Why Now?

はぎめます!! - let's begin!!

So I've waited until ten months after arriving here in Kagoshima to create this blog. Why didn't I do this a long time ago? Some various reasons are as follows:

1. I am very self conscious of people I don't know that well reading my posts and judging me, especially when what I happen to write could be of a personal nature.
2. I guess I've always been a proponent of "living in the moment" when I travel, and not thinking too hard about how my experiences could be perceived by other people. As in, I didn't want to fall into: "how can I turn this experience into a really cool blog post" or "wow this is going to make a great facebook photo album."
3. I already diligently journal whenever I travel.

SO. With that in mind, why start now!?

1. I guess as my time here in Japan is coming to a close, and I find myself increasingly busy with school, eating, exercising and weekend trips, I feel my time here is slipping away without me being able to fully reflect on it. I'm hoping this blog will give me a better chance to try and make some kind of sense of my time here. You know, "what does it all mean". That type of thing.
2. In late July, two friends and I will embark on a three week bicycle tour from here to Fuji, and then possibly up to Tohoku, before flying out. I might use this blog for the trip, if it is convenient.
3. I've never successfully kept up a blog before, and I'm curious to see what my level of commitment will turn out to be!

So here goes, and please forgive my bad grammar or silly meanderings. I guess this thing is as much for me as it is for anyone who is interested in reading. Hai! Ikimasho!