Albert Einstein once said that one should "question everything." He was a really smart guy and was pretty much on point with his theory of relativity, so who am I to disagree.
In fact, I've spent the past seven years or so in higher education trying to learn to become and to teach others to become a critical thinker and to ask the dangerous question: why.
Thus, it baffles my mind to live immersed in a culture that shies away from this idea and at times even seems to be afraid of it. Now, certainly, I am generalizing. And three months of living in Japan does not an expert make. However, in my attempt to learn about and acclimate into Japanese culture, I have asked "why" many a time to many a person. And at least 70 percent of the time, the responses I get are some variation of "I don't know," "just because" or "because it's always been this way."
To me, this is alarming. Or should it be? Is it okay to live in the status quo; to generally accept things for what they are without question; and to rarely ask why? If this is your culture, go for it I suppose. After all, ignorance is bliss.
And besides, asking why can be a dangerous action. While a "why" is generally followed by a "because," a because can lead to another "why" and infinite "whys" thereafter. Oh what a slippery slope a "why" can be.
But, I can't help but think that we all have free will and the ability to form and defend opinions for a reason. After all, why would we all be so different if we weren't meant to learn from these differences by asking questions? Why would we live in such a varied and dynamic world if we weren't supposed to explore it and learn from it and question it? It just seems to me that we were created to ask why. So why not?
Maybe some people never read Curious George when they were kids. (after all, everything we need to know, we learned in kindergarten) Maybe others are taking Nike's "Just do it" campaign a little too seriously. Or maybe it isn't that people are afraid of asking why; it is that they are afraid of the answers they might get.
Now there's an interesting thought to chew on.
Regardless of the reason, I still think that asking why is important, if not necessary. Particularly for those of us in democratic nations, isn't it our duty as citizens to ask why?
I just really can't wrap my head around this one.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
On life, earthquakes, and Japanese hair dye...
On life...
There are days in the life of every gaijin (foreigner living in Japan) that stand out as being more special than the rest. For some, these days include the first time you are able to successfully order food at a restaurant, the first and last time you try natto (fermented soy beans), and the first time you get really lost on your bicycle and end up 2.5 hours from where you live and were trying to go. For me, today was that day!
Being my day off, and somewhat poor until pay day later this week, I decided to spend the day doing free things around my "city." So, armed with my city map that I picked up at the train station, I hopped on my little blue bicycle (which I have named Baby Blue.. very manly, I know), bought a bento for lunch, and headed toward what appears on the map to be a big temple/park to eat and study Japanese. What a nice and relaxing day in the countryside.
Not so! In Japan, there are generally no road names, and thus, no street signs. While some highways have numbers, signs indicating which number highway you are on are few and far between. So, despite my best efforts, I got lost. Really really lost. I stopped and tried to ask 5 different people for directions, but they were all terrified to talk to a foreigner and were little help. One elderly woman even ran away when I tried to ask her. It was kind of funny for me.
Anyway, after 2.5 hours of cycling through the mountains and rice fields of the Japanese countryside and thinking I was on the right track, I realized I was in an entirely different gcityh not even in the same direction as the park/temple I was trying to get to. I was so determined.. Iwas a man on a mission, but at this point, I gave up. I found a bench to eat my lunch, and then cycled the 2.5 hour route back home. What a wasted day.
My legs are so tired and sore now.
So my question is why! Why have an entire country without street signs? Maybe it is one of those cultural differences that I just donft understand, but seriously! Wouldn't it be so much easier for EVERYONE to get around if there were at least a few signs to guide you??
Other than my accidental adventure today, this week has been pretty chill. I had a picnic with all of my codomo (child) students and their parents yesterday in the park near my apartment. It was really fun and I even cooked and made 21 bento boxes for their lunch.
I also made some really good decisions about what I will do the rest of this year regarding my job/living situation, and about what my next move will be after this year. All in all, it was a good week.
On earthquakes...
On Friday night, I experienced my first earthquake in Japan. It happened around 9:40 at night as I was waiting at the train station for my train to come to go home from work. It was just a baby earthquake, but it was really exciting for me.
Thatfs all.
On Japanese hair dye...
It's blatantly obvious to anyone on the street that I am not Japanese. Everything about me from my hair, to my clothing, to my skin color screams outsider. This leaves me with two options: 1) do my best to study culture and styles here and try unsuccessfully to fit in, or 2) to have fun with it.
