ONE YEAR LATER…

That’s right! On April 21 I had officially been in Kamikawa for one year! My husband is three months behind me (to the day).

When I think back to a year ago, I feel anxious. I don’t know if I could have done it if I had known everything I would go through. Having said that, I am so glad I did do it!

I have had so many memories flooding through my mind over the past couple of weeks. The world was a different place where Covid is concerned. I remember sitting in the airport in Tokyo waiting for the all clear from the Covid Test I was required to take, hoping I would understand my number in Japanese, when it was called.

When I arrived at the Asahikawa Airport I was met by my supervisor and my coworker, Miku. I remember flying down the aisles of some grocery store in some place near Kamikawa! I was overwhelmed to say the least! I bought everything from cutlery and bath towels to rice, ramen and beer! Crazy times!

I remember walking into the apartment for the first time and being grateful that they had bought new beds for us… two large size single beds pushed together - one with blue sheets and one with pink! It was easy to decide which bed was mine!

I remember waking up the first morning thinking it must be noon!! It was 5am - the sun is up by 4:30am in spring and summer! I was thrilled when my 3 large suitcases arrived - I had shipped them from Tokyo…

One of the first things I had to do was go to the bank and open an account. I had to write my name in katakana and I had NO clue how to do it! I was not allowed to have someone do it for me - trust me when I say it was a painful endeavor! But - one year later - I actually can do it!

I remember getting lost and sitting down on the side of the road with my groceries - one of my coworkers came and picked me up.

I remember taking pictures of my appliances to send to people to find out how they worked - everything - of course - was in Japanese!

I also remember meeting some LOVELY people for the first time… and how helpful they were (are).

I left my hazards on in my car parked at a shopping mall because I had hit mirrors with another car (not used to right hand drive) and I had to stop to pick up my mirror - so of course I put on my hazards! And that was the 2nd time I had “hugged” the shoulder and lost my mirror!

I remember not having enough money to pay for my parking and not knowing where there was a bank to use my bank card - terrifying! I remember losing my credit card and then finding it in a train station - it had been turned in! Honestly - my stomach is in knots as I write this…. So many terrifying moments!! Ahhh but like Kelly Clarkson says - what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger - and it is the truth!

I am okay. I am much more okay now that I have my husband here to share the journey with.

I have been frustrated then elated followed by sad then joyful - over and over again. It has been a roller coaster for sure.

But one year later… I am glad I did this. It is not for the faint of heart, that is for sure!

How have I been able to do it??

MICHELLE (MICK)

My sister… Knowing that my lovely mum is being well cared for by her made it possible for me to be here in Japan!

FACETIME, FACETIME, FACETIME

It allowed me to speak to and SEE my mum weekly and my lovely friends and family took time out of their schedules to chat regularly with me - we even had some “couple chats”!

BROTHERS

Knowing that my two fabulous boys were living together in the same city and spending time together regularly made it a wee bit less tough to be so far away from them.

NICKY

There is no scenario that I am not packing up to move home if it were not for the friendship and support of Nicky! She has supported me (us) in every possible way.

As the giant snow banks are melting away (almost all gone) there is a sense of renewal about. School is back in - there are new people working at the schools and in the town office and I had to say goodbye to some colleagues and our amazing English speaking doctor... The cycle will begin again.

What do I hope for? I hope to get to be involved in some kind of band music - I miss it. I hope that I can be impactful to some - a few? - students at the high school! I hope that there are people who find me being here has made them enjoy English more and learn about Canada some.

Oh - and our first Japanese grand daughter was born a few weeks ago! So there is that!

Onward I go…