Happy Birthday to me, Part deux

To jump right in

Japan

Seriously, lifelong dream accomplished right here. Going to Japan has been on my list of things I wanted to do ever since I discovered anime and manga (it was early in life, let me assure you). Not only did I get to visit Japan, but I got to go to, what, 7 different cities? I got to see so many things, experience so much, and-perhaps more importantly-reconnect with some friends that I hadn't seen in a LONG time. Some things are important, and those things, no matter how distant, should be kept close.

Vietnam

Vietnam was never in my list of places to go, but, the opportunity presented itself, and I am not the kind of person who will turn down travel. Ever. Out of all my adventures this past year, I think this one has the biggest list of 'bad' against it. That said though, having this unique experience was eye opening and well worth it-despite the down sides. Seeing a war torn, 3rd world country is something that everyone should do. It has a profound effect on the psyche. 

2 year anniversary with the hubs

I feel like this one is sort of self-explanatory. How could I not be excited about being married for 2 years, without there being any violence or straight up murder? I never thought I'd get married in the first place. To have it last this long is sort of a surprise. A pleasant one, yes, but a surprise nonetheless. 

World Expo

Another one of those once-in-a-lifetime things that I got to do. Since the expo is only held every few years, and never in the same country consecutively  the fact that I was in the right place at the right time is just amazing. I don't think this will be my last expo though, since there is still YEARS left for me to travel. Who knows when this will come up again though, but that chance is still there. It had its bad points, but it was still a unique experience to be able to have some part in. 

Acceptance into SFU

As I mentioned in the 10 things you likely didn't know about me post, I was not really great with that whole education thing when I was younger. It took me a while to get the swing of things, what with this being my 3rd stint in post secondary education. But, my acceptance into SFU (Simon Fraser University NOT San Francisco University) proves to me that I have grown into my intelligence. I am not a stupid person-I'm just full of hate and rage and, sometimes, laziness. But acceptance into university on my own merits, on my own terms, it's something to be proud of.

And in this vein-being asked to have an editing part-hell, even being allowed to read-a now (at the time, soon to be) published novel...well now. If that isn't making it, i don't know what is. The fact that it was an awesome book by one of my favourite people just made it that much better.

The Smallest Narrowest Places

This post requires a little bit of an introduction, I believe, before getting into the good stuff.

I believe I mentioned at one point that I was helping a friend with his book. Helping, as in doing some editing and writing the book jacket thing. If I didn't mention that...well, I did. And it was a lot of fun, and one hell of an experience-one that I would do again in a heartbeat.

My friend, whose name is Derek McPhee (website right here), wrote a book that is now, officially published! As I am, as of this moment, one of a very few, who have read the book, I would like to offer my (somewhat) biased thought on the book, The Smallest, Narrowest Places.

**Side note** I would give you all the book jacket synopsis...but I wrote it, and it seems a little self serving to do that. But it's available in the links above, so please feel free to peruse that as you will <3

The good stuff.

Everyday, history unfolds around us-but how do we know what will matter in the future? What makes history memorable....what makes history?

It is the stories.

The stories of the events that will be remembered, the stories of the things that touched people, and it will be their stories-the participants-the survivors-that will matter.

The Smallest, Narrowest Places is a collection of those stories that history will remember. This debut fictional novel by Derek McPhee explores the events and the stories that sprung from 3/11-the Japanese earthquake and tsunami as viewed by a foreigner in the Land of the Rising Sun.

The stories contained within the novel touch on family, love, loss and suffering in the events that came before, during and after the Japanese disaster. There is a myriad of feelings throughout the novel-but the pervading feeling is one of hope. Hope for understanding, love and-most importantly-hope for the future. 

The stories explore the lives of foreigners living in Japan , in a realistic, no holds barred, blunt, honest sans sugar coating way that can only be described by someone living that life. And yet, there is a deep understanding and respect of the Japanese people and their culture in a way that escapes many foreigners, and yet creates a bond between the different cultures in a global society. The author, a Canadian who moved to Japan upwards of 5 years ago, has assimilated into Japanese life as best a foreigner can in Japan, and has a deep understanding of Japan, its culture, and how it views the foreigners who call the island nation home.

The stories are connected in a way that creates a whole picture, without seeming to. And yet, there is also a fragmented feeling that comes from a disaster of the magnitude that was 3/11. The stories stay with the reader in a way that only a good book can do, and, even long after reading the novel, those stories are remembered.