Today, I had the first of my ichi-nensei classes for the week. We were continuing the New Year's Resolution/Occupations chapter we began last class. I decided to combine the resolutions with a time capsule by having them reflect on important events of 2008 in the world and their lives, 3 resolutions about different things and lastly what they want to be doing when they're 20, 30 and 70 years old. They'd put them in envelopes and address them to themselves. Then, in either 6 months or a year, I'd give them back to them, depending on if I re-contracted or not.
It was an idea that I adapted from an activity that my JET Program coordinator had us do during our Seattle pre-departure orientation. She had us write down our goals and reasons for going to Japan, address it to ourselves and then promise to not open it until February (about 6 months later and halfway through our contract). She did this because she had been on JET and she knew that that time is one of the most difficult, primarily because of the cold weather and secondly because you're at one of the lowest points of the culture shock cycle. She wanted us to wait to open it until then so that we'd be reminded of why we came to Japan and to check our progress in accomplishing the goals we'd made.
Needless to say, it made quite an impression on me. So I modified it for my kids. It had an unintended consequence on me however. As I said, I was undecided as to whether to stay for a fourth year or not, and would either return the letters to my students before I left in July/August, or a year from now. This morning when we were explaining the activity to the students, I felt like I needed to give them a concrete timeframe for when I'd return it, and right then and there, I told them I'd give it back to them a year from now.
Right after I said it, I thought, Shit, I said it out loud. But then I thought, well, wasn't it just two days ago when I was walking back from the train station that I felt happy and content with everything in my life? I know that I could take it back, after all they probably won't remember it a year from now, much less in a month. Maybe it's naíve that I would hold myself to such a flimsy deadline, but maybe a promise to my students is more binding than one given to anyone else.
Showing posts with label JET. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JET. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Callused, but not Callous
A number of weeks ago, I noticed a callus on the palm of my hand, below my pinky finger. I hadn't been doing a lot of undue exercise or hanging off of bars or cleaning my house, so I wondered what it was from. It was strange since it was only on my right hand, not on my left. Several weeks later, I was riding my bike home from work and I realized what caused it. It was from holding onto my bike's handlebars. The reason it was only on my right was because I hold the right handlebar differently, in order to hover over the front brake lever.
Such a tiny thing, why even bring it up? Because in this tiny piece of hardened skin, is my life in Japan. It is something that has developed over days, weeks, months of riding that bike: to school, to the station, to the supermarket. It only exists because I've spent the last 2 and half years here.
Last night, while I stopped at McDonald's (yes, I know, it's horrible) for a quick snack, the theme song of Rent was playing inside MegaMart. One verse goes, “525, 600 minutes- how do you measure, measure a year?” I thought about that, and thought of my callus.
Time: seconds, minutes, years, these are all abstract concepts. Terms that we apply to describe the passing of time. But isn't my callus more of a testament to the seasons than all the terminology we toss about? It represents a physical change in me, something that at least attests to the greater mental and emotional change wrought in myself after spending so long out of the states, away from home. Long enough that I've created another.
Part of my captivation with this callus is that I'm on the verge of going back to that previous home, yet again. It will be the fourth time I've returned, my third Christmas...in Seattle. I hesitated for a minute there because I wanted to say, my third Christmas abroad, but then I realized, Japan is the 'abroad' and that Seattle, America, is supposed to be my home. Is it any longer? I don't feel like it is. I'm excited to go, to see my family, my friends, but I view it as a place I'm going to for 'vacation', not a place that I live anymore.
Yesterday I chatted with my friend Ray on gmail and recommended a Japanese movie that I thought he might like. Pin showed it to me and joked that the title sounded more appropriate for a porno than an anime, “Byosoku go senchimetoru” or 5 Centimeters per Second. Rather, it refers to the speed at which cherry blossoms are said to fall. It is about one boy and his relationships, particularly his first love, and the distance that separates them.
The stories are rather sad, but what we both liked about them was again, something little. They would cut these shots of Japanese things into the scenes. Normal things, like the handles hanging from the roof of a train car, or slippers at a genkan. My favorite one was this shot of a washing machine. It was just completing a load, but it struck me how familiar it was, from its looks to its whirring noise and the beeps it made. So completely mundane. Yet, if I only lived in Seattle, I probably would have no clue what that shot was of, and then promptly dismissed it from my thoughts. Instead, it helped create a fuller, more real picture of these characters lives. Life in Japan. A life that I share more and more.
