Please...visit my new JAPAN Blog!

Thanks for stopping by...but...I've MOVED....moved my blog AND moved physically-to Japan!

Here is the new blog address: Living the Simple Life in Japan

SEE YOU IN JAPAN!!!

Final Good-Bye

It's one-thirty in the morning. I am sitting at gate 5 of Saipan airport. It was so hard to say good bye to the kids today...but I am sure that I am on the right path.

That makes things easier - knowing you are going in the right direction.

This is my final post here. The plane is boarding....I shall see you in Japan....

Cooperation and Order

There is something that continues to amaze me as I watch the events in Japan....the way that the Japanese people are responding to their horrific situation.

I see no break from law and order. There is no looting (like Hurricane Katrina) there is no violence over long lines. There is order, cooperation, civility.

I am amazed at their resilience. I am amazed at their courage in the face of devastation.

Similar sentiments have been reported by Americans who are living in Japan and by reporters on location there. 

What a stark contrast to what I saw and heard from people who were on the ground in New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. I was with the Red Cross during that time. I had first hand information. It was shocking and unimaginable.

Seeing how the Japanese people have responded to their situation has encouraged me. I am looking forward to living among this honorable nation.

I know there is no "perfect" place and I know Japan has it's problems but this gave me a glimpse into the Japanese heart and soul. I've heard my husband talk about this-now I see it first hand.

Tonight my husband said "I am proud of my country" ....while he watched his countrymen suffer...images on NHK...we all suffer with them now.

on the ground and running....

Thursday afternoon here....4:25pm. 

I have four and a half huge boxes packed, taped and ready to load onto the aircraft. I packed one bag last night-full of clothes and a couple of English workbooks. I need to pack my shamisen yet....and some odds and ends.

My poor parents are worried sick about my going to Japan so I just emailed them a map of Japan and circled where we will be living.....so that they can see we are far south of the situation up north in Sendai.

I need some quiet time. I really need some quiet alone time but honestly I just can't squeeze it in right now. I guess that will have to come on the plane. I'm starting to jiggle inside....can you relate?

I'm not scared of going to Japan. I guess it's just all the emotions that are trying to well-up right now. It has taken a huge effort to remain in the moment. I absolutely refuse to get swept away by emotion either way. I am purposely walking the middle path.

The past few days have been full of "going away" lunches and dinners. Saying good-bye to friends. I never I knew people cared about me so much and I am honestly quite humbled. A few cried....I was honestly touched.

I have a list of people that I need to see so that I can say good-bye. I tried to see the old priest today but he was not around the temple...I hope I can see him tomorrow.

Two more full days to go.....

Why do I feel like I am forgetting something??

Question for my friends in Japan...

Ok- so what is going on with that reactor? I see on AP and other US news that a whole crew aboard a ship has been exposed to radiation but according to NHK this morning there were several people exposed but not more than your average x-ray.

What are you guys hearing over there??

US news tends to sensationalize everything so I am not trusting what I am seeing on the tube.

Sent to me BY Jessica Renshaw

This was just sent to me by Jessica Renshaw Land of the Rising Sun Giving is what we do best. We are given away to our families, to our neighbors, to our friends, to our enemies—to the nations. Our life is for others. —Eugene H. Peterson What shall I give, Lord, to the people of Japan? Time. Talent. Treasure. Whatever you have as you feel the nudge from my Spirit. What shall I give, Lord? I have little treasure and I cannot go. Time, child of mine. Give as much as you can. Talk with me about these dear people. Intercede on their behalf. Pray for those who go. Pray for those who send finances. Pray for those on the ground as they embrace broken lives. Pray for those who have experienced loss beyond description. Pray for the church in Japan as they minister. Pray that many would find themselves in the land of the rising Son! © 2011 Charles R. Brown

T-minus five and a half....

WOW...five and a half days to go....!!!! 

Ran to McDonald's to grab a cup of coffee and get online for a bit...got my lists written...and pretty much checked off. 

We hauled all of our cargo to my daughter's house yesterday-not much actually. I have 2 boxes to repack as they seem a bit heavy. 

We have just basic necessities left in our room...yesterday while I was on my run I was thinking about how nice it actually is to have so few possessions. 

