So, first, thanks to those of you that put up with my whiney culture shock ridden phone calls last week. Thankfully, I am doing much better...it appears that the first wave of culture shock has passed...for now.
This week has been pretty uneventful, except for the fact that I nearly died. No, not really. But I did have a really high fever....103.4! I'm better now though and all is well in the land of the sideways ponytail.
I have been doing a lot of thinking recently, mainly because I spend countless hours in between lessons just sitting around doing nothing. And I have come to some interesting conclusions:
First, I have decided that I am going to write a book. About what, I have no idea. But I think that I generally have some pretty interesting thoughts, and what better to do with them, then to put them in a book that nobody will ever read. This way, when I leave Japan and people ask me what I did while I was here, I can say that I wrote a book, in addition to having taught
English and gotten really lost.
Secondly, I have decided that I want to buy a Burberry umbrella. Yeah, I know that that is super hypocritical of me since I am constantly judging others for their ridiculously extravegent and superfluous purchases, at least in my head. However, lots of people have them here, and the more that I see them, the more that I want one. So, once I have a bit of money saved up, I am totally treating myself to a super gay, but not gay in Japan, Burberry umbrella.
Third, I have decided that I need to stop watching so many Sex and the City DVDs. When you catch your internal monologue starting to say things Carrie Bradshaw style, such as that "I found myself wondering...," it is time to cut yourself off cold turkey. Maybe there is some kind of patch that I can buy.
Fourth, and most importantly, I remebered what a strong person I can be and this has totally inspired me to attack this culture shock crap head on, and to make the best of this experience. Seriously, there are people so much less fortunate than me that would kill to even have the opportunity to do some of the things that I am taking for granted here. I owe it to myself to get every ounce of enjoyment and knowledge that I can out of this experience, and so I shall! No more whining. No more complaining. No more negativity. From now on, I am going to be the happiest damn gay foriegner that Minokamo, Japan has ever seen.
That's all. There have been other interesting thoughts/decisions, including a 1.5 hour attempt to develop a model in which I can implement the standards process in my classes. (you can take the guy out of campus housing, but you cant take the campus housing out of the guy haha)
However, I wont bore the one person that has maybe actually been bored enough to read all the way down this blog to this point with such nonsense.
Tomorrow, I am off for my first adventure in Nagoya. My mission: to find an English bookstore, a hot Japanease boyfriend, and an Outback Steakhouse that is rumoured to exist in Sekai. Wish me luck!
C
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
half-nakedness!
Hi y'all!
As many of y'all know, this past week or so has been really hard for me. Culture shock has set in in a major way and I am not at all digging living out in the middle of nowhere, aka rice fields. (I think part of the kanji for the name of my city actually means rice field). Anyway, I am doing a little bit better now, mainly because I was able to actually leave Minokamo and go down to Kyoto for the weekend. I just got back this morning on the train and had to run home, take a shower, and then go straight to the station to go to work, which is where I am now.
Kyoto was pretty cool even though it rained the entire weekend. Between the near constant rain or the ridiculously high heat and humidity, the weather here is down right miserable. Coming from the desert, being in the rain every day is a huge change to say the least.
In Kyoto, we watched the Gion festival, which I eventually found out consists of hundreds of half-naked Japanese men screaming and carrying floats parade-style down the streets.
Basically, my asian fantasy come true. Only in my fantasy, they are carrying me. haha
Anyway, I am at work now, but I dont have another class for another 3 hours and I am way too tired to focus on lesson planning or anything productive. Talk to y'all later.
As many of y'all know, this past week or so has been really hard for me. Culture shock has set in in a major way and I am not at all digging living out in the middle of nowhere, aka rice fields. (I think part of the kanji for the name of my city actually means rice field). Anyway, I am doing a little bit better now, mainly because I was able to actually leave Minokamo and go down to Kyoto for the weekend. I just got back this morning on the train and had to run home, take a shower, and then go straight to the station to go to work, which is where I am now.
Kyoto was pretty cool even though it rained the entire weekend. Between the near constant rain or the ridiculously high heat and humidity, the weather here is down right miserable. Coming from the desert, being in the rain every day is a huge change to say the least.
