Numb

While I was at the beach today I decided to take my hair out of the always present rubber band that I had in it. I had trouble finding a place to put it. It was too small for my wrist and too big for my thumb. So I decided to wrap it around twice on my pinky finger. I was distracted by ring around the rosey and Marco Polo and forgot that it was on my finger. About an hour later I look down and my pinky was purple. I took it off right away and my finger went back to normal in about 30 seconds. The symbolism hit me immediately. What other actions have I carelessly taken that have made me numb?

We do this without thinking all the time.

Watching too much TV making us numb to the needs of our families. (thank you TIVO) ;)

Drinking too much Diet Coke making us numb to how badly we need water.

Sometimes it becomes a way of life:

Working so much that we are numb to what life could be like if we slowed down a little bit.

Living in such a constant cycle of "deficient spending" that we are numb to the fact that all of our discretionary income is going to interest payments.

Reading books non-stop to numb the pain of the dirty house we should be cleaning.

The ironic thing is that we do this unwittingly to ourselves. No one else makes us go numb. Others can exacerbate the numbing process, but it is always our choice.

Just like my finger, the numbness can be temporary or permeant. Had I left that rubber band on I may have lost that finger. I know that's pretty dramatic, but it's true. We have to open our eyes and take the rubber band off. So think about your life. What is making you unhappy? sad? numb? Is it a dream that isn't coming true? Your family? Your work? Your house? Your finances?

You always have a choice. Look at the problems you face or the numbness that exists in your life then figure out a way to take the rubber band off.

Tea Time in Takuma Town

Today one of my adult classes was cancelled because the building where we meet was closed. Most of my students knew that we would not have class today, but two students came on accident. These wonderful Japanese women invited me to join them for Tea Time. I thought about all the laundry I had to do at home, and all the dishes in the sink, and my husband home with my 2 young daughters and I said, "I would love to go with you." So the three of us escaped our responsibilities at home and went out to tea. It was a lovely 30 minute drive to Hijiki, or Takuma Town in the hills on the other side of Nio. They took me to the most beautiful hillside cafe called Hanabatake, which translates to Flower Garden. We sat and chatted and drank the most delicious tea I have ever had. The owner has a wedding kimono on display and many pieces of artwork that she has created herself.

The view was breathtaking. I have had many good experiences in Japan, but this one was very special for me. I've wondered if I would be able to make Japanese friends here because of the language barrier; now I have two, Emiko and Sadi. They are 60 and 70 and they have the best sense of humor and always tell it like it is. We have plans to go to a concert together on August 26. What a great day!

Fans all over the world

So what with all the Harry Potter movies coming to an end this week I've been thinking about fiction. Generally speaking I'm a non-fiction kinda girl, but I make a few exceptions, namely for authors I know.

There is a series I worked on when I was the Director of Marketing at Cedar Fort called The Jimmy Fincher Saga, written by "one of my authors," James Dashner. James always had talent, there was no question about that. But now, he has a book that is hitting all the big lists. His latest book is called, The Maze Runner. I haven't read it yet but about 39,000 people have positively reviewed it on Amazon. Not too shabby. So imagine my surprise when my new American friend in Japan had a copy on her desk! She had it shipped via Amazon for free, and Amazon lets you pay when they deliver here in Japan so you don't have to pay exchange fees. Sweet.

So this is just a quick shout out to my friend James to congratulate him on being such a big deal; and also a free tip for all you muggles out there that there is still excellent fiction to be had when you're not too busy having wizard's duels and playing quidditch.

Shumway Family Contact Information in Japan

We relish every opportunity we get to keep in touch with our friends and family. Here is how you can stay well connected with us while we are in Japan:

Adam and Lindsey Shumway

1199-3 REZIDENSU MORIYA

APT 501 KANONJI-SHI 7680060

Please keep lettering in uppercase block letters as it makes it easier for the Japanese postal workers.

Linds Cell 0804335318

Adam's Cell 08040350925

lshumway@gmail.com

theshum@gmail.com

We're both on Facebook.

Lindsey's blog: chezshumway.blogspot.com

Adam's blog: COMING SOON!

We both have skype accounts, but Adam is on his often. My account is lindsey.shumway and Adam's is cpt_travian.

Thanks for staying in touch!

P.S. If you have the urge to send us a present American food is always appreciated and scrunchies are high fashion...yep those hair tie backs from the 80's. LOL! So if you have any scrunchies you want to unload, send them my way. They cost like $8/each here.

My Crane

This beautiful crane lives in a not so beautiful canal near my home in Japan. Everyday I see this bird in all it's majesty living out it's days in filthy muck.

I don't know why he stays here? There is a fabulous shore not 5 minutes from here. I get the feeling the loveliness of this creature is sometimes overlooked by others, but its rare quality is not lost on me. His surrounding make no difference to him or me...all I see is a flawless animal that brings beauty and happiness to me every day. Maybe this bird in all its splendor is somehow here just for me.

Peace and Happiness

Japanese tradition states that wishes of peace and happiness will come to anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes.

The story of Sadako Sasaki, a twelve year old girl who was a mile from Ground Zero when the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb was dropped, tells us she did her best to painstakingly fold as many paper cranes as she could before she died of cancer—brought on by the atomic radiation she encountered that fateful day, August 6, 1945.

Artists Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring recently made an incredible letterpress broadside honoring Sasaki’s end-of-life plea for peace, commemorating Memorial Day here in the United States, with an eye (and heart) toward Japan’s recent Earthquake and Tsunami disaster.

Today our eyes and hearts are trained on the far shores of the Pacific, where the people of Japan are still reeling from the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. So for our twelfth Dead Feminist broadside, we remember them by giving wings to the words of our youngest-ever feminist [in their femenist's broadside series], Sadako Sasaki:

"I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world."

• If you want your own copy of this limited edition masterwork, order it from Anagram Press’ Etsy Shop.

• Learn how to fold a paper crane at Wiki How

An important promise

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I intend to read the Book of Mormon every day. Sometimes I fail and that is regrettable. Right now I am reading steadfastly every day. Today I was reading Mormon chapter 9 and I came across a promise I did not remember being there. (I have read The Book of Mormon cover to cover at least a dozen times and every time I feel like it's the first time again.) In verse 21 it says, "Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth."

Don't forget. Exercise your faith. If you need help read the rest of Mormon chapter 9.