Launching into Spring!

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Hey World!

Step one, celebrate the new year!
Step two, share some of these memories with me!

This could be my favorite set of pictures that I've sent out so far. Just putting this blog together had me laughing and smiling (cringing sometimes too) while looking at some of the incredible times that we've been having over here. So I focused more on the descriptions of the pictures to tell the story together with the shots so be sure to check them out and go through them full screen to get the best feel for it, cuz I love hearing that you feel like you're there with me and taking part in all my adventures, since I wish you all were closer to me much of the time!

I'll let you get into the pictures and stories, but first I think I should give you a quick update and overview of "Sloan does Japan 2011". Most importantly, know that I'm still loving my life and situation here in Tokyo. Me and Neil are rockin this pad that we have in Ikebukuro, cooking everyday, hosting the heck out of a ton of couch surfers, and making some music on the side even! I've been debating whether or not to spring for a Djembe drum so I can really jam with Neil, since he has the smooth voice and guitar skills, but he needs some percussion help, and I gotta be a good broomie and help him out! So if at least 5 people tell me its a good idea (about $100 for a used one) or if you can tell me an awesome drum story before I wake up tomorrow then I'll do it. Otherwise I'll just keep hitting the table and pretending to beatbox, lol.

So, in case I haven't told you guys yet, right now I'm still working as a Business English Teacher around Tokyo, part-time pretty much with my days off until the afternoon during the workweek. Then it's Zazen (Buddhist practice and discussion group) on Saturdays and one or two soccer games with the Pumas and Panthers now (Division 1 call-ups sometimes) that I love filling my schedule up with on weekends. So lately I've been spending my time in the mornings getting my meditation on, studying French and tons of different wisdom books/philosophy media, and of course getting my daily dose of science/space documentary and Raptors game in somehow too. But that's only when we're not hosting some awesome international travelers from places all over the world on our couch and futon. If you've ever heard of Couch Surfing, then you know the type of experience I'm talking about, and how awesome it is to host and guide other adventurous and really incredible people in a city like Tokyo. If you haven't heard of it then you gotta take a quick break from this blog and go to couchsurfing.org right now and see what it's all about.

...seriously go check it out. And take a look at my profile, or better yet send me a request!

Basically it's a worldwide network of open-minded, friendly hosts and travelers who offer and share their couch, extra room, or just time for a coffee or fun activity. It's totally free and I can't tell you how much I'm loving it, even just hosting people so far has been great. So I'll be looking to take the role of surfer soon enough when I hop from couch to couch across Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China and Hong Kong in a few months! But more on that next blog, until then just give me your advice on the best experiences you've had in any of those countries please!!

Other fantastic news includes some upcoming visits from friends and family here. Alex Lelievre is coming in April for over a week and then my Mom is coming for 'The Trip of a Lifetime!' in the middle of May, just before my time in Japan ends as well. So those are gonna be awesome. Then there's about another 4 or five visits from surfers over the next couple of months too. Cool kids from Germany, Spain, Australia, and the US I think.

I'ts gonna be tough to top some of the visits I've had since the last blog, though. Shoutout to Rosh and super gratitude for getting all the way out here to visit! Awesome times hiking, exploring, and even checking out the Cirque du Soleil show, "ZED" with your awesome employee hook-ups!
Also can't forget about Molly coming through the city too a while ago. Great time and congratulations on getting a job in Osaka, welcome to the fantastic foreign teacher crew of Japan!!

Then I almost forgot (and am amazed that that could even happen for something so incredible as this) to tell you guys about my trip to Seoul, Korea, when I visited my man Andrew Hunt a few months ago! It was such a refreshing experience, especially getting to see it after living in a country that has such a powerful, and sometimes hostile, relationship with Korea, and getting to appreciate the differences in cultures. Andrew was a super dope host and he and his girlfriend, Winnie really gave me a great taste of the city. And not only them, I definitely have to thank my three new buddies, Mrs. Hae Young, Mi Sook, and Mr. Moon whom I can't say enough about how welcoming and wise they are! They were my personal tour guides during my stay and they showed me a side of Seoul that I could only have discovered after living there for years and year, if not for their descriptions. Most two hour tours turned into full afternoons of hanging out and sharing stories and ideas with these incredible hosts. Even now I'm still in contact with them, receiving amazing stories and very thoughtful advice on life and my spiritual practice. Meeting and connecting with people like that is the most motivating thing in the world! I'm really glad I took the chance and went after that opportunity, since I'm learning how those are the times and situations in which you really are able to grow and savor the things in life that really matter. You know what I mean when you feel this kind of draw to explore, connect with people and pursue your purpose in life? For me right now it's impossible to ignore it, and it's really taking me places I never thought i would go, both within myself and around the world. So thanks to all you who are helping the people around you towards fulfilling themselves, and making this whole dang world of ours a better place to be. Keep rockin it!

