小値賀のみんなありがとう〜＜３

A love letter to those I met on Ojika.

I arrived on Ojika exactly two months ago today and have been lucky to meet so many wonderful people during this time. Taiyo-san and his family, Sayaka-chan, Ume-san and all the Goen staff now hold a special place in my heart, and in general, I am thankful for the wonderful people from all over the island who have been so kind to me. I couldn't have expected how much I would be welcomed by the local people and what amazing memories, conversations and smiles I would share with them. 

On top of all of this, I have met other volunteers from all over the world, who have made this experience truly unforgettable. For my last ever blog post from the island, I really just wanted to express my love to you all. You guys are amazing and I'm so happy to have shared this experience with you! 

Alice-sensei <3 

Alice, you were the first person I met properly on the island, and you made me feel so welcome right from the start. Always so kind and willing to help me with anything, you made such a huge impact on me feeling settled in on Ojika.

Also, THANK YOU for teaching me how to ride a bike, I'm sorry that I was so slow and fell over lots and probably caused you a bit of stress, but I seriously appreciate it- I don't think I would've felt confident at all if it weren't for that first day we went out to Goryodaki! 

And thank you for being our yoga teacher- again, sorry that I was a bit useless, even if it didn't seem like it, I really loved the yoga time (when I actually did join in lol). You are so strong and amazing!! I couldn't believe some of the stuff you could do and so easily. You're honestly an inspiration.. not just in your amazing yoga/flexible/strong/awesome powers, but just in how much of a lovely, genuine and kind person you are. Everybody needs an Alice in their life!!! <3 

A very very sad day... I'm still missing you... :(

The day we said goodbye to you was honestly so sad! It really felt like we were being separated from our mum for the first time- especially as you had been there the whole time for all of us! Singing Edelweiss as you left on the ferry while you sobbed was actually so emotional! You're just the sweetest little bean and I hope that we can meet again somewhere whether its in Japan or Europe or anywhere in the world!

Kenichi :D

Kenichiiiiiiiiii, Keniiichhiiiiii tsumaranaii aji ga sukiiiiii (to the tune of let it go, obvs.). You were such a fun presence in the house and I honestly don't think I would've laughed half as much if you hadn't been here. You also helped me lots with my Japanese, probably without realising it haha, it was so nice that I could always come to you when I didn't understand something or I wanted to know more.

Obviously I wouldn't be able to miss out on mentioning that fateful night when we all had a few beers back at the house and played 'things'. SO MANY HILARIOUS MOMENTS. You were on such good form, and whether or not it really was 'because of the light!!!' I think that was the most I had laughed in a really really long time. Even though we joked about you and the town you needed to make because 'recently things have got very worse' I actually think what you want to do- making a non-profit organisation to help those in need (i think I've got that right)- sounds amazing, and I wish you all the best in it!!

You were certainly a ray of sunshine, and thanks for always washing the dishes when none of us really wanted to! Oh, and thanks for teaching me how to play Daifugo!! It's annoying that you were so good and that I could never beat you, but I'm glad that I've learnt it now... I'll keep practising and when we next meet up let's have a rematch! 

Mirjaw Hauako Saikolz

Hanaaaaaa!!! I was just looking back through my phone for cute pics of us, and found the one I had taken of your boat ticket... So I couldn't resist! Honestly, it was impossible not to have a good time when you were around. Always smiling, giggling (mostly at your own jokes.. but still), you were just a positive ray of sunshine throughout the entire month we were together! 

Like Alice, I just felt so comfortable having you around, you both made me feel like I was at home almost as soon as I had arrived, it was lovely to be included into the gang so quickly! Thank you for being so proactive as well- I feel like you pushed us to actually go out and do stuff and see new places- you were the one who introduced us all to Tan Tan for goodness sake!!!! What would I have done without that!? 

Also thanks for always swimming in the sea even when it was really really cold.. Seeing you run in completely uncaring forced me to get over myself and jump in too! You really were queen of the sea- I was amazed how long you could stay in there without getting cold/bored.

And thanks for being a great karaoke partner too! I was so worried when we had the party just me, you and Azusa (who doesn't sing), I thought we would struggle to fill the 2 hours- but the time literally flew by! It's a testament to how you always make the most of every opportunity- you honestly inspire me to be more positive and get the most out of life!

Beautiful inside and out, I'm so happy we met! See you again in Tokyo or Europe!! 

Azusa <3

Omg Azusa!! We shared so many amazing experiences together and I'm so glad that I got to spend a whole month living with you! From the moment you first arrived, you were always smiling, always ready to get stuck in with whatever we had to do- It felt like you were my big sister. 

We got to experience so many big moments together- when the kittens were born, when we moved to the new house (and then getting completely freaked out by the "ghosts" that were living there), and we said goodbye to so many people together :( ! When it was just the two of us I was worried we wouldn't have much fun, but we actually had so many laughs (like me playing that silly dance game with Tsukuru-san)!

Thank you for looking after me when I fell off my bike, and actually just looking after me in general. Having you in the house always made me feel safe, and I knew I could always count on you to have a laugh about something! Also thanks for the gym!!! Was so nice to have someone to exercise with- it's a shame that I fell off the bike and hurt my leg because we had gotten into such a great routine. But I'm still thankful for the short time we did go together- and smash those workout videos!! I hope we can meet again one day, maybe in Tokyo!?!


Clara!!! aka. crazy wilderness woman

Oh my goodness Clara, where can I even begin!!!? You are just the most hilarious, sweetest, sassiest thing! You do not give a single care about what anyone thinks and I absolutely love it!! Your energy is infectious and honestly, I have felt so at ease since you arrived. I love that every time I ask you what you're up to its always something about looking for some reptiles or bothering the wildlife or just general chat about salamanders. You are a passionate gal who knows what she likes and to be honest I wish I could be more like you in that respect!