What this was all about was remembering my time in Japan and doing so in a way which was more meaningful than an album of pictures from a trip to Mt. Fuji (which I never went to, incidentally) or a vague recollection of a certain experience years after it had occurred. It was about details of my experience, warts and all, as well as processing and reflecting on them in a personally meaningful way. It was about pausing in the sleepwalk I did through that life and taking careful notes of what was around me and how I felt before I left that environment and lost the luxury to do so.
In terms of where I go from here, I have no intentions of stopping this blog, though I clearly cannot continue to churn out new content at the same rate as I have in terms of stacking on more new "things". Obviously, I've been mulling this over for some time as the end drew near and my plan is as follows:
- I will be adding in new posts as the ideas come to me. The truth is that there are still ideas in the buffer that have not been used. While the last 4 posts were written a very long time ago in anticipation of the end and the way in which I wanted to round out my 1000 posts, there are little things that never got into the mix for various reasons (usually, the fact that I could not locate a photo that had an even limited connection to the topic). Those things will be added on, as will new ones that come to mind through time.
- I will be opening up all posts to comments conditional on people making ones in a respectful way. People don't have to be positive toward me, but I have zero tolerance for snotty, nasty, angry people who just want to prove something or treat me like their personal stress relief punching bag. If you've got something to say, say it, but pretend I'm your boss and you have to behave in a civilized manner. Otherwise, my moderator (my husband, who screens all comments before I see them) will kick you to the curb. Don't see making a comment as a way of "getting" to me even if you don't get published. There's a protective layer between me and jerks with emotional issues. I hate that I have to say this, but early commenting experiences on this blog compel me to do so.
- I will be re-editing and re-posting past posts. That is, I will be re-reflecting on what I said a long time ago and adding in new ideas, possibly expanding the initial posts and going to a more long-form style with some of my old ideas. I'll also be using new photos in some cases. The purpose of this is three-fold. It will allow me to break out of the box I put myself in initially with short-form posting and it will permit me to reflect on how I felt while I was in Japan compared to how I feel now when I'm in America. Essentially, I'll be able to talk about whether or not I actually do miss those things now or whether my speculation was incorrect. It will also allow commenting on old posts (which I can't open for comments retro-actively on a macro level) so that those who wanted to say something when the topics first came up will now have the chance to do so. Again, see item "2".
- I will continue with "Random Memories" posts as long as I have things to share from my memory books from my earliest time in Japan.
It's possible there will also be other surprises. Now that the "burden" I placed on myself to do an arbitrary number of posts is over, I can go anywhere I choose. It remains to be seen just where that might be, but I sincerely appreciate everyone who came along for the ride and anyone who chooses to keep going along with me. I really do appreciate that people take the time to read what I write, and hope you continue to enjoy whatever comes in the future.
Posts
I've really enjoyed the 1000 ride with you, and look forward to wherever you take your blog next.
ReplyDeleteI'll be checking in!
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to see the 1000 end, but I look forward to finding out what you do next with this blog.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on making your 1000! I started out late reading your blog but caught up quick and intend on sticking around. I am happy that you want to open up comments and hope to participate on topics that are of interest to me. I look forward to your revisions and new posts. :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching 1000. I really enjoy your blog and I'm glad to see it won't be coming to an end. I'd like to take this chance to thank you for sharing your experiences though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, and for taking the time to comment vayshti! I appreciate the support!
ReplyDeleteWhichever pass you may take, I'll be reading your posts. Your writing is very special and I'm glad to hear that you are continuing this blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCongratualtions! I'd stopped looking at the numbers so the fact you've finished is a bit of a surprise.
ReplyDeleteDid you get those badly dubbed cartoon series when you were a kid (Willie Fogg, Cities of Gold, Dogtanian)? They seemed to never end either. I did actually see the final episode of Willie Fogg, and to my 7-year-old self it felt like one of my friends had died. This isn't quite that bad, but it's been a good journey nonetheless.
Congratulations on reaching your goal. I have enjoyed them very much, and you are at least half of my inspiration to start my own blog.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you aren't finished, and look forward to further reflections.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I always appreciated how you explained your conclusions rationally and gave good reasons why you feel a certain way, occasionally stressing that things could go another way for different people. Thanks to your blog, my mind is more open to new things where before, I'd shy away from even a slightly unpleasant experience. Now I believe I am better at thinking about things in a more impartial manner.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning a trip to Japan and am looking forward to the experience, warts and all!
Congrats on finally hitting 1,000!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading them all :) Glad that there's still more to read on the way!
Congratulations on reaching your goal! I'm looking forward to reading your future posts as well.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading this blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you. My daughter spent a year in Japan as a high school exchange student and loved her time there, and your posts here have helped me understand the complexities and strangeness (to me) of Japanese society, which she came to love in all of its idiocyncracies. Will miss these posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for the kind comments and for reading. I truly appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, kamo, I did get some badly dubbed cartoons in my child-hood, but the only one I remember was "Kimba".
Congrats on completing your goal! I found your blog when it was almost finished, so I haven't followed it for long, but I've greatly enjoyed what you've written. Thank you for taking the time to publicize your thoughts - it's really given me a new viewpoint on life in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI'm another fan who read this post with relief. I watched the numbers creep higher and higher to the 500 mark and really didn't want the blog to end at all. Your comments have been an enjoyable part of my week for quite a while now. Congrats on achieving your goal, and I applaud your new direction as well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Please don't stop posting--although I didn't live in Japan, I always look forward to your posts and the complex emotions they inspire when I think back to my time in South Korea, which was in so many ways both the same and different from what you describe.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed this blog, and its daily postings have become part of my afternoon decompress-from-work routine. I appreciate your even-handed approach to the subjects of your reflections, and that you address a number of very mundane aspects of living in a foreign country. People like to talk about their adventures, but often gloss over the little (or big!) differences in the day-to-day that make life in a particular country, region, or city unique. So glad that you're going to continue to post! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you're opening up comments! For me, writing and reading a blog is about communication -- I like learning new things about people or places and then talking to other people about them. I've been reading and enjoying your blog(s*) for a long time, I look forward to being able to interact with you about the various topics. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching 1,000, too!
* I loved the Japanese Snack Review blog as well, but for some unknown reason, our work filters have been blocking it for months now. I have no idea why. I don't know how a blog about snacks could ping the adult/racist/sexist/gambling/violence filters.
I have read every single one and enjoyed them all for what they are - your impressions filtered through your collective life experiences. I look forward to reading the evolution of those impressions as well!
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