Moving to the other side of the planet has a way of teaching you things about yourself that you may not have learned otherwise.
Lesson of the evening:
I'm either completely insatiable or I'm in the wrong place doing the wrong thing.
Don't get me wrong here, I really have very few complaints about living in Japan. It's teaching me things, I'm having fun, my job is easy, I'm accomplishing my one of my life goals ( to live in another country for atleast a year) **Side note, I'm 22 years old and accomplished all of my goals, pretty kick ass i must say** Anyway, my life here is very comfortable but I think that is the problem. I don't want to be comfortable I personally think that one grows more when they are uncomfortable.
Mom if you are reading this, yes, this is quite close to your out of your box theory. And somehow I've managed to move so far away and yet remain in my box. Not entirely. I mean I've had to make significant stretches in my personality, some people here think that I'm rather outgoing and god forbid, bubbly. So that's out of my box in some ways, but I'm not being challenged.
My weekdays are filled by mindless english lessons, teaching simple phrases like "I want a hamburger. I want a cookie. etc." My kids are fantastic and I love them, but I'm just not making the impact on the world that I feel like I should be.
Danielle brought to my attention that I am still doing meaningful work, I teach children. This comment was not lost on me. I agree, I do see that I am doing something, it's just not what I want to be doing. I'm not learning (mostly due to a lack of self discipline, so that I can't complain about), I make much more than my Japanese counterparts and do probably less than half the work, I go shopping...alot. I spend ridiculous amounts of money on food.
I should be feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, housing the homeless, hearing peoples stories, etc. But then I wonder if I'm desiring those things for selfish reasons? Or is that truly where my heart is...but honestly if I feel so emotional about it, I suppose that is a silly question. I remember telling someone once that I wanted to help people who had significant problems (yes I realize that all problems are significant in their own regard, but you know what I mean) I just don't see not speaking english in an asian country with no intention of leaving as a significant problem.
I need to get away...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
short annecdote
It's been a while again, but my excuse is that I was on a week long vacation during which I actually did feel like I had vacated my life, I did hardly anything but eat, drink, and read books...Oh and then there was the day that Brenna and I walked from the middle of the island to the coast of the island just to find out that the restaurant we were going to go to was closed and didn't open until 6...it was 3. so we walked back. 3 hours of walking total. It was fun though.
Anyway, I can elaborate on that later although there isn't much to tell, so we'll see. Today at work is what the entry was inspired by. I have this little emotion face thing, its basically like a little smiley face flip chart made of construction paper circles folded and glued together with faces representing different emotions (angry, happy, sad, and sleepy), well some of my kids were fighting over it the other day and they ripped apart two of the circles, soooo, today I decided to glue them back together. I got out this glue:
(which I remember having in like 2nd grade). I guess it had never been used before, but at the time I didn't know that, so I was squeezing it, but no glue was coming out. So I unscrewed the lid and examined it, I could see that there was a plastic thing covering the hole so I'm trying to poke it with some scissors and a razor knife but its not working so I just squeezed it and boom, off pops the little plastic thing and glue shoots all over my face and into my hair. of course.
i swear, my life is ridiculous.
Anyway, I can elaborate on that later although there isn't much to tell, so we'll see. Today at work is what the entry was inspired by. I have this little emotion face thing, its basically like a little smiley face flip chart made of construction paper circles folded and glued together with faces representing different emotions (angry, happy, sad, and sleepy), well some of my kids were fighting over it the other day and they ripped apart two of the circles, soooo, today I decided to glue them back together. I got out this glue:
(which I remember having in like 2nd grade). I guess it had never been used before, but at the time I didn't know that, so I was squeezing it, but no glue was coming out. So I unscrewed the lid and examined it, I could see that there was a plastic thing covering the hole so I'm trying to poke it with some scissors and a razor knife but its not working so I just squeezed it and boom, off pops the little plastic thing and glue shoots all over my face and into my hair. of course.i swear, my life is ridiculous.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas Eve Eve!
