4 years in Japan. I was thinking of calling this post “the girl who stopped running” but that seemed kinda naff and I figured “a fortunate life” was more adult and appropriate. Reasons for my fortunate life:
1. I love my work - it's rewarding, fun and earns me good money;
2. I love my homelife and my community;
3. I am surrounded by great people;
4. I live in a great country that has taught me more about myself (and how to live properly) than I ever thought possible;
5. I am living - for the first time ever - in the moment, most truly. I've lost the “grass is greener” syndrome. Because actually, the grass is brilliantly green where I am now.
I think I can thank my 6 week summer sojourn in Thailand for this shift. And probably my close encounters with (other peoples) death. And most definitely the Japanese people, in all their gentle, subtle, thoughtful and curious ways. It's been a long time coming. I've always kinda chased my tail in attempts to pursue grandiose, ambitious dreams and so always felt wanting despite achieving a reasonable level of professional success in my former field.
So I'd like to give thanks to the gods for my fortunate life. And thanks to my family, my excellent friends and especially to Japan - Tokyo - Kichijoji, for offering me sanctuary, support and more fun than I could ever write about in my blog.
In other news, in the coming weeks I will be hosting not one, not two, but three touring groups from the old country (Brisbane) - the first, for 24 hours only, my not-so-little-anymore baby cousin Georgie Trotter; next, arriving the following day and staying for 5 days is my old flatmate and tattooist, Aurole (new ink? you betcha); and thirdly - my old buddy and former colleague, Billy and his partner Sean (yay, Ni-chome, here we come!).
The pictures above were taken on Friday night on the 49th floor of a Shinjuku skyscraper, where I went for a superb Japanese feast with Christian and Yuiko and their assorted Australian and Japanese family members. As you can imagine, the view was incredible. The wine was pretty tasty too. ;)
L8R SK8R