How like a winter...

As I stand in the bathroom tonight, ready to leap into a scalding-hot shower, I first gaze down, astonished, at the mountain of clothing that has just come off of my body: a pair of sweater-knit tights, track pants, wool socks, leg warmers, heat-reflective tank top, long-sleeved shirt, sweater, fleece jacket. And what is more astounding than the towering heap itself is the realization that, even with all these things on, I still felt cold! In my own house! With the heaters on! I shake my head confoundedly before slipping into the steaming shower.

Yes, it’s still winter in Japan. My bike-ride to work in the morning still requires all the above-mentioned articles of clothing, plus the addition of a heavy topcoat, gloves, scarf, earmuffs, hat, and warm boots. And despite the brief lapse into slightly more spring-like weather that we were graced with this last weekend, I still found myself cursing life itself as I plopped down at my desk in the teachers’ room this morning and furiously attempted to rub life back into my sorely frosted fingers.

But, otherwise, life is good. Which is weird, because life has also been exceptionally difficult lately. I haven’t taken the time to update the readers of this blog on any of the major events of the last few weeks. And, even though I could sit here and type out a half-hearted and tactfully censored version of my February in Japan so far, I’m going to put it off just a little bit longer, until I feel I can more adequately reflect on what all these events have meant for me and my life and my future life in Japan. What I will say is that, when the representatives from the Board of Education came to my school last Tuesday to meet with me, my principal, and Ms. Shimowada, my English teacher, I felt no hesitation in informing them of my intention to renew my contract for a second year. Yes, living in Japan is difficult. However, gently and persistently, God reminds me of the incredible beauty that can still be found in this country and these people. More on this later. I promise. Until then, thank you for your readership, your prayers, and the little comments you occasionally leave. They mean so much to me.