Where am I?

Hey Guys,

Long time no see! I wish I had a good excuse for not writing in here, but really, I just got lazy. Since I wrote last, a semester of school has come and gone, the first part of my second teaching year is over, and it's a new year! Instead of a resolution for New Year's, I decided to make a list of goals for myself to help guide me through the year. In the video below, I talk a little bit about one of those goals, but since I am writing up here, I should say that my goal for writing is to blog at least once a week while I am here in Japan. I am living out the opportunity of a lifetime, and I have seriously slacked on recording my experiences so they don't just slip away. So here's to a new year and new (developing) persistence with my blog.

Until next time... peace!

In the News

Everyday when I wake up, I browse through a fairly wide array of web sites: Facebook, Gmail, YouTube, CNN.com, BBC online, etc. I check the weather, make sure I know the bus or train times I'll be working with, look for directions around town (because I have lived here for almost a year and still get lost in my tiny section of town), Skype with family or friends, and listen to online radio. If my computer could create meals and take out the trash, I could potentially never need to leave my apartment (except for the whole real relationships and a job thing).

I think in America, though the majority of the population can probably live fairly detached from the internet, many of us can scarcely remember a time without it. Nearly all businesses have converted from boxes and boxes of old paperwork to streamlined databases (I spent more than one miserable summer doing this for different companies). Even my doctor back in the States inputs all of my health information into his Tablet PC. If we miss a TV show or can't record it on the DVR because we already have two shows recording, we can get online the next day and catch up on our favorite series.

All of this is to say that, despite its reputation, the majority of Japan is still living in the Dark Ages of technology. I stumbled across an article from the BBC online that sums this up pretty well. Despite my easy access to incredibly fast internet and other high tech wonders, many businesses in Japan still use duplicate and triplicate forms for bookkeeping. Banks are a nightmare. Government offices when I first arrived seemed to step out of the 1980's. Even switching internet was a pain because it seems like the company that installs the lines doesn't connect with the company that switches the internet itself. Check out the link below if you're interested...

Revealing Japan's low-tech belly

If you're still reading, one quick note: I will be home for summer vacation in less than two weeks. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and seeing my family, but I'm most interested in escaping the summer heat for central air. See you soon.

Peace.

Holy Heatwave

I like summer. I like it a lot. I think I always have. Summer just has a lot to offer. Summer is the time of year when it stays light until after 9:00. School's out, so even if I've had a job, and some of my worst have been during summers, there is considerably less stress. My birthday is in summer (technically late Spring, but summer vacation had/has always already begun, so I call it summer--take that, equinox). Everywhere is air-conditioned, and since I'm a burning inferno year-round, summer is basically the one time when I enter a building/room/car and don't have to offer a fire safety suit to the people near me. Also, with the summer holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I am almost always guaranteed grilled food at every event. What's not to love here?

Enter Japan. It is July 6 here, and I am already wishing for the days when I can pull out my winter coat. I saw my scarf in the drawer and a montage with faded edges began running through my mind of shoveling snow on Valentine's Day and getting stuck multiple times in the snow. I remembered the times walking back to my apartment after a long day at the library with my scarf wrapped around my mouth and nose because I was worried about my lungs freezing. I even thought longingly about the nights this past year in Japan when I slept with gloves and a scarf at night to try and stave off the icy grip of an uninsulated-apartment winter.

This is what the Japanese summer is doing to me! Let me try and paint a picture of the last month...

First, imagine Tarumi (cue dream sequence)... apartments and houses line the road, children run down the sidewalk from school in their summer uniforms, and people walk their dogs or chat with friends as they walk to and from the local grocery stores. Now, drop a ridiculously humid haze over everything. Turn up the temperature to the nineties. Add those wavy heat mirage blurs to the road ahead. Filter in exhaust from the buses and cars. Also, throw in some mutant large beetles, centipedes, and spiders that hang out if there's a tree within a kilometer.

Great. Now we have the setting for the perfect summer dream. Next we need to build the scenario. On trains and buses, air conditioning may or may not be turned on, and if it is turned on, the vents conveniently seem to blow only to the places where people are least likely to sit or stand. In the shopping areas, the temperature is well controlled, but in the workplace, it seems to be virtuous to work in steam sauna-like conditions. 95% percent of the population carries a fan (yes, the asian style fan that is such a novelty in America) and a less elegant towel to wipe away the gallons (or liters) of sweat, because a small wedge-shaped piece of paper, as it turns out, does nothing except look elegant as it gently wafts super-heated air over your shiny, damp face. I think the fan is meant to pull attention away from the hot mess you become as the sweat saturates the upper half of your body (note: right now you might be thinking, 'yeah, but you're overweight,' but I assure you, I am not in a minority of grossly moist people kickin' it around town). Also, if you happen into a restaurant, be assured you will be met with a nice piping hot cup of tea (with free refills!). Ah, famous Japanese hospitality.

This is my summer... Oh, and by the way, school is still in session, grilling out is considerably less common, and it starts getting dark around 7.

