There are less than three hours left until the end of 2013. How is that even possible?!
2013 was a crazy year. It started in Newfoundland, it brought me to Halifax (twice!), Toronto, and New York City, and it will end in Japan.
In 2013, I graduated from university with my first degree. I took and passed my Advanced 2 modern dance exam. Also in 2013, I realized my life-long dream: I moved to Japan and started this crazy journey that I’ve been on for the past five months (has it really been five months already?!).
Looking forward, 2014 promises to be an interesting year, too. Not only will I continue my life in Japan, but I’ll get to share it with my mom and my brother (and maybe my dad, too!) when they come to visit me in the spring. I will also do my own travelling, starting with a trip to Hong Kong(!) in just a couple weeks’ time. I have other goals, too: I want to keep studying and improving my Japanese. I want to learn taiko or traditional Japanese dance. I hope to cross even more items off my Japan (and life) bucket list(s)!
Despite the excitement that 2014 holds, I will ring in the New Year in the quiet Japanese fashion – watching the famous annual New Year’s Eve Japanese singing competition, Kouhaku Uta Gassen, on TV and eating the traditional Japanese New Year’s foods of soba and mochi. At midnight, I won’t watch fireworks (there aren’t any!), but instead will open my door and hopefully hear some of the nearby Buddhist temples ringing their bells 108 times.
2013 has definitely been a year of ups-and-downs, but I’m happy to say that there have been more ups than downs! Thanks to my family and my friends – both old and new – for your unwavering support and, of course, thanks to everyone who has read my blog over the past year! I have really enjoyed sharing my experiences in Japan with you, and I hope that you continue reading into 2014!
On that note, I wish you all a Happy New Year! 良いお年を迎えください！明けましておめでとうございます！
Falling for Japan 
Just stumbled across your wonderful blog while looking up info on JET. Your blog is really amazing, I was looking for an insight into the ALT way of life and I have a good idea of it now. I’ve applied for August ’14 departure. Really hoping it goes well(fingers crossed). If you dont mind answering, have you had any homesickness? That’s my one concern with going on JET
Hey Sarah! Thanks for the comment! I’m glad you enjoyed my blog. ^_^
Homesickness was the one concern I had when I was applying for JET, too! I’ve definitely had moments of homesickness – the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays were the worst for me so far because they were the first ever holidays that I hadn’t been home for – but it hasn’t been nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
Technology is a huge help; I find that keeping in touch with my parents, family, and friends on Skype and Line makes a big difference and stops me from feeling too homesick. Fortunately, I’ve also been incredibly lucky in my placement – my city reminds me a lot of my hometown, so I don’t feel completely out of my comfort zone! We’re lucky in that JET has a great line of support, too – from the JET Line to PAs to your fellow ALTs/CIRs in your own prefecture, there’s always someone there to listen and distract you if you find that you need it!
Best of luck with your application over the next few months! My fingers are crossed for you!