7 Quick Takes Friday--The Jet Lag Edition

I kind of thought I was going to manage to escape the jet lag since day 1 went so well! Alas, it was not to be. It's 12:24 AM and I am wide awake. Ridiculously awake. I didn't take a nap today either, nor did I sleep in super late, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Maybe it's that my body thinks it is sometime tomorrow afternoon. Oh well. I gave up laying in bed even though it was so warm and cozy & am sitting here in my freezing living room thinking up 7 random tidbits for all of you while I wait for my benadryl to kick in :) Here goes...

**1**
Traveling home from Asia is a long process. An 18 hour and 50 minute process to be exact (we started a stop watch when we left our relative's apartment). We were surprised by a move to the exit row which was awesome as far as leg room goes, but the flight was SO bumpy we couldn't sleep. Every time we dozed off we'd get jolted awake thinking we were falling out of the sky. (Okay, I was jolted awake thinking we were falling out of the sky. My husband might have been jolted awake by me grabbing him and shrieking in his ear every half hour...).

**2**
Our Tuesday was made even longer (as if a day that lasts about 30-something hours isn't long enough) by the fact that that evening when we got home we drove to the grocery store to get some milk and fruit for the morning and realized our explorer wouldn't start. It ran fine getting to the store, but refused to start when we were trying to leave. So we walked the mile home (hey that's one way to try & stay up til 9 PM like everyone told us to!) and Charles took our neighbor back to the store with his car to try and jump our car. Apparently there was no need, it started just fine and has run just fine since. It's spending a good part of next week in the car-hospital though, getting back to tip top shape before we drive it up to Seattle.

**3**
I was watching Oprah as I addressed Christmas cards today & about fell out of my chair when a woman from our church (my fellow nursery volunteer) appeared on her show! Apparently Oprah is doing a competition to find the next big TV star to take her place. It's a reality type show and the winner gets their own tv show. They have a final 10 chosen and beginning next week on the Oprah Winfrey Network there will be a show where they compete with one another learning the art of showbiz. Kristina Kuzmic is one of the finalists, and seriously folks, she is amazing. I met her about a month ago volunteering in the church nursery and was instantly a bit in awe of her. She's spunky, amazing with kids, Miroslov Volf's niece (if you're a theology nerd, you're impressed by that), and has this passion for people that is contagious. Meet her here.

**4**
We returned from Japan to jump straight into my friend Becca's wedding weekend. Last night was the bachelorette party, tonight was the rehearsal dinner and tomorrow is the big day. Definitely has been a couple weeks of activity for us!

**5**
While I am sad to have to say goodbye to so many people, I have to say, I am not sad to only have another week in our apartment. It is SO cold in here, I can't even begin to explain. Our new house is going to feel amazing compared to this!

**6**
I spent part of today making friends at Home Depot. When we get to Seattle I want to be able to start painting and decorating within the first week or so that we are there, but I need to think about colors and play with various combinations in my head before I commit. So I came home with a ton of paint chips, magazines with color ideas, information on washers and dryers, and photos of the two floor rugs I want (one for under our kitchen table and one for our family room). It was quite a lovely day of day dreaming and mental-nesting :)

**7**
We had such a wonderful time with our nieces and nephew in Japan, and I know I already posted a bunch of photos of our time there (the rest are on facebook if you're interested and my "friend" on there!). We got to video chat with our other niece Lily over the holiday and I just had to share a few of my favorite holiday photos of her, because she's seriously adorable. (I might be biased...but I'm okay with that...)

Look! Santa came!!He brought me puffs! My favorite!Is a flood coming? Because I think the Lily-bug is ready!First snow experience--doesn't taste too bad!Happy New Year everyone!

Japan Adventures! Post #1!