Later that evening Masaaki and I were talking and I told him that I am dead set against any sort of a complicated  life in Japan. I am going to keep it as simple as possible. 

I've learned so much these past several months...one thing that has really stood out was the fact that the material things we "thought" we needed...really didn't matter. I've never really missed them to tell the truth. 

Thanks for all the prayers for Japan...Lord knows they desperately need them. I am praying that I will be "useful" once I arrive because there is so much that needs to be done. I don't have money at the moment but I do have a willing heart. 

Ok...off to teach another class and then to get some styrofoam peanuts or something to wrap my shamisen in so it doesn't get smashed on the plane. I should have just left it in Japan on the last trip!!!

over and out (for the moment)

My last Sunday in Saipan

Firstly- huge hugs to all who are praying for the people of Japan- the land that I have come to love and embrace as my own homeland. My heart is so deeply broken...as we all watch the unfolding of the moments and hours as they pass....rescues...search and recovery....I can't even fathom where they will start to put their lives back together.

When I look at that tangled mess that was home to thousands of people I feel helpless....my instinct is to figure out a way to go up there and help as soon as I land in Japan. Do not be surprised if I post that I have joined some organization as a volunteer....the years I spent in the Red Cross are still in my blood.

I have been given an extraordinary amount of compassion and it is surging...ready to spill over...I need to find some way to put it into action. I am sure there will be something I can do - even from our hometown in Itoda.


I'm here at the laundromat with my daughter-helping her and spending time with her.

We moved our boxes today and what little we are taking to Japan. All we have left at our friends home are our clothes-we'll move those on Saturday morning. I'm coming up on my last week here in Saipan....what a strange feeling.

Thirty years winding down to an end. Where did the time go??

What is in store for us in Japan?

Soon....we shall see....

OK...there is a huge mountain of clothing that needs attention. Thank God my online friends are safe....we will continue to pray for the families of those that were lost and are still missing.....the residents on one entire town possibly washed away....

ok....laundry to fold....

till later on this week.....

I have no words....

To say how absolutely devastated we feel as we sit helplessly and watch this unbelieveably shocking story unfold. We slept off and on throuhgout the night with the TV on. Saipan had no real damage- the Mariana Trench and our reef may have helped. Not sure. All coastal areas were evacuated. We did have about 3 foot waves that washed ashore according to some friends who were witnesses. The water disappeared from the lagoon and then came rushing in around 11 pm I think.

But Japan....

Our family is safe. They are way south...of course everyone is reeling. I worry about several blog friends. We prayed for everyone and are praying constantly.

Called my parents who were worried sick because they know I am leaving next Sunday,that has not changed. I assured them that I'll be far south. They worry about the neuclear reactors....can't really say much about that. Praying all will be well.

Posting from my iPod so going to cut this short.
Blog friends up north please please let me know how you are!!!

Houston we are T-minus ten days and counting.....

Oh BOY....ten days left- actually 9 because today is the 10th and I leave at 2am on the 20th. That day will actually be spent in Japan as I arrive at around 11am.

Let's see...got just about all my packing done. I stopped by Imoya-a little Japanese restaurant on island to eat something decent and use the wireless. After this I go home, complete the packing and organizing of whatever "stuff" we have left and try and squeeze in a run.

Tonight I have a going-away dinner with a friend of mine. Oh my gosh...am I having going away dinners already???

If you want to know the truth...this is all just settling in...

I am getting that fluttery feeling in my stomach now....

My agenda for my first day in Japan is...

land

eat at my favorite shushi bar

get to mom's house and rest

wake up and go to Onsen

help mom cook dinner

eat

drink mom's 10 year old umeshu

passout

the next morning...life begins anew....

You see...I have it all planned out already.  :)

Two weeks and counting

Dates have changed again. Looks like I am leaving around the 21st. Things are just too difficult here so we thought it would be best to send me off so I can start working and earning yen. The dollar is pretty bad and we will fair far better in Japan.


The past three weeks have been hectic. Lots of odds and ends to get done. There is no internet connection where we live (there was but I am not sure what happened) so..now in my spare time (like I have spare time) I run around to places with free wireless so I can read email and do the things that I need to do on the internet. Using the internet has become very inconvenient to say the least! Most places do not have "plug-ins" so when my battery runs out-that's it. usually I'm not done doing what I needed to do before I run out of "gas".

