The Struggle

The kotatsu is on. It makes me delirious in a state of warmth and comfort.

Last week in my adult conversation class we talked about cultural stereotypes. I figured America would consist of big everything- houses, people, cars, meals. But, we sat around the table and took it a step further. To them, America is now a nation that is in trouble economically and sends soldiers to many parts of the world.
I hear that the unemployment rate in the USA will continue to increase. I have a feeling that things there might be a struggle.

A few weeks ago I joined my elementary school while we all watched sumo, for the first time. In a town where the isles in the grocery stores are narrow and a kitchen and one tatami room is all the space I use, the size of these wrestlers seemed inhuman.

Once this season of hot feet and more firsts is through I hope I can embrace the struggle.

Origins.

Things must start somewhere:



One persons thought can lead to an action which can suddenly involve a community.
The original association may seem different to each person even if it is related, loosely, to the same picture.

I am Over Anarchy

I came from Sano Elementary to Hakuchi Elementary. I asked the secretary to put on the news and I saw that Obama had over 100 electoral votes while McCain only had 40 some and Obama had taken Pennsylvania. I walked into the 6th grade class everyone was observing and, like so many America's did that day, I cried. I looked around the room realizing, like I often do, that I look so different than everyone else in that room. But I am the citizen of a country where these differences are embraced and President Obama understands the importance of cultural differences. For a moment, I felt like I was doing something that made sense.

I woke up this morning and I felt like I had spent the night with a new love. I walked around school with a smile and a glow. It was that feeling you get when you first meet someone amazing. You cannot imagine that there will be challenges or you could ever be angry again. You never really understood this feeling before. It is a feeling that has always existed deep inside you but only certain things could bring it out.
Today it was a feeling of actually loving the country I come from. I am not angry at it. Despite the Walmarts, fast food, ignorance, intolerance, nonsensical drug wars, really bad high school teachers, corrupt cops, high cost of prescription medication, abstinence sex education, and the many other things I have spent the last 24 years despising, I can look past it. The majority of my country just might get it. These things that made me want to move may be seen as retro in the years to come. Or, at least, that is what I rolled over to this morning.

Yesterday I drove for an hour and spent a lot of money on tolls to get to Tokushima city so I could hang out with other Americans to celebrate.
We ate Mexican food.
I toasted to not recontacting to another year in Japan.
Then we drove around shouting things like "Obama gozaimashta" and "OtsukareBama " which is really funny to people who speak the amount of Japanese that we do.
I have also realized that chills often begin in my knees and fingers. Then move to the rest of my body.

We have seen this all before.

I have spent the last six Autumns tucking sheets into the corners of different beds. But, this October I have been cooking in the same kitchen as I did last and cleansing in the same shower.
Last winter I constantly listened to the National album Boxer while I drove to Ikeda's various elementary schools and the Jr. High. When I listen to that album now the familiarity gives me chills. At the time, I was so curious as to how the sun was going to fall the following day at a certain hour. I had no idea what a mid-January evening in Japan felt like.
Now, as Japan never changes it's clock, a 6 p.m. dark sky in early November holds no anticipation.

Regardless of where I am or what I am doing I know each year will have differences. Some of them will be welcomed, some of them not. But, this last weekend I took the opportunity to embrace the familiarity of a Fall in Japan.

It was another Halloween of putting a costume on in Naruto. Then transporting into Tokushima city. Where singing,

drinking,
and dancing

continued till a pillow was under my head.

As time has a way of doing, it just slips by when there are so many things to see. This weekend could serve as the last for some Iya Autumn camping. Brad and I packed up my Toyota once again and this time the roads were familiar.

I hate to say that I may never return to somewhere I love. But, Iya is a hard place to get to without a car and Fall is it's best season. So the 500 yen was dished out to walk across the vine bridge this time.

Of course there were more onsens and soba. As well as the general feeling of contentment that can only be found when a tent is unzipped to welcome morning's warm colors of leaves.

I am not sure if everything is the exact same or completely different this season. Either way it manages to feel unique.