It's the middle of the night in America, but it's 4:30 PM here in Osaka, so Thursday is almost over for us. I thought I'd take a bit of time to share some of our experiences, impressions, and thoughts about our time in Japan so far, rather than wait until we're home to try to do one huge post--especially because I'm told the jet lag headed back to America is super rough, so I'm not counting on doing much of any thinking when we get home!

The trip over here was super painless. Definitely a long flight, but not hard to handle at all. We took the advice of a friend of mine who goes to China a lot--leave the West Coast in the morning, fly what would be the equivalent of all day for our bodies, land in Asia in the early evening Japan time (which is about midnight/1 AM west coast time the previous night) and stay up til about 9 PM. Then you sleep all night, get up in the morning and are essentially adjusted. (This doesn't work if you sleep a lot on the flight so you're not tired when it's bed time). I'm told going home will be terrible, and that there just isn't an easy way to adjust, so I'm not looking forward to that. We landed and waited in about a 20 minute customs line before exiting to baggage claim. We noticed something about the airport/customs process that I can guarantee you is different in the US. The airport was SO quiet. This is something we've noticed about everywhere we've gone so far in Japan--it's quiet. No matter how many people are around, it is nowhere near the noise level or chaos that we experience in major US cities. Osaka is a major city, yet the airport was quiet, orderly, people waited patiently in lines, definitely using "indoor voices" to talk to whomever was with them. No loud announcements, music, honking of horns etc provided a soundtrack to our airport time. It was remarkable, I could get used to this even if it is a bit eerie at times. (We've made this observation a lot--their city streets are just SO much quieter--their cars are quieter, no large diesel trucks or loud engines of pick ups idling at stop lights--no honking at all, that would be considered rude I am sure. Restaurants, parks, trains, buses etc--all are quiet even with lots of people around).

We met our brother in law after exiting baggage claim, and he helped us exchange some currency and helped us take the bus back to Rokko Island, about an hour from Osaka where they live. We enjoyed seeing our family's large apartment here (seriously, this place is huge--4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a small den/playroom, large living space, all designed in a "Western Style"--made for family's from the US who are living here for work). We also got to meet our newest family member :)
Our family lives on Rokko Island, a man-made island near the city of Kobe, connected to the mainland by bridges. It's an interesting mixture of eastern and western cultures on the island, but not far off the island we pass by neighborhoods that are very definitely Asian. The kids have been showing us around some of their favorite/important places here in Japan, so we've visited Universal Studios, Japan, which isn't far from their home and they've walked me around parts of their island to show me their schools, favorite hang outs etc. My 12 year old niece was explaining to me that at her international school she literally has friends from all over the world, which is definitely something that she couldn't have experienced in Kentucky!

(This is us outside her school--the "peace" sign she's making is literally what they all do here--even at Universal Studios the Japanese photographers were motioning for us to all do this in our photos).

We've had fun learning some pieces of Japanese culture while here as well. It's a society that is extremely orderly. At the train stations you line up and wait your turn to get on after everyone has exited. At the airport, you wait in a single file line to get on the bus, not in clumps of people/family groups. (This apparently is not the case in Tokyo, there they literally employ people whose job it is to shove you onto trains to pack as many people onto the crowded trains as possible--I'm thinking Tokyo isn't a place I am dying to visit). On the escalators you step on and immediately line up single file on the right side of the escalator, so if anyone needs to pass you on the left they can. If you're a business man you wear a black suit, white shirt, and a stripped tie in a neutral color. Literally, there were groups of business men walking in the city during lunch yesterday and they were all dressed identically. Rodd was explaining to us that in this culture you do everything you can to not stick out, it's about conformity and fitting in. In America, the "early bird gets the worm." In Japan the one who sticks his head out will be pounded back into his place. (I didn't make that up, that is literally a motto around here). A friend of ours in LA is Asian and works in the fashion industry going back and forth between LA and China. She told us the joke in Asian fashion is that they don't wear colors. The fashion palette is a mixture of black, gray, brown, tan, and cream. My niece's bright pink sweat shirt was easy to find in the train station today! But, you also look nice and stylish when you go out, no sweats or tennis shoes are found on Japanese citizens out in public. Heels, boots, leggings, mini skirts, and stylish hand bags/accessories are everywhere. I definitely feel a bit frumpy in my Gap jeans and sweaters with sneakers on the train! It's amazing the ways western fashion and culture have influenced life here--for instance Taylor Swift is opening her next big tour here in Osaka in February (my sister in law is taking our 12 year old niece, which is very cool!), Michael Jackson is HUGE, and Starbucks are all over.

