Today on From Where to Here, our guest is Sarah, my husband's cousin, and she's originally from Alabama. Before moving to Japan, Sarah spent time teaching elementary school, and since arriving here, she has discovered that she actually enjoys teaching adults. Yeah, I didn't like think, no, I'm going to live here. I just kept living here, and I don't feel like it's time to go back to America, if ever, but yeah, we might in the future. The train, people do not talk, even the elevator, it's kind of like, oh, shh, you know, kind of. America is like the opposite. Well, there are some restaurants that have like tatami mat, it's called, and yeah, you might have to sit on the floor, but then they'll also have tables, because, and I do not like sitting on the floor. Like, why in the world would you have like, especially carpet in your house and wear shoes? Like, I'm just like, no, you know, so yeah, if I go to America, I'm going to be wanting to take off my shoes if I go to anybody's house. Hi, I'm Alexandra Lloyd, a French-Canadian who's called Birmingham, Alabama, home since 2017. Welcome to From Where to Here, the podcast that celebrates the rich diversity of languages, cultures, and the stories that connect us all. Each month, I'll sit down with inspiring guests from different backgrounds to explore their cultures, languages, and tackle some fun in our Truth, There, or Debunk segment. Whether you're a language enthusiast, a culture lover, or just curious about the world, you're in the right place. Let's dive into your next favorite cultural adventure. Today on From Where to Here, our guest is Sarah, my husband's cousin, and she's originally from Alabama. Before moving to Japan, Sarah spent time teaching elementary school, and since arriving here, she has discovered that she actually enjoys teaching adults. Not because teaching English was a lifelong passion, but because it allows her to really get to know people while she teaches. She's now a wife to her Japanese husband, Hiro, and a homeschooling mom of two boys, blending cultures and family life in such a beautiful, intentional way. Sarah is someone who loves God, loves people, and loves getting to know the world through meaningful connections. I'm so excited to have her here today as she shares her journey of coming to Jiten, building a life there, and the experiences that have shaped her along the way. Welcome to From Where to Here, Sarah. Thank you. This is very unusual. We're currently in a beautiful Japanese garden. You want to tell us? My mother-in-law's garden. Yes, so such a privilege to be here with you and get to know a little bit more about your experience and how it's been like for you. So I'd love to just start right at the beginning. Those first few moments when Japan became real for you, what originally brought you to Japan? Well, yeah, I wasn't really sure why I wanted to come to Japan. I really felt like God just led me here in a way because I had never visited any other countries. But I did have a roommate from Hamamatsu, which is where I am right now. And I just all of a sudden wanted to visit with her. And when I did, I just really wanted to come back. And every time I would see Asian people, I would just want to talk to them. I just knew. And I waited for the perfect opportunity. And just the timing, it happened. The timing was right for you. Yeah, that's when I came, is when it opened up. How long ago was that? It was more than 20 years ago, I guess. Yeah. Have you lived longer in Japan than America now? Not longer, but almost half my life. That's significant. Yeah. That's significant. When you decided to return as an English teacher, what was that process like? Well, I was really excited because I actually didn't, when I was in America, and even though I started teaching kids in America, I really didn't want to, I realized. And I just wanted to come to Japan and I had to wait a little bit. And so when I finally got the English teaching job, I was just ready. And I can't, it was like no problem for me. I was just happy. Yeah, I came here and everything was in place. Like I had a job, I had a church, I had an apartment. Yeah. How did everything line up so easily for you? I think it was God. I mean, yeah, I don't have a like real explanation. So I kind of had a homestay with my friend's family and they let me check it out. And then at the very last minute, I kind of decided, oh, maybe I should get a job. And so I interviewed like the last possible minute and they wanted me. And so I had two choices and I took the one that you could teach adults more. And because I had realized that I actually liked adults. And so, and they worked everything out for me. Like they had an apartment I could use and they helped with all the stuff in it and they helped with my bills. And so I was just like ready to go. That's awesome. Yeah. What were some of the biggest differences that you noticed right away in daily life, schools or how people interacted? Uh-huh. Well, when I first, first, really first came, like I saw people wearing masks and I was like, oh my gosh, are they sick? Like what is wrong? You know, but they just wear that because allergies or if, yeah, maybe if they're sick, but not like really sick. Cause I'd only seen that with like doctors or something. Yeah. So yeah, I was like, ah. And, um, my apartment, uh, like in America, it's like central heat and air. And so here it isn't. So I was like just cold. Like if I don't go home and turn the heater on, it's like just cold everywhere. So I was like layers, you know, and this is not even a cold city, but I was just like, okay, you know, I have to like learn how to be warm. What's the average temperatures throughout the year here? Oh yeah. And it's like, it's not a cold place. It's just like, if it's winter here and there's no heat, you know what I mean? Yeah. In America, you can go inside and it's warm. Like, and you just put on a jacket outside. But like when I, and here it was like the same inside as outside, you know, I'm like, okay, turn on my heater, put my, you know, wear layers, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Do you get snow at all? No. We don't really get snow here. Hardly. Mount Fuji is a little far. Yeah. So some places in Japan definitely get a lot of snow, but not Hamomas. It's really similar to Alabama. Okay. How far is it? Is Mount Fuji from here? Do you mind? I think it takes two or three hours to drive. Yeah. I've definitely seen it driving or whatever. Yeah. The beautiful white mountains. Yeah. Even over when I was flying over at one time, I got to see it like, like a kind of crater looking thing on the top, you know, it was amazing. That's beautiful. Yeah. The first time you came to Japan and he didn't know you were going to move here. I, well, yeah, I really had no idea. I'm, I'm not really a super planner, like goal oriented. I'm just like step by step, like, okay, we'll just see what happens. And I just kept living here. Yeah. I didn't, they've carried you. I just, yeah. And letting me stay here. What? I'll just stay. Yeah. I didn't. Yeah. I didn't like think, no, I'm going to live here. I just kept living here and, and I don't feel like it's time to go back to America if I, if ever, but yeah, we might in the future. Yeah. So your first experience coming to Japan, how long did you stay? Two months. And that's when I, I got the job. Yeah. At the very end. And then I came back after a month to live. Yeah. So that was so quick. Everything happened. Bang, bang, bang. And, and I didn't know Japanese. Yeah. I had only had like a little CD of like numbers, colors, you know, this is a pen or something. Yeah. That's it. Did you use any of it? Well, oh, but, but when I was staying with my friends, parents, they were so nice trying to help. And I tried to learn some at their house every day. And I took like a beginner class. I didn't take like formal education or anything. Yeah. Ever. Was it online or in person, the class? In person. In person. Yeah. So you were not homesick at all. Nope. Why do you think Japan felt so comfortable from the start? I obviously was meant to be here. I don't know. But, um, also I am not really the type of person to get homesick. Even growing up, like I would go stay with my cousin, go stay with my grandmother. Like I never was the type to like, I want my mommy. Like, I just, I just not that. I don't know. But yeah, I just feel like I was meant to be here. Honestly, if I was in another country, I probably