It's almost been a month since I typed a blog. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I can't believe it! In some ways my friend and I decided Japan is more Christmasy than home...which at the time seemed true, but I just realized he's from Canada, so I guess we can't really agree on that can we? Thats hilarious. Oh well. It's real weird that it's not really cold here and I haven't watched A Christmas Story. I did walk by a church today and saw a nativity scene. That was Christmasy, and there is Christmas music playing in the streets of Hiroshima, but it just isn't the same. I think part of it has to do with the fact that I actually have to ask my students if they exchange gifts or even celebrate Christmas. Some of them don't, to them its just another day. Which I understand, but that doesn't make it any less strange to hear.
My friend Megan had her baby! Mallory Claire. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there with her! =(
Her baby will almost be a year old when I get home, that's so bizarre! Aww, sad.
Work is fine, Japan is still fun. I'm going to Tokyo next week! I'm leaving Friday actually, I'm so excited! WHAAA!
Last weekend I was hanging out with my friend Niko in Hiroshima, we decided to go
on a search for ridiculous t-shirts (an ever so popular commodity in Japan) **I'm pretty sure it's a major stretch to use commodity there, but I'm going to do so anyway** Anyway, this is what we ended up with. Niko's has the same santa face, but sometimes blurred. And mine says " The hippopotamus barks at the rainbow". Just think about that for a while.
The weekend before that, I went to Miyajima to hang out and on my way, I had a little adventure (some of you have already heard this, but here it goes again): It's a beautiful, slightly chilly day, I'm wearing my fantastic bright green skirt and a sweater and a jean jacket and some black winter boots. I've spent the first part of the day being a kind person taking my new co-worker out to lunch for her birthday. But my friend Patrick (who lives like 5 hours away) is visiting Hiroshima, so I'm kind of in a hurry to go and see him and my other two friends. So after lunch ends, I scurry on over to the station and see that a rapid train, which will get me to Hiroshima in 20 minutes instead of 45, is about to leave, So I run down the stairs and get there just in time to see the doors close and the train leave. This lovely old Japanese lady sees this misfortune of mine and tries to comfort me in Japanese, I assume she's saying something like "oh no, it looks like you just missed it, oh well, another train will come my dear" but I have no idea really, so I just say "Hai, hai, ok, desu" (yes yes it's ok or I'm ok, or something is ok) and take a seat. Not 2 seconds later another lovely old lady comes and offers me an orange. So I sit there with two old ladies and eat an orange. It was so cute.
Another train finally comes and I arrive in Hiroshima 45 minutes later. I look at the screen and see that my train is leaving from track one in 2 minutes (I'm at track 4) So I again take off running (which is highly discouraged in Japanese train stations) I make it down the stairs, see that the doors are still open and think to myself "YES!! I have done it, I will make this train," and as soon as this thought goes through my head..BOOOOOOM I fall down to the ground, on my hands and knees. My head phones fly off, stuff
spills out of my purse. All these people are like "diajobu desuka, diajobu desuka" (are you ok? are you ok?) and I stand up and shout "HAI, DIAJOBU DESU! (YES I'M OK!) and run on to the train fully packed with people who just saw me crash to the ground. Oh my goodness it was so hilarious! If could only you have seen it. Here is a picture of the bruises on my knees. They have just now gone away.
Ok, one more quick thing and one more picture before I go. I tried to make cookies.. and I have no oven... the following is what happened... I have no words.
My friend Megan had her baby! Mallory Claire. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there with her! =(
Her baby will almost be a year old when I get home, that's so bizarre! Aww, sad.
Work is fine, Japan is still fun. I'm going to Tokyo next week! I'm leaving Friday actually, I'm so excited! WHAAA!