Sigh. It's tough working a job that only has about 11 weeks of vacation spread out conveniently (and coincidentally) around major US holidays and living near some of the most famous culturally rich locations in the world doing a job I'm happy to be doing most days. I'm basically living in a giant open air dungeon. I guess I should get over the slightly uncomfortable rainy season, and accept the fact that my love for summer is based on a prescribed set of luxuries afforded me by my thermostat-controlled culture.

Incidentally, I am now accepting applications for a new favorite season while I live in Japan. Resumes can be attached in the comment section below.

Peace.

Some Enchanted Evening

I know, I know, putting two blogs together within a week is not a big deal for the average person, but I'm on a roll.

When I first moved to Kobe, the first few days after I had been left alone to settle in, I had a difficult time figuring out what to do to fill my time. I hadn't met anyone, classes wouldn't begin for another week, and it got lonely even though I spent considerable time with my family and a couple friends on Skype. I remember even bookmarking a website for ways to combat loneliness (which I later deleted so that someone using my computer wouldn't think I needed loneliness advice so much that I favorited a website for it).

Anyway, one of the first memories I made here was going to walk alongside the bay to see the Akashi Bridge. In high school, I did a report on the bridge (the longest suspension bridge in the world), and it was exciting that I was going to be living about a 15 or 20-minute walk away. The first time I went, it was early evening and I walked westward toward the bridge as the sun began to set. I remember the way the clouds changed shades and the sky changed color, eventually fading to black. Mostly, though, I remember thinking about the sunsets I spent with friends and family back in America.

Since that evening, whenever I happen to notice the sun setting I consciously devote a few seconds to remembering that, even if only in my memories, I never need to feel alone. I also try to bookmark that new moment so that in the future, the sunsets I see radiate with new memories I have made and am making here in Japan. Incidentally, it's a bookmark I don't feel ashamed to have people see.

Earlier this evening, I headed down, as I have quite a few times, to watch the same sunset that I saw when I first arrived in Kobe, but this time I had my video camera...

Now, I have a way to bookmark the sunset and share the memory. I hope for many more sunsets to come. If you're reading or watching this, let me know what sparks memories or helps you when you feel alone.

Peace.

As before, if you want to see something in particular or want an explanation of some part of Japanese culture, missionary life, etc., just leave a comment letting me know.

Where am I?

This place looks vaguely familiar, like I've seen it somewhere before...

Hey everybody! I'm only almost 8 months behind on my planned blogging outline for Japan, but maybe better late than never? I was reading through my previous posts (which, incidently, ate up about 5 minutes) before I made this post, and I realized that A LOT has happened since my initial posts. It's amazing how life continues evolving and shifting when you're not looking. Japan now feels like a pretty normal place, and I feel fairly confident as an English teacher coming up to the end of my first year here.

For those interested, I finally used the video camera my parents bought me for my birthday last year (the footage was actually shot on my birthday this year) and put together a little clip from one of my days out around Tarumi, the neighborhood/town where I live in Kobe.

I hope you enjoyed the short journey. I could write more, but maybe if I don't write everything in one post, I'll be more inclined/feel more obligated to update this more often.

Peace.

NOTE: If you are curious about any specific aspects of Japanese culture, or if you want to see something in particular from my life here, comment and let me know and I'll try and either post a blog, photo, and/or video response.

All Roads Lead To Tokyo

Hello to those who continue to follow my journey after quite the break in writing. I have been pretty busy, but for the most part, I just haven't felt like anything terribly interesting has been happening in my life. Strange, I know, as I live in a land that seems full of things that are so different from the Midwest. Anyway, sorry for the delay, and as the holidays approach, what better time to reconnect!

Yesterday, I returned to Kobe from a three-day trip to Tokyo for our autumn staff meeting. While I was there, I got some much needed reprieve from the routine developing into a rut here, and I got to check out a few pretty great areas in Japan's busy capital (as in the most populous city in the world).

In the picture above, I am standing in front of the inner moat (I think) protecting the Emperor's Palace from the outside world. The building that can be seen is just used for administrative staff. The Emperor means business protecting his privacy! The area surrounding the temple has building restrictions, and I would venture a guess that there are few if any places that give a real vantage point on the palace. It's amazing how the city just gave way to the palatial grounds. It was easy to forget for a moment that I was actually surrounded by a giant city.

A quick 180 spins you back to Tokyo, though. While beautiful colors burn through the trees in Tokyo, reminiscent of fall in Kyoto (so I hear), buildings quickly overtake and overshadow the otherwise ancient-feeling view. It was almost as if the palatial area had been dropped on top of the already completed city.

Also amazing at this particular place was the feeling that I was back in Washington D.C. Buses full of travelers from all over the world packed into parking areas, sending tourists fanning out over the area to try and get the best view of the grounds. I felt like we were at the White House, but with no doomsday signs, rallies, or snipers (I assume there are snipers on top of the White House waiting to pick off anyone who tries to come in unauthorized--this increases the coolness of the White House by approximately 53% for me).