I have chosen option 2. Since there is absolutely no chance that I will ever blend in here, I might as well have fun and experiment with different clothing styles and looks. So, that is exactly what I have been doing. I even tried dying my hair. Last week, I tried "crimson brown" and as of today, my hair is "cool ash." It's kind of fun. (in case you were wondering, cool ash is my favorite so far)
On to the whole point of this seemingly random blog...
While my daily adventures, earthquake experience, and recent style/hair color experimentation may seem completely unrelated, I have blogged about them all together for a reason: to show what a different person I have become here.
Those of you that know me know that I am anything but a nature person. I am a hyper-organized urban t-shirt and jeans kind of guy with a low threshold for change. But not here; not now.
My living situation here has forced me to change nearly everything about how I live. Who'd have thought 4 months ago, before I left, that I'd become the type of person that goes to the river (and in the river) nearly every day; someone who owns and uses a bicycle daily; someone who doesnft freak out or panic despite being truly lost in the middle of another country or while experiencing an earthquake; someone who now says things such as "the river is looking low today," and "it looks like the rice is about ready to harvest;" someone who is no longer scared of bugs; and someone who is totally happy living a traditional Japanese life style???? Not it!
But it's true. With the exception of two things, I am as happy as can be here. J
(The two things are the insane obstacles to even trying to find a boyfriend in rural Japan, and my employment situation. Hopefully both will be resolved soon.)
There are days in the life of every gaijin (foreigner living in Japan) that stand out as being more special than the rest. For some, these days include the first time you are able to successfully order food at a restaurant, the first and last time you try natto (fermented soy beans), and the first time you get really lost on your bicycle and end up 2.5 hours from where you live and were trying to go. For me, today was that day!
Being my day off, and somewhat poor until pay day later this week, I decided to spend the day doing free things around my "city." So, armed with my city map that I picked up at the train station, I hopped on my little blue bicycle (which I have named Baby Blue.. very manly, I know), bought a bento for lunch, and headed toward what appears on the map to be a big temple/park to eat and study Japanese. What a nice and relaxing day in the countryside.
Not so! In Japan, there are generally no road names, and thus, no street signs. While some highways have numbers, signs indicating which number highway you are on are few and far between. So, despite my best efforts, I got lost. Really really lost. I stopped and tried to ask 5 different people for directions, but they were all terrified to talk to a foreigner and were little help. One elderly woman even ran away when I tried to ask her. It was kind of funny for me.
Anyway, after 2.5 hours of cycling through the mountains and rice fields of the Japanese countryside and thinking I was on the right track, I realized I was in an entirely different gcityh not even in the same direction as the park/temple I was trying to get to. I was so determined.. Iwas a man on a mission, but at this point, I gave up. I found a bench to eat my lunch, and then cycled the 2.5 hour route back home. What a wasted day.
My legs are so tired and sore now.
So my question is why! Why have an entire country without street signs? Maybe it is one of those cultural differences that I just donft understand, but seriously! Wouldn't it be so much easier for EVERYONE to get around if there were at least a few signs to guide you??
Other than my accidental adventure today, this week has been pretty chill. I had a picnic with all of my codomo (child) students and their parents yesterday in the park near my apartment. It was really fun and I even cooked and made 21 bento boxes for their lunch.
I also made some really good decisions about what I will do the rest of this year regarding my job/living situation, and about what my next move will be after this year. All in all, it was a good week.
On earthquakes...
On Friday night, I experienced my first earthquake in Japan. It happened around 9:40 at night as I was waiting at the train station for my train to come to go home from work. It was just a baby earthquake, but it was really exciting for me.
Thatfs all.
On Japanese hair dye...
It's blatantly obvious to anyone on the street that I am not Japanese. Everything about me from my hair, to my clothing, to my skin color screams outsider. This leaves me with two options: 1) do my best to study culture and styles here and try unsuccessfully to fit in, or 2) to have fun with it.
I have chosen option 2. Since there is absolutely no chance that I will ever blend in here, I might as well have fun and experiment with different clothing styles and looks. So, that is exactly what I have been doing. I even tried dying my hair. Last week, I tried "crimson brown" and as of today, my hair is "cool ash." It's kind of fun. (in case you were wondering, cool ash is my favorite so far)
On to the whole point of this seemingly random blog...
While my daily adventures, earthquake experience, and recent style/hair color experimentation may seem completely unrelated, I have blogged about them all together for a reason: to show what a different person I have become here.
Those of you that know me know that I am anything but a nature person. I am a hyper-organized urban t-shirt and jeans kind of guy with a low threshold for change. But not here; not now.
