Embarkation!

Greetings! It's the night before the start of my sabbatical journey to Japan (read more below). Since family, friends, and colleagues have expressed interest in getting updates about my adventures, I'm starting this blog. If you're interested in hearing about my experiences and seeing what I see, welcome and thanks for your interest!

Where I'm Going & What I'm Doing

I'm traveling to Japan for a four-month fellowship collaborating with Professor of Clinical Psychology Dr. Hiroaki Kumano at Waseda University. I'll be living and working on the Tokorozawa Campus, a little over an hour's train ride from Tokyo.

Our project will examine cross-cultural (U.S. vs. Japanese) differences in beliefs about the causes of mental disorders and substance abuse and how these differences may relate to cross-cultural differences in stigma surrounding these conditions. I will also have the opportunity to co-mentor one of Dr. Kumano’s new doctoral students who is conducting research about adults with ADHD—my specialty area of expertise.

I'll write more about the campus and our project in future posts.

A Week of Fond Farewells

I've spent the past week feeling grateful for amazing friends and colleagues as I bid everyone a temporary farewell. Thanks to everyone for your well-wishes during dinners, parties, and 1:1 time. An especially special (especial?) event was teaching Jazzercise classes to celebrate my 20th anniversary as an instructor: my Jazzerversary, if you will. I taught one routine for each year I've been teaching, making for a tough 90 minute class of favorites that the ladies absolutely crushed. Another highlight was attending my friend and collaborator's wonderful Diwali party. And, on this my last day before leaving, I got to sing with my beloved friends at Second Presbyterian of RVA, bake a fall favorite with one kiddo, and drive the other to ask a young lady to homecoming (she said yes :) ).

Ready to rock my 20th Jazzerversary class - Note the "fun pants"

Plans for Japan Week 1

I'll flying to Tokyo from Richmond via Newark with intrepid husband Steve. I'm grateful he'll accompany me for the first week to help settle in. He speaks intermediate-level Japanese and has volunteered to drive in Japan for the first time, which will help greatly with setting up my living space. We'll also explore the Tokorozawa area and spend a night or two in Tokyo before he returns to the U.S. During the week, I'll also be meeting my new lab mates and doing a webinar for a clinic that's state-side (and VERY late at night, Japan time).

Staying In Touch

While in Japan I plan to communicate via text and voice using WhatsApp, so if you have my cell phone number, look me up there!