昔うちの犬で犬ぞりしようとしたなあー

After a couple of weeks of being busy sorting out my work permit and dealing with some health issues, the gorgeous autumn leaves reminded me that the season is shifting. Now, winter has really set in—days are darker, with sunsets around 5 pm, and rain feels almost constant. Winter’s definitely here.

Today, I want to talk about some classic Canadian winter experiences, inspired by an article I came across on Daily Hive titled "10 Bucket-List Canadian Winter Experiences You Have to Try Once in Your Life." There are ten recommendations in total, but I’m going to share my top picks—the ones that really caught my interest.

1. Seeing Polar Bears in Churchill, Manitoba

This one intrigued me the most. The town of Churchill, situated on the western shores of Hudson Bay, is known as the "polar bear capital of the world." I’m not one to spend hundreds on animal tours, but seeing polar bears out in the wild could be an exception. You can take a multi-day tour with Frontiers North Adventures, where guides take you around the area, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch the northern lights in winter. Churchill feels like one of those rare, untouched spots—seeing polar bears there would be unforgettable.

2. Dog Sledding in Saskatchewan

Dog sledding is probably the most exciting thing on the list for me. Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan has stunning winter landscapes, and the idea of gliding through the boreal forests and shimmering lakes with a sled team from Sundogs Sled Excursions is thrilling. I actually attempted dog sledding once with my dog back home, but it didn’t go as planned—let’s just say my dog wasn’t cut out for it! So, doing it properly with trained sled dogs has been a bit of a dream, and Canada in winter might be the perfect place to finally make that happen.

3. Ice Fishing for Oysters in Prince Edward Island

This one is fascinating—ice fishing for oysters on the Brudenell River with Tranquility Cove Adventures. I’ve never tried raw oysters before, even in Japan, but I’m curious. Apparently, oysters are plumper and juicier in winter as they store up for hibernation. It’s a new experience, and while I’m more drawn to physically engaging activities, the idea of fishing for oysters through the ice sounds pretty fun and different.

4. Drinking Icewine in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Ending with an experience that involves some good Canadian alcohol! Drinking icewine in Niagara-on-the-Lake sounds ideal. I’ve heard a lot about icewine—a sweet wine made from grapes that freeze on the vine in the dead of winter. It’s not just a drink; it’s like tasting a piece of winter itself. This is definitely something I’d love to do and could see myself actually planning for.

That’s a wrap on some of the most intriguing Canadian winter experiences I’d like to try this season. Whether you’re living here in Canada or planning a visit, there’s a lot to explore during the winter—things that make this season less about the cold and more about creating memories. Let me know if you have any suggestions or want to share your favorite Canadian winter activities.

あしたからシャバに戻ります！

There were new findings of my personality founded during the stay in Japan. Today I would like to summarize my trip and findings. Let me dive into it. No.1, a side of being an extravert. I found myself to be an extrovert and turn into a people’s person in Japan. Staying in Japan for over a month brought out a side of me that’s usually quieter in Canada. I was constantly wanting to talk to people! In Canada, I rarely have the urge to strike up conversations, but in Japan, I felt drawn to everyone—sometimes even strangers. I wanted to chat with anyone, whether it was an older man enjoying a drink nearby or families who had just moved to my neighborhood. I even considered knocking on a new neighbor’s door with a six-pack of beer just to introduce myself and say, “Hi! I live nearby. Would you like to share a drink? How are you adjusting to life in Aomori?” (Thankfully, my parents stopped me from that one.)

It wasn’t only Japanese people I wanted to connect with—I was eager to talk to foreigners, too. One day, I saw a tourist translating a menu, and I excitedly told him in English, “Feel free to ask me anything! I speak English!” He politely declined, and I probably came off as a bit overbearing. This whole experience made me realize I might be fonder of Japan and the people there than I had ever acknowledged.

No.2, Appreciating Family and the Little Things

Spending so much time at home with family also made me appreciate just how lucky I am to have them. Like I said living with my parents was hard and tired but this extended stay would have been a lot tougher without my mom’s support. I've always been pretty independent, but my mom was willing to join me for everything, from biking around town to playing ping-pong at the local community center, even going to the arcade for medal games. There’s something special about sharing these little activities with someone you love. My husband was also just a call away whenever I needed to talk. It’s incredible to have someone who’ll listen to your thoughts, even about the smallest moments.

Family is a huge gift, and this visit reminded me of just how much they mean to me.

No. 3: Cherishing Old and New Friendships

This extended stay gave me a chance to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I reached out to everyone I wanted to meet, both in Tokyo and back in my hometown of Aomori, and managed to see each one. Attending a junior high classmate’s funeral was a sobering reminder that we should never put off meeting the people we care about. Each time we shared laughs, swapped stories, and said, “See you next year,” I felt grateful for that moment. Living abroad has made these friendships all the more precious to me.

I’ve also come to cherish the people I feel truly comfortable around—the kind who feel like they’re with me, even if we’re miles apart. It’s a blessing to have friends I can call anytime without hesitation.

That’s all for today’s episode. This return to Japan feels like the end of one chapter in my life. I’m heading back to Canada with a renewed two-year work permit and the goal of pursuing permanent residency. Starting up my career again feels daunting, especially as I get older, but I’m determined to make the most of these next steps.

These are lessons I’m carrying with me as I move forward, and I’m grateful to have you along for the ride. Let’s keep embracing every chapter in life together.

来週カナダ帰国！

I’m recording this with just one week left of my long, unexpected stay here in Japan. It feels surreal to think that in just a few days, I’ll be back in Canada, finally ending what has felt like an indefinite pause on my usual life.

