One of the reasons I love living here in Anan and Tokushima is that it is a really nice place. We have mountains. We have rivers. We have forests and we don't have really high buildings.

The last couple of days has seen us with some rather "interesting" weather. Yesterday could only be described as an "all day storm." It was unbelievable.

I did, however, make sure I had time to go for a run last evening. I'd heard that if you run in the rain, you feel rather "hard core" but I must admit that feeling didn't come over me.

In fact, I felt rather odd.

It was raining and very, very windy. I had to tighten my cap to the point of pain to keep in on my head and I was not able, really, to run in a straight line because of the wind gusts.

I wont say I wont run in the rain again, but maybe with the wind as well, I might have been better off staying home and doing some floor exercises or something like that.

Anyhow, we live and learn.

Have a great day...

I've found that recently I've been feeling a little more stressed than is normal. I do believe we all have an level of stress in our lives that really is out of our control. There are other factors, however, that I believe we can control.

Recently I've been going back to performing some form of meditation. I've been introduced to a sound track that basically contains the sound of rain. I believe they have put some for of trickery underneath the sound to try and calm the mind. I find that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But I'm better for the "not" thinking time that I take.

It's 20 minutes, once a day. After just sitting there for that time. Relaxing and focusing on your breathing I'm finding it great. I come out of it feeling lighter and more ready to take on the world.

I recommend taking a little time each day to focus on your health.

Every day poses a different challenge. In that, every day is unique. Some days, however are similar in feel to others.

Today is a day where I'm working hard to remain positive.

These days happen. These days come and go. But life, as they say goes on.

Tomorrow will be different again.

I'm kind of new to this area of the world. I've been here for a while but I'm still not quite settled in. There are many reasons for this, I believe from both sides of the fence so to speak.

But I do really like and feel the need for a "Community Spirit." I think that's really important.

There doesn't seem to be enough communication happening around out local communities. Certainly for me a lot less than I was used too.

Now, I do feel great when I can get out and have a conversation with those who live around me without the stigma of it being something that they "must" do.

I received a package from someone I knew through my community the other day.

Looks like I'll be eating eggs for a while.