I am a nerd

Today, during my lunch break, I went to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce website's demographics section to catch up on the current economic indicators of my old home. (I love Asheville!!)
I'm sitting in Japan, thinking about Asheville...but my way of connecting with Asheville is to check the economic indicators. "oh, hotel sales are only down 1.3%" and "I wonder how much further the Asheville Airports numbers will go, given the economic downturn?" Thus, I must be declared a nerd. =P

On a completely unrelated note, I will be playing "grand golf" this afternoon with the other teachers in my school district. What's "grand golf", and what makes it different from "golf"? I do not yet know....hmmm

If anyone has been wondering how difficult it is to live in a country and not know the language let me tell you....it's WAY too EASY to get by knowing only three Japanese words: "sumimasen- excuse me, sorry, oops" "Arigato- Thank you" and "Wakarimasen- I don't understand".
Because of this, I have really been slacking on my Japanese language study. Good thing my Japanese coressepondence course has arrived...now I might begin learning Japanese. =P I hope!!

crazy few days

So much has happened in the past few days. Lots of big changes, that I had hoped I could go into some detail about on this blog. However, time has just been flying by and I haven't really had the time or energy to really get into how I have been feeling or what I have been experiencing. I can tell you this, Thursday was my last day at the Chamber, my first job out of college. I really will miss the people I worked with.
Friday Matt and I ran around doing last minuet errands and just enjoying the last little bit of time we had in Asheville.
I love Asheville. It really is a great place. If Matt could get a good job in the Asheville area in a few years we would definitely move back there...but the biggest hurdle to going back is, sadly, the job market for those in math or science fields. However, we have seriously thought of the possibility of moving back to Asheville at some point.
Friday night we saw the BEST Batman movie. Heath Ledger was amazing as the joker, and two face freaked me out as well... I can honestly say that movie gave me nightmares. =[ but it was soooo great.
Saturday consisted of moving...lots and lots of moving...then lots and lots more of moving...sigh. We were all exhausted by the end of the day.
Sunday and Monday Matt, kitty, and I have been in Morganton getting our cat used to her new home. I AM GOING TO MISS HER!!! Thinking about leaving her makes me want to cry. But she is doing okay and I know Matt's parents will take good care of her.
We are going to Charlotte soon so I can finally PACK!! I know I am crazy to put it off to the last second, but I really haven't had the time or all my stuff in one place to be able to pack.
So that is a quick summary of what is happening, not complete, but the main thing is exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed with so many life changes happening at once.
Sigh... I think after the next three weeks things will be a lot better. For one I will be over the jet lag and my husband will be with me again! My life is always better when I am with my husband.

Just finished crying...

Everything is okay. I am fine; everyone is fine. I just read a story and saw a short video that was pretty touching here and here about a girl who was so touched by hearing the robot wall-e say his name in the Pixar trailer she begins to cry...but the story does not end there...I recommend reading her story. I saw wall-e last weekend. I liked it, though I don't really think kids will enjoy it, at least not the first 30 mins worth, its a bit too adult (aka slow and quiet) in the beginning.

Moving on...
I am so excited about moving to Japan in about 23 days!! Everyone keeps talking about what a big adventure it is, and I have to agree. The only problem is I have soooooooo much I need to get done between now and then. I will have to be completely moved out of my condo, getting the utilities out of my name, selling my car, packing my bags, still buying things I need to bring, getting my visa, the list goes on and on and on....
At the same time, I really want to enjoy these last few days here in the US, specifically in Asheville.
I will really miss Asheville, it is just a great place with such amazing people and a feel to it that I love so much. I love going into a restaurant (Lucky Otter, Noi's Thai Kitchen, Jack of the Wood, Laughing Seed, BurgerMeister's etc.) and actually having vegetarian options. Not an iceberg lettuce salad, but real, filling, meals. I know I will miss that a whole lot.
I will also miss the fact that in Asheville I can go downtown on a Friday night a watch the hippies dance and play in a drum circle or Saturday see ...well...the people of Asheville, enjoying life.
I think that's a big part of the feeling you get when you are in Asheville, those around you are truly enjoying their lives, enjoying the world around them.
This past weekend my mom came to visit. We went downtown a bit on Saturday, ate tempeh Reubens at Jack of the Wood, then we walked around and my mom fell in love with a lady's dog.

I really like this pic because Matt looks so cute when he is laughing. I love him!
Here are pics of the dog w/ my mom. To be fair, my mom has been in love with these little dogs for years, and this one is pretty cute with that little bow.

Well, I am tired now and have to get in some Jon and Kate Plus 8 tv show watching in as there won't be any in Japan.