I'm Debt Free!

Last week after payday, I sent some money to my American bank account and payed off my student loan.

When I came to Japan three years ago, I had a student loan and debt on three credit cards. I budgeted that I could pay if all off in one year if I 'tried really hard'. But 'trying really hard' turned out to be, well, hard, and I had the temptations of traveling and motorcycles telling me to spend.

But now, for the first time since high school, I owe no money. It was somewhat anti-climatic as I didn't receive a "CONGRATULATIONS" e-mail from the bank or a phone call from the president telling me to keep on saving. In fact, I'm a little apprehensive that I owe someone somewhere something...

Running Log: Week 4

Week of Aug. 23 - Aug. 29
8/23: 5k, 29:31
8/25: 6k, 36:41
8/26: 5k, 29:19
8/28: 14k, 1:42:20

Total: 30k, 3:17:51
Average Pace: 06:35

Running Log: Week 3

Week of Aug. 16 - Aug. 22

8/16: 5k, 30:09
8/18: 6k, 34:28
8/19: 5k, 29:04
8/21: 8k, 54:35

Total: 24k, 2:28:16
Average Pace: 06:10

Running Log: Week 2

Week of Aug. 9 - Aug. 15

8/9: 5k, 30:00 (it was raining so I didn't time myself)
8/11: 5k, 30:27
8/13: 5k, 29:02
8/14: 11k, 1:17:28

Total: 26k, 2:46:57
Average Pace: 06:25

Running Log: Week 1

I will be running two races this fall:

• Shouhashi Half Marathon - Nov. 7
• Naha Marathon - Dec. 5

For the next 18 weeks, I will be logging my weekly runs, partly for motivation, but also because it makes me feel cool to do so. Since the Naha Marathon will be my first marathon, and thus making me a full marathon noob, there will be nothing cool about my times, however.

Week of Aug. 2 - Aug. 8 (my week begins on Monday)

8/2: 4k, 25:52
8/4: 4k, 24:34
8/5: 4k, 25:02
8/7: 9k, 1:03:38

Total: 21k, 2:19:06
Average Pace: 06:37

3 Years

Today marks exactly three years since I first arrived in Tokyo for my JET orientation.

When I think about all that has taken place in my life since I came to Okinawa, I can feel the three years.

But then the other part of me is, like, 'Whoa! Three years already?!'

I guess that's what time does to people.

JET Calendar Entry #5