So in keeping with my resolution, I am trying to write at least once or twice a month here. I am not even sure if anyone is reading the latest updates, but it's good for me to practice my writing skills and just document my experience of living abroad and learning a new culture. I have now been in this country for 6 weeks and am finally starting to enjoy my life here. After the crazy schedule of last year as a teacher in Korea, I have to say that so far the Japanese experience has been a lot more pleasant job-wise. Last year it was a grueling schedule of 9 classes a day and a less than supportive environment. This year I am actually starting to feel like a real teacher, as I have a great schedule with plenty of time for preparation. I feel like an actual professional, as opposed to a slave. My current gig of about 5 classes a day, working out to about 4 actual hours of teaching is making me feel a lot more relaxed and like I am actually doing something that makes me happy and causes me virtually no stress. Who knew?
Additionally, I am starting to make some friends and have some semblance of a social life. I love my apartment, my students, and life in general is starting to become normal again. That homesick feeling is starting to recede and I am really starting to believe that this is doable. It was touch and go there for a while!
Not only has my work life started to bring me joy, but I have recently had a spiritual experience as well. My new friend Lisa was kind enough to invite me along to a temple service she was going to this week. I was raised in a Christian household but have long since stopped practicing and this has left me with an empty place in my heart as I have often felt I was searching for something in my life. Being brought up with a firm belief system, being without one for the most part for the last few years has caused a feeling of lostness, for lack of a better word. (Note, this is not an actual word...sometimes I just make them up...and yes, I am an English teacher.) I have been interested in learning more about Buddhism for some time now, but I have never quite known how to go about it. Luckily for me, this week I got my first introduction to a Buddhist service. Japan is primarily Buddhist and Shinto, with about one third each of the population practicing one or the other. The service I attended has certainly piqued my interest and I am excited to learn more during my stay here. I was informed by our hostess that learning about Japanese religion is a great way to learn about Japanese culture. Whether this is something I will eventually practice or not remains to be seen, but I am glad to be able to learn a little more about it if it brings me closer to understanding more about the culture I am currently living in.
I am also starting to pick up some Japanese as my friend Gail was kind enough to lend me her flashcards. So far I have a pretty good grasp of the Hiragana characters, and am hoping to master the Katakana next week. It is a humbling experience to be an educated person and be basically illiterate when moving to a new country. I am at least on my way to fixing that. I have also signed up for Japanese lessons and am hoping to start with that as soon as a teacher can be found. In the meantime I am committing to putting in more time with my teach-yourself textbook in hopes of at least mastering some "survival Japanese".
Being that I have so much more time on my hands these days, I am learning a lot about myself too. So far I have learned a few valuable lessons about myself, and life in general. I have learned that I can be by myself, that I am learning to be comfortable with only my own company. I am learning that keeping your cool is paramount and that being calm is much more effective than freaking out (thanks Mom, for the help with that one). I have learned that saying goodbye to someone you love is the hardest thing to do, but that sometimes it is necessary in order for people to grow. I have learned the importance of telling someone you love them every time you talk to them, as you never know if it will be the last time you speak to them. Nothing is promised except for this moment, so you must make sure to make every moment count. A difference in language need not be a barrier, as actions speak louder than words. I have learned that you can find anything on YouTube, even instructions on how to use a rice cooker. I have learned that I like pumpkin and have become a bit of a junkie. I have learned how to book it for the bathroom in case of an earthquake. Ok, so some of these lessons have been practical, and others have been in the self-development vein, however the point is that I am learning, and that I am growing as a person...and after all, wasn't that kind of the point of this adventure?
Until next time...remember...all I know of love is love is all there is...much love to all folks!