Wow, I feel pretty intense after writing this one. You really realize all the stuff you've gone through when you take a second to look back, which doesn't get to happen all that much. But, although there's plenty more I'm sure, I'll finish up there this time and start taking photos and videos for the next blog. So let me know what you want to hear about and I'll be expecting some messages or requests on couchsurfing.com from you or anybody you know who needs an adventure in their life!

So I'll leave you with a quote, and them I'm out:

"Not mine the arrogant and selfish claim
To all good things; be mine the lowly aim
To seek and find; to know and comprehend,
And wisdom-ward all divine footsteps wend,
Nothing is mine to claim or to command,
But all is mine to know and understand."

~ Dayle Carnegie
from "As a Man Thinketh"

Here's to us casting aside our selfish desires, replacing them with the capacity for wisdom through our awareness and understanding. And let our spirit be so full that there is left no room for attachment whatsoever.

Go out and embrace all that is experienced!!

Much Love,

Sloan

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Photos

IFG Pumas
Here's me with the IFG Pumas Division 3 soccer team that I've been playing striker for this season. One of the most fulfilling activities I'm doing in Japan. Pumas for the Cup!
check it out at footyjapan.co.jp

My Life
My daily activities, hangin out at the top of Roppongi Hills, where I get to work almost everyday!

A real family photo!
Nice lookin shot of the family at Christmas!

Zao Trip 2010
The best ski trip ever, to the mountains of "Snow Monsters", and they're real

Ramen Bro's
Hittin up one of our favorite ramen restaurants in the city, Ichiban Ramen in Ebisu, get the tonkotsu! or any other of the flavors cuz they're all super well made and tasty

Enter-train-ment
Hey you gotta make your own fun on long train trips across a country, no matter how beautiful the view is. I mean, come on, we're kids!

Hiking Rest Station
Life is tough, lol

Shabu-Shabu!
Rob, Tomomi and I at the Azabu-juban festival with some sweet sweet meat

Soccer Action
So of course that's me undressing that defender with a killer move.
Or I'm getting tackled, lol, one of the two!

Me and my Tax Class!
After a solid week intensive work, these tax officers are a little closer to fluent international communication. They really do work super hard!

Awesome Couch Surfers!
Corrina and Josephine visiting from Germany and showing us just how much they love PB! (if you can't tell, they're faking it to be gracious guests, lol)

Ultra Relaxing Hangout
The crew getting together for a common Sunday afternoon chill session in Shimokitazawa, the #1 great hipster market area in Tokyo

Another Awesome hiking view
Gotta make sure to always throw in a shot of the incredible view from the mountains just outside of Tokyo. This one is Takao-san

Korea adventure begins!
One of the stops on the first day tour in Seoul, a huge museum of National History, and the location for the G-20 summit.

Korean Imperial Guard
What a stoic dude. It's at the daily changing of the guard ceremony, a pretty elaborate display for the public

Really gettin into buddhist art
Super legit exhibit in the museum about ancient Buddhist art in Korea

Details of the Buddhist art
Wild guess...
Bukseoksa Buddhist painting from the Joseon period? The scroll made for outdoor rituals, right? With Sakyamuni preaching there. Ya i thought it might have been.

Don't mess with these dudes
Korean guards doing their thing, exchanging the key to the palace with detailed passwords

A Happy Andrew Hunt
My boy, Andrew showin me around his city

And a Happy Sloan
What can I say, this statue and it's history got me pumped!

Fantastic Gyeongbokgung palace
The best personal tour guide ever around the palace grounds!

Comments

[Naosaki]

20 canadians are coming
Hi Sloan It's nice to hear from you. I can tell how much you have been learning ,enjoying your life in Japan/Asia. By the way ,Canadian national team will have a training camp from April28-May4 at Japanese national training centre ( near AKABANE train station) ,then off to China ,competing at Chinese National Championships. Please come and see our guys. From GTA ,Casey, Kevin , Carlo ,Dr.Mah(Hamilton)and myself( I became in charge for this team from last August) Other guys are from Vancouver,Calgaly.Edmonton,Saskatoon and Halifax. You MUST come to see us. All the BEST. Naosaki

[Biggest Bro]

Awesome
Hi Sloaner, Great to read your note, its like you are in competition with yourself for the most immersive experience possible. You are living a hundred lifetimes in such a short time, its overwhelming to take in from a blog, let alone living it. Miss you so much but its worth it seeing how much you are absorbing and growing and whittling out the person you want to become from you youthful self. I was really stressed at work this Morning, but your quotes and messages gave me pause about where the stress was derived from, and I feel so much better having thought about it in that way. Keep getting it done, much love, Steve-o aka biggest

[Geoff Sura]

EPIC
Such a great entry bro. Just got the forward from Steve and had a chance to check it out. Most of your photos bring back amazing memories of when I was over there. Beyond special experiences. Keep us updated. Mad love. $ura

[Cousin Kristen]

Hey Cuz!
Hey Sloan, Are you okay over there in Tokyo? You've been in my thoughts and prayers since the disaster hit. Praying for God's protection over you... Love you Dude!