Thursday, October 21, 2010

living in Japan


we have been here almost 3 months...in some ways it seems like 3 years.  I mean that in a good way.



I had waited to write this post until I felt settled here. Everyday I think of something to share with you all...but time gets away from me and other things come up. I also wonder if you want to read about my family life. Are you here to get the latest photography info only or do you mind hearing more from "me"? I hope not because I'm ready to share some of my thoughts about living in Japan.
Everyday I find myself saying "I'm in JAPAN...I'm living in JAPAN". It seems crazy {and scary} to think about how far away I am from my family. We are blessed to have the internet and phone service that allows calls to and from the US for a low monthly rate.



I wondered when we first got here if I would ever feel normal here. Would I ever feel comfortable?
I can honestly say I am happy to be here. I can walk around now and not feel scared. I was so scared when we first got here. I still feel a little panic when I have to pay somewhere...I'm not comfortable yet with Yen. But they are always patient with us. The Japanese are extremely nice and caring people. The nicest people I have ever met. They are truly grateful for your business when you go in a store.
I really thought before I got here that most of the Japanese people spoke English...I don't know why I assumed this...but I did. I at least thought someone in the stores would speak English. My lack of Japanese and their lack of English makes it difficult but we always seem to manage.
Back to the part about how nice everyone is...they are also very trusting. One of the first nights after we had arrived here, we went out to dinner in town. We always pay with our debit card but here, they don't take cards at restaurants {crazy huh}. After the bill came my husband pulled out his card. They shook their head no. He said he would go get money and come back. They asked if he would bring the money back tomorrow. Can you imagine any restaurant letting you leave and come back the next day to pay. They are honest, good people.


I have many stories to tell and pictures to share. I hope I don't bore you.


Don't you love the pink beret? I just bought it for my daughter the other day...and I bought two...I thought a lucky Savvy reader might want one! If you are interested, leave a comment and I'll draw a winner for the pink beret on Friday morning at 9am EST. I'll also fill the bag with some fun Japanese goodies 8-)





{I used Florabella actions for the above pictures...love these actions! I used Retro Vintage for the top two pictures}

75 comments:

  1. I love the hat! Blessings to your family!! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for "your" update. and what a challenge to be living in a country with such a language barrier. how does that play into client work and contracts? that pink beret is a pefect match for your super cute little girl.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so happy for you that Japan is even more lovely than you had hoped. What a great cultural experience you are able to give your daughter. I love the pink beret and my daughter would squeal with the glee to wear it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's actually really interesting to hear about their culture :) I'm really shocked at the level of trust in strangers. Sounds like a wonderful place to be.

    ReplyDelete
  5. i have a gorgeous little daughter, just like your about the same age, she is facinated with everything japan however we cant take her there, maybe one day, the pink beret reminds me of the pink cherry blossoms we love and hold so dear to our heart from my grandfathers war stories of japan and hiroshima, maybe our girls could become pen pals, and a step closer to japan for our kya girl. xox

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for sharing, I love hearing about your family. Your daughter is a doll.
    Enjoy your time there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a wonderful post! I had no idea you were there--I need to catch up!! : ) I've always loved Japan and will visit someday. Until then I will live vicariously through the posts, so post away!! : D Lovely images!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The pink beret is adorable, as is the little girl wearing it!! I would love one for my daughter!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love it (the hat)!!! I have a friend living in Japan now and he loves it too! Love the pics! I love hearing about your family so keep the posts coming!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gorgeous hat....and daughter! Love your photos. Hope all is going well for your family. My husband and I lived in Germany for a year after we were married. It was an adjustment, but so wonderful. Those are wonderful memories.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, it sounds amazing there. Thanks for sharing your exciting (and a little bit scary sometimes) adventure with all of us!
    Love the pink beret! :) So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good to hear you are getting settled in Japan. I must admit, I am not exposed to the asian culture as much as I would like to be. I am looking forward to hearing more stories about Japan. Please keep me at of the giveaway drawing. I am just on your site for your life stories, to peruse the photography and collect photo tips! Thank you!

    Sayonara

    ReplyDelete
  13. It's so hard to be far from home. My family moved to a new city last year after living in the same place all our lives. It's really difficult. We feel friendless. So nice that you are somewhere where the people are warm and lovely. It will make the distance easier!!

    How nice of you to get an extra beret. I'd love to be considered...by daughter could rock it!!

