The First Week Home

Well, I have officially survived my first week at home, and first week of classes!  Life has been pretty hectic, and my pile of homework is fairly big.  My sleeping routine has been pretty good, to be honest the first few nights were better than the last few nights have been.  I am feeling more tired during the day than I do at night, but when I do stop working and go to sleep I am at least able to fall asleep.  I am waking up some in the middle of the night, usually feeling rested and ready to go (which is not normal for me!), but I have still been able to fall back asleep after a little while, which has been a blessing.

Along with the first week of classes comes quite a few reading assignments.  It has been hard to make such a drastic transition between being up and moving working with the kids all day to sitting in classes/at my desk reading all day... makes me ready to have my own classroom full of kids!  So far I'm just focusing on trying to keep up with all the work, but hopefully in a few weeks I will feel more on top of things and will have less stress associated with school.

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us for the Labor Day/Welcome Home Party on Friday night.  We had a great turnout, and lots of wonderful food!

Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey this summer, and who has shared positive thoughts and words of encouragement with me.  Your support was greatly appreciated!  This will be my last blog post, as I am home and transitioning back into my 'normal' life.  I hope you have enjoyed following along as I spent this unforgettable summer in the beautiful country of Japan, working with some wonderful kids!

Bittersweet Feelings...

“Thank God for kids, there’s magic for a while

A special kind of sunshine in a smile

Do you ever stop to think or wonder why

The nearest thing to heaven is a child?”

Tonight was our kids’ Dessertfest (for those of you who are not familiar with this, the community is invited to an event were we serve desserts and then the kids perform some songs and skits that they have been learning all summer, and we speak a little bit about the Camp Adventure program).  Today I was thinking back to my own Dessertfest at the completion of my semester of training.  I remember crying while singing the lyrics above, from the song “Thank God for Kids”.  Tonight, watching a special few of the kids from my room do the sign language to Rascal Flatt’s “My Wish”, the tears came again.  I managed to get myself under control, but then while singing, “God Bless the USA”, two of the campers from my room ran all the way across the theater to stand by me and another counselor from my room, causing both of us to cry.  After tonight, I’m dreading Friday, when we actually have to say the final goodbyes, even more than I already was.  However, I know it is simply part of it, and one step closer to a happy reunion with Brad, my family, my friends, my crazy horse Miss Sugar, and the even crazier dog Bubba.  To call this thought bittersweet feels like an understatement.

This summer has been one of great personal growth, filled with my frustrations, but also many heartwarming moments with children and friends too.  Although moments this week have felt like the first week all over again when we couldn’t seem to get through to the campers, others are quick to remind me that many of the behavior issues are caused by children who are sad we are leaving, and don’t know any other mechanism for coping with the feelings.

I just wanted to share these few thoughts with you, and ask you again to keep me in your prayers during the next 4 days, and the next week too as classes start.  I emailed all of my professors today to give them a heads up that I will be in the process of adjusting to the time difference, and have heard back from two of them who seemed very understanding, which was a relief!

Here’s the last verse of the song I began with…

“When you get down on your knees tonight

And thank the Lord for His guiding light

Pray they turn out right

Thank God for kids”

The Last Few Days Have Arrived

So many lasts have been happening, and will continue to happen these next few days.  On my last weekend here in Japan, I spent Saturday with three other Camp Adventure counselors in Tokyo!  We visited the Shibuya district for a little while to shop at H&M one last time (it is super cheap here... the most expensive things I bought there were 700 yen, the equivalent of $7).  Then we went to the Harajuku district, where young people dress up rather weird.  Here I finally bought a kimono!  Not entirely certain when I will ever wear it, but it will be a great souvenir from my time spent here in Japan.  After this, we moved on to the Ginza district, which has more upscale shops.  Then we got back on the train and, after talking to a man on the train, we got off at Gaiemmae to watch some fireworks!

On Sunday, one other girl and I headed to the Yokohama Pool Center.  We were two of three Americans at the pool, which was really cool!  The pool was much different than pools at home, as it didn't really seem to have many rules for people to follow, and it was much larger than any pool I've ever seen.  It was really neat to see parents playing with their children, not just sitting on the deck and letting the lifeguards babysit basically.  There was a whole area on the deck for people to put tents, and you could bring your own food in as well.  The atmosphere was much different than that of any pool I'd been to before.

It's weird to think each day this week that it is my last Monday/Tuesday in Japan.  I don't think it will really sink in until I'm back home and starting school again, but that's how all changes seem to be in my opinion... hard to imagine, but not that hard to adjust to after you are there.  I'm looking forward to seeing you all when I get home!  I ask for your prayers for a good ending to this last week with the campers, and also for safe travels home and ease adjusting to the time change.  I am rather nervous about this, so I would really appreciate your prayers for a smooth transition as I move back 14 hours.  My flight leaves Japan at 4PM on Saturday afternoon, and I return to Minneapolis at 1PM... also on Saturday afternoon (crazy in my opinion!)