Such a tiny thing, why even bring it up? Because in this tiny piece of hardened skin, is my life in Japan. It is something that has developed over days, weeks, months of riding that bike: to school, to the station, to the supermarket. It only exists because I've spent the last 2 and half years here.
Last night, while I stopped at McDonald's (yes, I know, it's horrible) for a quick snack, the theme song of Rent was playing inside MegaMart. One verse goes, “525, 600 minutes- how do you measure, measure a year?” I thought about that, and thought of my callus.
Time: seconds, minutes, years, these are all abstract concepts. Terms that we apply to describe the passing of time. But isn't my callus more of a testament to the seasons than all the terminology we toss about? It represents a physical change in me, something that at least attests to the greater mental and emotional change wrought in myself after spending so long out of the states, away from home. Long enough that I've created another.
Part of my captivation with this callus is that I'm on the verge of going back to that previous home, yet again. It will be the fourth time I've returned, my third Christmas...in Seattle. I hesitated for a minute there because I wanted to say, my third Christmas abroad, but then I realized, Japan is the 'abroad' and that Seattle, America, is supposed to be my home. Is it any longer? I don't feel like it is. I'm excited to go, to see my family, my friends, but I view it as a place I'm going to for 'vacation', not a place that I live anymore.
Yesterday I chatted with my friend Ray on gmail and recommended a Japanese movie that I thought he might like. Pin showed it to me and joked that the title sounded more appropriate for a porno than an anime, “Byosoku go senchimetoru” or 5 Centimeters per Second. Rather, it refers to the speed at which cherry blossoms are said to fall. It is about one boy and his relationships, particularly his first love, and the distance that separates them.
The stories are rather sad, but what we both liked about them was again, something little. They would cut these shots of Japanese things into the scenes. Normal things, like the handles hanging from the roof of a train car, or slippers at a genkan. My favorite one was this shot of a washing machine. It was just completing a load, but it struck me how familiar it was, from its looks to its whirring noise and the beeps it made. So completely mundane. Yet, if I only lived in Seattle, I probably would have no clue what that shot was of, and then promptly dismissed it from my thoughts. Instead, it helped create a fuller, more real picture of these characters lives. Life in Japan. A life that I share more and more.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Life in a Fishbowl
Lately I've been spending a lot of time with the BOE crew and I'm starting to see some of the critiques of BOE ALTs for myself. Not that I don't love the friends that I've made, and being able to spend more time with a solid group of people. It's just that, because the group is so small, it is both insular and insulated from the majority of the JET community. All of the dramas and melodramas play out on a much smaller, more tense stage.
Sometimes, it's nice to get away; I take advantage of my position as a kencho JET and hang out with other ALT friends. But sometimes, even that's not enough, because I still end up with ALTs. That's when I appreciate having made Japanese friends early on and continuously while I've lived in Shizuoka.
It's nice to forget all the issues, and just have a good time with friends. You lose yourself in another language. Which is what I did last Friday: after dinner with some ALTs, I went off to karaoke with two of my Shimizu J-boy friends, up until first train.
Which led to another fun experience when, while at the train station, two of my students saw me with them on their way to school. How they could be going to school while the moon was still up on a Saturday morning, I don't understand, but we had a good laugh about it when they asked me about it in class this week.
Sometimes, it's nice to get away; I take advantage of my position as a kencho JET and hang out with other ALT friends. But sometimes, even that's not enough, because I still end up with ALTs. That's when I appreciate having made Japanese friends early on and continuously while I've lived in Shizuoka.
It's nice to forget all the issues, and just have a good time with friends. You lose yourself in another language. Which is what I did last Friday: after dinner with some ALTs, I went off to karaoke with two of my Shimizu J-boy friends, up until first train.
Which led to another fun experience when, while at the train station, two of my students saw me with them on their way to school. How they could be going to school while the moon was still up on a Saturday morning, I don't understand, but we had a good laugh about it when they asked me about it in class this week.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
I say Hello, You say Goodbye: Retroactive Post
Leaving right before the end of the term has thrown my schedule off completely. I'm finally getting back into the swing of things and with that has come the realization that many of my good friends are leaving.
I'm having to make plans to see people before they go, and realizing that they're going to be the last times that I will see them, maybe for years, maybe forever. It's leaving me a bit shell-shocked. Granted, the experience of last year has prepared me a bit more, and I feel genuinely happy for my friends that have decided to move on. I know that they're doing it for so many good reasons and that they feel like they've gotten what they wanted or can out of Japan.
