Japan seem almost impossible. Being on work contracts, everyone just seems to be out for themselves.
I can't tell you all how ready I am to leave here. I miss my family, my friends, and a reality I can deal with.
Japan is just too superficial for my liking. And I've been here long enough to know about it. I am tired of this place.
I can't believe how things have turned out. I don't know how this has happened. I have had the worst luck with people here. I swear.
I'm trying to stay positive but it is so hard.
I just received a message from the BAB magazine and they would like to profile me for their magazine next month. I mean, that is great news, right? It's an honour. So yes, I'm trying to focus on better things, but tonight has just got me thrown for a loop.
Things have been very different for me these last couple of years. I have lost lots of 'friends' and have been struggling to get my hubby accepted into my country.
I always thought the one thing I could rely on was my job. I've been here for quite a few years, have had an amazing rapport with my boss, who just happens to be the head of the Board of Education. He's the head honcho.
Unfortunately, an 'ex-friend' has kind of swept in and seems to have made himself appear like a GOD and I've felt the rapport with my boss has changed. He no longer asks my opinion on things and no longer treats me the same. Not bad, just not the same.
This ex friend is ONE: a man and TWO: fluent in Japanese.Those two things alone make the Japanese swoon over him as if he is Buddha incarnate.
Like I said, I thought I could rely on my job, until tonight.I just received a phone call from my boss asking what my plans are after my contract is up in 6 MONTHS.
I've worked for the man for almost 5 years. Contracts are not discussed until x-mas time. I told him that I'm waiting on the Consulate's decision for my hubby's application and we were advised we should find out by Feb-March. My contract is up March 31st.
I understand they can't wait until the last minute to find out if I'll stay or not, because they will need to replace me if I leave and March will be too short of a notice. But I DID expect they give me at least until January.
He made it clear in his own Japanese beat around the bush sort of way, that they need to know NOW. And if I can't tell them NOW, then I can't expect to have a job after March, if my hubby is denied.
This came out of the blue and I am really deflated. I can't shake the feeling that my so called friend had alot to do with this. And it disgusts me.
I hate hypocritical people. I hate people who think and act like they are better than others. The only thing this guy has on me is his Japanese skills, because when it comes to the job, I have more experience, more know-how and I've had the most results.
So now, come March, either my hubby will be accepted into my country and we can leave as soon as my contract is ended. = the perfect scenario (and we all know how often THAT happens.) OR I will be out of a job, out of a house and with a husband who cannot live with me in my country.
This is a very crappy night.
BTW, we are in the middle of a typhoon...sounds like my windows are going to shatter from the wind and rain.
I'm feeling so down. Have you ever just felt so defeated, so double-crossed and felt like the whole world is against you?
In all my years in Japan, if I were to leave tomorrow, I would be leaving this country with 0 friends. Count 'em. ZERO.
Yes, I have 'friends' we hang out with sometimes, but it's just that kind of temporary friendship as they too have found that finding true friendships in Japan seem almost impossible. Being on work contracts, everyone just seems to be out for themselves.
I can't tell you all how ready I am to leave here. I miss my family, my friends, and a reality I can deal with.
Japan is just too superficial for my liking. And I've been here long enough to know about it. I am tired of this place.
I can't believe how things have turned out. I don't know how this has happened. I have had the worst luck with people here. I swear.
I'm trying to stay positive but it is so hard.
I just received a message from the BAB magazine and they would like to profile me for their magazine next month. I mean, that is great news, right? It's an honour. So yes, I'm trying to focus on better things, but tonight has just got me thrown for a loop.
Monday, September 21, 2009
New ideas...
Well, it seems our life has been pretty uneventful these past few weeks, but some dear friends have had some excitement, good and bad.
My dear TWFriend, Terry had some disappointment with her writing, but she is an amazing woman (love her active life) and great writer, I have all the faith in her she will succeed and receive richer blessings than she anticipated.
My other dear friend Mike is dealing with some family problems right now. He is always one offering and willing to help others through encouragement and action, and I just wish there was something I could do for him and his family. Hang in there, Mike! We're thinking of you.
My other dear friend Satoshi, has had to change his life plans and return to Japan as his sweet father's health has declined for the worse. Now, there is a possibility he may need his leg amputated.
If there was ever a Japanese family that I would be proud to welcome into my own, it would be his. He, along with his parents are the nicest people I have met on this side of the world and just feel terrible they are dealing with such a tragic situation.
And if there was ever a time I wish I was fluent in Japanese it is now. So I could offer words of encouragement to that beautiful family.
