Origami

I've mentioned before how much I am utilized at work. . . I have very little to do, so I try to spend my time doing things to make myself look busy. Usually, I sit and study Japanese Kanji (Chinese characters), but I can only do so much of that at a time before my brain feels like it is going to explode. Sometimes, I spend a ridiculous amount of time completing a simple project for lessons, like drawing a pineapple or making flashcards of the alphabet. There have been a few opportunities to enter art competitions and things, too, so that has helped a bit. Unfortunately now they are finished. I have yet to hear back about anything.

Lately, however, I have been filling my time with another activity: origami. Origami (折り紙) is the *"Traditional Japanese"art of folding paper into lovely little toys and shapes. It is time-consuming and you feel really good after you sit for hours and finally figure out how to make your frog hop or whatever. Some day I hope to work up from this

to this.

I have also finally started writing postcards to people I was meant to write to a few months ago. Sorry to them! I guess this is just kind of, erm, my time? I've been slowly trying to figure out what to do with myself. It is a little tricky, though, because I have to think of my future in regards to two, not just for myself. It will work out, though. I'm a firm believer in getting what you work for. I have time now, too, since Steven found a job teaching English in Japan! If only we knew where he was going to be placed. . .

Anyway, I'm glad I am getting to play a little with this origami stuff. . . it's something you have to keep doing or you forget what you've learned. I like that about it.

Also, a former JET named Douglas is opening up a small cafe in Kochi City, which is awesome! It's something Steven and I talked about in passing, but the option is always there, I suppose. Anyway, he wants to fill the blank walls with art, so I have been working away at that trying to make stuff that might sell. Some is OK, most is not really the kind of stuff that would sell in the inaka (countryside) of Kochi, Japan, so we'll see. Gives me something to do, anyway: art and origami.


*I say "Traditional Japanese" because it seems like Japanese people need to describe everything they do in Japan starting with "Traditional Japanese" so we know it is done in Japan and probably only Japan and if it is done other places it began in Japan and is done better in Japan. If they know little to no English, they usually know how to say these two words. The phrase is used for things like chopsticks, beverages, toys, various kinds of food, dances, ways of being, vehicles, methods of getting things done, personalities, partying, farming, ceremonies, festivals, clothing, etc. I might have a slight issue with hearing this all the time. . . just a little. . .