in this week’s newsletter: life updates from november, sharing memories, and reflecting on the lessons that each person and space gave me
dear penpals -
a big (and warm) hello to you! waking up in kamikatsu has gotten harder and harder each morning as the cold air finds its way to seep into the house (many japanese homes are very poorly insulated) and i want to hide in the warmth of my bed a little longer. but then i hear the town’s 7:00am bell ringing and know that it’s time to (sadly) get up.
i was debating whether i should write a newsletter this week (after missing last week’s) because i haven’t finished my latest vlog and didn’t know if i could finish it in time. but i realized while looking through videos and photos, that there have been many joyful memories last month that i wanted to share, but not necessarily in video format. so enjoy this photo-log of some happy life updates of my time here in japan.
fair warning: this newsletter is a long one. so grab a snack, get comfy, and if you find yourself making it to the end, thank you for reading and sticking around.
spending time with elders
one of the most important things i have loved being intentional about during my time here is building community in kamikatsu. it’s not easy and it takes time, but some of the best relationships that have come from these pockets of community have been with the elders. there is such a warmth that comes from these relationships that can’t fully be captures through words and pictures, but i will do my best.
the joyful thing about each relationship i have with the elders is that food is such a central part of these gatherings. there will always be room for one more bite of food, one more cup of tea, or (in some cases) one more giant plate of meat because, in the words of えみさん [e·mi·sa·n] “you’re still growing so you need to eat more” hahah!
i have such a deep respect for the elders, both here in kamikatsu and others in my life, for the way they not only teach me so much about the beauty of reflecting, remembering, and to be in a constant state of growing (no matter how old you are!), but also for their kindness, compassion, and hospitality. i have never left any of their homes without a belly full of food and a heart full of gratitude for their care. incredibly thankful for these moments where i get to sit and simply be with them.
being bold, being brave
i keep mentioning in previous newsletters about many ‘firsts’ i get to experience living in kamikatsu, but all of those firsts are ones that are fun, comfortable (to a certain extent), or ones i wanted to do when i found out i was going to move to the countryside. but rarely have i been able to do many firsts that scared me, that were ones i said i would never do, ones that were ‘too’ much of something - too dangerous, too scary, too wild, too… much. well, not any more.
for the first time in my life, i rode on the back of a motorcycle, and it was such a thrilling rush. the nerves were everywhere, adrenaline pumping through my body as i strapped on the helmet and got on the backseat, and then i rode and it was equally amazing and terrifying. zipping through the mountain ranges, inside tunnels, curvy roads feel so different when you are exposed to… everything.
i still won’t get a motorcycle (i barely am comfortable riding a standard bike hahah), but it is good to know that the things we fear, the things we box ourselves either in our outside of, does not have to be permanent. that we get to step a little outside of our comfort zone, maybe we’ll like it or maybe we won’t, but it’s still worth it to try.
and if riding a motorcycle taught me anything, it’s that when we face our fears, it helps to face it with people. it helps to face it with a friend.
thank you linda for giving me this new ‘first’ experience!
cafe journaling
when november hits, there is a sudden shift in my journaling where i reflect on what was good and bad about my current journaling system, and plan what i might want to change or introduce into next year’s journaling system. i have so many exciting new stationery purchases and systems in plan for next year, i kind of just want to jump ahead to 2023 so i can begin!
one of the happiest journaling moments was coming to an end of my first travel journal notebook. looking at the pictures you can really see that i packed in so much, and i can’t wait to one day re-read everything that i did in my first 4 months in kamikatsu! so many memories are captured in this little (but not so little anymore) notebook!
one thing i want to be more intentional about is setting aside time to focus on all types of journaling, not just on travel journaling. since moving to japan, i feel like there wasn’t a balance on journaling for personal thoughts and feelings, media journaling, or even using my bullet journal for productivity purposes to keep my student life on track! that’s why i’m excited for a new year, new journaling change - to tend to and make space for all parts of journaling that restores joy and healing.
i hope you’ll join me in the new years as i continue to share parts of my heart through the pages of my journal with you.
my mama in kamikatsu
the happiest update was having my mama come visit japan and having her experience all the joys of kamikatsu! although it was for a short time, it was really special to be able to show her parts of the countryside that i’ve fallen in love with, as well as being reminded of what all the newness was like when i first arrived 4 months ago.
when you’ve taken the same windy road, seen the same mountains, and eaten at the same go-to lunch spots in the countryside, it’s easy to forget that these moments were once a shocking thing to experience. and i definitely have felt at times restless with the same-ness of things in such a small village.
but seeing my mom ‘ohh’ and ‘ahh’ sitting in the car driving on roads that are never straight, seeing the mountains that are incredibly lush with green, and eating foods that she can’t find back home in canada puts things into perspective.
so every time my mama took out her phone to snap a photo of something that was shocking or beautiful for her, i took my phone out too. to see things from her perspective and be reminded that these were also things that i once ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ed about, and should hold more space to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ again.
there is so much value of being reminded of our beginnings.
as i finish this newsletter, i’m reminded why i make videos in the first place - i definitely tend to over-write and over-feel with each memory i talk about so videos help keep my newsletters short (hahah). but if you find yourself reading this little paragraph, making it to the very end, thank you for sticking around. i appreciate you holding space to hear about the people that make my time in kamikatsu so beautiful.
with deep gratitude, mina.
Mina, When you write, I can feel the joy and excitement that you experience. It was such a pleasure to read and see the pictures of you enjoying your life and your visit with your mother. Keep it going.
I loved the post, don't mind the lenght, it was perfect! It's not like every newsletter needs to be the same as the others, right? You can do whatever you want and we are here to follow your updates, so we are happy anyways! :) and you and Kana in kimono, wooooow, the colours!!! Beautiful pics and stories, as always!