I am the kind of person who may not say it or even show it often, but I always have my friends in my thoughts and heart.
As for us, nothing REALLY eventful has happened. Just little things that help keep our spirits up.
We finally received a letter from the Immigration office in Tokyo.
The application has been received and is in process of review... Cross your fingers and toes everyone...pleeease!
They stated it should take about 6 months...Soooo....if all goes well and they accept him, that will bring us to February, which is perfect as my work contract is up in March...
Do you know what that means?? We could be stepping foot on Canadian soil in March!!! I'LL BE HOME!!!!! YAAYYYY!!!
Please pray for us!
I received a rejection letter from the literary agency I sent it to, for my novel. So, I sent it directly to a publishing house and have another two publishing houses I will be sending it to. They all accept simultaneous submissions, so hopefully I'll receive good news.
I haven't heard anything from the publishing houses I sent queries to for my children's book or my 'Japan' book. So, still hoping there. :)
My hubby gave me a good idea..actually refreshed an old idea of mine.
I had written a book of ESL lesson plans and curriculums a few years back. The clipdrive the info was on was stolen at work, but I still have a hardcopy of all I created.
It took me two years to do, but then I started on my novel and any further chance of putting it back into electronic files was put on the back burner.
My hubby suggested I start an ESL website. I had tossed the idea around awhile back in my own mind but pushed it aside. Now, I am actually considering it and think I will do it!
It will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese. I will design and upload all my work in English and translate it into Spanish. Then my hubby will help with the Portuguese links.
It should take about 6 months to finish all my designs and everything I will be adding, which will be perfect timing.
I should finish by February, March and once I get back to Canada, will set up the webpage.
So, another project is in the works.
I still haven't finished the edits to my novel, but I figure I still have time for that.
busy, busy busy.
Happy thoughts.
The busier we are, the faster time flies and the closer we are to reach our goals!!
Triple yay!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and happy thoughts. :)
My dear TWFriend, Terry had some disappointment with her writing, but she is an amazing woman (love her active life) and great writer, I have all the faith in her she will succeed and receive richer blessings than she anticipated.
My other dear friend Mike is dealing with some family problems right now. He is always one offering and willing to help others through encouragement and action, and I just wish there was something I could do for him and his family. Hang in there, Mike! We're thinking of you.
My other dear friend Satoshi, has had to change his life plans and return to Japan as his sweet father's health has declined for the worse. Now, there is a possibility he may need his leg amputated.
If there was ever a Japanese family that I would be proud to welcome into my own, it would be his. He, along with his parents are the nicest people I have met on this side of the world and just feel terrible they are dealing with such a tragic situation.
And if there was ever a time I wish I was fluent in Japanese it is now. So I could offer words of encouragement to that beautiful family.
I am the kind of person who may not say it or even show it often, but I always have my friends in my thoughts and heart.
As for us, nothing REALLY eventful has happened. Just little things that help keep our spirits up.
We finally received a letter from the Immigration office in Tokyo.
The application has been received and is in process of review... Cross your fingers and toes everyone...pleeease!
They stated it should take about 6 months...Soooo....if all goes well and they accept him, that will bring us to February, which is perfect as my work contract is up in March...
Do you know what that means?? We could be stepping foot on Canadian soil in March!!! I'LL BE HOME!!!!! YAAYYYY!!!
Please pray for us!
I received a rejection letter from the literary agency I sent it to, for my novel. So, I sent it directly to a publishing house and have another two publishing houses I will be sending it to. They all accept simultaneous submissions, so hopefully I'll receive good news.
I haven't heard anything from the publishing houses I sent queries to for my children's book or my 'Japan' book. So, still hoping there. :)
My hubby gave me a good idea..actually refreshed an old idea of mine.
I had written a book of ESL lesson plans and curriculums a few years back. The clipdrive the info was on was stolen at work, but I still have a hardcopy of all I created.
It took me two years to do, but then I started on my novel and any further chance of putting it back into electronic files was put on the back burner.
My hubby suggested I start an ESL website. I had tossed the idea around awhile back in my own mind but pushed it aside. Now, I am actually considering it and think I will do it!
It will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese. I will design and upload all my work in English and translate it into Spanish. Then my hubby will help with the Portuguese links.
It should take about 6 months to finish all my designs and everything I will be adding, which will be perfect timing.
I should finish by February, March and once I get back to Canada, will set up the webpage.
So, another project is in the works.
