TV etc. in 2017

I have my first NHK appearance on Sunday. I’ve been cramming for that. I’ll post about it after it happens. This could be the first step into an amazing world, or, it could be a whole lot of nothing.
I will meet with a Japanese Dance teacher on the 14th and hopefully begin training. I will also then attend another Maple Circle function.
On the 22nd, I’ll be in a parade in Kagoshima City as a dancer (one of thousands).
On the 3rd of November, I’ll be modeling kimono for the Culture Day festivities.
The 5th of November, I’ve got a drama event at Sashi elementary school.
The 19th is the kimono festival.
The 25th is Rakugo and the 26th is appearing as Sakamoto Ryoma in Izumi.

As per my earlier decision, I’m spending my time at school studying. I did very well, over the last two weeks, to study Japanese, then guitar, then literature (or Japanese, then lit if the band room was busy). If I can keep up with the whole “studying at work” thing, I’ll probably stay another year. I was requested to give an updated version of my teaching presentation at the JET conference this year, so, obviously that went well. My nights, this week, have been spent helping students to cram for their English speech contest. And studying.
I’m finding that I’m much . . . better . . . as I try to lead a more conscientious life. I don’t know if I can say that I’m happier, but, I’m feeling better because, frankly, I’ve been a better person. Having a goal and working towards it makes a big difference. I find myself wanting to go off on detours, but, hedging my bets is not something to do at this age. I’m enjoying the study time, I’m missing Japanese as I spend more time on history (this week only), but, I’m also enjoying just generally moving forward. I want to do more, but, I also know not to burn myself out.
My exercise has been . . . sporadic. At best. Partly due to injury, partly due to scheduling. I was advised to change my routine, and hopefully that will make life more livable. Now, I’ll walk one day and swim the next. Mondays will be my rest day. I hope to use that night for Tea Ceremony starting soon. However, in the next few weeks, I’ll visit The Muscleman (a nearby ALT) to get a better idea of how to work out. I’ll be adding weight training. It’s slower going than anticipated, but, it’s probably also a lot healthier.
I’ve done well not eating out (other than this week) and my diet has been pretty good. I do splurge a bit on the weekend, but, not to the extent that I had been. I’ve also, essentially, cut out snacking. When I do grab snacks, it’s generally in the form yakitori, which, while not especially healthy, isn’t all that bad. A bit of chicken and garlic/onion on a stick isn’t bad.
I hope to contact my voice teacher next week and get back into singing.
The weather has improved markedly and that’s helped a lot, however, even on bad days, I’m powering through.
I’m realizing, this week, just how much older I am. This kind of study cramming is something that used to be easy for me, at The Starlight. It’s more difficult now.
I sort of miss my internet friends, but it’s also hard to miss people when I’m focused on doing what I know is right and good for me. I don’t really know where/how I’d fit more people into my life. I suppose that this is what one calls sacrifice.
I’m finally learning the joys of delayed gratification. I need to hang on to this.
My house is still a mess, but, having changed my sleeping arrangements, I’m sleeping slightly better. I hope to get a new FitBit shipped to me from the US come October. I also need to find a way to save money, but this is exceptionally difficult as I face mounting expenses (kimono, Sakamoto outfit, books, FitBit, etc.).