wouldn't feel that way. Why do you think that? I don't know. Like I've been to other countries and I wouldn't want to live there. You know what I mean? I don't. Which countries have you visited? I have. I mean, but it was really fun going, but I just wouldn't live there. Like, um, I've been to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru, China, and Thailand. Wow. All before you moved to Japan or? No. I've been after. I went, uh, well, actually I visited Japan for one week, the end of college. Then I went on a couple mission trips, like a volunteer type trip to Central and South America. Then I moved to Japan. And then when I was in Japan, I took a little holiday to China and Thailand. Oh, very nice. Because they're close by. Yeah. Yeah. Very nice. Now I have some rapid fires question for you about first impressions of Japan. So just answer with first. I don't know about first impressions, but first impressions of Japan. Uh-huh. So early on when you came to Japan, what you thought of. So just answer with whatever comes to mind first. No overthinking. Okay. Okay. Silence level in public. Quieter, same, or louder than expected? Quieter. Of course. Nice. Yeah. It's very quiet. The train, people do not talk. Even the elevator is kind of like, oh, shh. You know, kind of. Yeah. America is like the opposite. Convenience stores, heaven, normal, or overrated? So I think they're heaven now, but my first impression, I don't know. I don't remember. I mean, I didn't know what was in them. Like, what is this food? You know? That's what I remember is like, what in the world kind of food is this? But then I thought, oh, wow, it's so much healthier because American convenience stores is like junk food or something. So I thought, that's really cool, you know. But now it's so convenient because I can just go pick up some milk, go pick up something that like I forgot to get the grocery store and the grocery store is not open. I can get coffee or just ATM. Those smoothies, they amaze me. I haven't tried that. Five. This is the first thing I tried going to the 7-Eleven. I did. Everyone has two. I don't know. Really? It's just you put the plastic cup with the chopped fruits or even vegetables. I tried one with sweet potato. Oh, you make your own? Yes. And it's a three-step process. You just remove the lid, put the cup in the machine, and then close the door, press the start button, and then it just blends on its own. Okay. And then you just drink it. They have, yeah, they have new things all the time. They have seasonal stuff in restaurants or everywhere. Yeah. That's cool. Okay. Bowing. How do you say bowing? Bowing. Bowie. Bow. Bowing. Natural or awkward at first? I don't remember, but I think it's natural because I guess other people are doing it and you just tend to just like, oh, okay, with them, maybe. Was it natural for you when you first came here? Not that I remember. Okay. But I do remember when I went back to America to visit, I'm just like, and then I'm like, oh, yeah, they don't bow. I'm going to be doing that all the time if I go back or like driving and somebody like, you know, maybe lets you in or something. Just bowing. In your car, right? Yeah. I have been here more as an adult than in America, so I probably don't even know what people do now in America. You're more Japanese than people think you are. Who knows? I don't know what I am. Yeah. Public transportation, shockingly clean or surprisingly normal at first? Oh. Well, shockingly clean. It's not clean. Yeah. Yes. Awesome. But I didn't use public transportation in America. I only have an image. Yes. That it's not clean. Can you explain why? So everybody drives. Where I'm from, you can't take public transportation. There is no public transportation except a school bus. I took a school bus. I'm sure you can take a taxi that is expensive. And there's like a Greyhound bus like nobody wants to take because it'll stop like everywhere. So I'll never get anywhere. I mean, I guess I'll just take forever. I don't know. Yeah. It's not as reliable. That's like the only things that I know of that you can take where I'm from. One thing I really like to do to, it's a little game, but that segment called Truth, Dare or Debunk, where I ask you to basically share surprising cultural facts about your culture, which in this... Not my culture. Yeah. Kind of my culture. You love that culture. I know. Yeah, so Japan specifically, dare where you teach me a phrase in Japanese or debunk where you debunk a common stereotype about Japan. Now, let's start. Is there one you'd like to start with? Okay, well, there's a phrase that I really like. Some phrases are easier to say in Japanese or more convenient. So one is like,懐かしい is like memorable and nostalgic. You know, but I'm not gonna say that in English. Like, that's nostalgic, you know what I mean? Like, but if I look at something and I, it makes me remember something from like my childhood, I'm like, "Natsukashi." Okay, help me, teach me, be the teacher to me. Okay, "Natsukashi.""Natsukashi.""Natsukashi.""Natsukashi.""Natsukashi." I don't know if I'm saying it perfectly, but--- I'm sure you are. - That's how I say it.- I'm happy you are, Sarah. I've been so impressed with your Japanese, because Sarah at first will tell me,"Oh no, I don't really speak Japanese." And then turns out, we visited the, the-- We visited your-- - An in-laws?- Yes, we visited your in-laws, and then we just walk around, and wow, she's a natural. She was just like picking up and being able to talk with them, and have a conversation, and explain what I was trying to tell them, and vice versa. So now, I think-- - Yeah, but you haven't seen her other times. You haven't seen other times.- Yeah. - It's always a little different, different--- And different topics. - Different topics. That's what I wanted to say, yeah. Different topics.- Depends.- Okay, so we just did it there. - Okay.- And now, let's do a truth. What is one truth about Japan culture that's actually true, that people think is true, and it actually is true?- Yeah, I think that people do look young. Like, you know, nobody ever knows how old my husband is, and he doesn't want to tell them. You know? And yeah, lots of people look young, and I think one reason is because they're also-- I don't know if it has to do with also being thinner, but you know, like the diet and stuff, and they-- a lot of people walk or ride bikes, or maybe that's why, you know? They have a different diet. They-- yeah. What's in the diet that you think may contribute to... I mean, I definitely know the school lunches are healthier, but I know the traditional Japanese food is, you know, like soup with veggies and like fish and rice. You know, so I guess it's... And nowadays, I guess they talk about like inflammation, you know, all these foods that cause inflammation. I don't know. So maybe it's not as... They don't have as many things like that. They have, you know, fruits, vegetables, fish. Which is all real food. Yeah. I think they're changing, but yeah. Traditionally, yeah. It's changing. I've seen in bigger people now, but when I first came, man, I was just like, even when they get older, they're still thin. And I was like, wow. And they can squat. Like, uh, like... Oh, because... I'm pretty sure my parents cannot squat on the floor and like sit like that, you know. I would do it, but I don't know if the camera will catch it. I mean, yeah. Don't get offended on cold duty. