Yesterday I found myself at a Halloween Party- dressed as a PUMPKIN!
Yes!
Picture it if you can...me-in a bright orange pumpkin suit complete with a cute little leaf which perched upon my head!
It was actually quite hysterical, and a wonderful way to remember my first ever Halloween Party!

The BIG QUESTION has been asked: TO RE-CONTRACT or NOT to RE-CONTRACT. A third year in Japan (July 2004-July 2005) or NOT???

I received the papers today- and the question suddenly became VERY REAL.

I have NO IDEA what the answer is.

My thoughts now:
I dont know if I can stay for another year, in this job, in this place...
But at the same time I dont know if I can leave....

Last night, on a hill high about the the sparkling lights of Sendai, I saw an amazing sight.
A beautiful white statue of a LADY.
I dont how know tall she is (she is HUGE- she towered over us-and can be seen from miles away!).
I dont know what shes made of- maybe marble...it was hard to tell for sure.
I dont know how long she has been there. Or why she is there.

I DO know how she made me feel.

She is CALM. SERENE. And beautiful. She is stands alone on top of the city- and smiles gently down at the world- and I FELT warm, and safe, and loved.
I felt for a brief moment total PEACE. Inside me...and in the world around me.

There is a Lebanese Church in Wendywood (Johannesburg). They have a lifesize white marble(??) statue of a lady. She is called the Lady of the Cedars.
There is a little chapel at the base of that statue.
That is the only OTHER place where I have felt this kind of PEACE.

Maybe its because of my"Friday" belief.....
Maybe its because they are both powerful women.....
Or maybe its because they are just beautiful works of art. ....

Who knows???

Anyway...the Lady heard a wish last night.
TWICE.

I wonder if she will grant that wish? Only time will tell...

M.I.T.I.E. (Miyagi Intensive Training In English) Seminar. 7-10 October.
4 days.
24 students & 8 ALTs (note the ratio is 3:1)

INTENSIVE was an understatement of the week!!!

It was an amazing time for us all.
The students were literally & figuratively "showered" with SO MUCH English they were dreaming in ENGLISH. Which is nothing exciting for some- its a BIG DEAL if Japanese (NOT English) is your first language!
By the last day some students could NOT remember KANJI ( ie Japanese writing!)

INCREDIBLE!!!

The highlight of MITIE-for me was when the students surprised us with a farewell song. Many students were crying as they thanked us for the difference we made in their lives.

And I had tears in my eyes!

I feel very lucky. I am living a dream. In more ways than one.
I hope I NEVER wake up!
"Wa-kata"?? :)

Danola has left the planet...
ie Im going to a place where internet does NOT exisit. I will be back on Tuesday 14 October.

A poem thats on my mind:

However far we may wander...
However near we may roam,
Our thoughts will still be turning,
To those we love at HOME
AND HERE! (my contribution to this peom)

p.s. Happy Birthday VERUSHKA!! ja.. ja...we are the same age now!!

Times Change:
Summer has faded to autum. The nights are cooler. Light cotton clothes are being replaced by two layers...of heavier stuff!

People Change:
D to P. Liberating yet sad. Im filled with regret.
B to C. Taken by surprise. I didnt think Id see the day! (*Smirk*)

Feelings Change:
Out of the blue- missing someone I didnt know I was thinking about.
Someone I havent talked to or talked about in ages!
I thought I was angry with and disappointed by him.
I thought the connection between us is gone.
Why? WHY? WHY...
Maybe..."KI" is stronger than I realised!