The state of things
I've been happier lately. I don't talk about my mood on here very much but the truth is I have been in an extra long funk. I didn't want to come back to Japan after summer vacation but I was dealing with it and coming to terms with one more year here when I hurt my shoulder which made life completely suck (and I still have a panic attack at just the thought of having to go to the doctor again) and then the holiday season struck, which always leaves me down if I'm not at home.
But now that the holidays are over and I'm back to a normal routine that includes seeing friends on a regular basis and exercising I am finally feeling positive again. It's the exercising I think that really helps. My brain needs those happy chemicals that it only gets with exercise on a regular basis.
I've been doing a swim program that will eventually result in me being able to swim a mile in the pool. I'm on week two now and swam 900 meters tonight. I'm sore and the shoulder I hurt this fall is more sore than the rest of me but it's doable thanks to Aleve, hot baths, and free massage chairs at the gym.
It helps that I've started swimming correctly as well. I was doing all sorts of things wrong before that strained my neck and shoulders more than needed. I'm such a nerd that I've actually been watching youtube clips on correct technique. And tonight, I even bought a new pair of goggles that have corrective lenses so now I can actually see the clock or other people in the pool if I happen to be sharing a lane.
I'm also going to try and go to yoga once a week with my friend Sue. So that's three days in the pool and one day of yoga a week. I have a lot of time out here in the inaka and not a lot to do so I exercise. Haven't lost that 2kg yet though, probably due to too much wine and too many Kit Kats. (Check out my Kit Kat Blog!)
I'm also teaching the winter adult conversation class at the library on Wednesday nights. It's six weeks of classes and about $500 extra for me at the end. This week is our third week and I'm teaching some Hotel English for a short bit but mostly we'll be playing Family Feud. And after skipping an entire month of choir practices I really should get back to those this week as well. I just hate going on Friday nights and lately if a friend suggests plans for that night I just go with it rather than saying, "Oh I can't I have choir practice." Because that is lame.
So, yeah, I'm busy. But busy is good. It keeps me from getting homesick. Despite my general feeling of contentment I still signed my re-contracting form last week with the NO signed. It's time to go home and spend some time with my family and look for new adventures. So I'm trying to live it up in Tahara while I can. Only six more months before I'm gone for good.
But now that the holidays are over and I'm back to a normal routine that includes seeing friends on a regular basis and exercising I am finally feeling positive again. It's the exercising I think that really helps. My brain needs those happy chemicals that it only gets with exercise on a regular basis.
I've been doing a swim program that will eventually result in me being able to swim a mile in the pool. I'm on week two now and swam 900 meters tonight. I'm sore and the shoulder I hurt this fall is more sore than the rest of me but it's doable thanks to Aleve, hot baths, and free massage chairs at the gym.
It helps that I've started swimming correctly as well. I was doing all sorts of things wrong before that strained my neck and shoulders more than needed. I'm such a nerd that I've actually been watching youtube clips on correct technique. And tonight, I even bought a new pair of goggles that have corrective lenses so now I can actually see the clock or other people in the pool if I happen to be sharing a lane.
I'm also going to try and go to yoga once a week with my friend Sue. So that's three days in the pool and one day of yoga a week. I have a lot of time out here in the inaka and not a lot to do so I exercise. Haven't lost that 2kg yet though, probably due to too much wine and too many Kit Kats. (Check out my Kit Kat Blog!)
I'm also teaching the winter adult conversation class at the library on Wednesday nights. It's six weeks of classes and about $500 extra for me at the end. This week is our third week and I'm teaching some Hotel English for a short bit but mostly we'll be playing Family Feud. And after skipping an entire month of choir practices I really should get back to those this week as well. I just hate going on Friday nights and lately if a friend suggests plans for that night I just go with it rather than saying, "Oh I can't I have choir practice." Because that is lame.
So, yeah, I'm busy. But busy is good. It keeps me from getting homesick. Despite my general feeling of contentment I still signed my re-contracting form last week with the NO signed. It's time to go home and spend some time with my family and look for new adventures. So I'm trying to live it up in Tahara while I can. Only six more months before I'm gone for good.