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't get offended. Oh my goodness. Like, yeah. Sitting on the floor on your knees or something. Like these, you know, like older people. Like, oh. So how typical is it to go to a restaurant and sit on the ground? On that little mat? Well, there are some restaurants that have like tatami mat, it's called. And yeah, you might have to sit on the floor. But then they'll also have tables because... And I do not like sitting on the floor for long at all either, even though I'm not even, you know, super old or anything. But I still am not good at that. And here, my husband hates that too, even though he's Japanese. Yeah. But yeah, I don't think that's common. But they do have places you could... But at their house, yeah, lots of people sit on the floor. And when they even come to my house and I have two sofas and carpet on the floor, they sit on the floor. Like, usually the Japanese people that visit my house will sit on the floor. I'm like, oh, you can sit. Yeah, that's what we want. So you want to keep your floors clean. Yes. But we don't wear shoes in the house, so yeah. It's a great space. I love it. It's going to be cleaner then, yeah. All right, let's talk about what life actually feels like once the novelty fades and real routines begin. What's one unwritten rule in Japan that took you the longest to understand? Um, I... Yeah, it's hard because I'm not sure if I still understand. I'm sure there's a lot of things I still don't understand. But I think it's... If they're really listening to you and saying that it's interesting, it does not mean they're interested for themselves personally. It's just like they're being... Either being very polite or they're... It's interesting because that's your culture and that's your... What you're saying. And, you know, it's not like they're going to, you know, really take it personally or... Or maybe they might not even really think really wonderfully about it, but they're going to be really nice about it. So I guess sometimes you think, oh, wow, they're interested in... But they're not, you know. So... Can't tell. You can't quite tell what they're thinking, you know. I'm like, yeah. Yeah. Interestingly enough, I like as you bring this up because I heard or I've seen a video where that lady is originally from Japan. And she shares how oftentimes Japanese people will say, oh, yeah, come back, you know, after they visited you at your house, I think, or a store. Like, come back. We'd love to see you again. And whenever they say that, it's because, no, they don't want to see you again. So it's kind of like the opposite message that they're telling the person. Is this... Well, honestly, people don't usually visit people's houses in Japan. Oh, why is that? Yeah. Like, they'll meet out in restaurants or something. Like, they don't... That's their personal space. And they don't usually do that. So I don't really have much... I mean, I have been to some, you know, a few people's places, I guess. But yeah, it's hard to really get to know people here. I mean, you can know them for a long time and not really know them. Yeah, for sure. Easily. It's harder to have close relationships in a way. Yeah. But I mean, of course, I'm a foreigner. So it might be because I'm not good at Japanese and I'm a foreigner. But I think people are very private. And it would be hard for them to say what they really feel and for you to, yeah, really know them. How long do you think it takes time? Let's say you make a conscious effort to get to know a person. But it depends on the person. Yeah. Some people are different. Yeah. Some people... I can't really... Do you have an example of a relationship that you thought... Or a friendship that you thought would get closer faster? And actually now it's closed. Well, okay. So we used to go to this church, you know, and we are friends with Japanese people. But we've never been to their house. And when we changed churches and the church we're in now has more like Western people, if you know what I mean. We... I mean, we talk like that. Like, I mean, you can meet them for the first time and you can know more about them than I knew about somebody that I've been in the same church with like seven years. I mean, like... I'm like... And then I realized, oh, I didn't really know those people. Like, I mean, we would like hang out and like have fun together, but I don't really know them, you know. Yeah, that's a good example. Yeah. I can see contrasts. Yeah. Yeah. So speaking of foreigners and meeting other people from many countries, you've said meeting people from different communities from many countries was very meaningful to you. What did that community look like? Okay. So, yeah, I was teaching English, of course. And so I met people from Germany, New Zealand, England, Canada, you know, like as co-workers, right? So that was pretty cool because I hadn't usually known people from those countries. I've never visited those countries. And even though it was a little shocking because, yeah, the way that they might see America, I was a little shocked. Like, you know, oh, you don't like America or something? I mean, maybe not everybody, but just kind of attitude is a little different or something. I'm like, oh. And I had to kind of think about, oh, I wonder why. And then, but then at church, like I met like, like Brazilians or Filipinos or like Jamaican or, yeah, lots of different people. Chinese or, yeah. So I was really surprised. It's not just Japanese people that I was seeing. It was like lots of people from different countries and they all have different stories or reasons they're here or, yeah. And like different lifestyles for sure. So I think it's great for people to go to other countries because like you are really going to see a whole new perspective. Yeah. And it helps, you know, a lot. Yeah. Was there anything that either was shocking to you or that you adopted after meeting a certain person that you're like, oh, this is so cool. I want to start doing that. Well, I definitely learned to eat different kinds of food, but which is good. That was just cool. But, and now we can make different kinds of meals at my house. But, yeah, I couldn't believe that like some people, like, and I'm not in their situation. So, like, you know, I wouldn't know what I would do. But some people, they come here to make money and then they send money back to their families. But not just that, they'll send their kids back to live with their family there and they're here making money and their kids are in another country. And I'm just like, oh, you're not with your kid. You know, like, I can't believe that. I just cannot believe that. I was like, what? But then, you know, maybe it was hard for their kid to be here. I don't know. And then they can't make money in their country. Like, you know, I don't have that situation. I'm just saying, like, I was shocked. That would be hard. Yeah, I was shocked. I was like, no way. You know. I know you listen to From Where to Here because you're not into surface level travel. You want the story, not just the sights. But let's be honest, breaking the language barrier can be intimidating. That's why I created the five phrases that unlock any culture. These are five simple phrases designed to pass small talk into real conversations from almost anywhere in the world. Don't just be a tourist. Be a connector. You can grab it at fromwheretoherepod.com slash five phrases. That's your shortcut to unlocking real conversations. Now, I'd like to know Japan is known for structure. Oh, and it starts early on. I'm curious, what system or habits do you now swear by? I definitely love taking off shoes. I think, like, why in the world would you have, like, especially carpet in your house and wear shoes? Like, I'm just like, no, you know. So, yeah, if I go to America, I'm going to be, like, wanting to take off my shoes. If I go to anybody's house and in the schools, they actually change shoes to, like, the school shoe. You know, so, like, they go around in the school with these, like, you know, shoes that aren't dirty. You know what I mean? Like, the school shoes. And then they take them back off and put their regular shoes on to go outside. And I'm like, that is brilliant. Because I remember being in school and the janitor is constantly trying to get off the scud marks from shoes. I'm like, why don't we do that? It just makes sense. Anyway. Yeah. So, well, you're going to love it when you come visit because our house is in Osho. At least we try, like, when I'm perfect. I'm used to that as well. I think because up north we have winters. So, it just doesn't make sense to keep here. Maybe it's like in wet snow. Oh, yeah, that's true. But even if it's summer all year long, I just find a lot of value, to your point, to just have different shoes or slippers. One thing, though, I think is important is to also offer inside shoes sometimes. Like, I like, we haven't got to that point yet, like, where we have enough slippers or house shoes. But I'd like to. I should probably. I should have some cute ones, Japanese slippers. And I'm like, maybe we buy them here. Bring them. Totally. And you'll be like, these are from today. Yeah, these are really cute. But what were you, I would say? Sorry, I can't. Oh, I was like, I should probably do that. I definitely have not done that. It's all for slippers. I don't like wearing slippers. Oh, you do? Except, like, really, like, winter warm ones that, like, because my feet are cold. But