11 lovely comments After graduating from uni seven years ago, I signed up with the JET Programme (a Japanese government-sponsored initiative) to teach English in a small village of 2,000 people in Wakayama, Japan. Little did I know that the love of my life would be living in the next village over: a hot Aussie economist who hailed all the way from a tiny fishing village in South Australia. Clinton and I often reminisce about our time together in Japan: the foreign country with toilets that spoke to us, waiters that apologised for everything, and teachers at the schools who tricked us into eating raw horse and fish sperm.
In addition to meeting my hunky hubby, I met wonderful people who remain close friends to this day. We relied on each other, listened to each other, kept each other sane during moments of cultural frustration, encouraged one another’s amazing karaoke singing skillZ at local pubs, and experienced together the wonderful foreign topsy turvy crazy repressed insane world that was Japan. One such friend is Amanda, my Texan partner-in-crime who let me crash at her place during late night weekends in the city (she lived in Wakayama city while I lived in Miyama village). :) We’ve seen each other three times since leaving Japan – and when she told me she was studying abroad in Australia this semester, I begged her to come visit me and the hubbster in Canberra.
As with all guests who visit Canberra for the first time, we were determined to make her trip a-ma-zing so that she’d spread the word on how fabulous this town truly is (please note my use of the word “town”). So we forced her out in the rain to do a leisurely, pleasant bushwalk today out in Tidbinbilla National Park. It. Poured. At the end of our 6K hike, a shivering, cold Amanda stuttered, “Tha-aat was re-re-eeally fun g-g-g-uys. Th-thanks.”
You’re WELCOME!!! :) Canberra loves you. And thank you for coming out to visit us… was so great to remember memories from so long ago. xoxo (PS Britt + Corri, we missed you two.)
11 Lovely Comments
Thank you! :) @Sarah: I used the “ShakeItApp” – it’s fabulous and sooo much fun to use! @Hannah: It usually IS always fab, must’ve just been unlucky! You’ll have to tell me next time you’re in town! @Gray: Aussies just can’t get enough, hey?? :)
Love how you and your hubby met – my husband and I met overseas as well!! :) And can I ask what iPhone application you used for those pics? They’re awesome!
what fun pictures, christine! and i adore your stories – you are just the cutest! :)
Such a sweet story and it was lovely you were able to catch up with a wonderful friend. Love your pics in your storyboard – looks like you had a great day.
Sounds like a wonderful day, despite the rain. The weather when I am in Canberra is always GORGEOUS, I must just be lucky, huh?
What a wonderful love story you and your husband share. P.S. Japan sounds hilarious/awesome/gross.
It is wonderful to have friends who shared such a wonderful and special time in our lives. Your story touched me and I loved how you captured your day with Amanda! And I also loved to hear how you met your hubby. These Aussie men seem to find us American women all over the world and bring us back home! I met mine in a small town outside of Chicago! PS. I am loving your new blog!
Ha ha that looks like a blast. Kids play in the rain, so us adults should too! Cold or not, isn’t it soooo fun? Thanks for sharing!! :)
:):) Sounds like an intense walk, I must say. I had no idea you and Clint met in Japan!!! (I’ve heard of JET too!) So exciting!
Awwww you guys look so cold! Looks like a great weekend was had by all! I adore your stories, by the way!
Christine, you are a fabulous person. That’s all I wanted to say. :) Love these polaroids!
sounds like a beautiful day, in spite of the rain! love that you and your husband share such an international love story!