WELCOME TO THE 2006-2007 EXCHANGE YEAR BLOG OF NOËL FRODELIUS!!!

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WARNING: Too much exposure to Kiratashi "Tashi" Mae Yoshima could result in headaches, confusion, paranoia, or in worst case scenario, insanity or death. Please use as directed.

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I am worth $2,484,874 on HumanForSale.com

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PROUD TO BE A FREAK!

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NEWS:

Well, I never got to type up that long and in-depth thought-provoking journal that I wanted to. But just as well... there has been no time to. Preparing for my return to the states has just been taking up every moment of my free time (and my sleep time too, at moments). But I did find some extra computer time to type up this small thought on my return. It's a bit of an overview of how I feel my year went, and also a warning/notice to everyone back home about some things I think you should all know about me and how this year has changed me. If it doesn't make some sense, forgive me. I know it's hard to relate to what I'm saying when you haven't been here to see my exchange/life in Japan. Also, my English skills have rather deteriorated since last August. But here goes...

To begin with, many of you know I have wanted to come to Japan since I was about 3 years old. I have always felt pulled to this country, though I never knew exactly why. When I first got here I discovered why- I relate to this country, these people, this culture, this history, this way of thinking, this food, and the religions here much more than I ever did back home. But I also discovered something on the other side of that. As much as I belong here, I don't. This year has been tough, and harder than I had expected or ever wanted it to be. I have been dented in ways I haven't been before... and while those dents and bangs might eventually make me a stronger and better person, I'm still reeling from the hits and am very confused and lost about myself at the moment. I've been in a whirlwind of new experiences and thoughts and basically everything... and I'm dizzy and slighty lost. No, I'm not completely confused and unsure about who I am- I actually know more about what I believe and who I want to be than I did a year ago. But I'm still not 100% sure of myself... at least not like how I was when I came. In a way I feel I lost more than I gained. At least as far as my person inside self-awareness and self-assurance goes. I'm not quite sure what happened... or when. But maybe it will all fix itself once I get home. Who knows... we'll see. But don't be surprised if I seem "wishy washy" on some deeper subjects like politics and religion. And I also might not seem as outgoing like I used to be either. But as I said above, this is just speculation. I could slip right back into the old me when I get home, like putting on a coat... or I could have to work at it. We'll see. But if it turns out I'm not the "old me", this is why, and you're warning.

I do know I won't be the same in a few ways though, and I think I ought to warn you of those things before I get back. First off, I'm very Japanese minded now. This means I'm a bit of a neat freak, love eating vegtables and rice, and a whole bunch of other fun things you'll all find out about. This isn't a huge change for me, since I was kinda an "otaku" before I left, and therefore into the whole Japanese image. But now I really AM Japanese... though it might not be outwardly obvious, I have changed in small ways. Secondly, I speak another language now. I'm going to probably be using strange words and sign languages for a while as I slowly get used to English and America again. Just ask me to explain what I just said and I will. Or, better yet, learn the word and we'll have yet another inside joke to laugh about later! XD Haha... Thirdly, and on the most important note, my religious views have drastically changed. This wasn't prompted by anyone or anything other than myself. In this year abroad I have discovered a lot about what I TRULY believe, and have decided to stop pretending I am something I really am not deep inside. So, to answer all of your questions, no I'm not technically a "Christian" anymore. At least not how you would define one. I still believe in Christ and a lot of the morals and doctrines of the religion, but I am not a follower. I believe all religions have some truth, and I respect all of them, while following none of them. But I don't really want to get into all of that deep in-depth discussion right now... so if anyone has a problem with this (I really hope not though), or has questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm open, and I don't have any problem with mild debate (though please leave that off for a few weeks as I get readjusted to America). I still love all of you, and just because my views have changed doesn't mean anything is different between us as friends or family.

And that reminds me of my last thought- I NEED TO GET TOGETHER WITH YOU GUYS!!! I will be busy the first week of my return, but once that's over with, I have practically all of August free, 'cept for a few college related things. Just try to bear with me as I go through my readjustment period of "reverse culture shock", as the Rotary likes to call it. I might lose a word in English every so often, or my sentence structure might not make sense... I might do weird things like bow at everyone or only eat with chopsticks (AKA "hashi")... and I will most definitely be emo for a while and might compare things to Japan a lot. Just put up with me, love me, and remind me to keep trying. I've found a second home here... and it's hard to leave. Just keep that in mind.

OMG!! TWO DAYS WTFITWENTBYSOFAST!!! XD

So, that's about it. Thanks for reading. SEE YA'LL SOON!!

(I will not be updating this journal until I get home.)

~NOËL FRODELIUS, making life interesting since 1988.

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WARNING: Please do not feed, pet, or provoke the Tashi. Is prone to attack humans when made angry.

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LIFE VERSE:

Hebrews 13:5b says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

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~tashi-yoshima ~seggybop

It all started with a comment: [link]

(This proves it's his fault. He made the first move. XD Haha...)

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IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Getting ready to go home... ><; And clearing my mind.
HAS RECENTLY ACCOMPLISHED: Completing my Exchange Year. O_O; ><; Wow... it went by so fast!!! ToT;
IS CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR: Isn't it always cash?! I never seem to have enough here... XP JAPAN IS SO FRICKING EXPENSIVE!!! ><;
CURRENT MOOD: Sad... happy... sad... happy... depressed... elated... oh, WTF. I have no idea.
OBSESSION/BINGE: Lists and packing. And worrying... crying... etc.
CURRENTLY LOVES: MEYER! <3<3<3 *many hugs and kisses and cuddles!* SEE YOU SOON!!!
CURRENTLY DESPISES: KEITAI BILLS! WAH! ><'
IS CURRENTLY ADDICTED TO: School friends and Rotarians.
IS CURRENTLY DRAWING: Fashion ideas... >>;
IS CURRENTLY WRITING: This journal and letters to my host families.
IS CURRENTLY READING: Nothing.
IS CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: I lost my iPod. Nothing.
IS CURRENTLY WATCHING: The last two days slip by SO FAST.
IS CURRENTLY PLAYING: ...with my hair. As usual... XD

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CURRENT FAVORITE SAYING/PHRASE:
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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For all information on commissions, requests, and art trades, refer to my other account at: ~tashi-yoshima. All are closed right now due to my year abroad, but you may always ask about reserving an art service for when I get back.

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MY CHARACTERS:

For information on most of my characters, visit Tashi's Forum and read the character bios.

If you want to read some fanfics/dialogues with my OCs in them go to MUAU Forums and click on the respective "world" they are from.

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I could use prayer while I am abroad in Japan.