Great Expectations

Feeling a little down about life? Feeling a lack of significance or purpose? Why is it, that in an age and country where wealth and opportunity abound, we feel so empty? The world is your oyster! The possibilities are endless!! Why does this make me so depressed?

Maybe my expectations are simply too high. If anything is possible, then surely, I should do great things. I feel I need to change the world, achieve something great and outstanding. But the fact is that not everyone can be outstanding. For there to be a tall poppy, there have to be lots of short poppies to compare it to.

I was watching Pride & Prejudice the other day, and it made me think about contentment. They had so much less than me, and especially the women, had so drastically fewer opportunities. Yet I don't know if they were really any less happy. Look at the chic who married Mr Collins - an odd man who she didn't love. But as a plain, poor woman, she had few choices in life. She picked one that looked satisfactory, and simply made the most of it. She encouraged her husband to spend a lot of time in the garden 'for the sake of his health', and got on with keeping her house as best and beautiful as she could. And she was happy. She fully accepted her lot in life.

It seems that the more opportunity we have, the less we are satisfied with what we have. I have so many choices that I can't make a decision. We are always looking around to see what others have, or how we could do better. Why so many career changes? (Heather!!!) Because maybe that job is just a little better. Why so many divorces? Because maybe I could be happier with someone else. Why so much discontentment? Because maybe I could be doing something greater.

Are we just expecting too much out of life, to the detriment of our own contentment?

FIRE!! (... or not??)

I walked home in heels tonight... it was a slow, cold walk. I arrived and tried the door... locked... Martina's out. I put the key in the lock, and the second I turned it...

RRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!

Crap!!! I've got the wrong apartment, and I've set their security alarm off!! was the first thought flashing through my mind! A quick check... 605 on the door... nope, it's mine. Oh no!! Martina installed a new security system while I was out! was the second thought. Okay, okay, calm down Heather and stop being daft.... it's okay... it's just the fire alarm. Uh, did you say "just"??

I nervously stepped inside as the ringing stopped. Everything seemed fine in our apartment, so I took a tim tam, and went out to the front verandah/walkway thing. Hanging over the edge, I could see a fire truck pulling up, but without sirens or lights. A few people were out on other levels. (The fire alarm was still going off every now and then.) Oh, the excitement!! I called out to a lady on the level below, but she didn't know what was happening. Finally one man told me "No fire!" (God bless the Japanese school system and its compulsory English!!). So I figured it was safe enough to come in and put the kettle and computer on. Wonder if I'll ever find out what happened?!?

Back home again

Boy, does time fly!!! I am already back in Japan!!

My 2 weeks in Aust almost seemed over before it began! I had a great time - spent heaps of time just hanging around with my family, which is what I missed most of all. Two days were also spent in Victor Harbour (plus a couple days driving), hanging out with Mum, Grandma and Auntie Kathy, which I thoroughly enjoyed... I think it is SO important to spend time with other generations... you can learn so much. It was also so awesome to hear Grandma praying for her kids, grandkids and family-in-law, and to be reminded again how privileged I am to be part of such a supportive and caring extended family.

Lets see... I also did some business-y stuff, like the blood bank and doctor's appointments (yep, I'm still alive!), and visited a few friends - I didn't get to see half the people I wanted to see - sorry folks!!!!

On both my flights back, I got to sit next to a friendly person so I could chat a little - that was good. My second flight got delayed 2 hrs due to 'technical difficulties'. I had taken my drowsy tablets just a little before I found out about the delay, and they made me really sleepy, but I couldn't really sleep cuz the waiting lounge was so freezing! Everyone was putting on their coats that they had ready for landing in Japan! I was reading a book I impulsively bought just before boarding the plane in Aust (glad I did or I would have been really bored!), but I had to read each page a couple times cuz I was so sleepy!! LOL!!

After spending 2 weeks constantly in the company of at least one family member, it felt strange to arrive home to an empty apartment. Within 2 hours of arriving in Sasebo, I had unpacked, showered, gone through my mail (thanks peeps!) and didn't know what to do with myself!! So I messaged Martina, raced into town and had lunch with her. And she told me how to use her computer and that there was a stack of videos at home for company, so I could go back home after that! Giggle, giggle! Funny how I love my solitude, but the sudden change really threw me!

But it is good to be back again. Hoping I can quickly remember all the Japanese I've forgotten in the past couple weeks and looking forward to getting back into the Japanese swing of things.

Love you all so much!! Thanks so much for all your letters, prayers and caring!! I am seriously one of the luckiest people in the whole world because of each of you!!!!