Appreciating the Little Things

I love Japan, I love feeling independent and as if I can take on the world. What I don't love is letters showing up saying that someone is using a credit card of mine that I myself have never had the pleasure of using, the IRS telling me to redo my taxes and yes, the kicker, a computer that works when it feels like it and then gives me the blue screen of death in the hours I need it the most. At some point soon, I will be able to upload some more pictures and get everything back to normal, for now, I am going to try to get back to writing and hope for the best. Its amazing how much I have taken for granted a local US telephone line, how my life would be a bit let complicated and yet, if it were easy, it wouldn't be part of the learning experience. That being said, tax forms can be sent, credit cards can be cancelled and computers can be restored, but moments of despair linger and I will not let a day go by when I don't think to myself, how lucky I am to be so far away from home and still so close to the ones I love. Perhaps without them my little mis-steps would turn into something not quite manageable from such a distance. As the new year comes and the last year is ceremonially dragged into the past, I remember all of those people who have helped me along the way. May the new year bring you all health and happiness, smiles and laughter in the new year!