In Kyoto, we watched the Gion festival, which I eventually found out consists of hundreds of half-naked Japanese men screaming and carrying floats parade-style down the streets.
Basically, my asian fantasy come true. Only in my fantasy, they are carrying me. haha
Anyway, I am at work now, but I dont have another class for another 3 hours and I am way too tired to focus on lesson planning or anything productive. Talk to y'all later.
Sunday, July 9, 2006
Update from Japan!
Konnichiwa!
Today, my manager is away at a meeting, so I actually have a chance to use the internet!!!
Things are still going pretty well. However, I have definately begun to start feeling the pains of culture shock. Honestly, it's not so much culture shock, as it is extreme annoyance at how long it takes to do seemingly simple things here in Japan. For example, my air conditioner is still not fixed (going on 4 weeks now).
I did however sign up for cable and internet at home. Unfortunately, it won't be set up until mid-august, which kind of makes me want to cry. haha
The weather just keeps getting hotter and hotter. I never thought I would say this, but the humidity is so awful here that I actually wish that I were back in the desert!
I've been hanging out with a lot of new friends and exploring the area lately. I even went and saw Mission Impossible 3 on Sunday. I've also been having a great time laughing about all of the funny incorrect english that is around Japan. For example, girls everywhere walk around with t-shirts with english words that make zero sence. Even the sandwich at the convenience store is funny. The slogan reads: We bring you the flavor of the wind in the meadow. Personally, I have never tasted the wind in the meadow, but apparently it tastes like a ham and cheese sandwich. haha
Minokamo, where I live, is growing on me. I did some exploring on Monday and it is actually quite nice. Super small, but nice. I also met another foreigner from Australia last night that lives in the apartment right next door to mine. She is really nice and I think that we will get along well.
Now that I have my cell phone set up, please email me at:
christhomas12@c.vodafone.ne.jp
I will receive the email on my phone instantly and can respond sort of like instant messanger =)
Well, I had better be off. Today is my busy day for kids lessons so I need to eat lots of sugar and drink lots of caffeine before hand to get through the day. haha
Today, my manager is away at a meeting, so I actually have a chance to use the internet!!!
Things are still going pretty well. However, I have definately begun to start feeling the pains of culture shock. Honestly, it's not so much culture shock, as it is extreme annoyance at how long it takes to do seemingly simple things here in Japan. For example, my air conditioner is still not fixed (going on 4 weeks now).
I did however sign up for cable and internet at home. Unfortunately, it won't be set up until mid-august, which kind of makes me want to cry. haha
The weather just keeps getting hotter and hotter. I never thought I would say this, but the humidity is so awful here that I actually wish that I were back in the desert!
I've been hanging out with a lot of new friends and exploring the area lately. I even went and saw Mission Impossible 3 on Sunday. I've also been having a great time laughing about all of the funny incorrect english that is around Japan. For example, girls everywhere walk around with t-shirts with english words that make zero sence. Even the sandwich at the convenience store is funny. The slogan reads: We bring you the flavor of the wind in the meadow. Personally, I have never tasted the wind in the meadow, but apparently it tastes like a ham and cheese sandwich. haha
Minokamo, where I live, is growing on me. I did some exploring on Monday and it is actually quite nice. Super small, but nice. I also met another foreigner from Australia last night that lives in the apartment right next door to mine. She is really nice and I think that we will get along well.
Now that I have my cell phone set up, please email me at:
christhomas12@c.vodafone.ne.jp
I will receive the email on my phone instantly and can respond sort of like instant messanger =)
Well, I had better be off. Today is my busy day for kids lessons so I need to eat lots of sugar and drink lots of caffeine before hand to get through the day. haha
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Hello from Japan!
Hi!!!!
I:ve been in Japan for about 3 weeks now and I:m having a pretty good time. (no, I haven:t confused an apostrophe with a colon...the keyboard is layed out different here and I:m too lazy to learn where the right keys are haha)
Anyway, things are pretty good. The place where I live is out in the middle of nowhere and the place where I work is even smaller. My apartment is the smallest yet. But, it is really cute and is fine for one person. I will post pictures of everything soon.