Thanks so much for all of your love and support this summer, I enjoy hearing of all the people who have been reading my posts.  Thanks again, and have a good rest of the week! :)
- Becky

In the Single Digits!

Well, today is the 14th, which means that in 9 days I will be boarding an airplane and heading back home, where I will jump right into my next semester of college.  Although I am really looking forward to seeing my family and friends at home, I will definitely be sad when saying goodbyes here.  Goodbyes are just never easy, are they?

Throughout the summer I have really struggled with how to share with you what it’s like here in Japan, but I have come to conclusion that it’s not really possible for me to explain.  Pictures, stories, and such are great, but unless you have actually experienced Japan (or Camp Adventure for that matter), it’s not easy to understand.  However, I am doing my best through this blog and by sharing pictures on Facebook.  I hope that you will be able to join us at the Labor Day/Welcome Home party after I return so you can see more pictures and hear more stories, etc.  I figured this would be the easiest way to share all of this with the most people at a time, rather than telling the same things over and over, and worrying about forgetting to tell things that I want to.

Anyway, I won’t bore you with a lot of ramblings, just trying to process and share with you my feelings with only 10 days left.  Now it’s time to get back to finishing up my homework, and packing my suitcase!  There’s never a dull moment, which is good because I’m guessing things will continue like that upon my return home as well.

Please keep my parents in your prayers right now as they are boarding their flight to head back home.  Thanks, and enjoy the rest of your week!

So Happy to See my Parents!

Hello everyone!  It was a wonderful weekend spent with my parents.  We met on Friday evening and ate supper at a sushi conveyor belt restaurant before we headed to our hotel in Yokohama.  Saturday morning we checked out 5:30AM to the station where our bullet train left.  It was about a 3.5 hour ride to reach Hiroshima.  After arriving, we spent a little more time on the train, and then walked to a ferry, which took us across the water to the Miyajima island.  Here we viewed the floating tori gate, and explored the island.  After browsing for a while, we boarded the ferry and headed back to the mainland, where we then stopped at our hotel to drop off our bags and then headed to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Musuem.  This was a very moving experience, although it included a significant amount of reading.  We spent a few hours learning more about the atomic bomb that was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and the efforts for peace that have stemmed from this city ever since.  After we went through the museum, we visited a few of the different monuments in the Peace Memorial Park, but it was windy and rainy, so we didn’t spend too much time here.  We ate supper on our way back to our hotel, and went to bed early.

 

Sunday morning we returned to the Peace Memorial Park, which we were glad we did because we missed quite a few things there on Saturday.  Then we walked to the Hiroshima Castle, which my mom and I walked around to take pictures of.  Then we walked through the Shukkeien Garden before grabbing some lunch and hopping on the bullet train to head back.  After arriving back in Yokosuka, we ate lunch at one of my many favorite restaurants near base called Pepper Lunch, before my parents dropped me off on base and headed back to Tokyo.  I was so blessed to be able to spend a weekend with them, and to have them visit Japan while I’m here!  I really enjoyed this time with them, and hope that they enjoy the rest of their time exploring different parts of Japan before they fly back home on Thursday.  Saying goodbye this time wasn’t nearly as hard as it was before I left home, knowing that 2 weeks from this goodbye I will be home again.

 

Oh and on a side note, I was creamed for the third time on Friday during Cream the Counselor.  Do you think I will get creamed again this week?  I’m guessing that all of the counselors will get creamed on the very last day of camp, so I will get to be creamed at least 4 times, but I’m hoping not 5!  It was suggested to us that we do all of our “lasts” this week, as next week will be incredibly busy, so the days are winding down quickly, and becoming more and more packed with last minute things, like eating at our favorite restaurants, writing papers, and working  on packing.  We have to be at least 60% packed by this coming Friday.  Not sure how much more you’ll hear from me between now and my return home, but I will do my best to keep logging these last few weeks, not only for you to read, but also as a memoir for me to have forever! (I’ve been much better about writing blog posts than I have been about writing in my journal, so this will be the best way for me to look back on my time here as the years go by)

Also, if you are planning to come to the Labor Day/Welcome Home Party on Friday, August 29^th starting at 6:30PM at HCNP, please RSVP via this link so that we have a better idea of how much meat and drinks to have!  I want to make sure we have plenty of pork loin for everyone (here’s your motivation!) :)

Have a wonderful week!

- Becky

SO Many Emotions!

Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted during the week, but this has been an interesting week and there are some things I wanted to share with you all.

First of all, my parents arrived safely in Japan on Wednesday and spent yesterday touring Tokyo.  We will meet today after I get done at work and then spend the weekend together!  I am really looking forward to seeing them and spending time together exploring a new part of Japan (we’re taking the bullet train to Hiroshima!).  I am also excited to hear what they think of Japan so far, as I absolutely love it!

