ニッキの日記

Thought catcher for my insane ramblings

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Ever since I moved to Japan my love for mountains has grown. I never thought I'd be a mountain climber, but I have 5 under my belt now, and I'm looking forward to more. I'd live on top of a mountain if I could.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I'm so happy that I got to join the rice planting trip ❤️ It's so fun to play in the mud and grow my own food. I can't wait to harvest and cook the rice 🍚🍙

[ni-kinoni-ki]

The office manager sharing childhood snacks makes me happy. I love her. What a sweetie.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Being taught stick shift by a Matsuno local, and showing "House" (1977) to the town bar is an experience I am blessed to have had. Today was good :)

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I am good at teaching. I have always been good at teaching. And I hope I get better every day.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I am so very lucky to have my own place. Sometimes its just nice to sit and see it after a good cleaning.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

The swallows are back for spring. I'm excited to see their nests and babies. It's so fun to watch them swoop in the evening.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I was lucky enough to attend both of my entrance ceremonies today! Welcome babies! I hope they transition into their classes easily. I have a bunch of new English games I think they'll find fun!

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Kei car pinball ojisan

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I've been taking on some translation work here and there. I'm working on menus, garbage separation guides, etc. It's nice to be able to make my town more accessible to English speakers, even a little. I hope I am able to become more helpful.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

The bread car guy knows I like the twisted breads. With shiraisu and bacon/cheese. He always saves me one if he can, and it makes me so happy that a stranger would consider me in such a way.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

The mist on the mountains is so beautiful. I could stare at it all day.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I rode the bus home with my kids today, and we drop them at the daycare before my stop. One of the 1st graders from my other school was there and saw me in the car.

He asked what I was doing and I answered: "I'm going home." He got so excited and ran to the bus saying: "I WANT TO GO TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY TOO!"

He was visibly distraught when I told him I lived in town, lmfao. Such a silly goose.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Being a teacher to little kids heals my heart.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Kindergarten classes started again today. I hadn't realized how much I missed it until a flood of tiny babies rushed me at the gate screaming "HAPPY NEW YEAR" in English, lol.

We studied greetings today, and one little boy would ask me every 5 min how to say "good night" because I gave them homework to say it to their parents before bed. I hope he remembers it next week, lol.

I've been really thinking about my next steps for after my 4th year ends. I've been looking at teaching full time at an international preschool in Tokyo, but I just don't know.

Do I go back to the US for a year and make a new plan? Really push for a flight attendant position? I feel like that would hinder me more than anything. Do I accept a 5th year in Matsuno? Do I prioritize other opportunities until I can get a foothold in with a creative career path here?

I'm working on my book. I still want to try, regardless of how distracted I am.

I made it out of a drug house and abuse, became the first in my family to achieve higher education, finally clawed my way into Japan after burying two of the most important people in my life. Giving up would be stupid.

I wish the answer would just fall into my lap, but that's not how it works. I know that.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

I'm not sure why this new years card hit me in the heart so much. I don't know why it's so hard for me to conceptualize that I matter to other people, or that they think of me at all.

Thank you Takahito. I will treasure it always.

[ni-kinoni-ki]

Two of my very favorite creatures