“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
These past few months of adjusting to Japanese culture have continued to try me. I've definitely been learning patience, perseverance and humility.
While cleaning up and organizing my computer, I came across old photos from so many different points in life; beginning college in San Jose, my last niece being born, living in Italy, family members who've since been lost, living aboard a cruise ship, audition life in NY, and finally, living here in Japan. In the moment usually things are not glittering; you feel lost, withered and bitten by the frost. But go back a few years later and look at those same memories. 
I'm reminding myself not to wish my time here away, knowing I may look back at the end of the year and realize I didn't recognize what I had. It was gold. I am not lost. I am stronger. My roots are deeper. I am making a serious effort to be more positive. After all, the show really is amazing...it's the culture that's getting me.
Ok, enough with the philosophical stuff. That's all the cheese I have for you today. I just thought of the famous first line of this poem, looked it up, and wanted to share it with you.
The show is open! Grand opening was April 24 and we are now (as a cast) performing 24-27 shows daily- 3 to 4 per person, daily. There are many frustrations with the culture of the workplace right now, but at least I get to laugh a little to myself every time I make eye contact with a Japanese woman screaming and shaking because "Ariel looked right at me!" I hope, for the person sitting in her seat next, that she wasn't quite as much like an overexcited puppy as she seemed.
The most magical place I've been in Japan -- Ashikaga Flower Park. The wisteria was like something out of a fairy tale. Strands of warm, purple rain coming down around your shoulders with the sunshine filtering through and the sweet fragrance surrounding you. Mmmm. It felt unreal.
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| Wisteria Ice Cream and a Selfie Stick |
Cameras, cameras everywhere, pictures, pictures, pictures. Seven westerners hired by Disney + Japanese tourists = Paparazi. Pictures with us, pictures of us, picture awkwardness.