Speaking of gas...ours is at $4.35 for regular now......

I keep reminding myself that this time will pass. Everything passes. I wanted to thank everyone for your kind and sincere comments. It is wonderful to know that there are compassionate people out in the world. My purpose in sharing all of this openly is to encourage others who are going through a rough time in life. You would be surprised what you can do if you have the right mindset. There is always something to be thankful for!

I think the most valuable things I have learned throughout all of this was forgiveness and compassion for those who are around me. We have had some difficult issues to face. Some have even "kicked us while we were down". But we are learning to forgive them. To see them as they really are...lost. We may not have much at the moment....last week there were three days where we didn't even have the money to buy food. I now know what it is like to go to bed hungry. But I know that there are others on this planet who have it much, much worse.

So....I am thankful. Thankful for what I do have.

This week will be busy! I have packing to do....addresses to change....things to wrap up. These two weeks are going to FLY by...!!

Much love and peace to all those who have said kind words to us throughout this time. Thank you so much for your love and support. You have no idea how much one word spoken out of love and concern can mean to someone.

This has made me more loving and compassionate towards others and so I am thankful for the opportunity to have experienced all of this.

Ok-looks like battery is about to die......

P.S. please forgive me for not leaving comments on your blogs at the moment- I try to hurry and do what I have to do on the internet before my battery dies so there is not always time to leave comments. 







 

Murphy's Law

Does anyone know that guy's email address??? That Murphy guy. I want to have a word with him!

I want to ask him why he is always right????

So...a few years ago I thought...

slow down-you have PLENTY of time...you are not moving for another.....what? Two years?

And see what happened.....

NowI'mrunningaroundlikeachickenwithoutahead!!!!!!!!

Ohmygoshohmygosh...oh...my...gosh!

I'm looking at the calender and wondering how I am going to get everything done that I need to do!!!!

AND...I still have not gone through the rest of my "junk". My textbooks and things that I can't (won't) leave behind. Special things-from my grandmother...you know The sentimental stuff. 

I think it's time to make a list. I have a feeling I am going to forget something important and remember it while I am sitting on the plane. 

Please, if you know Murphy's email address...send it along! This has got to stop!

The "new" blog address

Tomorrow is March 1st on our side of the planet. Tomorrow I can say "this month we are moving to Japan".

My last day on the island will be March 25th. I depart March 26th at 2:20am. 

Wow....absolutely -wow. 

I was thinking back several years ago. I downloaded this ticker for my laptop desktop. It was a countdown timer and at that time we had a little over three years left on Saipan. It seemed like such a long time.

And now....

It seems like just yesterday. I mean, it really does. 

So, tomorrow when I wake up I can say...this month, I am moving to Japan.

I've completed the "Japan" blog. Here it is:

THE JAPAN BLOG

Saipan's Last Command post and more...

With 27 days left until I leave Saipan I thought it might be nice to take a drive around the island with my camera and take some pictures for you but I couldn't upload them all because I got a message saying I've used up my 1gig of space...sheesh...I deleted a bunch of pictures from Picasa but it may take 24 hours to complete. I'm hoping to squeeze in a few more pictures before I shut this blog down and start the new one in Japan.

I've added a few links to various websites that have pictures on them and a link to the American Memorial Park website. Hopefully that will make up for my lack of space.

I've blogged about Saipan's history before. The Battle of Saipan was one of the bloodiest in the pacific. Not a nice thing to think about, I know, but, there are reminders everywhere. The skeletons of once fierce military machinery are scattered about our landscape.

Having once been forces to recon with are now but shadows of themselves - and have been transformed into homes for small island reptiles and jungle plants. They are constant reminders of the price that was paid for our "freedom". Living in Saipan for the past thirty years has made me very aware of the effects of war. The reminders of war are everywhere here. There is not a place on the island you can go that does not have some small reminder.....even on the beaches you still find bullet casings and artillery wrecks. 

