I bet it's not too healthy to write a blog when you're feeling very lonely.
So I'll summarize by saying that I had a wonderful time with the friends who came to stay with me. We did lots of things together. We went out to eat 'special' tofu with my tutor and a good friend. We went to Kumamoto by train and saw the castle and ate strawberries and honey. We enjoyed okonomiyaki(that pancake-type thing), supermarket shopping, etc. We went to Nagasaki by ferry and saw the A-bomb music, peace park, Chinatown, and so on. I was impressed and quite frightened that they wanted to come with me to elementary Wednesday, especially with me being sick. However, I think they had an entertaining time and can now fully appreciate the strangeness of my situation here. One friend took over 200 pictures that day(it's really a lot of cuteness to bear, even for three people)!
Unfortunately for them, I was really under the weather and cranky for most of the time, so I wouldn't say I was the bestest hostess possible. But I'd say we had fun, and they got to experience a bit of Kyushu.
(Actually, the best part for me was just talking to them. It wasn't just 'having someone to share things with', though. It was really them, who they are as people, that I enjoyed. I feel super lucky to know that they will be there, and other people like them, when I go back to Colorado!)
I hope you guys are enjoying whatever the rest of Japan might have to offer you!! I was so happy to have you here!!! : )
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."
Friday, March 11, 2005
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1 comment:
Hi Julie -
Some disparate reactions (blog):
I'm really glad you had some friends visit.
I hope your health is OK, or at least, improving. A cough which hangs on could be bronchitis (especially if it's non-productive, feels like a little tickle. I've had that and had to take antibiotic, which helped when the cough would not go away after weeks). I wonder if you are able to consider seeing a doctor, and if you would feel comfortable doing so? (I know that might cost something.)
The pictures were great. I know you indicated that there is not a feeling of creativity or innovation, there, and I don't at all doubt that that might be the case. Yet when I see the young students wearing masks to work with meals, or that high, narrow, vertical parking garage, it strikes me that maybe there is some creativity for what is needed for the (their) situation.
I was glad to get a picture of your tutor; I know she's has been a support for you. I wonder if you ever told her about your upcoming move (as I understand it), and how she reacted (I don't recall seeing in the blog that you had told her). Of course, I was even more intrigued to get a real picture of fish head soup.
Your camera did much to convey the excitement of the Taiko performance. I can imagine it was galvanizing. Nice to see you in the picture with your young friend who is so involved with it. Also, really nice to see you and the others relaxed, having some party raucous time with a class...
Kimono - don't ask me to explain this - when I saw the picture of you in that I saw your Mom. Something about the expression you have in that picture.
As far as all your thoughts back and forth about which direction to pursue - you have many interests. Sometimes, for some people (and I include myself here), that can make it hard to make a firm decision as to which direction to pursue. There are no guarantees no matter which way you choose. We can only make our best choice, or not make any of those choices, at the time. You're giving it a lot of careful thought. You have some interesting options - I see any of the options as investments in yourself. No matter which way you go, there may be some minor tradeoff, but not necessarily major, calamitous regrets.
Take care Julie. I'll try to keep in better touch - you are certainly doing your part. Want you to know that although I have not always be in a place to write (apologies), I think of you every day.
Love
Uncle Larry.
Hope you feel better.
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