A poster outside the stadium where Taylor will be performing

Japan is also a society that has a deep sense of pride in following the rules. I haven't seen one speck of graffiti anywhere--not on trains, in train stations, restrooms etc. There is NO trash on the ground anywhere, and it's not because there are trash cans on every corner. Yesterday we had a tough time finding one in a mall, but still, there was zero garbage left on the ground. Eating and drinking in public really isn't done either--no one wanders around with their Starbucks in hand or gets on the train with food. Many vending machines here sell all kinds of things, including beer. Rodd asked someone once what was to keep the teenage boys from buying up the beer in vending machines (the drinking age is either 18 or 20) and he was told "why would they do that? That is against the rules, they would never do that." It's a shame-based culture, so doing anything that would bring shame to your family's name is avoided at all costs. (It's probably a tough place to be a kid/teenager for a number of reasons).

The food here is a unique blend of various Asian countries. So far we've eaten more of what would probably be typically considered Chinese food than Japanese. (We are going to hit a great sushi restaurant on Monday night after the holiday weekend which Charles is super excited about!). So far, dumplings, gyoza, and ramen are my new favorite foods :) The other thing we've noticed here is that literally no one is over weight. I haven't seen anyone in all of our wandering around. Everyone is petite and slim--Charles said "wow, nothing makes you feel like a giant quite like spending time in Japan!" So apparently their food is relatively healthy, or they eat much more manageable portions than we do. It's also not surprising that they think many Americans are rude, loud, and gluttonous. Compared to the Japanese, we are.Pork dumplings and gyoza--no forks--chopsticks only!

I'm amazed, Diana is a pro with the chop sticks!The kids were snacking on ice cream today. We were snacking on dumplings. You can buy them at the snack bar just like you could a hot dog or popcorn in America.Even the coke can says "Happy" on it--which I was with my second dumpling of the day :)Don't know what to order? Not a problem. Most restaurants have displays of plastic food in their windows to show you what each dish looks like.We are getting pretty good at the train system here! The kids are pros and were eager to tell us how the system worked. We've spent quite a bit of time on trains in the last couple days. Here I am with two of my nieces.
And here is Uncle Chuck with our nephew--attempting to look like the enforcers on the train.Being touristsToday we visited the Osaka castle, where the ruler of Japan lived in the late 16th century to rule the country. I was disappointed that inside is now a modern museum, instead of showing us what it really looked like, but the views from the top were incredible looking out over Osaka.Osaka is a BIG city! This is what the view looks like from all sides of the top of the castle.
That's about it for now! Not sure what we're doing tomorrow, I think the kids are kind of tired of a lot of walking/sight seeing, so we'll see what we end up doing. But for now, have a Merry Christmas weekend!

7 Quick Takes Friday

The latest and greatest from Pasadena these days...

**1**
One of my jobs ends next Wednesday, I spent the beginning of next week training my replacement. I have to say, I have enjoyed many aspects of this job, but I think it's time to be done at Fuller. I've loved my time there, and I have many things I will miss, but it feels good, to be bringing this season to a close....now if only all these final projects were graded...