I don't like wearing the kind that you just slip on and it's, like, constantly coming off. I'm like, this doesn't fit me. So, I didn't really think so much about, like, I should probably offer it to people when they. You know, I know Japanese people do often do that. You do? Oh. I don't. I don't. Maybe not everybody, though. Yeah. But some people do. Yeah. Well, here in hotels and everything, they offer you or they provide the open toe slide-ons. Okay. But I like the one that covers your toes. What's something small in daily life that makes you think Japan is amazing? Okay. I don't know how small it is, but it's so safe here and I'm very thankful. I don't have to worry about, like, leaving my bag somewhere if I want to go buy some food and come back to the bench. Or I don't have to worry about my kids just walking around in the neighborhood or something. It's awesome. Yeah. Yeah. Much more safe. Yeah. Is this for your kids just playing around? Like, does that mean any time of the day you feel safe? Yeah, for real. I mean, even at night. We can walk around. We will not feel scared. No way. Never. Huh. Unless maybe we go next to some kind of clubs or something and people are like, huh? You know, they're drunk. But I still don't really feel scared. Just like, okay, let me alone. Yeah. So. Have you ever lost something and then someone brought it back? Oh, yes. Yeah? I didn't even know I lost it. It was my bank card in a convenience store. And they somehow, it happened to get to my workplace. They're like, hey, somebody turn this and this is, is this yours? Oh. And I didn't even know I lost it. We even shipped it to you? I don't know how it got to my workplace. It must have had because of my name or something. And somebody found out. And then my boss had it and like gave it to me. Wow. We'll take it. Amazing. Yeah, that's amazing. Yes. I know it was very smooth for you to adapt and just to, I mean, be one of them. Was there, though, a moment you realize, okay, I think I'm really integrating here. Like really getting used to all of this. That at first was new, but now it's not new. And I'm just part of it. Like, was there a declick at some point that happened? I don't know. But I have thought before about like, if I move to America, I'm just going to be looking for Japanese people. Like, what am I going to do? You know, if I go to America, like, I don't know if I was going to have a job. I don't know what I would do because there's not a really the same kind of job there. Like, exactly like, you know, I'm doing here. And yeah, I want to find Japanese people. So I'm like, yeah. What's attractive to you? Attractive? I don't know. In finding Japanese people, it's comforting? It's more like a lifestyle that you like? Well, I definitely think Japanese people are not intimidating. I think Western people can be very, can be strong. And I, I was, I tend to be kind of shy and stuff or like not want to talk when people are very strong and like opinionated and like, and different than me. And I just was not comfortable. And, but Japanese people, I don't feel that way. Because they don't intimidate me and they don't act like that. Even if they didn't agree, they wouldn't act like that. I guess they don't make me feel like, yeah. Yeah. That's, I mean, that's a valid point right there. I guess. I don't know. But yeah, I guess God also just gave me a love for somehow. Like I said, I don't know why I came to Japan. I just felt like I was supposed to go. And now let's talk about food. Okay. Food is always a loved topic. What surprised you and what became favorites? Um, what surprised me? Well, like I said, I went to the convenience store and I could not recognize like so many other things. Okay. What surprised me? You can see like whole fish, the eyes, everything, bones, you know, octopus, tentacle, you know, like in America, it's usually just fillets. Like you only see the meat. So I was like, wow. And I could see the entire thing. And, um, and shrimp here. I was like, how am I supposed to eat this? Like some, some ways that they have it like served, I guess. It's like, it has everything on it. So I'm like, I don't know how to eat it. Cause we're going to take it off and then eat it. Like, I don't know how to eat it. So I don't. I don't. I don't. You're talking. I mean, I eat the like fried shrimp and not like the kind that has everything on it. And I'm like, I don't know how to eat. Yeah. So that was a little adaptation, but I mean, what about favorites? I mean, I love salmon sushi. So yeah, like a raw salmon. I don't even eat it with soy sauce. I just like raw salmon. Sashimi or rolled sushi or? Both. I mean, uh, well, sashimi and sushi. Yeah. I mean, rolled sushi. Yeah. I like it fine. What's the difference with rolled sushi and sushi? I guess it has more. It has seaweed. Oh, so what you said you like the sushi, which is what's in it? Just it's just fish on rice. Oh, I see. Yes. But, um, but the rice is a little different. I guess they put stuff in it. But, um, yeah, rolled sushi is okay. Yeah. But it has a lot of, a lot more. It's like a lot of seaweed. So I don't like a lot of seaweed. You know, but. Okay. And when you say the rice is different, it's a meaty. Are you? So the sushi rice, they have what? Like vinegar and sugar or something in it. It's not just rice. But I do like just rice with salmon. I'm very simple. I'm a simple person. Yeah. That's great. You talked slightly about it, the Japanese, um, how you just, everything was kind of handed to you. And I don't think you needed much more recommendations because it, or at least you had some of those recommendations. But when you come to the language, um, how much Japanese did you actually need at first? And how did you learn the basic, you know, you use now? I know you mentioned you did some classes, but that was it. Yeah. I was actually very surprised that how I could live, live here without knowing so much Japanese. But I do think my situation was unique. Um, first of all, for anybody, if you go to a restaurant or go shopping, it's like no problem. Um, usually, unless it's some like very small local type restaurant, because, um, usually they have a lot of pictures and you can just point and you can just pay. I mean, it's not hard, you know, go to the store, just get your stuff, pay. It's like not a big deal usually. But, but yeah, in my case, my boss did all my bills. So I didn't have to worry about that. And my husband now does all my bills. So he's Japanese. Um, so yeah, doctor stuff can be tricky. I'll take my husband if I have to. If I don't, it's basically like they look at me, you know, they decide the medicine, you know? I mean, I, I might have just a little bit of a conversation, but not like a lot. I don't know a bunch of doctor's terms or anything. So. So doctors, they typically don't speak English? No. Huh. But yeah, that would be a. Yeah, it can be frustrating, but I mean, I've lived here. I don't know. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a miracle. Yeah, it's a miracle. I do an translator too, like you said. So that, that can help. But yeah. So someone on its own, that might be potentially a little bit more challenging. Oh yeah. Yeah. Living here, like you said. I probably wouldn't be here if I wasn't married. I probably, I don't know. I mean, yeah, if I was still an English teacher, my boss was still helping me. But yeah. What are you going to the doctor's appointment? That's true. That's true. Yeah. You might possibly get a friend to go, but yeah, that'd be very inconvenient. That's true. I don't know. Yeah. I don't know. Well, yeah, we're blessed. Cheer it all. Yeah, for sure. Okay. Some rapid fires now, um, related to everyday life. So social housing, grocery store edition. Grocery stores. So again, without overthinking, just what comes to mind. Grocery stores. Chaotic, calm, or confusing? I mean, calm and confusing. Eh? Why is that? Okay. So here they don't have as many choices or, or at least they used to not have as many choices. And when I go to America, there are so many choices. I get stressed out. I'm like, which lotion? There's like 15 kinds. I have no idea which one to buy. You know, I'm just like, oh, you know. So it's like, in a way, it's cool to have choices. But then I realized how it's cool not to have choices. There's the lotion. Just get the lotion. You know, especially when you have kids and, you know, you have enough to think about. But yeah, so America has a lot of fun things and fun