"Don't think too much..."

Things I'm told by my Chinese friend in Japan

Our first hike on Mt. Oyama

Would you have guessed that your husband would work on a US base and you would meet new people everyday but your closest friend would be a Chinese woman that speaks English in Japan? Certainly not me. But what an amazing surprise. Her almost third-party perspective is so interesting. She has lived in Japan for about 2 years, married and has one son. She has a significant understanding of the subtle and significant cultural nuances here but still feels, at times, lie a foreigner. As for myself, despite being culturally different, I am told my approach, socially, is very similar to Japanese women, I think too much about what others feel. Perhaps its because I am a fish out of water. After I explain to her what this saying means and she writes it down and laughs at her new English phrase. She again says, "Don't think too much, you don't understand your fuinki." Fuinki is a Japanese expression meaning a good feeling in the atmosphere, your positive light, or your aura. And it teaches me about how we may overly criticize ourselves and no one may have noticed until we bring attention to our perceived flaws or lack of confidence.

“Sometimes it is destiny"

The International Cafe, a mother's group at our children school, that meets once a month, is how we managed to meet and become quick friends. She thinks its destiny, I think God knew I was going to be lost without someone to help me navigate language barriers, cultural differences and food allergies. Together our families have done dinner, New Years, Shrine visits, after-school activities, swim practices, hiking, picnics, golfing, shopping, and a trip to Kyoto. We've only known each other for 8 months!