Concrete bunkers that provided protection to Japanese soldiers are now almost hidden beneath the jungle overgrowth. This one is on private property and has been uncovered, now visible from the road.

At the Last Command Post I climbed up the stairs to the bunker that was cleverly hidden in an outcropping of rock. As I crawled through the small concrete entrance I imagined what it must have been like all those years ago.

I stood quietly inside the bunker, now a complete wreck. The afternoon filtered in through gaping bomb holes blasted into the sides of the fortress.

I listened to the sounds of tropical birds and the wind as it blew through the jungle foliage. I imagined the sounds of explosions and machine-gun fire that thundered through the rain-forest. Scattering flocks of birds and sending small jungle animals cowering beneath rocks.

I wondered also, did the soldiers ever sit during moments of silence and close their eyes...and listen to the birds and the wind...and imagine what this island might be like without war?

I thought I heard the shouts and screams of men...and explosions in the far-off distance. When I closed my eyes I could imagine....visions of soldiers hidden in these caves....rockets falling all around them...some concentrating fiercely upon surviving the onslaught, some holding pictures of loved ones back home and crying....some...putting a gun to their head and taking their own life to avoid capture by the enemy-the Americans. Not because they were afraid of the enemy-but because they believed it would bring dishonor to their country to be captured alive.

The civilians, in order to avoid capture jumped off the cliffs and committed suicide.

This was the fate of some of the Japanese soldiers and civilians that refused to give up -they fought until their last breath. You have to admire that kind of courage. I hope if worst comes to worst I can muster even half of it.

No matter how many times I visit The Last Command Post I always feel the same way. It chills me to the bone to think that I am standing in the very spot where it all happened. The ghosts of those soldiers still haunt these places, I'm sure. There is such a strong energy here-many have remarked that they feel something strange .....something they can't explain.

My day's journey took me to American Memorial Park where the names of thousands of United States servicemen and some women are inscribed in a granite wall. I touched the wall....all these lives lost...all of them sons and daughters, friends and family. I was proud to be an American. I looked up at our nation's flag flying with strength over the Court-flanked by the flags of our military branches. A tear spilled over and ran down my cheek as I looked for a moment longer at the flag that bears the insignia of the United States Army....and I thought of my daughter and my son-in-law as they go off to war....another war...war..it's just hard to imagine sometimes that we are at war. Many of us have been so privileged-so spoiled. I think to myself, have I trained her well? Have I instilled her with the faith that will give her courage to face the enemy? I have to shake the rest of the thoughts from my mind....and concentrate on the moment or else it becomes too much to cope with.

There is a book that is called WE DRANK OUR TEARS: Memories of the battles for Saipan and Tinian as told by our elders.

This is a book written by the children of the Northern Mariana Islands-experiences of the war as told to them by their elders. The illustrations are all drawn by the children. It is on Amazon.com for around 89.00- BUT you can purchase it HERE from our American Red Cross website for $20.00. 

I highly recommend this book for teachers or anyone that is interested in WW2 and the battle for the pacific.

Saipan THEN and NOW

The end of the world as we know it

Sheesh...I'm looking around here at the state of the planet and I am just thunderstruck ...is anyone else?

No need to wait for the other shoe to drop because shoes are raining down like cats and dogs!

Entire countries in upheaval, wild weather, earthquakes, economies going belly-up....you get the picture. 

The evening news looks like one of those bad disaster movies!

Makes me wonder what kind of a future my grandchildren are going to have. 

A lot on my mind.....

 Time for some complete honesty. Sorry this blog post is not going to be about our peaceful little island.

Recently the events taking shape in the Middle East have me concerned. I usually dig deeper and read the inside stories. On the "outside" it might look like a good thing...people protesting against iron-rule governments. Not a bad thing -right?

I think we need to open our eyes and see what lies underneath this situation. The truth of the matter and what the sentiments of these people are.

I have read report after report, seen yards of footage and heard the religious leaders in these countries say over and over again that once "they" gain control - it's death to America and Israel. Those are not my words, nor is it my opinion. This is what I see, hear and read.

I have been following "these people" for about twenty years. I'm sorry- I'm not allowed to say who these people are but with any smarts you should be able to figure that out.