Last weekend I was hanging out with my friend Niko in Hiroshima, we decided to go
on a search for ridiculous t-shirts (an ever so popular commodity in Japan) **I'm pretty sure it's a major stretch to use commodity there, but I'm going to do so anyway** Anyway, this is what we ended up with. Niko's has the same santa face, but sometimes blurred. And mine says " The hippopotamus barks at the rainbow". Just think about that for a while.The weekend before that, I went to Miyajima to hang out and on my way, I had a little adventure (some of you have already heard this, but here it goes again): It's a beautiful, slightly chilly day, I'm wearing my fantastic bright green skirt and a sweater and a jean jacket and some black winter boots. I've spent the first part of the day being a kind person taking my new co-worker out to lunch for her birthday. But my friend Patrick (who lives like 5 hours away) is visiting Hiroshima, so I'm kind of in a hurry to go and see him and my other two friends. So after lunch ends, I scurry on over to the station and see that a rapid train, which will get me to Hiroshima in 20 minutes instead of 45, is about to leave, So I run down the stairs and get there just in time to see the doors close and the train leave. This lovely old Japanese lady sees this misfortune of mine and tries to comfort me in Japanese, I assume she's saying something like "oh no, it looks like you just missed it, oh well, another train will come my dear" but I have no idea really, so I just say "Hai, hai, ok, desu" (yes yes it's ok or I'm ok, or something is ok) and take a seat. Not 2 seconds later another lovely old lady comes and offers me an orange. So I sit there with two old ladies and eat an orange. It was so cute.
Another train finally comes and I arrive in Hiroshima 45 minutes later. I look at the screen and see that my train is leaving from track one in 2 minutes (I'm at track 4) So I again take off running (which is highly discouraged in Japanese train stations) I make it down the stairs, see that the doors are still open and think to myself "YES!! I have done it, I will make this train," and as soon as this thought goes through my head..BOOOOOOM I fall down to the ground, on my hands and knees. My head phones fly off, stuff
spills out of my purse. All these people are like "diajobu desuka, diajobu desuka" (are you ok? are you ok?) and I stand up and shout "HAI, DIAJOBU DESU! (YES I'M OK!) and run on to the train fully packed with people who just saw me crash to the ground. Oh my goodness it was so hilarious! If could only you have seen it. Here is a picture of the bruises on my knees. They have just now gone away.Ok, one more quick thing and one more picture before I go. I tried to make cookies.. and I have no oven... the following is what happened... I have no words.
Friday, November 30, 2007
It's that time of year...
Where I begin to turn to Ryan Adams...and all that that entails. It's rather unfortunate that, as of yet, he will not be making to Japan. However, if anyone hears otherwise you had better let me know!
Anyhow, parent observation weeks are officially over! Thank God! I went and got tacos an a delicious little drink after work, I ran in to Yuka and Yuki, that was great! We are going out again in celebration tomorrow night. Hurray!
In my last class last night, I had these two 13 year old boys, they're totally my favorite, anyway. They get on these kicks were they say the same answer for every question, like
Me:" why is the grand canoyon famous?"
K &K : Because it's big.
Me: Ok, why is the Golden Gate Bridge famous?
K & K: Because it's big.
This goes on for like one more question and then i change the topic to the Tokyo tower, we talk for bit, then as kind of a joke, I ask "how big is the tokyo tower" obviously expecting.. "Its big" but no... One of them responds with.." It's 333 Km". Totally random.. who just knows that? Kaito, thats who. Crazy kids.
There's going to be a hairstyle change this weekend! It's about change. I'm so bored with the fact that I have to wear drab working clothes all week, I think i'm going to be as outrageous as possible this weekend. (Mom thats for you).
God, rereading this makes me sound about as interesting as a 2x4.
I'm reading 2 books right now. Thats impressive, yeah? I can't believe I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. They are so good! My kids seemed pretty excited when I gave them the first section to read . I have two classes that are going to read them. some 10 year olds and 2 17 year olds.
