Jane of the Jungle

Monday was a great day.

I made my way up to the University of Tokyo with great anticipation.  Jane Goodall (THE Jane Goodall) was going to give a lecture on campus.  And I got to see her, AND hear her speak, AND get her autograph. 

Sigh.  I love her.

 

Jane told lots of stories about Gombe, where she did her research, and the chimpanzees there.  She even told us about her childhood and the important role that her mother played.  But the most refreshing part of her talk was her hope.  She came to speak to us primarily as a conservationist, and most her field have messages that are overwhelmingly depressing and desperate.  Maybe the situation is desperate, I don't know, but looking at the whole picture is more than we can handle.  Jane admitted that we are in bad shape.  But she had amazing hope for the oodles of young people living and acting responsibly, those choosing to not just learn, but to act and tell.  Coming from a woman whose done natural research since 1960 and has been involved in the discussion of conservation for decades?  It meant a lot. 

 

So thanks, Jane.  Here's to you. 

Just Can't Get Enough

Life is weird.

 

I would say that I’ve had the biggest struggle this year with my purpose. What am I doing here? What should I be doing now? Am I wasting my degree? Where is this all going? 

 

But the ironic thing is, I’ve also had the most frequent moments of clarity.  Where your heart beats inside your ears because you are experiencing something (or even just thinking about something) that affects you so deeply that it’s impossible to ignore.  And that, my friend, is when you know what you ought to do with your life.

 

Today was part chaos, part awesome.  I volunteered at the zoo, like I do most Sundays.  Our program involves a horn and antler display, and it’s always a struggle to present an Indian Elephant tusk or Arabian Oryx horn in Japanese.  There are weeks it’s fun and people are forgiving and though it’s a challenge, I make it through just fine.

 

Then there are days like today.  The people are constant, and overwhelming.  The kids are crazy.  The questions are non-stop.  And after about an hour, my brain is fried and I am just spent.  Other volunteers have to compensate for my lack of language ability, and I’m wondering why I even went for volunteering at a zoo where I can’t communicate well.  

 

What am I doing here?

 

But.  Then.

 

Morikaku san (the most hilarious zoo keeper I’ve ever met, and I can’t even understand him most of the time) told me that Miruku, our friendly female giraffe, had a BABY.  He took us volunteers behind the scenes and showed us Mama and baby, just one month old.  It was captivating, and I was so blessed to be standing that close to a giraffe that young.  She was absolutely fantastic; she took my breath away and made me forget the crappy day I had been having. 

 

It’s amazing that when you’re in your element, you’re just in your element, and nothing can steal your joy. 

In a Nutshell

So this is what we did in Singapore ...

 

We shopped in Little India.

 

 

We saw a lot of color.  Wowza!

 

 

We stumbled upon a rustic book store.

 

And a parrot farm.

 

 

We drank a lot of coffee.  Clearly.

 

We went to the Singapore Art Museum.  And marveled at how modern and most definitely not typical it all was.

 

 

We got swedish massages. Mmm.

 

We discovered the most perfect swing in a coffee shop in Holland Village.

 

 

We visited a fantastic national park.

 

And went inner-tubing and got a boat ride.

 

 

We got a blow pipe lesson. 

 

 

We met a very cranky fish.

 

 

We stayed in a swanky hotel for one night.

 

 

And I came home to a very under-satisfied affection junkie.

 

 

Welp, I'd call that a complete trip.  :)

The Good Samaritans

I went.  I saw.  I conquered. 

 

In other words, I LOVE Singapore. 

 

I'll put up photos and stories as I go, but seeing as it's the day after I arrived back in Japan, I need a little down time.  At the same time, I simply cannot wait to tell you just a little tidbit about what I first noticed.

 

Singaporeans are fantastic.  They are friendly and they go out of their way to help you.  Actually.  It's what we all dream to embody as a global (national, local... ) community. 

 

I flew into Changi Airport, and had decided to take the metro to my hotel.  I'm a train fiend in Japan, and the Singaporean lines seemed (and are) relatively simple.  A train came, and I was unsure whether or not to get on.  An old man approached me, asked me what station I sought, told me to get on, where to transfer and even which side of the platform to transfer to.  Boom, so helpful.

 

My husband and I are coffee shop hunters (see our well-intended yet temporarily neglected coffee blog here).  Not only does it get us great coffee from various cultures, it allows us to see the back alleys and undiscovered coves of a city.  A local feel, if you will.  We were hunting 40 Hands Coffee and definitely walking in the wrong direction.  As soon as a confused look even crossed our faces, a woman was at our aid and pointing us in the right direction, which happened to be the opposite way.

 

I could go on with approximately 37 more stories about how I benefitted from the help of strangers in Singapore, but I guess that would be overdoing it.  Moral of the story: go to Singapore and realize that we can all do better. 

Bewildered.

Dear Life,

Oooooh my goodness, you are so crazy.  I thought I was adventurous, but you are catching me off guard.  I am uttering overwhelmed.  And a little stupefied.  I appreciate the excitement you give, but seriously, I just want to go to bed for a while.  Are you really telling me that though this one ...

... just left yesterday, I'm about to fly to ...

... in two days?  You must think I'm crazy to follow you on this whirlwind.  Well, if that's what you need of me, I guess I'll oblige.  But don't you dare think you can make me do whatever you please.  I'm in charge.  I have the ... power ... or something.  You can't just toss me about.  Who do you think you are?  You're taking advantage of my fragile position in this world.  Why, I am offended that you think you can just barge in here and make your demands.  You know what?  Imma go to Singapore.  Because well, I guess I want to.  How you like them apples? 

 

So.  There.

 

Love, Carrie

The FamDamily

Sarah's here and making herself at home.  This woman is the most refreshing presence in my life, and these two weeks are going to be so utterly fantastic.  We may post updates, but don't expect much.  ;)

 

 

The Madness of Shibuya

The good thing about Tokyo being so enormous is that you can find an area that you enjoy.  There's a lot of variety.  I really like Meguro, where my favorite sushi-go-round is, and Harajuku, a shopping area with fantastic people watching.  One of the busiest areas is Shibuya, and if you say that name around here, it invokes thoughts of a certain famous intersection.  It goes every which way.  All directions.  If you have to go to the opposite corner, you don't have to walk to one corner and wait for the green to the other corner.  Traffic stops, it all turns green at once, and people walk in all directions.  It can be absolute and wonderful chaos, and you have to prepare yourself for it.  It's fun to watch and, luckily, there's a Starbucks situated perfectly on one of the corners.  Here's a little progression of what the intersection in Shibuya is like.