I love my school and my students. I only have about 25 students and most of them are young children or their parents.
Outside of school, I have managed to make a few friends and have begun to get situated. I finally have a cell phone and a bank account. This week, I hope to get internet set up at home and satellite tv.
My free time is spent exploring the area (I bought a used bike), going out to eat and to parties with my new friends, and trying to sleep. (my futon is the least comfortable thing ever!) Thankfully, a friend of a friend has leant me a bed to use for while I am in Japan.
Well, I realize that this blog is super random and not organized at all. But, I just wanted to post something to let everyone know that I:m doing okay here and to keep y:all updated.
I hope that all is well with everyone. And please keep sending me lots of messages...I:m a little homesick now, and without internet or English tv, feeling pretty disconnected from the outside world, so they really help.
Cheers!
Chris
I:ve been in Japan for about 3 weeks now and I:m having a pretty good time. (no, I haven:t confused an apostrophe with a colon...the keyboard is layed out different here and I:m too lazy to learn where the right keys are haha)
Anyway, things are pretty good. The place where I live is out in the middle of nowhere and the place where I work is even smaller. My apartment is the smallest yet. But, it is really cute and is fine for one person. I will post pictures of everything soon.
I love my school and my students. I only have about 25 students and most of them are young children or their parents.
Outside of school, I have managed to make a few friends and have begun to get situated. I finally have a cell phone and a bank account. This week, I hope to get internet set up at home and satellite tv.
My free time is spent exploring the area (I bought a used bike), going out to eat and to parties with my new friends, and trying to sleep. (my futon is the least comfortable thing ever!) Thankfully, a friend of a friend has leant me a bed to use for while I am in Japan.
Well, I realize that this blog is super random and not organized at all. But, I just wanted to post something to let everyone know that I:m doing okay here and to keep y:all updated.
I hope that all is well with everyone. And please keep sending me lots of messages...I:m a little homesick now, and without internet or English tv, feeling pretty disconnected from the outside world, so they really help.
Cheers!
Chris
Friday, June 16, 2006
Japanese Job Interviews are Crizazy yo!
So, I've been working hard trying to find a new and non-sucky job for when my current job ends in January. I've had 2.1 interviews so far, and they are all really strange! I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing, or if I just have bad luck.
Phone Interview 1: (language school in Toyohashi) The man called me almost 10 minutes after the interview was supposed to start with no apology. The interview was conducted by a Japanese man and he seemed to be making up the questions as he went along. He asked completely irrelevant questions, such as what type of foods I like, but NEVER once asked me anything remotedly related to teaching, my education background, or my previous experience. It was as if he just wanted to chat and make 45 minutes of small talk with someone in English. (I removed myself from consideration for that position)
Interview 2: (public high school in Nagoya) The interview was going great, but about half-way through, the man started asking me questions in the third person. (ie, What does Chris think about that? How would Chris feel about that? etc...) I wasn't sure if he was doing it to see if I would correct him as part of the interview or if he is just strange. All I knew was that Chris felt uncomfortable. (despite the strange interview, it is a really good job and they said they would let me know at the end of the month. It's already the 29th, and no call so far, so it isn't looking good ...I guess I was supposed to correct him haha)
Interview 2.1: (American non-profit organization in Yokosuka) Last Friday morning, a man from the organization called me to offer me an interview for Monday, the 30th at their office. I gladly accepted, and he said that he would send me an email in a few minutes with the time, directions, etc... The email never came. So, the following Monday, I called their office to "confirm" the interview, but the man was out of the office, and the secretary said he would call me or email me in the morning with the details, but nothing. I called again on Thursday, and spoke to a different secretary this time who promised the same thing. Still, nothing. So, now it is Sunday night here. He called 2 times this EVENING but didn't even leave a message. I figure either he is calling to cancel or to finally give the info. But, it takes about 5 hours to get to Yokosuka from here and costs about $200 roundtrip, so either way, I'm not going. If they can't even schedule an interview properly without problems, it doesn't speak well of how well their organization is run and its leadership.