By the way I got to eat three Thanksgivings. I even got to eat turkey, which was clearly not expected, but very well appreciated. And I helped bake a pumpkin pie. It was even kind of good. Brenna and I had to make it super fast. We had one hour until we had to be where we were going and it takes 55 minutes to bake and we hadn' t even started. by the way did I mention we baked it in the microwave? Yes, the microwaves in japan have an oven function. I haven't the slightest idea how to make mine work, but it's there.
Ok, I'm going to go read now.
Anyhow, parent observation weeks are officially over! Thank God! I went and got tacos an a delicious little drink after work, I ran in to Yuka and Yuki, that was great! We are going out again in celebration tomorrow night. Hurray!
In my last class last night, I had these two 13 year old boys, they're totally my favorite, anyway. They get on these kicks were they say the same answer for every question, like
Me:" why is the grand canoyon famous?"
K &K : Because it's big.
Me: Ok, why is the Golden Gate Bridge famous?
K & K: Because it's big.
This goes on for like one more question and then i change the topic to the Tokyo tower, we talk for bit, then as kind of a joke, I ask "how big is the tokyo tower" obviously expecting.. "Its big" but no... One of them responds with.." It's 333 Km". Totally random.. who just knows that? Kaito, thats who. Crazy kids.
There's going to be a hairstyle change this weekend! It's about change. I'm so bored with the fact that I have to wear drab working clothes all week, I think i'm going to be as outrageous as possible this weekend. (Mom thats for you).
God, rereading this makes me sound about as interesting as a 2x4.
I'm reading 2 books right now. Thats impressive, yeah? I can't believe I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. They are so good! My kids seemed pretty excited when I gave them the first section to read . I have two classes that are going to read them. some 10 year olds and 2 17 year olds.
By the way I got to eat three Thanksgivings. I even got to eat turkey, which was clearly not expected, but very well appreciated. And I helped bake a pumpkin pie. It was even kind of good. Brenna and I had to make it super fast. We had one hour until we had to be where we were going and it takes 55 minutes to bake and we hadn' t even started. by the way did I mention we baked it in the microwave? Yes, the microwaves in japan have an oven function. I haven't the slightest idea how to make mine work, but it's there.
Ok, I'm going to go read now.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Goodbye Blacky
I left today for Hiroshima and Blacky was alive. When I came home...he was almost gone. He was just there, floating on his back not moving unless Orangey or Brownie bumped into him and even then he would only flap his little fins. It was a very sad moment for me...being that Blacky was my favorite of the three. =(
Anyway. As I said I went to Hiroshima again this weekend. Last weekend I went, with the intention of only being there for one night, however I ended up staying the whole weekend. Instead of coming back Sunday morning, I came back Monday afternoon. Crazyyyy! I had a glorious time with Niko and Keriann, just hanging out and doing all the touristy things like going to the castle and the A-bomb museum and the Garden. I loved the garden, I thought about going again today,just to sit outside and read, however it was much too chilly. Today I decided to go to the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. The collection was much smaller than I was expecting and many of the works were from Japanese artists (which was to be expected) I liked them more than I thought I would. It wasn't stereotypical "Asian Art". I did, however, get to see a Dali, up close and personal. It was a huge painting, a variant of Persistence of Memory. It was amazing.
I love art.
Then I came home and made guacamole. I'm determined to start cooking meals for myself. Tomorrow I'm going to try to make eggplant and tomato grautin. We'll see how that goes.
Anyway. As I said I went to Hiroshima again this weekend. Last weekend I went, with the intention of only being there for one night, however I ended up staying the whole weekend. Instead of coming back Sunday morning, I came back Monday afternoon. Crazyyyy! I had a glorious time with Niko and Keriann, just hanging out and doing all the touristy things like going to the castle and the A-bomb museum and the Garden. I loved the garden, I thought about going again today,just to sit outside and read, however it was much too chilly. Today I decided to go to the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum. The collection was much smaller than I was expecting and many of the works were from Japanese artists (which was to be expected) I liked them more than I thought I would. It wasn't stereotypical "Asian Art". I did, however, get to see a Dali, up close and personal. It was a huge painting, a variant of Persistence of Memory. It was amazing.