It's interesting when I compare that to my own feelings about this country, this job, this life, and feel completely the opposite. I've decided to stay because of that reason exactly. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get my fill. Well, I've got another year to find out.
I'm having to make plans to see people before they go, and realizing that they're going to be the last times that I will see them, maybe for years, maybe forever. It's leaving me a bit shell-shocked. Granted, the experience of last year has prepared me a bit more, and I feel genuinely happy for my friends that have decided to move on. I know that they're doing it for so many good reasons and that they feel like they've gotten what they wanted or can out of Japan.
It's interesting when I compare that to my own feelings about this country, this job, this life, and feel completely the opposite. I've decided to stay because of that reason exactly. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get my fill. Well, I've got another year to find out.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Can you walk this way? Talk this way?: Retroactive Post
Over the last couple of days, I've been asked to grade papers for all the English course students. The first years wrote the first drafts of their self-introduction speeches, the second years wrote letters to this woman that they had read about in their textbook and the third years wrote a brief composition in response to whether Japanese people are modest or not. Doing so has given me a better idea of their different English abilities and just the sophistication and growth of thier writing and thoughts.
Another thing that happened yesterday was my main first-year teacher pointed out an observation he had about our English course students. He had expressed concern that their speeches were rather simple, "I was happy." "It was beautiful," but believed that this was simply a result of English being thier second language. However, on the 3 day trip he went with them this week, reading their diaries written in Japanese, the thoughts remained on the same level, thus prompting him to believe that it was rather a lack of writing skills and not language skills. So he wants to work on developing their writing styles this term.
I point this out because it's so different from what the other JTEs seem to be doing with their students; he seems to want to teach them to be learners of English, and not simply learn English. And I'm a bit chagrined to find that he's the one that this is coming from. I feel like it's easy to adapt to the Japanese style of teaching English once you're here, and for him to remind me of that, I feel more inspired to 'rock their worlds.' Today, I really feel like a teacher. It's great. And I'm a bit sad to think about leaving this country and this life.
Another thing that happened yesterday was my main first-year teacher pointed out an observation he had about our English course students. He had expressed concern that their speeches were rather simple, "I was happy." "It was beautiful," but believed that this was simply a result of English being thier second language. However, on the 3 day trip he went with them this week, reading their diaries written in Japanese, the thoughts remained on the same level, thus prompting him to believe that it was rather a lack of writing skills and not language skills. So he wants to work on developing their writing styles this term.
I point this out because it's so different from what the other JTEs seem to be doing with their students; he seems to want to teach them to be learners of English, and not simply learn English. And I'm a bit chagrined to find that he's the one that this is coming from. I feel like it's easy to adapt to the Japanese style of teaching English once you're here, and for him to remind me of that, I feel more inspired to 'rock their worlds.' Today, I really feel like a teacher. It's great. And I'm a bit sad to think about leaving this country and this life.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Staying in Japan: Retroactive Post
All right all you good peeps,
I'm staying in Japan for another year. But only one more. Which means that you have between now and August 2009 to get out here if you want to visit me, see what my life is like and how crazy Japan is. All are definitely welcome, and starting April this year, I'll have an extra room for any visitors. So, give it some thought, save up some cash for the plane ticket, and let me know where and when you want to go, and I'll work on it from my end.
Hope you're well, wherever in this crazy world you are.
Much love,
Sarah-chan
I'm staying in Japan for another year. But only one more. Which means that you have between now and August 2009 to get out here if you want to visit me, see what my life is like and how crazy Japan is. All are definitely welcome, and starting April this year, I'll have an extra room for any visitors. So, give it some thought, save up some cash for the plane ticket, and let me know where and when you want to go, and I'll work on it from my end.
Hope you're well, wherever in this crazy world you are.
Much love,
Sarah-chan
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Addendum: Retroactive Post
So yesterday, I decided on my new goal for life after JET. I'm going to try to move to France and Italy. I've wanted to go probably since I was old enough to read about them, and now that I realized how much traveling means to me and that I can handle living in a foreign country, I think I'm ready to commit myself to it. So now I have a year and a half to prepare myself.
I think I'm going to try to get my CELTA certification while I'm in Japan, so in order to aid me in the job search there. It's apparently very well respected in Europe, and also by then, I'll have had two years of secondary education teaching experience. I'm going to have to brush up on my French, and start saving up my money. Whew, I can't believe I decided this less than 24 hours ago. I'm excited. This'll give me direction for the rest of my time here. Okay. Let's see how this pans out.
