I guess I've been here over 8 months?
I'm going to stay for another year, I decided. I'll move to Kumamoto City and work there. I'm looking forward to living in a different kind of place, although I have to say that I really enjoy the relaxed pace of the suburbs here in Arao.
I don't have too much info on my new location, but I got my new supervisor's name and number.
Things have been picking up here because the students are about to graduate in two weeks.
I don't know why not many people comment on this blog: maybe it's not so interesting or no one actually reads it. Maybe it's still difficult to figure out how to leave a comment, or maybe everyone is too busy.
Whatever it is, it's okay with me. I'm going to keep writing. I'm going to stop asking people to leave comments.
I tell of my day-to-day experiences in a funky Japanese town from my American viewpoint. This blog could also be called 'Bizarro World', 'Notes From Kyushu, a Smaller Island', or 'Teaching English in Japan: Smash Your Ego in 10 Easy Lessons."
Thursday, March 03, 2005
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9 comments:
I check Julie's blog at least once a week. It's very entertaining and interesting to read the exploits, experiences, and emotions of a person I know living in a place in the world that is totally alien to me.
I certainly have thoughts about nearly every blog she writes, but I'm concerned that anything I might write while leaving a comment might sound like the ramblings of a senior citizen (I'm 55) speaking about a child.
My biggest confusion about Julie's year in Japan is that after reading a year's worth of blogs, what's so great about Japan for Julie that wouldn't be vastly exceeded by continuing and new experiences in the good ole US of A?
So if anyone else out there has been following Julie's blog as I have been, let's hear from you. Would any of you be so forth-coming writing pubicly about your thoughts as Julie has been? I wouldn't--but then that's probably why my CB handle 30 years ago was 'Big Chicken!'
Julie, I agree with Bob. After reading your entries, it doesn't sound like Japan really suits you. I wonder if your pride isn't the issue. Perhaps you think that leaving Japan might be construed as "giving up". I don't think anyone would view your return in a negative light. You might want step back and examine why you're pursuing something that you're not really enjoying. You don't have anything to prove, you've done a good job; why not apply your tenacity to a pursuit that speaks to your heart.
I 'll tell you why I decided to stay. It certainly wasn't a 'black and white' thing. There were reasons to stay and reasons to go.
Here are my main reasons for staying:
1. I can save a lot of money here.
2. I didn't reapply for CU this year, so I missed my chance to go back to school if I returned in the fall.
3. I'm just starting to get the language.
4. I'm starting to like the culture/attitude.
5. I'm planning to visit Colorado this summer.
6. I can see that I've grown from my experiences here.
7. Maybe two years is long enough to really begin to understand a place.
Here are the reasons I would come home:
1. being away for so long puts a strain on relationships at home
2. Aikido(but--the Aikido here is good, and, there are dojos here I want to visit.)
2(being equally important). Music(so far, the hardest issue for me)
4. continuing life(but--I'd have to get a low wage job if I come back)
Anyone else?
think I should stay for another year or go home in July?
What are your reasons?
Julie, I think the only "should" involved in this decision (or any other for that matter) is that you "should" follow what your heart tells you to do.
Oh yeah, somehow I forgot
8. The kids
9. The strange and wonderful cultural events I am lucky enough to attend almost every weekend, which have opened my mind in many, many ways
10. Those relationships with people here that are now taking shape and becoming valuable to me
but out of curiousity, if I were to come home, how do you suggest I wouldn't spend my days in some sort of 'retail misery' for at least a year? would you argue that it isn't possible to follow one's heart and one's head? I see this as an opportunity to grow and learn. It's not about a desire to be comfortable with what I already know. I'll have plenty of time for that later...
Is it necessary to grit one's teeth and be uncomfortable with a situation in order for growth to take place? What about the courage to pursue the things that give you joy?
I see that reason #1 for staying is about money - it sounds like the idea of making a low wage disturbs you. Perhaps it would be easier to make plenty of money in Japan (stay the financial comfort zone), then segue right into school where you won't have to work (no financial worries there). But when I read your blog it doesn't sound like you're following your bliss.
my 'blisses' are, as I see them:
Music and Aikido
I'm trying to make money to put myself through school so I can teach music. That's why money is #1.
And I love the Aikido dojo here. I go twice a week and attend all the seminars and social events involved. There are some wonderful teachers in this area, and there are also other places in Japan I would like to visit and maybe train at too.
My first five months in Japan were excrutiatingly difficult and isolating. The past three months things have been much easier and life has become enjoyable much of the time.
It's impossible to blog everything, but I wonder if you've noticed those changes in my blogs recently.
Lastly, I'd say it's not the idea of a 'low-wage' job that disturbs me. It's more the idea of perhaps moving backward instead of forward that does.
With all this talk of decision making, I feel the need to repeat good advice I've received and ignored: Be wary of doing something as a means to an end.
For me, as soon as I say, I'm doing X so later I can do Y, I stop looking critically at X. I can justify all its hardships and sacrifices as a necessary burden. But it takes something out of me and makes me feel trapped. But if you really want to do Y....
Ben
P.S. I check your blog whenever I turn on my computer (2-3 times a week), but I'm usually at a loss for something interesting to say.
Hi, Julie.
Stumbled on your blog today. Interesting stuff. Just thought I'd let you know I was here... Like you, I'm abroad, but in Paris. Feel free to check out some of my posts sometime. I'm an aspiring writer, so they're longer non-fiction essays. If you have the time to read. :)
I'll check back soon.
Emily
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