choices, but it's really too many choices. And so in Japanese people, I realized even when we built our house, most Japanese people do not design their own houses like we did. They don't want to decide. They let the house person decide. And now I know why. You know, it's like fewer choices, less stress. You know what I mean? I can see that. So I loved designing my house, but I'm just saying I have learned that fewer choices is nice. Yes, you do not want to have a big yard and have to take care of the entire yard yourself. And that's why probably one reason they have small gardens here. Yeah, we've seen so many gardens. It's really cool to just experience how different it is looked as far as you. You can see here they'll have like a convenience store, a house, farmland, business. Like it's all next to each other. It's kind of funny. It's not like all separated, you know, like we would think it would be, I guess. So, yeah. But people, so to make their property boundary, sometimes they'll have like tall bushes or like this little concrete thing. Or maybe they don't have one. I don't know. If they don't have a boundary, maybe you can't tell, right? Yeah. So it's all blended. And someone can purchase a lot of land, but then have a house two miles away or two kilometers away. Oh, well, yeah. So my husband's parents, because their ancestors were here hundreds of years ago and they had farmland. So they just have like this different farmland plots around. Yeah. And they started selling some, but we built on one. Yeah. Okay. And the gardens that we're seeing here and there, they also can belong to different individuals as well. Is that... Oh, you mean like a little farmland? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I say farmland, but you might think it's not because it's like not big. But they... Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Like a tiny little... That's true. It's like a garden, I guess. But they... It's a large garden. But they call this a garden. Like their yard. We call it a yard and they call it a garden. Garden. Because I think it's because it's so small. Usually small. Not big like, you know, we're used to maybe. Yeah. So I was a little confused. Garden versus farmland plot or something. Okay. Okay. Yeah. There's a lot of little plots of farmland around. Yeah. And you don't know who they belong to, right? Some people, there'll be multiple people using it. Like they let people use some of their farmland because maybe they're not using it and they still have the land. Housing. Smaller than expected or actually just right? It depends. I mean, I think our house is just right, I guess. But yeah, some people definitely have... It's pretty small. And apartments can be super small, for sure. Did you live in an apartment? I did. But I didn't live in the smallest one. Like a lot of people might have like a one room apartment. I mean, it's like you go in, there's the bathroom, there's the kitchen, dining, everything right there. That's their apartment. Like, you know, my apartment was actually... It had like two bedrooms and live and kitchen dining together and then a bathroom. So that wasn't bad for like a single person. But I did still think it looked small compared to like the American apartment I was in before. I was like, wow, it's small. But for them, that's like a really good size for like a single person, you know, because that's two rooms with like... Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Neighborhood noise. Super quiet or surprisingly lively? Oh, definitely not lively. Yeah, I guess quiet. Social invitations. Spontaneous or planned weeks ahead? Planned, planned, planned. Yeah. Weeks ahead. Months ahead. Months ahead. I beat them. Do you get entertained? If I ask somebody to come like in one or two weeks, they'll probably be like, I'm sorry, I have a plan. But what about like, you know, in two months? Like, I don't know when I'm drinking two months. But yeah, they're busy. They're busy. Do you, people put things on their calendar a lot? And do you get invitations? Do you like send a formal invite? Or is it just like, hey, I want to have you over if you like, come. But then it gets pushed into you. Because let's say in America, we get a lot of like virtual invites. Oh. For events. But then if it's just a friend you want to casually meet, you could... Wow, never heard of a virtual invite. I mean, well, I am very popular. I don't know. I'm not with it. Anyway, I got... I don't know. I mean, that would be more of a party or event, I guess. You know, I guess it's just message somebody. Hey, are you free? Let's get together. Okay, what about this date? What about this date? And then decide. And then we both put on our calendar. Yeah. Yeah. And I hope they don't cancel, you know. Yeah. Because I already planned it for like, from two months ago, you know. What? And I have kids. And I worked it out, you know. And then they're like, sorry, I'm not coming. Like, oh, we can't... Okay. Okay, I guess we can't be friends. Because when's the next time? Like, next year? You know? We can't be friends. Huh? Like, yeah. It's hard to have friends. Trash sorting. Easy? Manageable? Or PhD level? Now, you might think it's PhD level. I honestly don't have a problem with it. But I am so used to it, right? I don't remember what I thought. I'm sure I was like, what in the world? You know, there's like a million different ways to separate the trash. But I'm so used to it now. Like, as long as you have a trash can for everything, you just put it there. Put it there. Can you explain? But I do hate if you have to clean off something. Like, if the plastic thing is all dirty, that's disgusting. Like, I'm like... And I think it's such a waste of water. Why would you use that much water just to wash off the plastic and just throw it in the dirt? You know, normal trash. But, yeah. Like, it's hard to throw away things here. I think the point is not to get a lot of things. I'm not really good at that. But they have had better ways now. There's like a truck that will come and be like, do you have something to throw away? And they'll take it. And I'm so happy because like something big, usually you'd have to pay to throw it away. You have to pay to throw it away. But there's now a way like they can take it. Yeah. That's convenient. Like an appliance or something in. Okay. So like big furniture or... I'm not sure about that. Yeah. I'm not sure about that. A big furniture. But yeah. Like different appliances and stuff. Yeah. Could you explain what are the different trash bins? Okay. So we have burnable, which is like paper or food stuff, you know. And then we have plastic. And then we have cans. And then we have plastic bottles. And we have glass. And then we have colored glass. And aluminum. And batteries are separate too. Yeah. Yeah. That was fine. Do you bring those back at the store? There's actually trash pickup for batteries? Everything you mentioned? Okay. So, yeah. So batteries are special. I think it's like once a month you can take them out in your neighborhood. Otherwise, you have to take them somewhere special. Aluminum also is... You have to take them somewhere special, I think. But the other times twice a week there's burnable. You take out certain time in the morning you take it out. And plastic is once a week. And then recyclables is once every two weeks. And then non-burnable. I forgot to say that. Non-burnable. Smell the other every two weeks. Well, we should have greener trash. And then they have... Okay. Where does that go? Let me teach you. They have a scheduled calendar. And you can look at it which days which. Nice. Nice. Well, I'm used to doing composting, recycling. But it's usually, I mean, more simple. I think that's the more PhD levels that I've ever seen anywhere here in Japan. So that was very impressive. And even confusing at first. But like you said, once you do it, then you stick up on it. And it becomes part of your day-to-day. I know. So yeah, I'm so used to it. The only time is if something's really dirty. Like what if I don't finish, you know, the spray bottle? I'm like, how am I going to throw it away? I have to like tear it apart and get the stuff out. And you know what I mean? Like because the stuff inside is different than the stuff, the container. I still don't know how to do that. So what happens if you mistakenly put it in the wrong trash or don't clean it as they expect you to clean it? I don't really know. But yeah, I know my