Well, maybe I'll write a few more of these kinds of posts, that is, posts dedicated to some of the specific sightseeing-type places I've been. And with another trip to Tokyo coming up for Christmas, I'll have even more to add : )

Talk to you all soon! OH! And a quick piece of Japanese culture/advice... When visiting school functions, bring a plastic grocery bag! You WILL be taking your shoes off to go inside, and placing your filthy shoes on the floor (even when covered with tarps) is TOTALLY unacceptable. I am 99% certain I was the only person at the PTA event who didn't know this fact. Thankfully, the Japanese lady who went with me assumed my ignorance and had my back (well, my feet I guess). Though you don't need a plastic bag, the same applies for clothing store dressing rooms... Awkward encounter there... Maybe I'll write a bit more about that one later.

For now, peace.

Circadian Rhythm

As I promised, this makes my third post for the week! I was actually pretty concerned that I wouldn't be able to think of anything remotely interesting to write about (e.g. I walked around Kobe looking at stores for about 5 hours on Wednesday), but my students did not disappoint me in class today. After teaching all day, I came home and realized I haven't actually written a post about English lessons which, incidentally, are a big part of life here.

Teaching English as a second/foreign language has its fair share of challenges and rewards. For the teacher who does not speak the native language (me), sometimes simple communication is like trying to kayak from Washington to Japan (Google directions from your home in the US to Kobe, Japan--it's gonna be a long haul, but I assure you, Japan is worth the row). Of course, it's also rewarding when a student is practicing conversation and they correctly use a verb or pronouce "er" in a way other than "ah" (which is particularly challenging for speakers of many languages).

In my short nearly two months of teaching English, I have learned a couple important lessons I would like to share with the priveleged few who read this blog...

1. Learning to listen in the classroom (and outside the classroom when you don't speak the native language well) is crucial for learning. Teaching English communication requires both give and take in the language, and a haphazard listener could derail an entire conversation. Case in point:

As I sat down to lunch after church, I settled in for some Japanese listening practice as the church members carried on in their lunch-time chatting. While I don't know enough vocabulary to understand much, hearing Japanese helps me learn to process the many unfamiliar sounds I encounter in the language every day.
Suddenly, two of the people from my Sunday School class (who are sitting on either side of me), begin to explain, in English, what they've been discussing. Their English is pretty advanced, and for the most part, I don't have any trouble understanding when they switch from Japanese to English for me. But here is a close reenactment of our consversation that Sunday:

Them: We were just talking about walk...
Me: Oh! Walking where?
Them: At a jog...
Me: You mean on a jog? Where do you walk or jog?
Them: A place in Hyogo (Hyogo is 20 minutes by train... basically forever by foot)
Me: OH! Sugoi (wow)! That's really far!
Them: It's only about 20 minutes by train...
Me: Oh, and you jog there?
Them: No, I walk there... what?
Me: Why do you walk there? I would definitely always take the train.
Them: I don't walk, I take the train.
Me: Huh?
Them: I take the train every day. My company is very far.
Me: (realization hits) OOOHHHH!!! You were talking about work! Your job!
Them: Yes, work and job.
Me: I thought we were talking about walking and jogging (this time with appropriate miming)
(All burst out in laughter together as the mistake sets in; scene fades to black)

In Japan, there are quite a few English words like the above example that, because of Japanese pronunciation, end up sounding like other English words. While normally, context provides important insight into the actual desired word(s), occasionally you end up with both parties very confused. Lesson: Learning to listen and hear the distinct ways of pronouncing English is a must!

2) Be selective about the English you choose to present. Just because a student asks about something does not mean you should always teach them a new word. Try to review old or familiar vocabulary to build on their already existing knowledge. Otherwise, this happens:

"Would you like some coffee?" I asked one of the students. One simple question began the fateful journey down the rabbit's hole. "No, I don't drink coffee because I will not be able to sleep at night." The conversation could have and perhaps should have ended here, but along came the follow-up, "What do you say for when your body wants to be awake and wants to sleep?" "Sleep cycle."

... Is what I should have said, but NO, not me. I had to pull out the phrase "circadian rhythm," which led to confusion (as many would expect). While I could continue with the conversation, instead let's look a a flow chart of the chain of words where we began and ended...

Coffee-->Sleep-->Circadian Rhythm-->Jet lag--(I draw a picture of a globe on the board and trace a flight from the US to Japan, complete with latitude and longitude lines)-->Latitude and Longitude-->Tropic of Cancer-->Cancer, not the medical term the zodiac/constellation--> zodiac and constellation-->Scorpion (I mistakenly said that Cancer, the crab, was the scorpion--I am obviously an astrology AND astronomy expert)-->Return to Tropic of Capricorn-->Tropic-->Capricorn-->back to longitude and latitude-->time zones-->International Date Line-->meridians... AND break!

If I had just said "sleep cycle," perhaps none of this would have happened, but instead I spent about 30 minutes following an English language trail in a game of loose connections. Lesson: Do not complicate English vocabulary--it doesn't need your help to be tough.

Well, I could probably regale you with more stories/lessons of my teaching all-star moments, but you've hung on long enough for one day. Can you think of any particularly tricky English words that sound similar? Have you ever followed a tangent to the bitter end that makes you as exhausted as kayaking across the Pacific? What weird language quirks have you experienced?

Just questions to ponder (or comment on!)... Peace.