Secondly, this week has been a flood of many different emotions.  I began packing my suitcase, and today I mailed a few boxes of things home.  This makes me feel ready to just be home already, but at the same time, I’m wondering how in the world I am ever going to say goodbye to these kids.  While some can certainly be frustrating and some days aren’t exactly easy, these kids have really worked their way into my heart and I know I am going to be a hot mess of tears on my last day with them.  Funny to think back to being a mess of tears when I said goodbye to everyone at home, now I’m going to be crying just as bad when I say goodbye to the people (not just the kids) here.  Saying goodbye before I left was hard even though I knew I’d be seeing those people again, but saying goodbye here will most likely be forever, which adds a whole new level of emotions to things.  This is definitely a life-changing experience that I am glad I took advantage of.  I feel that I have grown so much this summer, and am thankful that this opportunity exists.  I don’t claim to know much about the military way of life, but I will say I am much more familiar now than I was when I left (honestly, I didn’t know much of anything upon arrival here).  The fleet has been out the whole time we’ve been here, but some of the ships are coming in this weekend.  Yesterday, the dad of one of the girls in our room came to pick her up for the first time since we’ve been here.  As he kneeled on the floor hugging her (with a rose for her) and her mom videotaped this reunion, I was overwhelmed with many emotions.  With goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes, I smiled as she got her bag out of her cubby and left with BOTH of her parents.  It’s hard for me to imagine being without my dad (or mom) for a few months at a time.  My admiration for these people grows more and more as I witness these homecomings and hear about how excited the kids are to see their daddies this weekend.  I love to hear them say “2 more days till my daddy gets home” and to tell me about what they are going to do with their daddies.  I can’t even imagine how difficult their lives are.  Being gone for a few months has definitely been hard for me, but I don’t anticipate it ever happening again.  These people must say those goodbyes over and over, and to their children!  Please say a prayer that all of these reunions are happy ones and that they readjust smoothly.

As my time here winds down (I fly out in 15 days), I am left wondering how I am ever going to keep my emotions in check as I leave Japan.  I am also wondering how the transition back to the States will go.  Although I don’t feel like I’ve made many personal changes, I am guessing I have changed more than I realize and I pray these are all good changes that will transition smoothly back into my life at home.

I will let you know how the weekend in Hiroshima goes.  Wishing you all a wonderful weekend as well!

- Becky

Reaching the Final Stretch

Things are starting to feel like a whirlwind of activity for me… In less than 3 weeks I will be home and getting ready to start another semester of college.  After a completely draining weekend, I’m starting to feel a little less confident in my ability to accomplish everything that I intend to in the next 20 days.  (insert crazy list making, for those of you who know me well)  I’m hoping that all these lists will help me stay on track and allow me to see my progress, while in the mean time trying to not get too stressed out.  I am sure wishing that I had a week or two to relax and catch up after I get home, but I will be jumping right in.  I’m praying for a smooth transition back to the time zone and into a new semester’s schedule.  That’s enough complaining though, here’s some details about my adventures this weekend!

Friday night we set up the center, as we were anticipating a crazy weekend due to Friendship Day, and because we had early curfew due to the event the following day (nights before we work we must be in housing by 10:30PM, weekends we can be out till 1AM).  On Saturday the base was opened up to all visitors.  I have no idea how many visitors came on base, but they were expecting nearly 90,000 due to a very popular Japanese pop singer who performed in the evening.  Our job was to set up and work at carnival games all day.  We started setting up at 8AM, with the event beginning a little before 10 (when the gates opened).  We moved back and forth between two different activities every hour.  My partner and I rotated between a bouncy house (there were 4) and a game where the players were attempting to throw a softball into a milk can.  We each got an hour off for lunch, and then came back and worked until 7PM, when the carnival ended.  Then it was time to clean things up.  The city of Yokosuka also had things going on, and they set off fireworks beginning at 7:15PM (which is way earlier than at home, but it almost all the way dark here by then).  We took a short break to watch some of the fireworks, then finished tearing things down.  It was a very hot day in the sun, and I really enjoyed a cool shower afterwards.  Then a group of us went out for supper at a ramen place off base, which was really good!

Sunday morning we hopped on the train and headed to Odawara for a 2 hour ziplining session, which was really fun!  Ziplining is not something I’ve done before, but I did enjoy it.  The company in our group of 9 was also good.  After ziplining, we visited the Odawara Castle before heading back to Yokosuka.

After a really exhausting week, I am hoping to manage my time well this week, allowing for plenty of time to sleep in addition to getting lots of things done!  My parents will be here next weekend and we will have a busy weekend in Hiroshima, which I am really looking forward to!  No matter how hard I try, I can’t fully explain how wonderful Japan is to you all.  I wish you could all experience all of these things I am this summer!  Please pray this week for safe (and smooth) travels for my parents as they journey here, and also for me as I attempt to accomplish lots!  Thanks so much, have a wonderful week! :)

- Becky