So, What Have We Learned??

Looking over the blog I realized that even though Nick and I consider this experience the biggest learning experience in our lives we haven't quite expressed that in our blog. Now that we are back in the US we've realized that most readers think it was a cultural learning experience. While that is true, we also learned more about ourselves both as individuals and as a couple than we ever had before. We now believe that it is necessary to step completely outside your element/comfort zone to truly understand how you work and think (body/mind/soul).

We keep saying that Japan taught us what is truly important to us. Here's a list of things we either realized, learned or that changed our perception of life:

1. Family is the biggest support system we'll ever have. You can be surrounded by great people who care but if they're not "your people" you still feel a hole inside of you. You never quite feel at home unless you're surrounded by "your people". For us this is family since we both are pretty close to our families but the same can be said about our friends.

2. Food is definitely comforting. I kind of new this from my experience during our honeymoon. It's amazing how much our brains relate some type of food to home. Even though we had the opportunity to eat "American" food while in Japan it still never quite tasted the same.

3. Life is different as a tourist. What we mean is that when we traveled before we used to imagine what life in that country would be like. We thought life in that country would be different from our own. What we realized is that daily life is the same no matter where you're at. Everyone is trying to accomplish the same thing; trying to get by. As a tourist, you see only the highlights and usually maintain the same lifestyle you had at home.

4. We are homebodies. Before I left someone told me this trip would either "make us or break us" as a couple because we only had each other to spend time with. While this statement is true, we did learn that we actually enjoy doing nothing more than spending time with each other.

5. Simple Living is relaxing. It was so liberating to live without worrying about material belongings. In Japan we didn't shop for unnecessary items (because we didn't want to accumulate things we'd end up throwing out at the end) and we learned how much time, money and thoughts are spent being a consumer. Also in America you're constantly trying to keep up a status comparable to those around you. But now we hope we can continue to live the way we did in Japan. Although it is hard when there are so many places you can waste money at (i.e. Target!!!)

6. We enjoy teaching and learning. Personally I've always thought my purpose in life is learning. It is the process of educational attainment that we find so enjoyable. Bear in mind that this does not always have to happen in a formal classroom setting. However, we have decided to return to school ourselves (perhaps to obtain PhD's in our respective areas of interest??)

7. Last, but not least, we have a new perspective on our country, our home. In 2004, when a certain president was voted in for a second term, we were fully prepared to move to Canada and 'escape'. We are still aware that there are a number of political and social problems in the US. However, we also recognize the opportunity, lifestyle, and convenience that we've grown to love. All-in-all, we are much more content with our country. Now, if only we can emerge as global protectors of Human Rights (not war fueled by personal gain), we'll be back on the right track.