I still haven't finished the edits to my novel, but I figure I still have time for that.
busy, busy busy.
Happy thoughts.
The busier we are, the faster time flies and the closer we are to reach our goals!!
Triple yay!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and happy thoughts. :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Back to work / school / work /school
Ugh...okay, so it's 11:30 at night and I am not tired.
I have to wake up at 6:00 in the morning to get ready for my first day back at work after a month of holidays and I'm soo not happy.
Don't get me wrong. I love teaching. I really do. But I need a break. It's been over 11 years. I'm tired and to be honest, a little bored with it.
I'm hoping it won't be for very long anymore, and praying praying praying my book queries get accepted and actually work for me to support me writing full-time...at which point, I'll jump for joy, rent a big neon sign and helicopter and announce it to the whole of Canada my dream has come true!! lol
Okay, okay, not so drastic...maybe just some fireworks on the beach! :)
Since I've been sleeping late at night this whole past month, I tried to remedy the situation and make myself tired by doing a Tae-Bo Bootcamp kickass video for 45 mins, an hour of bellydancing and drank 3 glasses of wine.
Guess what? I'm WIDE awake...:(
So, I thought I'd leave a little note to my lovely blogger friends to let you know there is one very unhappy Canuck in Japan at the moment...
BUT, I am still concentrating on happy thoughts as I focus much attention on the decreasing heat and coming of FALL, my favourite season, and that September marks the month of countdown that ANY day, ANY moment, we should be receiving news about my hubby's application.
Sooo...my vacation HAD to end, so September could come and we could get closer to knowing something...
SEE??? I always find a roundabout way to stick to my resolution of no anger, just calm and relaxation and happy thoughts :)
Seriously I will have to get to bed and try to sleep...maybe I'll smack my head against the wall really hard to knock myself out...that should do it...
Actually the trick would be to sit by my husband and watch him play his damn Playstation games...that should get me snoring in minutes.
I absolutely hate that thing and will never understand or fathom the concept of how grown men can waste brain cells voluntarily on something so useless...but that's another story.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and I will stop by soon enough to leave another message and check everyone's posts... :)
Nite nite :)
I have to wake up at 6:00 in the morning to get ready for my first day back at work after a month of holidays and I'm soo not happy.
Don't get me wrong. I love teaching. I really do. But I need a break. It's been over 11 years. I'm tired and to be honest, a little bored with it.
I'm hoping it won't be for very long anymore, and praying praying praying my book queries get accepted and actually work for me to support me writing full-time...at which point, I'll jump for joy, rent a big neon sign and helicopter and announce it to the whole of Canada my dream has come true!! lol
Okay, okay, not so drastic...maybe just some fireworks on the beach! :)
Since I've been sleeping late at night this whole past month, I tried to remedy the situation and make myself tired by doing a Tae-Bo Bootcamp kickass video for 45 mins, an hour of bellydancing and drank 3 glasses of wine.
Guess what? I'm WIDE awake...:(
So, I thought I'd leave a little note to my lovely blogger friends to let you know there is one very unhappy Canuck in Japan at the moment...
BUT, I am still concentrating on happy thoughts as I focus much attention on the decreasing heat and coming of FALL, my favourite season, and that September marks the month of countdown that ANY day, ANY moment, we should be receiving news about my hubby's application.
Sooo...my vacation HAD to end, so September could come and we could get closer to knowing something...
SEE??? I always find a roundabout way to stick to my resolution of no anger, just calm and relaxation and happy thoughts :)
Seriously I will have to get to bed and try to sleep...maybe I'll smack my head against the wall really hard to knock myself out...that should do it...
Actually the trick would be to sit by my husband and watch him play his damn Playstation games...that should get me snoring in minutes.
I absolutely hate that thing and will never understand or fathom the concept of how grown men can waste brain cells voluntarily on something so useless...but that's another story.
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and I will stop by soon enough to leave another message and check everyone's posts... :)
Nite nite :)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Long time no write!
It has been a while since I've stopped by and said hello, leaving some thoughts.
These past couple of months have been hectic, and I really miss my space, reading my friend's spaces and catching up.
In the past couple of months, I've written my query letters and have sent them out to different publishing houses, thanking some of my wonderful TWF friends who helped me edit the queries to be at their best!
3 books, 4 publishing houses and 1 literary agent, for my novel.
I really am praying that they will be accepted and I can finally be able to work from home, concentrating on my writing. We are now going on 3 months since I've sent my husband's application for Canada, so I am hoping that by the time we hear from them (with a hopeful acceptance), I will hear about my queries.