My living situation here has forced me to change nearly everything about how I live. Who'd have thought 4 months ago, before I left, that I'd become the type of person that goes to the river (and in the river) nearly every day; someone who owns and uses a bicycle daily; someone who doesnft freak out or panic despite being truly lost in the middle of another country or while experiencing an earthquake; someone who now says things such as "the river is looking low today," and "it looks like the rice is about ready to harvest;" someone who is no longer scared of bugs; and someone who is totally happy living a traditional Japanese life style???? Not it!
But it's true. With the exception of two things, I am as happy as can be here. J
(The two things are the insane obstacles to even trying to find a boyfriend in rural Japan, and my employment situation. Hopefully both will be resolved soon.)
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Car accident!!
Almost daily, drivers and passengers of cars stare at me as I walk from the train station to my school in Seki. They aren't malicious stares, but stares of interest and curiosity, as I am fairly confident that I am the only caucasian foreigner that has been to Seki in years.
Anyway, as I was walking to work today, I noticed a female driver of a minivan driving slower than normal and staring at me. I turned and gave her a quick smile and then kept walking. A few seconds later, I heard the sound of metal colliding with metal and glass breaking! It turns out that this woman drove right into the car in front of her because she was staring at me!
Luckily nobody was hurt and the damage to both cars was relatively minimal. I know that it isn't my fault, but I still feel really bad. Apparently it is dangerous to be on the road when I am in the area here haha.
Not to make light of a serious story, but my friend Duc pointed out that at least now I can say that I really have "stopped traffic" haha
Anyway, as I was walking to work today, I noticed a female driver of a minivan driving slower than normal and staring at me. I turned and gave her a quick smile and then kept walking. A few seconds later, I heard the sound of metal colliding with metal and glass breaking! It turns out that this woman drove right into the car in front of her because she was staring at me!
Luckily nobody was hurt and the damage to both cars was relatively minimal. I know that it isn't my fault, but I still feel really bad. Apparently it is dangerous to be on the road when I am in the area here haha.
Not to make light of a serious story, but my friend Duc pointed out that at least now I can say that I really have "stopped traffic" haha
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
I heart student affairs
For years, I have gone back and forth, constantly changing my mind about what career I want.
Finally, I am sure...I'm a student affairs junky. (yeah, I was somewhat sure before, sure enough to get a masters degree in it anyway, but now I am 100% positive)
Here's some proof: Since moving to Japan...
* I find myself reading every student affairs related article that I can get my hands on, for fun, not because I have to.
* I find myself using phrases like "take it to the source" at work.
* I find myself trying to infuse non-academic learning outcomes into each English lesson I teach. (This week's focus is going to be discussing controversy with civility)
* I miss RA training!!!
* I am constantly creating "passive programs" in the lobby of my school.
* I use student development theory and identity development theory to try to encourage my students to study abroad. (generally, they have no idea what I am talking about)
* I am working on developing a way to implement a standards model based classroom behavior management system.
Basically, this all means that I am a giant nerd. But, it also is super exciting to for the first time feel absolutely confident about my career path.
On a related subject, I am also 100% sure that I never again want to work for a for-profit company/school. Selfishness/greed, be it corporate or personal, is totally disgusting to me. I'm a giver, not a taker. =)
2:53 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove
Finally, I am sure...I'm a student affairs junky. (yeah, I was somewhat sure before, sure enough to get a masters degree in it anyway, but now I am 100% positive)
Here's some proof: Since moving to Japan...
* I find myself reading every student affairs related article that I can get my hands on, for fun, not because I have to.
* I find myself using phrases like "take it to the source" at work.
* I find myself trying to infuse non-academic learning outcomes into each English lesson I teach. (This week's focus is going to be discussing controversy with civility)
* I miss RA training!!!
* I am constantly creating "passive programs" in the lobby of my school.
* I use student development theory and identity development theory to try to encourage my students to study abroad. (generally, they have no idea what I am talking about)
* I am working on developing a way to implement a standards model based classroom behavior management system.
Basically, this all means that I am a giant nerd. But, it also is super exciting to for the first time feel absolutely confident about my career path.
On a related subject, I am also 100% sure that I never again want to work for a for-profit company/school. Selfishness/greed, be it corporate or personal, is totally disgusting to me. I'm a giver, not a taker. =)
2:53 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove
Another great weekend!
This was another nearly perfect weekend in Japan! Initially, I was planning on going away for the weekend to the beach with some of my friends. However, earlier this week, for no apparent reason, I decided that I didn't want to go, so I didn't.