Did you hear about the CBS news reporter that was cut off from her camera men and RAPED by 200 men while they chanted Jew!Jew!...oh...didn't hear about it? Google it. Everyone in the media was "celebrating" the protests....they didn't see the truth. One after the other reporters are being beaten and raped!

We seriously need to WAKE UP!

Since the protests spread to Bahrain Mrs. Clinton is finally opening her eyes a little....if Bahrain falls we are in deep kimchee-that's the home of the 5th Fleet- the center of our defense!!!!!

There is a LOT more I could say but I need to temper my comments because I have family in the military. Those are the rules for military family members. 

Wake up people. For your own safety. These people have been planning things for years. By their OWN words they plan on destroying America from the inside out. Remember the pilots that flew the planes into the Twin Towers? They were trained in America. There are thousands of "them" in America...waiting for the right time.

Mark my words. America seriously needs to wake up.I'm not going to speak for the rest of the world.

Do not stick your head in the sand and say "that's their problem over there". Don't do it. Soon it will be OUR problem-over here.

No matter what you think of Glenn Beck- the video below is one you need to see.

While you are at it - you should watch this one too:

Castaway

My all time favorite movie. I remember the first time I saw it-I was lost in imagination.

For some reason the whole idea of being marooned on a desert isle has intrigued me since I was a kid. I remember loving "Gilligan's Island".

The whole story inspired many hours of make-believe play sitting in my father's fishing boat that was parked on it's trailer in the driveway.

Then there was The Swiss Family Robinson.

 I loved that movie...and imagined myself as one of the family members living in that tree-house they built.

And what about Lord Of The Flies?!

Creepy but I was drawn to it!

So this whole conversation I had with my daughter about her friend that lives up on Pagan alone got me thinking.....mulling this idea over and over again in my mind....

I'm actually thinking of seeing if I can join an expedition and go up there to the Northern Islands and stay for a bit....not now of course. We've got to shove off for Japan soon...

But, later on...after things settle. My friend the boat captain leads expeditions in the summer time when the vulcanologists come out.

I was talking to my adult ESL class about it (turned out to be quite an interesting topic for conversation) and they thought I was off my rocker! None of them would even think about doing anything like this.

Would you?

Would you, given the chance, spend at least two weeks on an uninhabited island?

I dream about it. I imagine having all day every day -with no trace of civilization. No phones, internet, stores or daily chaos.

My students asked me what I'd do all day....well..aside from hunting and gathering (or opening a few cans and making a fire so I could eat) I'd write.

I'd write down every thing I did, saw, felt and thought. I'd try and document as much as possible so I could share it with my children or grandchildren....or whoever was interested enough to read it.

What a great and challenging way to get to know what you are really made of.

What an awesome spiritual experience it could turn out to be!

I have not discussed this with hubby...I'm assuming after he recovers from a massive coronary-I'll have to sweet-talk him into letting me go on a trip like this.

He should look on the bright side- I won't need a lot of pocket money!

One thing is for sure....I'm taking Wilson with me.

So...would you do it?

I simply remember my favorite things.....

Such a lovely day today on our beautiful little island! 

I have to say- today was one of those days where I felt like I just wanted to stay on Saipan forever....

of course I know we have to move on and I want to ...but today...today I was a little wistful....

I spent the day with my daughter and her two children at one of our beautiful beaches....Obyan Beach. Truth be told, I haven't been to Obyan for years.....why? I dunno...I really dunno....

The road going down to Obyan

We made a little "camp" under a shady pine

my daughter....going off -exploring

I guess even on this small island we get busy...and forget to enjoy life. There was hardly anyone there. We say a few dive groups going in and coming out of the water. 

There was a family that had set up three tents and looked like they had been there for the weekend. 

But that's about it....

My daughter told me that a friend of theirs just visited them from Pagan Island (pronounced with a short "a") . Pagan is a northern island in the Mariana Islands chain. He is the only person living on the island.

Seriously.

He's about 26 years old. 

He has a short-wave radio so he can contact Saipan Emergency Management and the Navy in Guam. The Navy stops by about every two weeks and he "trades" fish and other things for bullets (there are deer there) and some other supplies. 

