Looking Forward to Visibility

Spotted this "invisible umbrella" ... kinda how I feel.

Here's a top five list: things I want to do after corona.

Since March things have been weird in Japan. Even though we got out for a nearby long weekend, it was strangely quiet.

Of course, a couple months later I was already restless.

Number one I wanna travel again once this has all settled down. I'm always down for an onsen weekend in Beppu or exploring new places in Japan.

As of now, if I leave Japan, I'm not allowed back in. So I'm stuck here, despite the planned trip to visit family this summer. 

My husband and I don't eat out at restaurants too often. Usually around once a month, we'll go to an all you can eat buffet style restaurant for lunch. We're both big eaters so this is cost effective, although we are slowing down as we get older.

I'm not sure about the current status of buffet restaurants, but as the bread shops have bagged all of their breads that were once out in the open, I think the layout must have changed a lot. That is, if places are even still open.

Number two is, we want to eat in buffet restaurants. It will be nice to be able to take a break from cooking without getting prepared foods from the supermarket.

We've missed out on a few festivals already and most of the long time summer festivals in Japan have been canceled this year. Not that we ever want to be around crowds, but we do enjoy some of the small festivals that are outside in nicer seasons. I haven't heard about the big fireworks ordeal in town yet. I'm hoping next year won't see all the festivals canceled again.

As of now, some of the summer and fall festivals in the area are still on, so I hope they prove to be safe enough to attend. Our annual blueberry picking outing is delayed but still so-far so-good, and I'm looking forward to that in July! Number three would be I wanna go to festivals and outdoor events.

Another thing that's been canceled lately is all the work related drinking parties and just going out with friends. It's bbq season, so hopefully I'll have the chance to enjoy outdoor grilling and even camping and hiking without too much awkwardness in the near future. Number four is I want to attend social gatherings, which as an introvert, I'm surprised is something I miss.

Number five would have to be that I want a normal vacation from work. Here I wrote about the last minute changes to my work schedules, resulting in no weeks off from work since the New Year holidays in January this year. Summer vacation will consist of a few three day weekends where I'll probably stay in town.

I'm guessing this winter is not going to be any better for travel, but I'm Really Looking Forward to Two Weeks Off with absolutely no work.

I like my jobs, but I'm ready for a break.

I've heard so much about people quarantining at home for months, bored out of their minds, watching TV all day... Can't relate at all!