A Dan in Japan

What was my last picture?

Earlier this month Nagasaki celebrated Kunchi. It is a 400+ year old festival celebrated farming and fishing harvests. Nagasaki is divided into 50 or so districts, and every year 7 districts are chosen by rotation to perform a dance representing their area of the city. So for these 3 days, you are able to catch performances as you are walking around, and I snapped that photo outside my apartment. Unfortunately for me, this year the dates for Kunchi (always the 7-9th) were on a weekday, so I could only catch shows that occurred after work.

What is/are your major frustration(s), in regards to your job specifically, or in general after 2.5 months in Japan? What is most rewarding/exciting?

I suppose one of my bigger frustrations is that my home school doesn't have a conversation class, so one of the main outlets that other JETs use to interact with the students isn`t available at my school. I also am relatively uninformed about events occurring at school, part of that is a language barrier, part of it is that I spend far less time at the school than other teachers, and the other part is that the schedule at West High School is simply too complicated and dynamic for even most teachers to keep up with. But honestly, I don`t have any huge gripes. In response to things I learned last time I studied abroad, I`ve made a determined effort to flow with adversity rather than dwell or challenge it directly. What is most rewarding is that nearly 3 months into being in Japan, I`m in far better shape mentally than I was two years ago.

What do you do in your spare time/after hours/weekends?

After school, I either go to the gym or running. Then I eat dinner and relax in my apartment. On Saturday and Sunday, I spend my mornings talking with friends over Skype and catching up on sports highlights. In the afternoon I try to walk to some event/location that I had read about during the week and hopefully catch another ALT for dinner on one of those days. Hardly the most interesting day, but I`m trying to develop a good daily rhythm and save a few dollars.

What are some places you most enjoy going to in your neighborhood - a particular restaurant, or store, museum, park?

Restaurants:

Maruyoshi - I go here on Tuesdays after my 40 minutes busride back from my secondary school. I walk in the door, my favorite Ramen style is immediately ordered in the large-size and all I need to do is wait.

Kaitenzushi - There is a 110￥ a plate conveyor belt sushi restaurant a few minutes from my apartment. I go here 1-2 times a week and eat 8-9 plates a visit. 1/3 of that consists of salmon hit with a blowtorch and topped with Japanese Mayonaise.

Ramen guy outside my apartment - An older man and his wife set-up a ramen stall about 50ft outside my building. I went there on my 2nd night in Nagasaki and have tried to go back once every two weeks or so. Its just a cart, but the atmosphere is great and most of the customers just came out of bars so they are quite talkative. I`m there for the conversation far more than the ramen, but always say hello on my back from sushi or Maruyoshi.

Park - Mizube no Mori! Is the park where I go running. It is located right next to the water and features a great night-time view of the previously mentioned suspension bridge with its rainbow lights and moored sailboats. During the day the park is filled with kids, dogs, sunshine and palm trees, and at night it is all fishermen, couples, and joggers.

What do you find yourself spending the most money on?

I guess food? I don't really spend all that much right now. Probably 200$ on Utilities (Cell, Home Phone, Electric, Gas, Water, Internet). About 12$ a week on public transportation and then 12$ or so a day on food. Unless it is a night where other teachers are going out, I'm not really spending much money each month.
How is your Japanese language skill progressing?

I just started a correspondence course actually. Since it is part of my job, I'm allowed to study at work, which is definitely nice. I think my listening has gotten really good again, and I'm starting to recognize more and more characters. Aside from the English teacher sitting next to me in the office, I don't really have anyone to speak English to, and even my conversations with the English teachers tend to be a mix of the two languages.

When are you returning to the US?

I just got my recontracting paperwork last week. I have until February to complete it, and if I do, then my contract will go through August 2011. I'd like to get in at least one full year without going home, just for the experience. It's possible that I make a trip back after that.

How's the phone service there?

My phone is great. I have an iphone with unlimited internet, which keeps me entertained on the bus/tram, provides me with directions when I'm lost, and allows me to keep in contact with everyone through e-mail and phone.

Do you not miss the life in your native land?

After having studied here once before, this time I was more prepared in terms of knowing what thinks I'd miss and understanding how to cope without them. Certainly I miss the US, but I know that living there now, I would probably have even more things to worry about than I do in Japan. For example, I'd have to purchase healthcare, find a job, and maintain a car just for traveling to and from work. Besides, by living abroad I can better appreciate the things about life in the US that I enjoyed most.

[Here are some pictures of the teacher’s office. Starting with my desk. I without a doubt have one of the cleanest desks in the room. ]