Home safely

Made it home, alive.

Have been beginning to work through the mountain of things necessary to continue life in Australia. Did not realize there were so very many things to complete. :( All IDs have expired. No Medicare, Proof of Age, Birth certificate, resume...nothing but a passport.

Looking forward to seeing many of my wonderful friends on Saturday and many others in the coming weeks. ^_^

Nuki is beyond amazing....seriously. 0.0 Thismorning we had french toast on the verandah. Even in the relative chaos of reorganizing it, life feels pleasant.
               So this is what happiness feels like.

Japan was an experience, full of memories and moments to be remembered, some wonderful and some to be left in the knowledge they are past. Shall never forget all those who made my experiences special. Friends, family and teachers who made my stay more pleasant and brought happiness into my life. Cannot wait to return once some more progress has been made here and look forward to catching up with many of you. Wishing you all happiness in every facet of your life.

Shall begin a new blog to document life in Australia, though it may very well go the way of the previous one in never being used. This however should not be taken as a negative, just as a sign that all those important in my life, all those with whom adventures are worth sharing, are close enough to hear them from me personally.

Until next blog, never cease learning, never forget to play and always seek happiness, true happiness.
(and please let me know if you wish for assistance in any of these <3 )


Love Belinda, Belinko, Beli-chan, Senti, Bastien, Lin.

1

Found myself going from elation to near tears every few minutes for most of the day.

Spent the morning with Taka at the art museum where we saw a selection of だまし絵 ( optical illusion) artworks, including works from Dali. We also managed to see some Carlo and Modigliani in the general section. Lunch was a sandwich at the park before Taka helped with that yet unsent box. 

Evening was the party and there was cake and tasty treats ^_^ Mum made a delicious dinner as always and the atmosphere was light and jovial. Felt like just another fantastic party at home and very unlike a goodbye. The cake read "see you soon".

Can't believe that there will be a plane leaving tomorrow for Australia with me on  it.

2

Brighter day today though still cold. Enjoying a kinoko and mozzarella melt and caramel latte at just about my favorite place on earth, Starbucks Kanayama.

Was stuck for presents for the family, though thismorning the perfect present came to mind. Coffee! My host father is an addict like me. 0.0 got the premium blend ( 50% off )

Off to Ohka today for the valentines party. ^_^ Not sure what time it is so shall just turn up super early to ask. ( ended up wandering for three hours looking for Bookoff but not finding it )

Starbucks for lunch. Tall maccha latte and salad.

Not long now, though there is still a box to send home. >.< Tomorrow is going to be jam packed. Mum suggested maybe an anko cake XD <3

 

Special thanks to my mother from Australia today who reassured me on multiple levels that everything is going to be alright. Shall have to work on minimizing and dealing with stress after the return to Australia.

 #photogenicasfcuk

(Can has stay super attractive for ever?)

Valentines party was pleasant and had fugu and shiitake mushrooms for dinner.

3

Cold and alone at home.

Managed to sort all my things into four piles. Suitcase. Book off. Box. Trash. 

Should be walking the dog but instead I'm drinking tea before the heater as recommended by the tanuki. Not useless, promise.

Also, I'm broke. Was broke last time too, though was moving in with Michelle last time so it did not matter. This time there are expectations. 

Feeling desperately confused and concerned for the future. How can things feel so dark today when yesterday was so bright? Music is helping and chatting to Mum and Luke was helpful. 

Tomorrow is the valentines party at Ohka Gakkuen, though will have to confirm the time. Let's hope tomorrow will be sunny.

4

The sun shon brightly in the clear blue sky, the pleasantly warm day greeting me, still surrounded by the still winter scenery. 

Upon hearing my reason for being unable to travel, lack of cash money,Mum left some money on the bench with a note. There is no way to thank my family enough for all they have done for me.

Breakfast of an-pan, one of the high quality strawberries Mum brought for us to enjoy and a hot chocolate. Japanese modern breakfast.

Tokoname during the day before Sakae and Osu thisevening. Packing can wait. Tokoname is on the way to the airport and though it's an unnerving feeling to be so close to my port of departure, Tokoname has become one of my favorite places in Japan as its pottery road is fascinating and ever surprising.

Just leaving Tokoname. Forgotten umbrella will hopefully be used by someone in need of an umbrella. ^_^ Met the most wonderful couple who own a shop called Hotaruko. While purchasing my tea pot ( of sorts), was treated to coffee and Momotaro sweets with Natsuko while patting Hotaruko ( the shop is named after their cat ). As Tadashi sang as he worked on Himedaki sculptures, realized this shop was once of those places on earth where happiness seems to overflow. All those bowls with the faces on them, they are from this shop. Tadashi was pleased to see the shop badge on my bag. Looking forward to going back upon my return to Japan.

Starbucks Kanayama then omairi to the local Inari ( fox) shrines to ask the foxes to protect Nagoya, my family and to please remember me. Osu Kannon, my home temple.

You know it's time to go home when you can walk into a Pokemon center and walk out without a purchase. :p

Home for a delicious vegitable dinner and dessert of apples with my family. Said night to the tanuki and now for an early bed ( 11:00) 

Not sure about monies as there are still many things to do before leaving. Chatted to Australian mum about this. So scared to come back to Australia. Everyone keeps saying that everything will be fine...though I'm not so sure.

5

 Things done 

- continued to sort items into box or suitcase

- walked Fran in the bitter cold wind 

- picked up plates ( they look good )

- loaded cash onto cash card

- finished the omede-tai - ate nabe and Kai from Hokkaido <3

- completed design for thankyou card 

- created coffee event for my return

 

Feeling 

 

- slightly more optimistic about my future 

- excited to see everyone 

- worried about Taka having no one to travel with

- frustrated at having no cash money to travel 

- lucky to have two wonderful families 

- still in love with the Japanese countryside 

- zen about this whole thing

6

Snowed thismorning, though by my walk the sky was blue. Peach blossoms are beginning to bloom as the world tempts to wake from winter. Feeling the seasonal circle close, departure feels so like my arrival. 

Things done 

- Party at ihouse and cried when saying goodbye to everyone ( we will meet again) 

- Nabe/ soba party with family thisevening 

- Received a call to say that my plates are fired and ready to pick up  

- Purschased things nessesary for thankyou card 

- Began to pack to leave - shall have plenty of room in my suitcase ^_^

- Documents nessesary before leaving completed 

Things to do 

- load cash onto cash card 

- pack and send box home 

- pack suitcase 

- Wednesday - Valentines party at Ohka Gakkuen 

- Thurday - Museum with Taka

- Thursday night - Gyoza party 

Feeling 

 

- Wondering about my choice to return to Australia.

- Worried about the future as the unknown is scary.

- Acckowledging that the alternative to returning home would mean a low paying job in Japan 

- Trying to put a positive spin on lack of progress ( Japanese level ) 

- Secretly optimistic thanks to certain individuals 

Thinking a post a day until my return would be a good idea.