**2**
House update! Our paperwork and loan information is in this mysterious, intimidating sounding place called "underwriting." Apparently these are the people that have the potential to find all kinds of problems, discrepancies, and issues with our loan that can make things fall to pieces. The plan is for our friends at escrow (a place that also sounded intimidating to me, but has turned out to be very friendly and helpful) to have our paperwork Monday morning, over night it to us, have us sign everything with a notary, over night it back to them on Tuesday and still be able to close on Thursday. If you're not using your fingers between now and then, and want to keep them crossed for the next week, that would be fantastic--thanks!

**3**
This past week I was afraid to check my email much of the time. It seemed that every time I did I had an email from our loan officer requesting even more copies of bank statements, deposit slips, proof of what various checks were from, and well...a number of other things. I've learned a few things. One, I'm never throwing away another piece of paper again, because apparently when you do, that's the piece of paper someone needs to see. Two, tracking all these things down, scanning them, and emailing them literally takes hours. I had so much to do this week trying to wrap things up at work, but instead had to spend hours dealing with house paperwork. I keep telling myself this will be worth it, and we are SO grateful to even have the opportunity to be buying a house, but this particular week I cried several times looking at lists of things our lender wanted.

**4**
I also was trying to get Christmas shopping done, gifts wrapped and in the mail this week because we leave for Japan in a week and I just needed something to be done on my to-do list for my sanity's sake. I did manage to accomplish this :) We're only doing gifts for immediate family this year (sorry friends!) but they have all been purchased, wrapped, and are en route to Providence, Minneapolis and South Carolina. Japan presents are going with us in our suitcases but are wrapped and ready for the tree :) I love doing an annual Christmas card/letter, but I'm thinking that's just not going to happen this year. Maybe we'll do a Valentine's Day card...

**5**
People keep asking me what I am going to do when we move to Seattle. I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think I am going to be bored! I got a call this past week from one of the staff members at our new church who asked if I'd be interested in teaching a 10 week adult education class this spring. He said "you have your M.Div, you've been graduated for awhile, do you want something to do?" I was like, "yes please!!" I was thrilled to be asked, that I'm not even there yet and they already trust my ability to serve in various pastoral roles which makes me so happy :)

**6**
We have been so blessed lately to share meals with wonderful friends, as we begin winding down our time here. Thanks Ryan & Alethia, Jenn & Josh, Dave & Melanie, Susan & Peter, Dave & Amanda, Brian & Courtney, Scott & Mikhal and others!

**7**
By next Thursday we are hoping our stress levels might be a bit lower! I will be done with one of my jobs, Charles will have graduated from his chaplaincy program (and Fuller!), we should hopefully be home owners, and all that will be left is packing for Japan! I think we're going to try to run away to a fun downtown hotel that night as a Christmas gift to each other to get away and celebrate all these things!

Bullet Points

I have to be honest. I think we are pretty tired. I know I am. My friend Miranda mentioned in her post yesterday that all she feels she can manage right now is a list of bullet pointed thoughts. That's kind of where I'm at these days. There is a LOT going on in our lives, and I know I feel a little scattered, but I had a few minutes this morning before another busy day gets underway, and thought I'd post a few random things going on here.

This whole buying a house thing is a lot of work! A lot of new information to wrap my mind around, a lot of coordinating of various people (escrow folks, our lender, our realtor, the seller's agent, and home inspector) and doing this all long distance is tough. I've spent hours these past two weeks scanning, emailing, and fed-exing documents, as well as spent a ton of time looking at how we're going to make closing work from far away. We've gone back and forth between doing this long distance and over-nighting documents or having me fly up for 24 hours to sign everything and get power of attorney to sign for Charles. Our realtor has been great in helping us talk through all these options, and I think we've got a plan in place. Now we just need everything to work out smoothly between now and Dec. 16! It's been tough doing this while we are both at our separate jobs all day during business hours. Mine is a bit more flexible, but it's definitely added a bit of a challenge! We are so grateful for this opportunity to buy a house, and so excited to be getting settled in it, but are definitely feeling the stress of all the work that it takes to make the financial piece of it happen! So if you've called lately & I haven't managed to call you back on my lunch breaks, I'm sorry :( Lunch hour now finds me on the phone with our realtor, insurance agents, or frantically scanning papers--hoping this will slow down soon!

