Misadventures in Japan: March 2006

The Brilliant Kenzaburo Oe

"Whenever I have a frightening experience, I think how much worse it would be if I were frightening someone else--that way I get psychological compensation. Do you think you've ever made anyone as afraid as you've ever been in your life?" -- Himiko, in A Personal Matter by K. Oe.

Changes, on a Major Scale

So I have been posting quite a few pics lately, but I haven’t posted an entry in a while. Actually I have been mainly too busy to write, which is a welcome change from previous weeks. In addition, the advent of certain major events has also left me in a more reflective than writing mood.

So what all has happened?

Well perhaps the biggest thing is that my dad got a job with the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and is therefore moving to Vienna, Austria in two months!! My mother will follow him next year when she retires from her current job in Toronto. That’s right, my family is officially gonna be scattered now. My sister in Toronto, my brother in Croatia, my parents in Austria and me in Japan. I am very happy and proud of my father of course but at the same time it feels a bit as if I have no home to go back to in Canada.

This brings me to the next major thing. I have decided that when I go back to Canada it will not be to Toronto but rather to Vancouver. I plan on applying to the MSW program at UBC next year and will hopefully get into that. If not, then I will do a post-grad diploma first and work towards the MSW program while teaching English part time. Why Vancouver? Well, being in Japan has made me realize a lot of things, but one of the most significant is the effect that weather and geography has on my mood. Mountains, ocean and warm weather make it a lot easier for me to face the (sometimes self-induced) emotional rollercoaster that is my life. Toronto is a great city, but there is little natural beauty there for me, and 6 months of hardcore -40oC winter just doesn’t cut it anymore. After Vancouver I am not sure where I will go, but right now I am thinking of heading further south, perhaps to California. If not there, then maybe Europe! It’s all up in the air now….but I am excited at the abundance of prospects!

In addition to all that, I had an interview yesterday in Omura (near Nagasaki city) for a job through JET as an Education Center ALT. If I got this job I would have a lot more responsibilities and would be teaching mainly other teachers of English in addition to running seminars for other ALTs. Basically it would look amazing on my resume and would likely be a lot more challenging and therefore more satisfying job. The only thing is though, I would have to move to Omura and would thus leave behind all the contacts that I made in Shimabara. I guess we’ll see. I am not too hopeful though, mainly because the interview was in front of four people and unexpectedly in Japanese!! I did my best, but I think it was quite clear that my Japanese ability is not the greatest. I ended up speaking mainly in English with the other person in the room who spoke English translating for me. At least I nailed the question of “which Japanese food do you like best?” by answering “sushi ga daisuke!!” (I love sushi!!).

Today is the last day of the Japanese school year. Sadly, my favourite teacher is being transferred, because it is the policy of the Japanese education system that teachers be moved every few years and she has been here a long time. A lot of people were crying (this seems to happen a lot in my school, so much for Japanese stoicism) but my Iaido instructor and I keep making eye contact and shrugging our shoulders as everyone else around us weeps and sobs. He also keeps making drinking gestures at me since tonight is the largest Enkai of the year. I can’t wait – drunken, emotional blubbering over a fancy 10 course Japanese meal?? Sign me up, darlin’!

Random pics from the last month and a half.

These are all from different days/nights from February through March. Included is Valentine's Day, Partying in Fukuoka, The Siebold University seminar, and the Habitat Fundraiser in Saga City.

Valetine's party at Jenny's. Kara is reaching for the booze so I had to give her a warning glance....

Waiting for Indian food....look how excited I am....dahaha

I was sketchy from all the lights....so I found comfort in giant plush animals.

(left to right) Ali, Rakesh, Me, and Jenny before bowling. I was dubious at first since I hate bowling but even bowling can me made cool by Japanese people.....

Me trying to bowl....on one of the swings the ball actually went backwards and hit the seating area....

See? Cool, right?

The best thing about bowling in Japan? Getting to dress up like a giant pin. Ah, Japan, land of wonder and mystery....

Jenny 'bowling' Ali.

Er....bad pin, bad!

Ok, please don't judge....I had had no sleep when this photo was taken, and a bad hangover to boot....AND I still had a whole nother night ahead of me....but look at how long my hair is!

The end of the night....I'm surprised the camera was steady....

The task was to walk around with your eyes closed till you were tapped out. Lima took the opportunity to f--- around with some of the unfortunate uni kids....

My group of students after the play performance. We got first prize! (and I got a nifty little pencil case as a result)

Is it me, or am I doing a peacock pose?

The end of the Siebold conference. This is our hotel room and I had just made Jenny a drink. Note the look on her face after tasting it. Ah, yes. I am sure any of my friends for whom I have ever fixed a drink are looking at this picture and feeling much sympathy.

Me and my new friend Journey (she came recently from New Mexico to visit her BF). I don't know why I'm looking so rough lately....

Devon and Doug rockin' out in Saga.

Some photos, due to repeated requests...

Ok some people, you know who you are, have demanded that I post pictures because I haven't in a while. So over the next few days I will post a few different sets. Today I posted the most recent ones from the Iaido Tournament in Kitakyushu. Please enjoying!