Today was library day. Our favorite day of the week, and today as I was looking at the amazing amount of children’s books in our local library, I felt blessed. Yes, blessed. Being a foreigner in Japan, is not easy. Seven years ago, when I came here for the first time, I marveled at the beauty of the culture and the land. A peaceful, kind, polite culture. That was before two children, when our marriage was new, and I was young(er) and just NEWER in life. Nowadays, all I see is hAZARdS, “Oh, no the baby is going to fall into that KOI pond,” “Oh, no we have to WALK, like out in Nature?” “Oh, no, that park is a law-suit waiting to happen!” “Oh, no there are bicycles, and cars, and pedestrians, Yumi and Emi, are going to become roadkill!”
So, yes, that’s pretty much all I was able to see up until recently. After I stared this blog, which was initially to establish myself as a writer, something great happened… as I share bits and pieces of my life in Japan, I am rediscovering the excitement that comes with living abroad, of being a “Gaijin” (short for foreigner). Suddenly, the koi pond is exciting, I want to go on walks, I want to snap pictures, I want to SHARE, the beauty of this country with anyone who will listen… so thank you, anyone and everyone who has ever stopped by my blog and made a comment, it truly has made a change, not in a way I had expected either… I am happier.
And so I share with you, our trip to the library …
And the well-known “foreign” books that are translated. Someday, I will have enough time, to give you a full tour of the library here, I honestly think you would be Floored, in AWE. The Japanese, they spare no detail… from having a breastfeeding room filled with baby board books, to having handmade felt books, handmade aprons for your kids to wear, handmade stuffed toys, and books, books like you have no idea! Cute, beautiful, quirky…
I thank you, for stoping by…from the bottom of my little heart… DOMO ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU.
Also, if you are an inspiring writer take a moment to read Janet W. Butler’s interview below, how often do we get a one-on-one with an editor?
p.s for all of you writers out there who sometimes become discouraged- DON’T, the beauty of writing is we can all become a little better each day.
by 
Elsa I love that you are loving japan all over. I really hope in the future to be able to visit. My love is always with you and your endeavors. I’m catching up on all my reading. ;). Than you for sharing your talent and vision.