Let's hear it for making new goals.

I know I may have told you, and if you don't know then you probably don't know who I am. I've been caking it in peoples minds now for almost half a year with every chance that I get. My name is Jake and I will be getting on a plane to Narita airport in Tokyo, Japan this September the 7th. I will be studying at J.F. Oberlin University in Machida, Tokyo for two semesters, and every time I say that to someone I instantly think I am telling a straight out lie to someone. "Me going to Japan for a year?" Well it sounds unrealistic, it sounds naive, it simply sounds surreal. It all seems like a fabricated dream to me right now. I've already impressed myself on how much time and effort I put into this. All the financial, housing, and academic preparation I suppose will be duly noted. Yet I think I need a better mental preparation on the fact that I will be away from home for a year, and I have never been out of the country; seldom have I been out of the state.

I want to tell you guys whats on my mind all the time. I simply get caught in my own memories, worries, and desires that I forget to express them to people. This is why it will be important for me to write the blog log while I'm away. I will honestly write in my high and low times my experiences. Not only will it be an excellent outlet for my experiences, but I also need a record for my personal goals that will help me reach them. This is why it will be important that I always stay honest with you guys in my visit. Being in Japan is no inconvenience for my own personal goals. There are many things that I want to accomplish and I don't have to wait until I'm back in the states to initiate them. I will plant the seeds now in Japan. Then they will grow all the way across the Pacific.

My Goals:

1. Run a Marathon: This time I will not have the law to stop me. In case you are unfamiliar, I was caught on K-10 West bound trying to get to Lawrence from Lenexa on foot. I made it as far as Kill Creek Road before I was pulled over by (get this) TWO police units. Yes, they needed two police units in case I guess I decided to make a run for it after jogging for 10 miles because they knew they couldn't catch me by themselves. Well guess what, Kansas state patrol, I don't need to break the law again and ride a chariot across K-10. I'm going to try a marathon, and my training montage will take place someplace where you are not. Maybe they'll even give me a lift after they pull me over... or maybe they'll just send me straight to jail. Whatever at least I won't have to deal with you clowns.

2. Dieting: I really don't like my weight. I stand at a mere 145 pounds, (65.8 kilograms, Japan.) It's funny how I can't seem to ever gain any weight. I have been 5'11 since middle school and a steady 140-145 pounds. But I really don't feel happy about it. You may be thinking, "Well Jake, its natural at your age to have such a fast metabolism." I do not plan to be unhealthy at at my weight gain. Which leads me to my next goal.

3. Working Out/Weight Training: This goal of course overlaps my first 2 goals. But I need to focus on muscle building, and so all that weight doesn't go to flab. I will keep a steady plan of it. Hopefully I can find a club in Japan or maybe my university will have one.

Goal 2 & 3 are sorta of a hybrid goal. So I am going to try to aim for the weight of 160 pounds (KG?) while working my regular workout routine.

4. Play 'em Musical Instruments: I still want to be able to play blues guitar, my practicing has declined so I must pick it back up. I also want to learn blues harmonica. I purchased a couple harmonicas. Once I get to the level that I think I deserve a nice wooden blues harmonica, and it will be tuned in the key of awesome. I will need to take the time and practice 45 minutes with both instruments. Oh, and I can learn harmonica on the subway. PERFECT! And maybe more time spent during the weekend.

5. Learn the Japanese Language: This shouldn't be too difficult of a goal on the account of my location in the next year. I will find that I will need to immerse myself not in just the culture, but in the actual speaking of the language. I may be tempted just to use English around my English speaking Japanese friends, but I will need to push myself to tap into my "Japanese speaking mind" as well.

6. This blog: Blag, blurg, the biggle blurp or whatever you may want to call it, I plan on updating this to keep you updated with my stories of my Japanese stay. I plan on taking advantage of this age of youtubing and using my new video camera to record some of my high flying Japanese living.

7. Be a bear: ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!


Making goals for myself is nothing new for me, but I have never been so out front and formal about it. usually I just say, " I want to do that." and well enough over time I catch on to it, but I think writing it down will actually help another goal of mine:

8. Organization: Yes, my arch nemesis at large. It creeps up behind me just to say, "Hey you lazy, chaotic schmuck, ORDER!!" Which is basically something that I have to come to par with. So I will set it as a goal.

So I'm getting started now, so far I am keeping up with my workout. My Japanese will come to in time. I will be taking my musical instruments to Japan, but now I am warming my fingers and breathing muscles =). I have all the proper equipment for my video recording. Truly it's a matter of time before I grow a furry pelt and start fishing for salmon. So no reason to wait until I get to Japan.

I'll keep you guys updated on anything else I may find I need to add as a goal.