As of today, I have everything I need to go back. All the paperwork, the approvals, the plans—they’re all finally in place. But the last few weeks here have been, in many ways, unlike any time I’ve spent in Japan before. For one thing, I’m realizing I’ve done just about everything I could think of, and my budget for anything extra is officially gone!

And oddly enough, I’m even a little tired of eating the high-quality Japanese food I once craved so much. It’s strange to say that out loud! Back in Canada, I’d spend so much more on food that doesn’t come close to this standard, and yet… I think I’ve reached my fill.

But that’s not the only feeling I’m sitting with. I’ve spent the last few weeks not really knowing if I’d be able to return to Canada at all. There was this uncertain period where I had to be ready for any outcome—even the possibility of staying here for several more months. I had prepared myself, at least mentally, for that. And now, as I’m about to go back, it’s almost strange that everything is falling back into place.

There’s a part of me that feels relieved and secure, knowing I’ll be returning to my regular job and daily routine. But at the same time, there’s a slight disappointment in knowing that I’ll be back to working for the same company, picking up right where I left off. I think I may have been a little too ready to accept any new direction that came my way.

Another thing on my mind is the journey I’ve been on during this extended stay here. I haven’t quite had the time to sit down and summarize it, to make sense of all the thoughts and moments that came up during my time here. I need to make a plan, too, for what comes next. But right now, my mind is preoccupied with something else.

Just a few minutes ago, something unexpected happened—I ran into an old classmate from junior high. I stopped by a café, and there he was, standing behind the counter. I learned that one of our classmates recently passed away, someone we had shared so many memories with. Tonight, there will be a funeral. It’s hard to process that such a young person, someone in their 30s, has been through such a challenging time with their family, fighting a disease that ultimately took their life. I’ll be going to the funeral tonight to say goodbye.

And that’s not the only farewell I’m preparing for. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my grandmother, who’s in the hospital. Her health is fragile now; she hardly speaks or wakes up much these days. Being with her has stirred a lot of emotions, and I can’t help but think these could be my last moments with her.

It’s a strange blend of feelings: the relief of returning to Canada, the sorrow of saying goodbye to old friends and family, and the sense of a chapter closing. This time in Japan has turned out to be so much more than a "visit" or a “vacation”—it’s been a time of reflection, of farewells, and of recognizing the passage of time in a very real way.

歳をとってみる地元ってなんか違うよね

I’m sharing something personal, a reflection on my time spent back in my hometown over the last two weeks.

You see, when I was a teenager, I couldn’t wait to leave my hometown. It's a small, rural place with very few forms of entertainment—no movie theaters, no amusement parks, not even a big shopping complex. I saw it as a place without opportunity, without excitement, and honestly, without much of a future for me. I had dreams, and this little town didn’t seem to fit with those dreams at all. I wanted to see myself in a bigger world, one filled with possibilities.

So, I made it out. I went to university near Tokyo, 10 hours away by car. That felt like the real start of my dreams. Every time I came back home during the holidays, I couldn’t help but feel lucky that I had escaped. My friends and family, still living in what I thought was a boring town, seemed stuck in their lives. And while I didn’t look down on them exactly, I was sorry for them in a way, as if they were missing out on the kind of life I was now living. I felt I had so many more options for my future, more excitement in my career and life path.

But something shifted this time when I came back, now visiting from Canada. It’s hard to explain, but I’ve come to appreciate my hometown in ways I never did before.

I started noticing the little things that make this place feel secure and comforting—things I didn’t realize I would value. Like, the grocery stores have sliced meat at such reasonable prices. And if I need to see a doctor, I don’t have to wait weeks to get an appointment. Even though I might have to wait an hour, I can still see a doctor, and I don’t even need it to be my family doctor. That’s something I don’t get in Canada.

I’ve also come to appreciate how easy and stress-free it is to communicate with people here. There’s no fear or anxiety about how I’m going to express myself. And speaking of fear, I don’t see people on the streets struggling with addiction, and I can buy affordable clothes within a 30-minute drive. These things make life here feel so… convenient, and secure in a way that I didn’t really notice before.

But beyond the practical things, I’ve realized that being in a rural town doesn’t make life any less valuable or comfortable. I used to think that the place you live determines how successful or fulfilled you are. But now I see that I can feel secure, hopeful, and comfortable even in this small town. It’s more about how I feel internally than where I am.

And believe me, living with my parents again is still stressful at times. Their personalities, their attitudes toward me, they haven’t really changed since I was young. Back then, I was so eager to be independent, to be free from their influence. But now, I’m more patient with them. Even though I sometimes need a break from them, I’m better at handling it.

One other thing that’s surprised me: I actually feel more comfortable speaking English here than I do in Canada. When I speak English here, people treat me like I’m special, talented, even though I know it’s not talent—it’s effort. But their admiration makes me feel proud of myself, and that’s something I didn’t expect.

So, here I am, no longer feeling sorry for the people living in this town. Instead, I see that I could live here, just like them, and still have hope. I could accomplish anything from here if I wanted to. But the funny thing is, I’m also okay with not accomplishing anything at all.

I don’t know if this feeling comes from mental growth, or if it’s some form of accepting life as it is. Maybe it’s both. But I’m okay with it. I’m okay with this peace.

So, that’s where I am right now. Thank you for listening to this personal reflection. I’d love to hear from you—have you ever had a similar shift in perspective about your hometown or a place you once felt disconnected from? Let me know your thoughts.