    Thanks for sharing your story!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Could this hat be any cuter?!!! I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So glad to hear you are adjusting. I love the pink beret. So cute! We might be moving to Singapore for my husband's work in the near future, so this post brings some comfort to me! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. THANK YOU so much for sharing some of your experiences. I studied abroad in South Africa in college, and still hope that somehow we will end up abroad as a family before my kids are grown. You are giving them such an amazing gift!
    The pink is so stinkin cute! Your daughter is so precious - I can't wait for my little ones to get old enough to actually 'enjoy' photos, at least every once in a while. Presently they run away screaming ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for sharing for experience so far. I would love to read more about your adventures in Japan! (and love to win the awesome pink beret, too!)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the hat! So glad you are enjoying yourself in Japan! It's so nice to hear about it :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. How exciting! I spent 6 months in Japan when I was in college. I still have some wonderful friends that I met while I studied there. It is a beautiful country with beautiful, sincere people as you mentioned. I have a story about how honest they are. I left my wallet on the train while traveling from Nagoya to Osaka. When I returned to Nagoya, I went to the lost and found. They had my wallet AND all the money that was left behind with it. It's so fabulous that you get to have such a wonderful experience. Document it all with your camera ; ) Enjoy!! Ganbatte ne!

    PS hope I win the beret and goodies. I am expecting a little girl in January ; )

    ReplyDelete
  20. I for one love to hear about photographers personal lives. I think it gives a sense of connection. I would especially love to see all the photo opts Japan has to give. Glad you are feeling steeled in.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cute little Miss in her pink beret! Japan sounds wonderful! Maybe you can share some video clips sometime?!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the pink beret! Thank you for sharing your experiences so far - I look forward to reading more about your experiences, too. Japan is such a beautiful country - I was lucky enough to travel throughout Japan for a few weeks in 2003. You are right, the people are wonderful, kind, and trusting. Enjoy your time there!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the beret and love hearing about your life in Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the hat! So glad you are enjoying Japan; what a sweet girl you have!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for sharing, I wouldn't of thought they were so nice! My daughter Cloe would love that hat, she can pull anything off! For sure, share more pics, really, how many people actually get to say they lived in Japan!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Glad Japan is treating you well... The pink beret is beautiful and it would look perfect on my 4 year old (or my 1 year old!) :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I want my sweet girls to look as sweet as your little girl. We want to win the pink beret!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Japan is definitely on my travel wish list! Thank you for sharing your experience.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Marsha,
    Thanks for the update. I am so glad you are loving it there in Japan. We sure loved it when we lived there. And I totally agree with you that the Japanese people are the nicest people you'll ever meet. Love the culture. I am glad you are getting more adjusted to the place. And thanks for the personal update. I think it's nice to hear from you on here as well.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love the hat! Though I might have to wear it instead of using it as a prop simply because its so cute. Good to hear Japan is treating you well.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the beret! Think of all the storied your children will have when they are older.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a pretty pink beret...my girls would look adorable in it!
    Japan is definitely on my to-visit list. A good friend of mine has gone and LOVED it. Also, a friend's husband is stationed there for the military and she just went over to visit, and their son (middle schooler) wanted to stay there with Dad and live/school there. So Dad came to U.S. to get him and his stuff and they are there now! There is something so amazing about Japan and you are very lucky to experience it. Thank God for internet and phone to make the world seem smaller!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Very Interesting! I am so glad you are enjoying your time there! What an adventure! My daughter would look so cute in that pink Beret! I love Florabella actions as well but you use them so much better than I do! I need to work on that.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh I love the hat. I was going to email you about where you bought the hat and clothing. So if I don't win, I'm going to email you anyways. I am so happy to read an update from Japan, I hope you continue to update us.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the Japan updates, makes me feel like I'm there for a minute. Hoping I win.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I want to travel to Japan. Really they let you pay the next day? What a difference. Hoping I win this sweet beret for my grand daughter.

    ReplyDelete
  37. om goodness,how cute does she look.I would love to win one of those for my daughter:0)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thank you for sharing your experience, I would love to hear more. I pray that one day I can give the gift of going abroad to my children. I also think the pink beret would be cute for my daughter(s).

    ReplyDelete
  39. Japan is one of the places I would love to travel to. Once I'm good and ready I will be emailing you to find out the best places to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  40. The scary part for me would be the language barrier but how cool that you are able to live in Japan. Great opportunity for your little ones to learn another language.

    My wife wants that hat for our daughter so keeping our fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete
  41. How fun to be living in Japan! Great opportunity and adventures! The pink hat is adorable. Thanks for having giveaways!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. So glad you are sharing your experience with us. Keep the personal stories sprinkled in with photography industry info please.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I can only imagine the hardships of moving to a new country, but you will settle in just fine and meet new friends along the way! I hope to win the beret for my hope chest, and someday give it to my little girl! <3

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you for sharing a little bit about your family living in Japan. The pictures above shows that it's beautiful over there. I hope you keep sharing pics. from Japan. Your daughter looks beatiful. Would really like to have a pink beret hat.

