Post Japan (interlude) Life: Books & Horses

I have been home a little over two weeks since I left Japan. At times I feel a sense of longing that I cannot explain. A part of me wishes I was still in Japan and another is glad I am home. Basically there are mornings I wake up and feel split in two. Although I was only in Japan three weeks I feel like I left part of my soul there. It is an odd condition I have never experienced before.

In terms of employment I now work full time at a private horse farm. Nothing fancy about the job at all but I love every minute of it. I blanket horses, clean stalls, clean tack, clean feed bins, and clean all day in general. Guess what, though? I don't care. Everything I do relates back to the care of the 10 horses that live at the stable. For the first time I feel true pride in my work outside of my writing.

Do I still think of returning to Japan? Every single day. I do not know if I will go back to live there or if I will simply return repeatedly throughout my life. I have no answers because I am waiting to see where my latest decisions will lead me.

My horse Skye seemed out of sorts when I came back. I honestly can say she was mad at me. She gave me her hind end the first week I was back. Now she seems back to her usual sweet, stubborn self which I am glad for. I call Skye my reflection at times because she and I share some of the same qualities. Perhaps this is why she was so endearing to me when I first met her.

In terms of books I have splurged on a few new ones about horses. My most recent purchases included Breeds of Empire: The "Invention of the Horse in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa, Imperial China:  The Art of the Horse in Chinese History, and The Byerley Turk: The True Story of the first Thoroughbred. I have also purchased several books about Japan and continue my endless search for books and documentaries that make any mention of the horse in Japan. I will not go into in-depth details but I have discovered several new possible writing ideas in the last few weeks. Nothing could ever make me lose my passion and desire to someday write about the equines of Japan.

All I can say for now is that I am content to be near horses everyday. Also, I am happy to have all my books back with me.