3 years ago I posted My goals for study abroad in Osaka: get good at Japanese, make lots of friends, travel, practise guitar, go to lots of gigs and blog about my adventures. I think they're pretty sound goals! I'm going back to Japan, so I thought I'd do another list. Mostly the same ones, but I've got another couple of things I wanna keep on top of, plus things I learned from last time.
My Shizuoka goals//
Make friends!// Luckily I do have friends all over Japan, and I'll have people at work, but I want to make sure I make friends in Shizuoka who I can have fun with! Last time I was a student so it was comparatively easy to make new pals, but hopefully I won't be lonely this time...
Get involved with the community in some way// I want to make friends with my work colleagues, and I also want to enjoy and take part in Japanese traditions- things like going to a festival wearing yukata and visiting the temple at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Take the JLPT N1// It's been 2 years since I passed the N2, and I think that in summer next year I'll try and pass the highest level of the Japanese Language proficiency test. It's cheaper to take it in Japan rather than here in the UK, and although most jobs only want N2, I think I want N1 for my pride, haha. I also think it will be good to have a study goal now I'm not in uni any more.
Carry on cooking and baking// I want to keep eating healthily, and baking in particular is something that makes me really happy~ I especially want to make myself cute obento packed lunches! I'll definitely post them on instagram when I do ;)
Start saving money// I really want to have a teeny emergency nest egg of like a couple of hundred pounds in case things go wrong- this would make me feel a lot more calm and secure. (Like a real adult). I think I'll try and save like £50-100 a month?? Of course, I'm used to budgeting for food, rent and socialising at uni, but next year there will be other expenses I'm not used to- like health insurance, and separate bills (we opted for bills inclusive rent in uni to save arguments). Also, my laptop and phone are both getting a little older (please don't die on me please) so I need to think about big ticket items like that. Basically my main goal for next year is not to lose money.
Take photos every day// I take a lot of photos, but I always tend to regret not taking more- for example, I don't have as many of Leeds as I'd like, or of my favourite side streets in Osaka.
Also related to this is: post on instagram more regularly, and keep blogging at least once a week.
Japanese youtube channel// I definitely won't have much time for video editing, and blogging is my baby and always will be, but I do want to dip my toe into making some Japanese language content. I've tried filming a couple of times, but It's scary actually talking in videos though. :') Does anyone else feel like their voice sounds suuuper weird? Ahahah. I'll obvs let you guys know if I do end up posting anything on my Japanese channel (it will all have English subtitles, just like all my English videos have Japanese subtitles rn).
Walk/ cycle to work every day// I'm not a huge one for going to the gym, but I do like walking. I'd really like to live close enough to work to be able to walk/cycle to work and get my exercise and fresh air in every day.
Have a v aesthetic apartment// I'm staying at my friend's house at first, but hopefully during the year I'll move out and I'll be living on my own for the first time ever(!!). While I won't have tonnes of money to spend on a super zazzy place, I want to make sure it's nice :) I'm thinking MUJI and plants.
Travel// I won't have too much time off, but I want to explore more on my days off- I especially want to visit north Japan and Shikoku, both of which I didn't get to last time~
I also want to have a cute romantic onsen trip <3
Plan my future!// I have a lot of decisions left to make- where to go next etc. So I wanna sort myself out :)
So that's me! Thanks for reading! Do you have any tips for moving to a new place/ starting work?? I'd love to know!! <3
-Amy xoxo
So I've been keeping this kind of secret but (I'm going to Japan) // My emergency bleached hair care plan and mini wish list/ haul// Pink hair with Bleach London Rosé shampoo: review and befored and after//