It would be a wonderful blessing to be able to pack up and go back home, and plunge myself into a life of writing, in my homeland, close to my family, friends and loved ones.
I've been out of the corporate world for almost 12 years and to be quite honest, I'm a wee bit terrified to have to go back to that. Especially in Canada. I am now so used to the pleasant courteous Japanese way and to the exceptions I have here as a foreigner, I wouldn't know how to integrate myself into an environment with opinionated, tell it like it is, kind of people anymore. (Although I'm one of them!! LOL)
So now that the queries are out, I'm working madly on the final edits of my novel, which are done, except I am thinking of re-writing the ending, all of a sudden. I hadn't read it in awhile and when I went back to editing at the beginning of the month, suddenly felt the last few chapters were garbage and now want to re-work it.
Since my queries are out, I MUST finish it soon!
I am waiting on some answers to requests I sent out via email, to get some expert advice about some things that come up in the story. Haven't heard back yet. I suppose helping a writer isn't on one's priority list. :)
I also must finish writing 3 short stories to finish my compilation of short stories, which I've also sent out a query for.
Sending out the queries when things are not completely finished, is a great motivation to get my butt to the chair, hands to the keyboard and type!
The other exciting thing happened yesterday morning (Aug. 11).
We were advised we would have a typhoon, but instead Mother Nature played a cruel joke on us.
At 5:07, we were hit with a strong earthquake. I believe it measured 6 point something on the scale. Japanese scale for measuring the intensity is different than the richter.
To give you an idea, my house, nor the things in it were shaking. No, no. No shaking...they were JUMPING! My house was literally jumping and we had to hang on for dear life. After quite a few seconds and quite a few violent jumps, the shaking began.
The intense moments felt like they lasted a good 45 secs to a minute (which is a bloody long time!!) then the low, trembling of the foundation continued for awhile.
The earthquake came from about 20 kms directly beneath our area of the earth's surface and caused the city water pipelines to explode. So we had no water.
I must admit, the Japanese are used to this kind of thing, as emergency procedures were put into action immediately!
Trucks were posted all over the place with tanks of freshwater for everyone. We got our fill and they gave us an emergency pack of 6 litres, very effective, made of some incredible tough plastic with wire to carry over our shoulders, in case we need to run.
When the pipelines were eventually restored, the water was black and red, very rusty, so it was only good for flushing the toilet.
The aftershocks were felt until about 7 pm that night. And the city kept announcing different refuge sites for each neighbourhood of the city. Luckily we live directly across the street from ours.
Also, my town is approx. a km from the ocean coast, so we were put on a Tsunami alert. The webpage on the net advised no tsunami warning for the earthquake, but our city kept putting us on emergency alert, using huge sirens to announce procedures to everyone in the city.
We were shaken, especially since our Japanese is not nearly good enough to understand all the details.
At about 7:30 pm I brought some sweet breads to the old men who were distributing water to everyone, for which they were extremely grateful. I spoke with them for a few minutes, and they patiently explained in Japanese 'layman's terms' for me, what the announcements were saying. We had pretty much understood everything, but it was still nice to have it explained again, to make sure.
They gave me another 6 litre pack of emergency water and wished me care and I wished them care as well.
Needless to say, my husband and I didn't get to sleep that night, eventually dozing off at about 6 a.m. I was up by 9 a.m. LOL! :)
Today, we woke up to a beautiful day, with the sun out and clean tapwater, it appears. And everyone is out and about their business as usual.
This scare only made me pray even more fervently to God, to help my husband's acceptance into Canada.
I realize we have our own battles with nature in Canada, but take it from me: the fear you feel in a natural potential disaster is quite intense, but the intensity is escalated when you are completely alone, with no family, no friends and can't fully understand what is happening or being said around you.
My husband and I have each other, but it can still get lonely being in a country that neither of us truly belong to.
But today is a new day and we are grateful for life and grateful for each other, continuing with happy thoughts as always. We are now more than ever looking forward to coming home and will continue to take advantage of the time we have here, so we can leave here feeling completely satisfied that we enjoyed Japan.
I guess that is all for now, so I'll sign off and I promise it won't be another two months before you hear from me again! *wink
Take care my friends and happy thoughts! :)
These past couple of months have been hectic, and I really miss my space, reading my friend's spaces and catching up.
In the past couple of months, I've written my query letters and have sent them out to different publishing houses, thanking some of my wonderful TWF friends who helped me edit the queries to be at their best!
