Happy New Year from Japan

This year I got to spend New Year's Eve with one of my best and oldest friends. I am visiting her in Japan, where she is currently working, and spent New Year's Eve with her and her friends. After an evening of Japanese New Year's TV, we went to bed for a few hours before waking up at 3 am to hike Mount Takao, from which we watched the first sunrise of the year, and then crossed to the other side of the mountain, from which Mount Fuji is visible.

The first sunrise of 2017, as seen in the Land of the Rising Sun

Currently, I am sitting in Starbucks in Tokyo, filling out graduate school scholarship applications, sketching, journaling and reflecting. I will be here until Sunday, when I return to Korea to start teaching my English winter camp. I am so thankful for this break and rest. Looking back on my time in Korea so far, I know I have only survived with my sanity in tact because of prayer and support from friends and family. It is not easy living and teaching in Korea. But it is fun, and it is rewarding and I wouldn't change a thing.

Some difficult things this past year:

• Language barriers. I notice this most, because it keeps me from truly being able to connect with people on a deep level. I love intellectual conversation, talking about books I'm reading, things I'm learning about God and other sometimes serious matters. I can't do this in Korean. And I miss it. 
• Cultural differences like directness. You can't just say what you are thinking in Korea. I notice this especially at work, where I often have to bite my tongue from pointing out the inefficiency of the system. 
• Being away from friends and family.

Some wonderful things this past year:

• Realizing that it is possible to connect with people with out language. I notice this with my host family who truly do care about me, and connect with me, even without speaking each other's language. 
• Learning to love Korean culture. I love the value Koreans place on aesthetics in art, music and daily life. I love the food. I love the patience people show me when I try my Korean. I love the Noraebang culture (karaoke). 
• Learning about God and myself. This year has been preparing me for graduate school in big ways. I'm learning that I need to grow in humility where my faith is concerned.
• I am learning that there are things I love about American and European culture.

Boarding the cable car to go half way up Takao-san (4am)

 

The temple on top of Takao-san

My friend, Elsa, and me in front of Fuji-san 

Tying our fortunes at the temple (Japanese tradition)

View of Tokyo (the famous skyline is visible, very small, in the distance)