• New Season

    So, now that the Japanese proficiency test is a thing of the past (until I get the results in February and find out that I have to take it again), I'm finding other ways to spend my time. For example, I've taken a cue from a few friends in Louisville and started doing the P90X workout. I started it yesterday, aaaand... I have to admit that it's pretty awesome. I was skeptical about it for a long time, but it's a really good workout so far, and the trainer in the videos is pretty entertaining. I've just been working out with my own little routines here and there for a while, but it's hard to push myself with workouts. In the past I've always had workout partners to help me stay motivated, but you don't really get to have workout partners outside of college life, I've found. This is the first time I've ever felt like sticking with a workout video. It helps to know that some of my friends in Louisville are doing it, too, but if it weren't a good enough workout with a good enough host, then I don't think I'd stick with it.

    I'm really looking forward to the next few months. Christmas is fast approaching, and we've already got our little tree out, our lights strung around the room, our stockings hung up, and presents under the tree. We've also got plans to virtually spend Christmas with my family via webcam. Pretty cool. Not as good as being there, but a decent consolation prize. I'm also looking forward to the massive chunk of vacation time coming up. From late January to, I think, mid-April there are no classes. Here's a short list of things I'm looking forward to between January and April, in no particular order:
    • JLPT results. I'd say there's a pretty good chance that I passed, but it's certainly not... certain.
    • P90X results. By the end of the long vacation I will have gone through 90 days of consistent exercise and healthier eating habits. Can't wait to see and feel the results.
    •  Muse concert with Dani, Dave, and Nathan. Dave's already bought the tickets for us. Ho ho ho, merry Christmas!
    • Dani's birthday. We will probably travel somewhere nice for that.
    • Dave's birthday and the related possibility of Sarven coming back to Japan for a visit.
    • Aaron's return to Japan for more than a visit. He's coming back for at least a year, it seems.
    • Hobo fantasy*. I might actually get to live it out, perhaps some time in late March.
    • Growth. Getting better at guitar, learning new things, filling out more of my potential, getting ready for grad school.
    Like I said, it's a short list. I'm sure I could think of even more to look forward to in the modest first quarter of 2010, bu 2009 isn't quite over just yet. I need to calm down and live in the present for a few minutes or more. It's nice to have a lot to look forward to, but it can be very distracting. I feel like a new chapter or season in my life is near, and it's a promising one.

    *Hobo fantasy   Basically, I often fantasize about wandering off on some adventure, blazing trails, climbing mountains, writing in a leather-bound journal, meeting interesting characters, getting in and out of trouble, sleeping at rustic inns (or in a tent), getting lost and finding my way back... If I could have epic battles along the way, level up a bit, and save the world or something, that would be cool, too.   

    One last thing before I go. I haven't uploaded any pictures to Xanga in a while, because it's a bit of a pain and not many people seem to look at them here anyway. So go here if you'd like to see some recent pictures. That is all.


    Love. Peace. Are you looking forward to anything in particular in 2010?
  • Abandoner

    That's what I am. A friend urged me to update, so here I am. I've just been too busy for Xanga lately. It's been a while since I made Xanga a part of my routine, which recently has been "wake up relatively early, exercise, shower, study scripture, study Japanese, go to work." It's a good morning routine. I haven't worked anything solid out for the evenings yet, and I'm not sure I want to. Even I don't like having too much structure. I guess I spend most of my evenings studying and practicing guitar.

    I'd really like to get back into writing (wait, was I ever actually into writing?) soon, but I just don't think it's going to happen. For one thing, I just don't think it would be the best use of my time right now. I've got the JLPT coming up again in early December, and I play guitar at church on most weekends, so I need to study and practice. Another thing, I feel like my personal life is too personal to write about anymore, especially as I go through bouts with doubts and try to reforge my faith. If I were more creative or could afford the time to be more creative, I could do some creative writing or write about non-personal things, but I'm not and I can't. So rather than boring you by writing repetitious re-tellings of my daily routines, I think I'll spare you and just wait until I actually have something worth writing to post again. Could be a while, but who knows? I do love to contradict myself. Anyway, take care. I'll be kinda keeping up with reading subscriptions, so I'll see you all around.


    Love. Peace. One-leg squats ftw.
  • Bad News Bears

    Today has been riddled with bad news. I'm not at liberty to say anything about the worst news I got today, but here are some other unfortunate discoveries. 1) I got my JLPT results back. Epic fail. 2) Our oven just stopped working. 3) I'm not as fit as I'd hoped that I was. I tried a really intense cardio workout and was left on the floor, practically paralyzed by nausea. 

    I was going to write more, but all of the sudden I am incredibly sleepy.


    Love. Peace. Good news
  • Metal Birds

    My parents live pretty close to the airport, so it's not uncommon to see big metal birds in the sky here. Every time I saw one I was reminded of how soon I'd be leaving. Here I am now, updating my Xanga at 2am, trying to stay up all night before my flight so I can sleep better on the plane. This trip has been longer and more eventful than any other, both in good ways and in bad. I can't elaborate too much on that, but I can say that overall, I've had an excellent time back home and in Louisville.

    There were too many people that we didn't get to see, but we did get to spend good quality time with nearly everyone that we did see. I have many a picture of many a good time to upload. Most of them will go on Facebook, but here are a few.
    ..
    Family photo FTW!
    IMG_4291

    A few of our friends in Louisville


    A bunch of our friends in Louisville


    Second ugliest dog in the world. I hate it so much that I love it.


    There are many more pictures already uploaded on FB. Just click the link. Fun was had. Even so, I feel very serious right now. I have a lot of mixed emotions, which isn't really new for me. If I were ever to release a solo album, I think that would be the title of it. Here are some things I'm excited/happy about in no particular order....
    • Having made so many wonderful memories over the past few weeks
    • Babies (not mine and Dani's, calm down)
    • My Total Gym being shipped to Japan
    • The idea of settling down in Louisville in a few years
    • Getting back to our church in Japan
    • Two weeks of vacation when I get back to Japan, and Dani will be free, too
    • Seeing all of Dave's pictures from his trip to Australia and hearing about how awesome it was
    • Seeing our friends in Japan again and getting settled back in there
    • Getting our JLPT results
    Here are some of the things I am worried/apprehensive about....
    • Getting our JLPT results
    • Realizing how much Japanese I've forgotten already
    • Losing the 13 lbs I've gained since being here
    • Getting the ball rolling on my and/or Dani's MA degree
    • Dani's job situation
    • How I'm ever going to do all of my friendships justice
    • My family and the struggles they are going through
    • Dani's family and the struggles they are going through
    • A very long journey home (the one in Japan)
    Yep, I'm kind of a confused mess despite my stoic exterior. I'm going to step away from the computer and try to do something that doesn't burn my eyes for a while. Good night all.


    Love. Peace. Mixed Emotions.
fchibimatt

Name: Matthew Lott
Location: Gifu, Japan
Purpose of Blog:
1) Keep in touch with friends/family
2) Preserve and share memories
3) Squander time on the internet

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Memories (35)

  • memory....taking you and Dani to the bus station...YIKES! that was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.
    • Posted 6/22/2007 8:37 AM
    • by yamomya
  • At the begining of NUFS, before we got to know anyone for real. Hanging out at the roof of the cemitary building, tagging along with Angel and his gang a little bit awkwardly.
  • Age: 20-21. I remember tense, extended games of cat and mouse... with guns! I the silent and camouflaged sniper, you the... loud... target with uncannily sharp vision and a penchant for highly successful rushes... those were the days. *wipes tear from eye *