I think I'm going to try to get my CELTA certification while I'm in Japan, so in order to aid me in the job search there. It's apparently very well respected in Europe, and also by then, I'll have had two years of secondary education teaching experience. I'm going to have to brush up on my French, and start saving up my money. Whew, I can't believe I decided this less than 24 hours ago. I'm excited. This'll give me direction for the rest of my time here. Okay. Let's see how this pans out.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Back In Japan: Retroactive Post
Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that I've arrived to Japan safe and sound. It's crazy being back and knowing that for the next year at least, this country will be my home. Today we've got a bunch of workshops and receptions and things to go to. Tokyo is really cool. I can't wait to check it out some more in my freetime. I guess that's about all to report. Tell everyone I say hello and hope you're all having a good time back home.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Real NEWS!!!: Retroactive Post
Okay, so this is not a late April Fool's Day joke: I just found out that I got into the JET program!!! I'm so happy and excited, but I'm also worried because I don't know if I'll be placed in Nagoya or not, and I won't find out until later. However, I've also got an interview with another teaching company called NOVA next Tuesday, and it's possible that I might get accepted to both of them...Anyway, just had to let you all know. I'm heading out, but I'll post pictures of the last few days soon. Take care!
Friday, February 24, 2006
The Countdown Begins...: Retroactive Post from Myspace
Actually, the countdown officially began yesterday, since I had one week to go at that point, but I was too lazy to post. For those of you who haven't seen or talked to me in a while, you might be wondering what it is that I'm counting down to. The answer is that in less than one week, I will be in Japan, Nagoya to be specific, where I will be living for the next three months.
I'm going to be living with my aunt and uncle there, where I'll mostly be sightseeing and being a tourist. I'll also try to volunteer at the local school as a tutor or something, since part of the reason why I am going is because I've applied to the JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching)Program, which involves teaching English in a Japanese elementary, junior high or high school for a year.
This is a huge deal for me, since it will be my first international traveling experience, save for my immigratory trip from the Philippines to the US when I was three, and my wanderlust is such an integral part of my personality that I can't remember when I didn't want to travel. However, now that it's finally happening and I start preparing for my trip, my life seems to take on this surreal aspect to it. I can't believe that in 6 days, I will be in Japan, surrounded by its culture, its people, its language, its architecture, everything that makes it Japan and not the United States.
I am a mess of emotions right now. I am nervous about traveling to Japan with very little knowledge of the language; I'm excited about finally fulfilling one of my dreams; I'm sad that this means that I'm leaving my friends, family and boyfriend; I am a bit overwhelmed by all the things that I need to get ready before I go there, and in the background is anxiety about whether I am going to get into the JET program based on my application and my interview at the Consulate this last Wednesday.
Anyway, for anyone that is interested in hearing about my travels in Japan, I'll be posting blogs while I'm there, but feel free to email me if you ever want to see what's going on. For everyone that I've already said good-bye to, I just want to say thanks for celebrating with me and know that I'll miss you guys a ton; and for those that I have yet to see one last time, just know that I'm looking forward to it.
I'm going to be living with my aunt and uncle there, where I'll mostly be sightseeing and being a tourist. I'll also try to volunteer at the local school as a tutor or something, since part of the reason why I am going is because I've applied to the JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching)Program, which involves teaching English in a Japanese elementary, junior high or high school for a year.
This is a huge deal for me, since it will be my first international traveling experience, save for my immigratory trip from the Philippines to the US when I was three, and my wanderlust is such an integral part of my personality that I can't remember when I didn't want to travel. However, now that it's finally happening and I start preparing for my trip, my life seems to take on this surreal aspect to it. I can't believe that in 6 days, I will be in Japan, surrounded by its culture, its people, its language, its architecture, everything that makes it Japan and not the United States.
I am a mess of emotions right now. I am nervous about traveling to Japan with very little knowledge of the language; I'm excited about finally fulfilling one of my dreams; I'm sad that this means that I'm leaving my friends, family and boyfriend; I am a bit overwhelmed by all the things that I need to get ready before I go there, and in the background is anxiety about whether I am going to get into the JET program based on my application and my interview at the Consulate this last Wednesday.
Anyway, for anyone that is interested in hearing about my travels in Japan, I'll be posting blogs while I'm there, but feel free to email me if you ever want to see what's going on. For everyone that I've already said good-bye to, I just want to say thanks for celebrating with me and know that I'll miss you guys a ton; and for those that I have yet to see one last time, just know that I'm looking forward to it.
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