I love art.
Then I came home and made guacamole. I'm determined to start cooking meals for myself. Tomorrow I'm going to try to make eggplant and tomato grautin. We'll see how that goes.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Hisashiburi
I'm sorry for the length of time that has passed with no update. I'm doing well, I've been busy. Last week we had Saturday off in lieu of a holiday. My friend Ayako, Patrick and myself went up to Kyoto, we also met some other friends (Keri, Jo, and Candace) -- I'd just like to say that I feel like i'm typing a 5th grade essay about my summer vacation-- we had a great time.
We were so hard core! It actually took us a while to get out of the station. A) we had to make reservations and what not, then we were hungry and then we just flat couldn't figure out where to get out. We finally made it out and hopped on a bus to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) it was beautiful. However I did have a little mishap with the bus...I went to pay the 220 yen but all I had was a 500 yen piece. I screwed up and instead of putting it in the change thing I dropped it in the pay hole... Not good. The bus driver had to give me all my change back in 10 yen pieces... yep, thats 280 yen in 10 yen pieces. Awesomeness. He could have kept it, honestly. It was totally worth it though the place was beautiful! We went to many other temples and shrines on Sunday as well. Everything was gorgeous, I'm not kidding. We met up with Jo, Candace and Keri on Sunday night and had dinner. Have I mentioned yet that we literally had pasta for every meal except 1? Cause we did. It was good, but very unjapanese.
On Monday we totally overslept and didn't checkout on time which resulted in like a 50 dollar fee. Whooops. But then we saw Patrick off, and all the girls continued on. We only went to one more shrine, as we got there we saw a scooter wreck. It was so scary! They sideswiped each other and one stopped but the other flipped. It was awful. I think he ended up being ok, he was ok enough to sit up to wait for the ambulance. But on a lighter note, this place had 4km of vermilion torii gates. it was amazing! I bought a kimono-ish thing, for 5 bucks.
hopefully if you click this link, you'll be able to see my pictures. That other website sets a limit to how many pictures I can upload per month. Lame...
http://greenville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008185&l=275f7&id=152400334
Anyway. This week I had follow-up training. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was sooo much fun! It was good to see everyone again as well as meet awesome new people. Loved it! The place was pretty isolated so we were comparing it to the hotel in the Shining, minus the snow. At lunch we were talking about who would be the one to go crazy... we decided Kurt, one of the trainers...then during my personal interview with him, he leans in and says "do you hear voices" It was hilarious! I did hear the voices so it was ok, but had I not heard them I would have taken off running. They had fish for 3 out of 4 meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch). I was really hungry the whole time. It still makes me gag to think everyone ate that fish. Yuck.
Ok, time to hop in the shower, I'm going to Hiroshima! bye now!
We were so hard core! It actually took us a while to get out of the station. A) we had to make reservations and what not, then we were hungry and then we just flat couldn't figure out where to get out. We finally made it out and hopped on a bus to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) it was beautiful. However I did have a little mishap with the bus...I went to pay the 220 yen but all I had was a 500 yen piece. I screwed up and instead of putting it in the change thing I dropped it in the pay hole... Not good. The bus driver had to give me all my change back in 10 yen pieces... yep, thats 280 yen in 10 yen pieces. Awesomeness. He could have kept it, honestly. It was totally worth it though the place was beautiful! We went to many other temples and shrines on Sunday as well. Everything was gorgeous, I'm not kidding. We met up with Jo, Candace and Keri on Sunday night and had dinner. Have I mentioned yet that we literally had pasta for every meal except 1? Cause we did. It was good, but very unjapanese.
