Thank You, Next

Before I get started on my final post for 2019, I have to admit that I failed Blogmas. I was so determined to write a post every day in December and as determined as I was, I failed miserably at my time management. But as with any failure comes a lesson learned and a chance to do it all again even better than the first time. I am motivated to try again which means taking the steps to become better at managing my time and setting my priorities. Often I just wanted to sit at the keyboard and type away, but as soon as I got home, I spent most of time either doing work related to school or just plain escaping from anything having to do with creating. I realize now that for me it's important to have a creative outlet whether it be through drawing, photography, writing, videography, dancing, whatever! Without a creative release, I think it makes me turn into someone I don't like to be. I get impatient with others and feel as though my free time has been taken away when in actuality, it is my own self who is responsibile for that time lost and my own self who I am impatient with. I really want to make the efforts in the new year to improve this. Thank you, next.

2019 was a blessed year in terms of my health and the health of my now 87 year old Mom and 12 year old (soon to be 13 year old) Sinbad. But I had a few scares. Only days after 2019 had started, I broke my tooth on a piece of lettuce, actually a piece of water cress to be exact. Yeah, I know, how the heck do you break your tooth on a piece of lettuce? I have no idea how I did it, but it happened. It broke pretty much right in half, but luckily I was in zero pain. As if the dental gods knew, I had a scheduled dentist appoint for that same week. My dentist is still in Gunma prefecture and I'm not ready to change yet. I guess because I taught my dentist's son in 6th grade, they treat me very well and I love how comfortable the entire office makes me feel. So as crazy as it may sound, I drive about 2 and a half hours from Yokohama to Gunma just to go to the dentist. I had a big decision to make because I was told that I needed a root canal, a process which would take at least 6 visits during a 2 month period. Would I be willing to drive out to Gunma every week? My answer was yes. So for the first two months of 2019, I spent every Friday (my day off at the time) in Gunma at the dentist. I must say that my dental care was absolutely amazing. I was secretly terrified because I had heard horror stories of root canals being one of the most painful of dental treatments. But I kid you not, I did not feel ANY pain during the entire process. As much as I would have preferred that I didn't have to undergo this treatment, it helped me in a lot more ways healthwise than I realized. For most of 2019, I stopped drinking soda. I also gave up chewing gum and gummy bears. I'm A LOT more careful when I eat hard food because I don't want to risk cracking or breaking another tooth or having something sticky pull out my new crown. During the latter part of the year, I did start drinking soda again, but in moderation. I still enjoy a Coke or a Pepsi now and then, but cutting soda out has made a big difference I believe in my health. A lot of my online friends were going through similar dental issues too so it was really comforting to have people who were exepriencing the same treatment as I was. For almost all of 2019, I was able to enjoy it in good health. Knock on wood, I stayed influenza free and didn't have anything major except for losing my voice (it happens to teachers a lot) one time and experiencing a weird choking sensation a few weeks ago which the school doctor attributed to either a stress related attack or being too much in a rush. Because of that incident, I know that I have to make sure I take things easy and maybe get more sleep. I tend to keep going and going. I sometimes rush when I need to slow down and I sometimes get lazy when I need to be more productive. One of the things that keeps me paying good attention to my health is knowing that I have to be in the best of health to be able to take care of my Mom and Sinbad. I live a pretty clean lifestyle, know my limitations and pay much more attention to my diet and getting enough exercise. I do want to start dancing in some form again, but I just haven't found the right gym or studio yet. Fortunately Mom and Sinbad have enjoyed another year of good health. We got Mom a doctor who is walking distance to us and who speaks a little English. She's very comfortable with him and it gives us both a peace of mind that she has someone nearby. Sinbad and I still travel out to Gunma for his vet appointments. I still plan to keep going to our wonderful vets there, but I do think I need to find a vet nearby too for any emergencies that might come up when I can't drive to Gunma right away. My wish for 2020 is for my Mom, Sinbad and me to be able to spend another healthy year together. Thank you, next.

As busy and as challenging as work can be, I feel extremely fortunate to have a great job, work with some amazing people and be able to make a positive impact on the students I teach and the teachers I work with. Starting from April of 2019, I became a permant contracted teacher. I was previously on a limited contract. The actual workload and work assigned to me didn't change, but things like my salary and benefits changed in a positive direction. There was a bit of a decrease in my monthly paychecks but this is later compensated during bonus time. I've only had bonuses in one other job so this is sort of my first time to be able to enjoy the day when everyone gets their bonuses. I'm still working on trying to be better organized with my finances so hopefully in 2020 I can get back on track. It's a little scary knowing how I only have a few more years before I have to retire and it scares me to think how all the pension and retirement stuff works because I really have no idea. I do know that I want to keep growing and improving as an educator, a content creator and as a person. I've been able to attend some great workshops and conferences this past year. I've been able to travel to England to chaperone a study trip and I'll be traveling to Brisbane in 2020 to chaperone another study trip. I'm excited! Thank you, next.

It's now 11:45 pm and I have 15 minutes before we enter 2020 here in Japan. So I'm going to close for now. But before we enter the new year, I would like to thank YOU. Thank you to my family and friends and the people who have entered my life in one form or another. I have been blessed with an amazing support network of people all over the world. I have learned many things, both good and bad, from the people who have crossed paths with me. I have been able to live each day in good health with a happy outlook on life and I'm blessed to be able to do the things I enjoy doing. I have been protected and kept safe by angels who watch over my loved ones and me. I am so truly grateful. I know I am loved and I try to radiate love, respect and support in my words and my actions. I still have a lot of room to grow and learn. My only resolution that I make every year is to live each day to its fullest without regrets and be grateful for being given the chance to live, to love and to learn.

Thank you, 2019. Next, 2020...bring it on! I'm ready and I'm excited!

xox