I've included a map of the Northern Mariana Islands so you can kind-of understand what I am talking about. Pagan is a good day's boat ride from Saipan. If you leave at the crack of dawn you arrive in Pagan about sunset.

No- I have never been there...yet.

Here are a few pictures I scrounged up from the internet...

Because it's a volcanic island it has black sand beaches, unlike our white powder sand here in Saipan.

Mt. Pagan-an active volcano

Saipan, Rota and Tinian are the only islands that are inhabited. 

I heard there is a couple that lives on one of the other islands but I forget which one. I remember back in 1994 the volcano on Pagan erupted and the residents had to be evacuated. 

Yes, Pagan has an active volcano on it. 

Here is a very interesting website that has more pictures and narrative-

A friend of mine is a boat captain. SHE operates the supply boats that ferry scientists and the like to the northern islands. She has been up to the islands many times and she told me it is really paradise. 

I'd like to plan a trip back to Saipan so I can ride along on one of the expeditions-I've actually been invited to do that sometime. 

My daughter and her husband are planning a group trip next December to Pagan to visit their friend and have an adventure trip. 

As we were sitting on the beach today and talking about my daughter's friend ......I day-dreamed about living life carefree on an uninhabited island.....My favorite movie is Castaway you know....

On being spontaneous.....

I'll have to admit that I am not a particularly spontaneous person. 

Actually-I'm the "queen" of proper planning and scheduling. 

I've been really trying to change that. Actually, recent events have rather forced me let go of a lot of my old beliefs and habits. 

Recent events being having the rug pulled out financially...newcomers read my old (October and beyond) blog posts to understand.

Tonight Hubby and I were on our way home from the driving range where he "hit a few balls" and I had my afternoon walk. 

We took Beach Road home- which runs parallel with the beach (imagine that).

As we drove along we noticed a particularly beautiful sunset blossoming over the ocean. 

Suddenly...I just wanted to stop....I wanted to get out of the car and just stand on the beach. 

Normally, I would have just kept my thoughts to myself....but not this evening...

"pull over...pull over!"

"huh?"

"look at the sunset, pull over....please"

 ...we pulled over,  parked the car and walked down to the beach and sat on the edge of the beach-pathway. 

Together....in silence...shoulder to shoulder. 

We didn't say a word but the emotion between us was almost overwhelming. 

 we each knew what the other was thinking.....

that our time here was quickly coming to an end.....

that the sun was setting on our thirty years here....

that soon we would watch our last sunset on Saipan.....

we were both thinking about missing the kids......

that was not a tear rolling down my cheek....

not one rolling down his either.....

(sigh)

funny....for five years all we could think about was leaving this place...and now...although we are looking forward to leaving....

we both know there are so many things we will miss....

we only sat there for a few minutes-the mosquitoes urged us to get going

but it was a precious few minutes

he reached over in the car and took my hand...pulled it up to his cheek...

"I love you so much"

those words encompassed so much....so very much....

 we will surely miss the beautiful Saipan sunsets....

note: as usual-we didn't have our camera with us so I borrowed some pictures of Saipan sunsets from a few other Saipan sites...

one in particular is a good friend of mine:

Joe Race-author and wordsmith

*edit: sorry for the mushy post....but it was a seriously emo moment

Let's take a walk....

It's a beautiful day on Saipan today....let's go down to Mariana Resort have an iced coffee and take a walk down to the beach.....

 We'll walk past the swimming pool.....

 and around the corner to the steps leading down......

 past the dive shop......

 and down to the little path that leads to the beach.....

 along the way let's stop and peek through the rain-forest foliage...the water looks so clear today....

...past the betelnut palms...we are almost there....

 down the stone steps that lead to the beach....look at the military ships out beyond the lagoon....

 let's wade in the warm tropical waters....feels so good on my feet....the sand is so soft....

it's so wonderful sitting here on the beach and listening to the wonderfully calm sound of the waves crashing over the reef.....

 back up the stone steps to the path.....

 there's the pavilion that overlooks the ocean at the spa....let's go there tomorrow...

 peeking thru the trees again to have a last look at the ocean.....

 such a beautiful day today.....

 a little peek at the spa below....can't wait for tomorrow.....

 what a wonderful day...thanks so much for sharing it with me!