On Monday we totally overslept and didn't checkout on time which resulted in like a 50 dollar fee. Whooops. But then we saw Patrick off, and all the girls continued on. We only went to one more shrine, as we got there we saw a scooter wreck. It was so scary! They sideswiped each other and one stopped but the other flipped. It was awful. I think he ended up being ok, he was ok enough to sit up to wait for the ambulance. But on a lighter note, this place had 4km of vermilion torii gates. it was amazing! I bought a kimono-ish thing, for 5 bucks.
hopefully if you click this link, you'll be able to see my pictures. That other website sets a limit to how many pictures I can upload per month. Lame...
http://greenville.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008185&l=275f7&id=152400334
Anyway. This week I had follow-up training. I thought it was going to be boring, but it was sooo much fun! It was good to see everyone again as well as meet awesome new people. Loved it! The place was pretty isolated so we were comparing it to the hotel in the Shining, minus the snow. At lunch we were talking about who would be the one to go crazy... we decided Kurt, one of the trainers...then during my personal interview with him, he leans in and says "do you hear voices" It was hilarious! I did hear the voices so it was ok, but had I not heard them I would have taken off running. They had fish for 3 out of 4 meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch). I was really hungry the whole time. It still makes me gag to think everyone ate that fish. Yuck.
Ok, time to hop in the shower, I'm going to Hiroshima! bye now!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Crunky Popjoy
This is the name of the chocolate candy I just ate. I think crunky is supposed to be crunchy.... and popjoy, who knows.
Anyhow, my bike lock is very temperamental as of late. Sometimes it won't lock and therefore I have just been leaving it unlocked and unsupervised. I have been worried that it would be stolen. Today my fears became a reality... I came out of work to go to lunch and my bike was gone! I was shocked! And I thought to myself "you have got to be kidding me!" so I begin to walk home and I see it! By the vending machine, not even half a block away! My bike is rather noisy, so maybe they decided they would steal another one. My lock worked for the rest of the day.
One more bicycle anecdote. The other day it was raining, not just a little, alot. And I had to bike to japanese lessons and work. Luckily it stopped by the time I got downstairs to leave, but I had to bring my umbrella anyway in case it started up again. So I had my umbrella attached to my bike...and of course as I'm biking it slips, and get's stuck in my front wheel. Go figure! It was almost exactly where I ran into the stair case! Que sera sera! I suppose I should stay away from that place!
Things are good! The weekend was good, went in to Hiroshima...which kind of reminds me of St. Louis a little bit, on Sunday and then Yuka came over on Monday. It was fun, she and I talked about how we both miss studying...among other things! She's cool, it's good to have friends.
I bought a bright pink scarf. i like it. because its bright pink.
Anyhow, my bike lock is very temperamental as of late. Sometimes it won't lock and therefore I have just been leaving it unlocked and unsupervised. I have been worried that it would be stolen. Today my fears became a reality... I came out of work to go to lunch and my bike was gone! I was shocked! And I thought to myself "you have got to be kidding me!" so I begin to walk home and I see it! By the vending machine, not even half a block away! My bike is rather noisy, so maybe they decided they would steal another one. My lock worked for the rest of the day.
One more bicycle anecdote. The other day it was raining, not just a little, alot. And I had to bike to japanese lessons and work. Luckily it stopped by the time I got downstairs to leave, but I had to bring my umbrella anyway in case it started up again. So I had my umbrella attached to my bike...and of course as I'm biking it slips, and get's stuck in my front wheel. Go figure! It was almost exactly where I ran into the stair case! Que sera sera! I suppose I should stay away from that place!
Things are good! The weekend was good, went in to Hiroshima...which kind of reminds me of St. Louis a little bit, on Sunday and then Yuka came over on Monday. It was fun, she and I talked about how we both miss studying...among other things! She's cool, it's good to have friends.
I bought a bright pink scarf. i like it. because its bright pink.
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