We had a great Thanksgiving, celebrating with a family from church who invited us, and about 18 other people over (some were their family members, most were a random assortment of folks who needed a place to go). We're always impressed and inspired by people like this who open their home on holidays to take in those who don't have family nearby. We hope to be known for the same thing in the years to come as we get settled in Seattle. We know what it's like being far away on holidays, and we are grateful for their hospitality!

The rest of the day on Thanksgiving and then again on Friday the two of us had pretty relaxing but very productive days here at home. We did a ton of laundry, which always makes me feel productive. Charles was working on putting together some resources he used in leading the Confirmation program here at Glendale Pres so that when they do Confirmation again in 2 years they will have a binder of stuff in place already to know where he started. I sorted through all my clothes, books, and movies and put together bags to give away/sell. We took a big box of theology books up to a local used book store that only deals with theological books and they paid us $190 for them, which is way less than we paid, but way more money than we expected to get! I am definitely the person who believes in sorting through stuff before the move, I'm not packing and hauling stuff we don't want!Saturday I drove up to Hanford to visit the Backman family since my sister, her husband and the Lily-girl were there :) I am always SO thankful for their invitation to come see my sister every time they are visiting Nathan's family, and it's been wonderful getting to know them and their extended family over the last couple years. Lily is now walking all over (still definitely toddling--she falls if she gets going too fast!), is showing her independent streak for sure, and says "dat!" as she points at everything around her that she wants. She's adorable, super good natured, smiles a ton, and waves at every stranger who passes her and makes eye contact!
I ended up seeing them again Monday afternoon when they got stuck in LAX over night trying to fly home. So I went to pick them up and they spent the afternoon and evening with us before catching a flight Tuesday morning. I know it was stressful traveling for them, but I'm always grateful for any time with them I get!

I know it's a totally inappropriate song, but my new favorite song just might be "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. Yes, I told you my brain is scattered and random today.

My boss had 10 pastors from various parts of the country in town Monday and Tuesday for a meeting. Which meant someone had to transport them to and from various LA area airports. So between Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon I visited the Burbank airport 3 times, the Ontario airport twice, and LAX twice. I think that totaled 313 miles of driving, and I never left LA. I am counting the days til we will be living 15 minutes from the Sea Tac airport! Needless to say I was very tired of my car by last night! But I came home to beautiful flowers from my sweet husband who knew I'd had a long day :)

Our evenings have become exceptionally busy as well, as we only have a couple weeks here before we go to Japan, and then when we return from Japan we have a week to pack up and say our goodbyes. So many nights during the week that we didn't have something normal scheduled like youth group or meetings, we're finding ourselves having people over for meals, or getting together with friends, which has been fantastic, but added to the busyness! Hopefully our 10 days in Japan will be a little restful and relaxing before we move!

Don't hate me, but our Christmas shopping is just about done. We wrapped all our nieces and nephew gifts last night, and have just the grown ups left. I started back at Halloween, knowing our December was going to be insane with me needing to grade 60 final exams and 60 final projects BEFORE leaving for Japan! (oh yeah, and buying a house....)

I'm acutely aware that Advent has arrived, and our whole life seems so frantic and busy right now. I'm not exactly sure how to celebrate the advent season this year, how to stop and really contemplate and celebrate the coming of Jesus. Anyone have any good (simple) suggestions in the midst of what feels like the busiest Christmas season I've ever had? We aren't even decorating because that would require pulling boxes out, unpacking, and repacking in time to move...not worth it when we're only here for 2.5 weeks in December!

I think that's it. I need to actually get moving here and go to work like a good employee! I took a few extra hours to sleep this morning after my marathon driving experience yesterday, but now I should get back to my to-do list :)