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a stylish little one you have! If I only had half her pizazz =) I'm glad you are settled and enjoying your time in Japan....what a dream!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Beautiful post... thanks for sharing and so glad to hear you are happy :)
    And that beret is too cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love hearing about different cultures. I just moved to Brazil after living in the states for 20 years. It is quite different....i have visited many times but to LIVE here has been a difficult yet interesting transition. I would love to hear all about Japan. I would love to visit Tokyo and shop. It's a dream of mine! Lol I love Japanese denim.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Cute Beret. Seems like you are adjusting just fine in Japan.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I also live in Japan and find that the opportunity for wonderful portraits is plentiful! Great pictures and best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Beautiful pictures! Love the beret!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thanks for sharing what Japan is like...I can't even imagine what it is like there but it was great to hear your impressions.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Happy to hear your update from Japan! Was at MCAS Iwakuni 88-91 with my husband...before kids. Love the country...get out and be adventurous! I have such great memories...too back I didn't take many pictures back then. Looking forward to following your journey and lots of pictures!! Enjoy!

    I've to a three year old Vietnamese daughter that would look great in that hat!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Love the beret! Also, love hearing about your life there. It kind of makes me realize that staying in San Diego is the safe route and an adventure could be good for us! Keep the photos of Ava coming, she is so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am so happy that you are adjusting to your very big adventure. What a truly
    wonderful education and life experience for your children..How is the weather?
    the gardens? the buildings? please share..

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love reading your "me" posts, even more so than the latest photography info. You live in JAPAN! That's amazing! Please tell me all about it!! :)

    I'd also love that beret.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow as well I had no idea your in Japan. Amazing! Love to hear about your family and you! We would not get all this awesome info if it was not for you! So please continue to share with us! The pink hat is adorable as well as your little girl.

    ReplyDelete
  57. You are so brave. I can't imagine even moving out of the state! I can't wait to see more pics from Japan - what a fun adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  58. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    Yet another fantastic article. Please continue to update us on the story. Do you offer a bulletin I may enroll to? Appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  59. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I found your website on another site. It helped me do my research on this topic. I have read most of them and got a lot from them. Don't stop writing articles, because I would become lost!

    ReplyDelete
  60. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I found your website on google. It contains wonderful and helpful posts. Its amazing to think one site could contain so muck information. Don't stop writing articles, because I would become lost!

    ReplyDelete
  61. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I reaped reading & I must say which I i has very inspired via A New writing experience. keep up The great the office it’s ideal refreshing To observe Somebody like this you.

    ReplyDelete
  62. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.

    ReplyDelete
  63. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    Hi. I read a few of your other posts and wanted to know if you would be interested in exchanging blogroll links?

    ReplyDelete
  64. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I’ve gone forward and bookmarked http://www.thesavvyphotographerblog.com/2010/10/living-in-japan/ at Digg.com so my pals is able to see it too. I simply utilized living in Japan | The Savvy Photographer Blog because the admittance title in my Reddit.org book mark, as I realized if perhaps it is wonderful enough for you personally to title your blog publish which, you then probably would prefer to see it book marked the very same way.

    ReplyDelete
  65. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    At this time it seems like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?

    ReplyDelete
  66. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    Thank you so much for giving everyone a very pleasant chance to check tips from this blog. It's usually so beneficial and packed with fun for me personally and my office fellow workers to search the blog really 3 times weekly to read the new tips you have. Of course, I am also always motivated with your tremendous strategies you serve. Some two ideas in this article are absolutely the finest I've had.

    ReplyDelete
  67. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I must say thank you to Brian Montopoli, since he's trying to remain close to facts. It's journalism, and it's not easy. But this time around, if one wants to clear all the doubts, there is a very easy way: it looks that there's still A LOT of blood in the compound. Just make an independent DNA test on that material and that is it! It's cheap and easy, but until then there still shall be "little more than the word of the American government". In the meanwhile, thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  68. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    Hello! I just discovered your blog via Google. What a wonderful blog you have! I love it very much! since you got this wonderful blog, why not turn it into steady income? Thank you for providing such priceless service to the entire internet community!

    ReplyDelete
  69. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I've subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  70. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    virtue he on assignment this. I’m prone preoccupy life.

    ReplyDelete
  71. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    This is awesome! As contriver provider who bottling works keyboard, this aptitude concerning communique favour invaluable arcane including, inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  72. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    I am pretty sure this subject matter was seen on 60 minutes

    ReplyDelete
  73. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    It was something of great pleasure coming across your site last night. I came up here now hoping to uncover something new. I was not disappointed. Your well thought out ideas for new tactics on this area were helpful and a wonderful help to us. Thank you for making time to write down these things and for sharing your thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  74. [MARKED AS SPAM BY ANTISPAM BEE]
    A person essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish amazing. Fantastic job!

    ReplyDelete