I really hope that future interviews go a little better than these. My experiences so far aren't exactly encouraging.
Phone Interview 1: (language school in Toyohashi) The man called me almost 10 minutes after the interview was supposed to start with no apology. The interview was conducted by a Japanese man and he seemed to be making up the questions as he went along. He asked completely irrelevant questions, such as what type of foods I like, but NEVER once asked me anything remotedly related to teaching, my education background, or my previous experience. It was as if he just wanted to chat and make 45 minutes of small talk with someone in English. (I removed myself from consideration for that position)
Interview 2: (public high school in Nagoya) The interview was going great, but about half-way through, the man started asking me questions in the third person. (ie, What does Chris think about that? How would Chris feel about that? etc...) I wasn't sure if he was doing it to see if I would correct him as part of the interview or if he is just strange. All I knew was that Chris felt uncomfortable. (despite the strange interview, it is a really good job and they said they would let me know at the end of the month. It's already the 29th, and no call so far, so it isn't looking good ...I guess I was supposed to correct him haha)
Interview 2.1: (American non-profit organization in Yokosuka) Last Friday morning, a man from the organization called me to offer me an interview for Monday, the 30th at their office. I gladly accepted, and he said that he would send me an email in a few minutes with the time, directions, etc... The email never came. So, the following Monday, I called their office to "confirm" the interview, but the man was out of the office, and the secretary said he would call me or email me in the morning with the details, but nothing. I called again on Thursday, and spoke to a different secretary this time who promised the same thing. Still, nothing. So, now it is Sunday night here. He called 2 times this EVENING but didn't even leave a message. I figure either he is calling to cancel or to finally give the info. But, it takes about 5 hours to get to Yokosuka from here and costs about $200 roundtrip, so either way, I'm not going. If they can't even schedule an interview properly without problems, it doesn't speak well of how well their organization is run and its leadership.
I really hope that future interviews go a little better than these. My experiences so far aren't exactly encouraging.
Friday, June 9, 2006
Vancouver!
I finished my training in Vancouver today...finally! I'm pretty tired from it, but I learned a lot. And most importantly, I am really excited about going to Japan and teaching. I even got to teach a few practice lessons, which was very beneficial, and made me realize that I can actually teach English and not suck too bad at it.
My very first student told me that I look like a famous American movie star haha.
I found out that I will be teaching lots of kids' classes, which is awesome. They also showed me a diagram of my apartment and it looks like it is going to be super small. It says I have a balcony, but we'll see. It basically looks like it will just be one room with a bathroom, kitchenette, and washing machine. That is definately going to take a lot of getting used to.
I leave for Japan tomorrow morning and although I am dreading the long flight, I am really excited. Wish me luck!
My very first student told me that I look like a famous American movie star haha.
I found out that I will be teaching lots of kids' classes, which is awesome. They also showed me a diagram of my apartment and it looks like it is going to be super small. It says I have a balcony, but we'll see. It basically looks like it will just be one room with a bathroom, kitchenette, and washing machine. That is definately going to take a lot of getting used to.
I leave for Japan tomorrow morning and although I am dreading the long flight, I am really excited. Wish me luck!
Friday, June 2, 2006
Japan, here I come!
Japan, here I come!
I finally found out my address in Japan! I will be living in an area called Minokamo Shi. Don't know where it is? I didn't either...but there's a map below. =) Minokamo Shi: picture the night life of Las Vegas combined with the culture of New York City. Okay...so probably not. But as long as there is a Jimmy Johns Sandwich Shop and a gay bar, I'll be fine haha. j/k
I'm finally all packed, and I leave for my training in Canada on Sunday afternoon. This week has been really hard as I continue to say goodbye to those I am close to, and I'm sure that these last few days will be the worst. But, by this point, my excitement is building and I have largely made my peace with it.
I have the best friends in the world, and I know that no matter where I am, y'all will always remain my friends and be there for me. =)
I'll be adding stories and photos to my blog frequently while I am in Japan, so check back often. Who knows...there may even be a few stories about a gaysian or two (wink wink) haha.
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