husband has said that sometimes there'll be somebody that might possibly check the trash and try to find out who did it. So. And then they will. But I'm not really. I'm not really sure. I don't know. Yeah. I don't think so. It didn't happen. So that's good. Yeah. Okay. I love those rapid fire questions. We learn a lot in a short amount of time. That's awesome. Now. Now, I'd like to understand a little bit more about the differences of the cultures that you're used to and the culture of Japan. And kind of your own perception through that. So how has living in Japan changed potentially your perception of your own culture? Well, I think it's been great to, like, know people from so many different cultures. Like I said, I met a lot of different people here, not just Japanese people. And so to understand people better, right? Because, I mean, a lot of times you just have no idea, like, why would that person do that? What are they thinking? Or something like that. And now I can really understand a lot more why or what. You know, I think that's really cool. And then you have to think, okay, so what is the right thing? What is the good thing? Not just, like, what's from my culture, you know? And it's also as a Christian. It's like, and churches even are different everywhere. You know what I mean? Like, so what does the Bible really say church is? It's not the American church, you know? It's not this style. It's like, what really is true, you know? And what do I really want to do with my family? Not because of this or that, but, like, because of what I've learned, you know? So I thought that's really helpful, you know? I love that. Yeah. Now, what's one moment you realized you were starting to think or act a little Japanese? Well, definitely about bowing, right? And that, oh, and I sometimes just say words that I like better in Japanese. I'll just say them, like, even when I went to America, even though I'm not good at Japanese and I do not use it all the time, but it'll just, like, come out. Like, I say words like,すごい. It's like, wow, that's cool. You know, like, because people, yeah, because people say that here so much. It's like, you're like, and ne is kind of like, right? You know, so it's like, look at that, sugoi ne. You know, like, and it's just, like, fun to say. I don't know. It's, like, really convenient to say that in certain situations, you know? Or so I'll just, like, happen to say something in Japanese or I'll say in Hiro, my husband thinks it's so funny because I'll be like, dame to my kids. That means, like, no, stop. It's like, no, don't do that. But for some reason, it's easier for me to say that than no. I'm like, dame. Or you're like, dame, stop, you know, stop. Yeah. And he just cracks up each other. Is it only in the context of kids or can you use it that dame into other? Asa orios. Kids. Cats, maybe? Kids. I mean. Just kids? To animals? I mean, that's the way that I use it. I'm thinking. No, you can say it to animals. Yeah, you can say it. Yeah, you can say it. I'm trying to make it. Yeah, yeah. My own hero said that his mom used to say that to the cat. Like, the cat's about to, like, do something. Stop it! I'm just like... Today's episode is brought to you by Birmingham Breadworks. They've been serving up amazing sourdough bread, European-style pastries, pizza, soups, sandwiches, all made from scratch since 2014. Everything they make is fresh. No preservatives. No additives. Just simple, clean ingredients. Their cafe is the perfect cozy spot with natural lighting, warm wooden tones, and art from local students and photographers. It's perfect to grab a coffee or something delicious to eat. Plus, they're big on sustainability as a goal-level member of the EAT, Earth-Aware Team. Stop by Birmingham Breadworks and taste the difference of fresh local food. So it seems like the language has changed the way you express yourself in some scenarios. Has it also changed the way you feel emotions? Um, I'm not sure. But, uh, I do... I might have already felt a little this way. But, like, if Americans come here and they're with me somewhere, I feel embarrassed like a Japanese person if they're too loud. I'm like, shh. And they're like, please be quiet. You know, like, I... That's been a great exam. Like, I want to... I want to be polite and respectful. And I'm just... Shh. Shh. Like, don't do that. You know, like, I... I feel that way. So I must be kind of Japanese. You know? Like, I don't know. That's... Not like an American, right? I don't know. But... Are we embarrassed you like that? Yeah. I think just when they're, like, taking a picture and there's other people in the background, I'm like, oh, my goodness. Those people are probably be like, what are these people doing? You know? Like... At the bakery, like, filming. Not the bakery. Oh, I don't know. But at the grocery store. Y'all are taking a picture with the... And they're, you know... They're a gratis. You can tell. Giants. Because the people around are, like, looking at you. You know? So I'm just like, oh, my goodness. You're like, I'm kind of embarrassed. Sorry. You didn't tell me that until now. I'm loving having these conversations. It's okay. But, yeah. Honestly, yeah. That does kind of embarrass me. I'm just like, oh, my goodness. These people are probably like, what? You know? Yeah. I'll blur their faces. Except I know Sam has been already sharing that picture around with his friends. Yeah. Well, I mean, it's not like anybody knows them. I mean, yeah. But just the way... Just my image of what Japanese people feel like is, you know, like, I'm trying to get my kids not to be in their way. So they're walking in the grocery store. My kids are, like, all over the aisle. I'm like, hello. You know, get over here. The people are trying to walk. You know? Like, I don't like that. Like, getting in people's way. Being loud. And stuff like that. Yeah. And I'm just like, I think they're annoyed. You know? That's it. And you're so mindful of others. I think that we should all, like, lean towards that. Maybe more. I don't know if I always am, but maybe not. Way up. Okay. Now, if you could take one Japanese cultural value and bring it back home to America for everyone to adopt, what would it be? Well, I think it's both the things we've already said. One of them is not to annoy people. Like, if you're talking on the phone, why in the world are you talking right next to my ear as loud as you possibly can? It makes no sense whatsoever. Go have your conversation somewhere where you, you know. I'm just like, I don't want to hear it. I don't want you yelling in my ear. You know? Like, yeah. So, something like that, like, think about the people around you and also take off your shoes in the house. I don't know. Stuff like that. That's two good ones. Next. How has Japan shaped your long-term identity or sense of belonging? Has it changed in any ways? Yeah, I think now I don't know where I belong. But honestly, as a Christian, we kind of think, you know, like, I'm a Christian. Like, I'm not American. I'm not Japanese. I'm a Christian. That's more of our identity. So, it's like, wherever I go, I'm going to be a Christian. And it's actually kind of hopeful because it is a little bit sad when you, like, I don't fit in any country. And there, I know a lot of people that feel that way because I know a lot of people that are, like, third culture here. Yeah, and I think, so, that's, like, our identity. Yeah, like, we're just, we're Christians. You know? Yeah, and where is home for you? I don't know. Where's home? Where home? What is home? Home is where you're with, hmm, where you're with people that love you, I guess. Well, yeah, thank you. And family is with, like, my church family is, like, family. Like, I've experienced, even, like, when I went on those mission trips, like, church in Peru, church in Costa Rica or something. It's like, we're family. It's like, we're family. Even though we don't know each other. Because we have the same values and God, like, we have the same love, you know, for each other. It's like, we're family. So, even if you don't have a family. And that's what's good. You know, it's like, the church is, like, your family. So, you know what I mean? So, yeah. Beautiful. I know your kids speak fluent Japanese and English, which is very neat. What does raising bilingual, bicultural kids look like for your family today? Yeah, we are very unique because our house is an English house. Yeah. And the kids go to their grandparents almost every day. And that's all Japanese. So, for them, it's so great that they can just learn both. Like, you can be immersed in one and then be immersed in the other, you know? So, that was so cool because, I mean, I don't know much Japanese. I mean, I don't know enough Japanese. And then my husband, well, he loves English. And he doesn't want, also, the kids to be speaking in Japanese so much around me. If I, possibly, I'll be missing stuff, you know? And I think I'm actually forgetting the question. But what does it look like? Okay, what does it look like? Kind of that dynamic. Oh, but it is really. But what's really cool is, like, people come to our house and our kids will just switch. So, if they think that they know Japanese better, they automatically just stop talking to them in Japanese. And if they know English better, they switch to English. And it's really cool. And they are so smart kids. They are so smart. So well-spoken. So respectful. And then I've just been amazed. It's been such a treat to be around your family during these past couple days. I hope you all come back. Yes. We love you. They're going to be so sad when you leave. I can't, yeah, I can't even start thinking about this because we just had such a good time with everyone. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That was one thing that really impressed me at first. And I already shared that with you and others. But how they're good at speaking with adults. And we were thinking, as we were talking about it, is maybe because there's more exposed to adult conversations than kids. Even though I'm sure they interact with kids as well, as you mentioned. But while they have such a high awareness of themselves and it's easy for them to do small talk and just... Yeah. I think they actually almost prefer in a way to have adult friends. You know, like adults come to our house and they're like, my friend. And I'm like, no, it's actually my friend. Like, I want to talk to them. Please don't keep taking them away. Yeah. And I'm like, you know, when I let you have your friends, I let you play with them. Like, please let me talk to my friend. It cried generations. There's something very beautiful that maybe is not as present these days as far as... Yeah, it's right. You know, I'm, you know, I have this... I actually like reading, like, historical fiction or watching historical fiction or something. And I think it's really cool how a long time ago, the kids learned from their parents and they worked alongside their parents and everything. And they wanted to grow up. I'm going to be like my dad. And I'm going to be, you know... And nowadays, everybody wants to stay young and immature. You know? Oh, I'm cool, even though I'm, like, 60 years old. And I'm, you know, I think that's ridiculous. You know? Like, you need to, like, mature. You know? And I think the kids need... They need to mature and they need to, like, learn to grow up. You know? And it's important. So I'm so happy, yeah, that we get to homeschool and their grandparents do... And we do it. Yeah, it's great. They learn from different people. Yeah. Different things. And they have more exposure to different perspectives of life, different ways of doing things. That's true. Different cultures at the Santa. Yep. That's very cool. Speaking of cultures and traditions, how do you blend Alabama traditions with Japanese cultural norms in your home? Okay. With your family and what you do. Well, yeah, my husband was not used to celebrating things, but he definitely does now because I celebrate most holidays. But, yeah, Japanese holidays, we don't celebrate so much. But they have this thing. So they have, in America, it's Valentine's Day, right? And they do have Valentine's Day here, but it's very different. It's the women will give chakas to the men and they have White Day a month later where the men will give back to the women who gave it to them. So what we do, we just kind of do both. I mean, like, they have all these cool chocolates in the stores and they're very cute and all these different kinds. So I'll just go, like, choose some and I'll even give some to the grandparents. So I kind of, like, make our own tradition. It's like we do kind of both. Like, I do want Hero to give me something romantic. But then I also give him chocolates because he likes chocolates. I give my boys chocolates and I give my in-laws chocolates, you know, special ones that I picked out for them, you know. And then, yeah, Japanese New Year is big here. Like, New Year's is the biggest holiday here where they eat together. And Hero's parents are not as traditional. They don't eat as much of the traditional type food. But we do tend to just eat together and we'll just get a bunch of sushi and eat it together. And what is a traditional food? And when is the New Year celebrated? When is New Year celebrated? I mean, they get off, like, a longer holiday around New Year's. Like, they don't get off for Christmas. They get off for New Year's. But, yeah, the New Year's Day, they have Osechi. It's like all these different fancy type. I don't even know how to explain it. What is fancy? Different types of sushi? I don't know. Rice base. I don't know. I mean, like, maybe that shrimp that I talked about. You know, or like lots of little. You know how in Japan they have all these little dishes. All little. I think there's a problem. All these little side dishes that go together. It's like a bunch of little things. It looks like a beautiful kind of tray of lots of different foods that I don't even know what they are. Because we don't. Pretty. Yeah, we don't really eat that. So I'm not actually sure what it is. Okay, so that's the typical food during New Year's that you said. Yeah, so a long time ago, supposedly, I guess the mom or the grandmother would cook it all. But then I think they started just buying it like recent people, like more modern people. I think they just buy it instead. When they used to, they would like spend all day, I guess, cooking it and making it. Yeah. That's my impression. So Valentine's, New Year's, any other traditions? Any American traditions? Oh, another Japanese thing that I love, but even though we don't necessarily go do it that I did when I was single, is fireworks in the summer is awesome. Their fireworks are very creative. They're really cool. It'll be like, butterfly, smile on the face. Or something, you know, it's like, or like, it looks like a waterfall at the end or like something. It's like amazing. And you can dress in a yukata if you want, like a Japanese summer dress thing. And tons of people will go and put their mats, like they'll try to go early so they can get a seat. Put their mats where the fireworks are going to be, which is like a different place every weekend. And not that you go every weekend, but you choose which one you're going to go to. But, and they have a bunch of vendors and it's like two hours or something. And you just sit there and you just like watch the fireworks and you sit with your friends or family. And it's really cool. But we can see some from our house. Yeah. So we don't have to go. We just see it one weekend. We can see it from our window. Yeah. That's fun. And it's not using drones. It's really just fireworks and it has all these shapes. Yeah. Fireworks. I've seen the smiley face. I've never seen a butterfly, but it sounds like they're way more heart and advance in terms of like, It's the firework design. That's pretty cool. I'm going to ask again, but any American traditions? Because I'm curious if you have. American traditions that I do? Oh, of course. Are they? Oh, do they do it or do I do it? Do I do it? How do you? Okay. Do you, have you kept any? Oh, yeah. I mean, Christmas is huge, right? So, of course we, of course we, you know. Yeah, I do. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, kind of. Kind of. And, of course, birthdays. But, yeah, I guess what I mean is like just the way that I'm used to celebrating it, I kind of like still do with my kids, right? And we give like presents, we decorate, you know, like birthday, like we might have a party or whatever. I mean, it's like more than Japanese people do. Japanese people just don't do near as much. Like even, like for Christmas, if they have a kid, they might have a tree and give one present, you know, but they don't even have a holiday. And they have like strawberry shortcake kind of thing for Christmas cake. That's their Christmas cake and Kentucky fried chicken. That's like somehow they think we do that, but we don't. But that's like a kind of tradition here for Christmas. But we don't do that at all in my family. Yeah. We do like Christmas cookies and, of course, presents and decorate tons and play Christmas music, you know, stuff like that. Why do they do Kentucky or KFC? You know, I think it has been promoted. Okay. It's very commercialized. A lot of holidays here that have become popular. Like when I first got here like 20 years ago, I don't think they did. They didn't do anything for Easter. I don't think they barely had Halloween. And now they have more like stuff they're selling for like Easter and like Halloween. And yeah, I even have more Christmas stuff now. But like, yeah, I don't know where that came from, Kentucky Fried Chicken. But I imagine it was the, you know, KFC store was probably just promoting, hey, you can have this for Christmas. And they probably thought, oh, that's the American way. You know what I mean? The American way because it's the American franchise. Yeah. Like, I mean, I don't know. But they, I do, I have met people that think we do that. And they're surprised when I'm surprised that they eat that for Christmas. You know, like, we don't eat fried chicken for Christmas, you know. That's surprising. And they're like, whoa. Oh, you know. I thought you. Wow. Still think so. So you're still keeping some traditions alive. Definitely. American and Japanese. That's great. Now, a couple of rapid fire questions again, but personal edition. Best peaceful moment that you've had here in Japan? Yeah. After I had kids and I really wanted some of my own time, I guess, because, yeah, I can't really think. A lot of times when you have kids, you're so like, you're thinking about a lot of things. You can't really talk to people and stuff like that. So, yeah, my husband was like, you need to go take your time and meet your friends or something. Like, so I, I like went on a train to another city and stayed with my friend and it was so great. I was like, wow, I can actually think about things. I mean, I had a lot of things come to my mind. I was riding the train, reading a book, you know, talking to my friend. Yeah. It's great. Sometimes it's that time for yourself. It was much needed in that moment. Yeah. And sometimes now I'll go to like Starbucks and just like sit there and like, yeah, sometimes plan there. But yeah, it's nice. What was, or what is your favorite Japanese word? Favorite Japanese word? Well, I told you,懐かしい andすごい. Hmm. Yeah. Those are the ones I really like. One thing you'll miss if you ever leave Japan. Okay. Well, I don't know about one thing, but yeah. So safety, the people, and they do have, yeah, really good customer service. I mean, they're very nice and helpful a lot of times. Oh, we definitely have experience. And quality products. Yeah. Let me ask the other one. One thing that you won't miss if you were ever to leave Japan. I will not miss, yeah, not understanding a lot of things. I cannot read a lot of things. I honestly, yeah, I, I, I'm sure I should have learned way more. You know, kanji, kanji is the harder Japanese. And I just never really tried to learn it because I thought, oh, it's better to just learn to speak, you know, but, um, I guess I should have, you know what I mean? Like, but I was too busy really doing life. Like I was just teaching English and doing with my kids and, but yeah, it's, there's so much that I don't understand that when I go, if I go visit my home country, if you call it my home country, like used to be my home country, um, I'll just be like, I can't believe I can understand everything. Like, it's amazing. I know what these people are saying. I can read every single label. Like that's going to just be crazy. Like for me. Do you see a difference? Yes. Just the environment of wherever you go, you hear the conversation, you overhear conversations and then, oh, suddenly you can understand what they're saying. Yeah. I actually don't like it. What's funny? No, I mean, I do. I do in some ways and I don't in some ways. I don't want, like, it's so funny because my husband and I can speak English here in a restaurant and it's kind of private, right? We can just talk about whatever we want. I don't have to worry. Even though some people know English, but not like a lot. But like, if I go to America and we're like talking to each other, I'm like, oh my gosh, these people are going to hear what we're saying and I can hear what they're saying. And I'm like, it's not, you know? So actually, in a way, I actually don't always like it, but yeah. But I definitely like it if I'm trying to talk to a friend or something, of course, and relatives. Yeah. Thanks for sharing, Sarah. Lastly, I'd like to know where can people connect with you in case they have maybe questions about Japan or maybe they're going through a similar path? Where can they find you? I guess they could just send me an email. Okay. Yeah. Okay, so we'll add your email in the show notes then. Okay. And if you had one advice, kind of staying on that same path of someone, maybe considering moving to Japan, maybe for work, maybe for love, maybe for a new adventure, what advice would you have for them? Don't be shy to practice the language. Okay. I guess because I'm, yeah, that does not help you learn for sure. Just try. Just get a friend, talk to them as much as possible. Yeah. Because, yeah, you need to know. I mean, in most situations. My situation has been unique, but yeah, you really do need to know if you want to really, you know, live here and without help. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. What would you tell your younger self? Yeah, I guess just try more or just hang out with friends that can only speak Japanese and really talk. So you would encourage your younger self to actually learn the language? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, but yeah, it's hard to say that because, I mean, there's a reason I didn't learn as much as I did. I was busy. You know what I mean? It was, it would have taken a lot more time and effort for sure. Yeah, yeah. I might, yeah. It's hard. Yeah. Yeah. And the characters, even just the reading, you're not reading letters like the American alphabet. You're reading characters. Writing and reading. Even, even my husband does not remember all the kanji. I mean, like he'll forget. Kanji, that's what it is. If you don't, if you don't keep writing it, you, you can't just remember it all. It's like 2000 or something. I don't know. 2000 characters? Something like that. Oh, wow. Wow. I didn't realize that. I mean, so I didn't really start, if you know what I mean? No, I just only learned that there's like a really simple way to read Japanese. But of course, that's not on everything, but it is on a lot of things. Like it helps. So I only learned the like simplest possible, you know? Well, that's already very impressive. Very impressive. All right. Thank you so much. Anything you want to add? I just think, yeah, everybody should really at least just visit another country or more than one if possible, because it's so helpful just to see how other people live and what other people think and do. It's very, very helpful. Yeah. I love that. I love that advice. I think the same way. But you know what? This, you sharing your story with us today. Yeah. It's one way to bring the listeners with us traveling to Japan. Yeah. Yeah. So we were. And if I can do it, you can do it. Because I am not. I do not feel like a confident person that just tries things. I'm not. I don't feel that way, really. But I was. I did it. Yeah. You sure did. So thank you for sharing with us today. If you enjoyed this episode of From Where to Hear, make sure to hit follow and subscribe everywhere you listen to your podcast on social media at From Where to Hear Pod. And if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to also share it with a friend. Leave a review. It helps more people discover stories like this one. In the meantime, I always say that keep exploring. Thank you. Thanks, Sarah. Thank you for tuning in to From Where to Hear. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves discovering new cultures. Follow us on Instagram at From Where to Hear Pod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and a peek at upcoming guests. Until next time, keep learning, keep connecting, and keep celebrating the beauty of languages and cultures. À bientôt! Bye-bye. Thank you.