I think that part of it is that my introverted nature is a lot stronger here: I spend all day being super genki and extroverted, so in my precious free time, I tend to want to go off and do things by myself more. Maybe the other part is that most of my friends here so far are my friends through my neighbor, and although they are all very nice and great fun, I kind of want to make my own friends. Or maybe I'm just slowly becoming more hermit like as I get older...who knows.
So, back to my great weekend... Yesterday, I had intentions of going to do some sight-seeing, but this weekend is a holiday here, so places are all super crowded. So, instead, I went down to the river and found this amazingly beautiful beach nestled in a cove of bamboo trees. I spent the morning there just relaxing and studying Japanese. Then, I headed off to Nagoya and went to the Osu Kannon Temple, did some shopping, and then somehow ended up at a free music festival in the middle of Sakae. I met tons of really cool people and heard a really great Japanese hip/hop band called Nobody Knows+.
Then, I headed to a gay bar called Nan*Nan. It was so hard to find because there generally are no street names in Japan, but was well worth the trip, as it was full of hot twenty-something J-guys. They were all very nice and I made a bunch of new friends.
Today, I made a long list of things to do, and not only did I do them all, but I also did tons of extra things, like re-tile the entry way to my apartment and make a chair (I'm like the gay Martha Stewart of Japan). It's such a good feeling to get things done. (I miss being busy all the time) I spent the afternoon at the beach, and even got over my fear of rivers and swam across to the other side. (well, more like waded, but still)
I have done many ridiculous things since moving here, but today was perhaps the most ridiculous. I found a used microwave for only 2000 yen (about $18) at a second-hand shop. I bought it, and then took it home. The funny part is that I took it home on my bicycle haha. My kid's bicycle hahahah! It was quite a challenge and I must have looked ridiculous, but who cares. It's not like a blend in at all anyway haha.
I think that I'm really starting to be happy here.
I think that part of it is that my introverted nature is a lot stronger here: I spend all day being super genki and extroverted, so in my precious free time, I tend to want to go off and do things by myself more. Maybe the other part is that most of my friends here so far are my friends through my neighbor, and although they are all very nice and great fun, I kind of want to make my own friends. Or maybe I'm just slowly becoming more hermit like as I get older...who knows.
So, back to my great weekend... Yesterday, I had intentions of going to do some sight-seeing, but this weekend is a holiday here, so places are all super crowded. So, instead, I went down to the river and found this amazingly beautiful beach nestled in a cove of bamboo trees. I spent the morning there just relaxing and studying Japanese. Then, I headed off to Nagoya and went to the Osu Kannon Temple, did some shopping, and then somehow ended up at a free music festival in the middle of Sakae. I met tons of really cool people and heard a really great Japanese hip/hop band called Nobody Knows+.
Then, I headed to a gay bar called Nan*Nan. It was so hard to find because there generally are no street names in Japan, but was well worth the trip, as it was full of hot twenty-something J-guys. They were all very nice and I made a bunch of new friends.
Today, I made a long list of things to do, and not only did I do them all, but I also did tons of extra things, like re-tile the entry way to my apartment and make a chair (I'm like the gay Martha Stewart of Japan). It's such a good feeling to get things done. (I miss being busy all the time) I spent the afternoon at the beach, and even got over my fear of rivers and swam across to the other side. (well, more like waded, but still)
I have done many ridiculous things since moving here, but today was perhaps the most ridiculous. I found a used microwave for only 2000 yen (about $18) at a second-hand shop. I bought it, and then took it home. The funny part is that I took it home on my bicycle haha. My kid's bicycle hahahah! It was quite a challenge and I must have looked ridiculous, but who cares. It's not like a blend in at all anyway haha.
I think that I'm really starting to be happy here.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Internet!!!!!!!
After over 2 months of waiting, my internet modem finally arrived this morning!!!
I was so excited that I could barely sleep, knowing that the delivery man would come between 8 and 12 this morning. When he finally rang my doorbell, I was the happiest person alive. I was so excited that I even gave him a hug. haha In and of itself, this was weird, I admit. However, it was probably more weird considering that I was still in only boxers and a tshirt, and couldn't explain in Japanese just why I was so excited. Needless to say, he left very quickly.
My smile quickly dissapeared when I realized that all of the many instructions are in Japanese. I thought the hard part was over!!!
Anyway, after 30 minutes, I was finally able to get connected.
It's sad that internet is so important to me, but I can honestly say that this day ranks among my top 3 since I have been in Japan.
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