3 books, 4 publishing houses and 1 literary agent, for my novel.
I really am praying that they will be accepted and I can finally be able to work from home, concentrating on my writing. We are now going on 3 months since I've sent my husband's application for Canada, so I am hoping that by the time we hear from them (with a hopeful acceptance), I will hear about my queries.
It would be a wonderful blessing to be able to pack up and go back home, and plunge myself into a life of writing, in my homeland, close to my family, friends and loved ones.
I've been out of the corporate world for almost 12 years and to be quite honest, I'm a wee bit terrified to have to go back to that. Especially in Canada. I am now so used to the pleasant courteous Japanese way and to the exceptions I have here as a foreigner, I wouldn't know how to integrate myself into an environment with opinionated, tell it like it is, kind of people anymore. (Although I'm one of them!! LOL)
So now that the queries are out, I'm working madly on the final edits of my novel, which are done, except I am thinking of re-writing the ending, all of a sudden. I hadn't read it in awhile and when I went back to editing at the beginning of the month, suddenly felt the last few chapters were garbage and now want to re-work it.
Since my queries are out, I MUST finish it soon!
I am waiting on some answers to requests I sent out via email, to get some expert advice about some things that come up in the story. Haven't heard back yet. I suppose helping a writer isn't on one's priority list. :)
I also must finish writing 3 short stories to finish my compilation of short stories, which I've also sent out a query for.
Sending out the queries when things are not completely finished, is a great motivation to get my butt to the chair, hands to the keyboard and type!
The other exciting thing happened yesterday morning (Aug. 11).
We were advised we would have a typhoon, but instead Mother Nature played a cruel joke on us.
At 5:07, we were hit with a strong earthquake. I believe it measured 6 point something on the scale. Japanese scale for measuring the intensity is different than the richter.
To give you an idea, my house, nor the things in it were shaking. No, no. No shaking...they were JUMPING! My house was literally jumping and we had to hang on for dear life. After quite a few seconds and quite a few violent jumps, the shaking began.
The intense moments felt like they lasted a good 45 secs to a minute (which is a bloody long time!!) then the low, trembling of the foundation continued for awhile.
The earthquake came from about 20 kms directly beneath our area of the earth's surface and caused the city water pipelines to explode. So we had no water.
I must admit, the Japanese are used to this kind of thing, as emergency procedures were put into action immediately!
Trucks were posted all over the place with tanks of freshwater for everyone. We got our fill and they gave us an emergency pack of 6 litres, very effective, made of some incredible tough plastic with wire to carry over our shoulders, in case we need to run.
When the pipelines were eventually restored, the water was black and red, very rusty, so it was only good for flushing the toilet.
The aftershocks were felt until about 7 pm that night. And the city kept announcing different refuge sites for each neighbourhood of the city. Luckily we live directly across the street from ours.
Also, my town is approx. a km from the ocean coast, so we were put on a Tsunami alert. The webpage on the net advised no tsunami warning for the earthquake, but our city kept putting us on emergency alert, using huge sirens to announce procedures to everyone in the city.
We were shaken, especially since our Japanese is not nearly good enough to understand all the details.
At about 7:30 pm I brought some sweet breads to the old men who were distributing water to everyone, for which they were extremely grateful. I spoke with them for a few minutes, and they patiently explained in Japanese 'layman's terms' for me, what the announcements were saying. We had pretty much understood everything, but it was still nice to have it explained again, to make sure.
They gave me another 6 litre pack of emergency water and wished me care and I wished them care as well.
Needless to say, my husband and I didn't get to sleep that night, eventually dozing off at about 6 a.m. I was up by 9 a.m. LOL! :)
Today, we woke up to a beautiful day, with the sun out and clean tapwater, it appears. And everyone is out and about their business as usual.
This scare only made me pray even more fervently to God, to help my husband's acceptance into Canada.
I realize we have our own battles with nature in Canada, but take it from me: the fear you feel in a natural potential disaster is quite intense, but the intensity is escalated when you are completely alone, with no family, no friends and can't fully understand what is happening or being said around you.
My husband and I have each other, but it can still get lonely being in a country that neither of us truly belong to.
But today is a new day and we are grateful for life and grateful for each other, continuing with happy thoughts as always. We are now more than ever looking forward to coming home and will continue to take advantage of the time we have here, so we can leave here feeling completely satisfied that we enjoyed Japan.
I guess that is all for now, so I'll sign off and I promise it won't be another two months before you hear from me again! *wink
Take care my friends and happy thoughts! :)
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