Juxtaposed in Japan
Wednesday, July 30th

Take that, bread man!!

Current Sounds: Leah - Calling

When you're standing in the grocery store, actually excited to learn that bread is on sale on Tuesdays (about ญญญ95ข for a half loaf.. which, sadly, is a good sale price), you can now officially say that your life has hit a new low. The sale is every Tuesday, but I couldn't resist and sacrificed freezer space so I could store more bread and don't have to be sure to hit the store next Tuesday.

Yes, every week I learn that my life can drop just a few more pegs on the pathetic pole. For some stats that no one cares about, I live on $6.67 a day for groceries (yes, I track these things), electricity is about $1-2 a day. Water and gas, I don't remember offhand.. but utils don't even make $100 a month. If I had more time to cook, a refrigerator that's bigger than a laptop bag, and better cooking methods (gee, an oven would be nice).. I'm confident I could knock those food prices down.

Those who say it's expensive to live in Japan are clearly doing it wrong. If I felt dedicated enough, it'd really be helpful for me to write all this stuff down in one easy-to-find place, to assist those who plan to come to Japan in the future (you'd be surprised as to how little information there is on the logistics of getting yourself to another country).. but hey, I did it! So can they! (also.. I'm lazy)

I should mention something that everyone in the world shy of me probably knew.. but when your boss says "hey, are you coming to the company-sponsored socializing function this weekend?", this isn't actually a question. "Uh.. no." is not a preferred answer, and neither is "=D HA!". In short, I was cornered by two coworkers outside my apartment (while dressed in a hobo shirt, flashy dress pants and socks, and sandals, holding a trash bag.. I was a work of wonder) who advised me that I "Really should go" and then found my name written on the sign up sheet this morning, and my boss hitting me in the arm and saying what a fun time we'll have.

Have I mentioned that the life of an English teacher is not without interesting stories? Though it is severely lacking in massive paychecks, fast cars, and sexy women. I can deal with two of those three, but one of those is nearly a deal breaker (HINT, it's not the car).

Oddly enough, despite that my car's a terrible, terrible piece of work and I stare at it with disgust, I'm strangely attached to it. It may be terrible. But it's MY terrible car (on loan, of course). Funny how life is like that.

Also.. I never appreciated power steering until I drove a car without it. I can't drive with ONE HAND? That's a SIN, I tell you. I never, ever saw Jesus with his hands on 10 and 2. If it's good enough for our savior, it's good enough for me.

Anyway.. that's about it. Overall, no point to any of this. Just an update on my life. On a positive note, I had lunch with someone today and we just sat and talked in English/Japanese for about 2 hours. I also received grapes from a student (note that you'll spend about $12 for one bunch of grapes). Bad note.. uh.. dunno. Not much to complain about. I've kinda adjusted to the things that suck and they are now just a part of life. OH! I started paying back my loans, and spending money on stuff like that isn't fun.

Weird side? I had a 17 year old call me while I was prepping for class at 6pm and ask if I wanted to go to a bar with her. Uh.. what? I've only met this person once, for an hour, at a festival.

Life is definitely interesting.
Jason on 07.30.08 @ 07:17 AM JST [link]


Sunday, July 27th

Oh, and..


Here's a video from the festival last night. Figured I should share the.. err.. joy! Yes, joy.

That's it.
Jason on 07.27.08 @ 07:45 PM JST [link]


Payback's a WHAT?

Current Sounds: FMA - Ready Steady Go!

Being a teacher (and I still use the term with some hesitancy. I always expect someone to come in and shout 'FRAUD'.. but thus far it hasn't happened), I've gained a newfound respect for the profession. It's definitely something that I can do in the short term, but it's not something that I could do for an extended period of time while maintaining any degree of sanity. Moreover, I'd like to apologize to all the teachers I had wronged through my childhood.

You see, I was a 'good kid' for the most part. In my scholastic career, I had never received an infraction, never got detention, and never had to be pulled aside for stern talking-to. I didn't necessarily get along so well with the other kids (let's just assume that my solitary attitude and lifestyle is not a new development. Nor is telling people that I'm inherently better than them and don't care about what they have to say. Really.. I was a charming kid), but that's life. However, there was one quirk that did make teaching a bit difficult. Namely, if I didn't want to do something, I wouldn't do it. Period. I got over this as I got older.. slightly.. but up until about the 3rd grade, getting me to do certain activities was a living hell. I remember one day at preschool (I was about 4 years old) sitting there while they sang "If you're happy and you know it". Well, I wasn't happy, I didn't want to be there. So, I didn't clap my hands. I argued with the teacher that clapping is saying I'm happy, and I'm not, though apparently she disagreed. Being coerced to clap, I sat there and sang "If you're not happy and you know it". Oh yes.. I was a delightful child.

But now I'm sitting on the other side of the table, finding myself repeating "What's the answer to question 4" about 15 times to a child who simply refuses to talk. One delightful girl (8-9?) simply refuses to talk, except in a whisper when you're lucky. I'm going to go see her today. I never realized the infinite patience this must have required from my teachers, to just keep that smile plastered on their face and repeat over and over until they got a proper answer. Some of these kids just won't answer (seeing as this is an optional English class, I'm still puzzled why they're attending. Is it just to make my life hell?).

Though, I'm not without recourse. My general approach to children who refuse to cooperate is to latch onto the first thing that comes out of their mouth and exclaiming "Perfect! Good job, that's right!" and then repeating what the correct answer was. It makes the other students think they're participating AND lets me move on.

Now, when you have 3 six year old boys running around the room, screaming their heads off.. there's really nothing you can do about that to instill order (unfortunately, Japanese teachers--including those that teach with me in children's classes--have a VERY hands off approach). I'm also not allowed to speak in Japanese or scold the children, so it's basically a free for all. What's a poor teacher to do? Encourage it. Tell them to scream the answers louder. LOUDER. No. LOUDER. It lets them know you don't care about what they do and it won't upset you, and more importantly, my goal is to get them to scream themselves hoarse in the first 5 minutes. I'm serious.. it works. Sounds a little psychotic, but hey.. it works.

Aside from that.. I went to two festivals this weekend. Walked about 8-10 miles on Saturday.. god, that was tiring. But it was fun. Sunday was interesting too, as it was a local (not city-wide) festival. Both were fun in their own ways.

I'll write about those later.. right now I need to get ready for work. I have 'typing time' in the office today. Gotta sit there and write up documents for the company or proofread stuff. How exciting.

Later!
Jason on 07.27.08 @ 06:27 PM JST [link]


Wednesday, July 23rd

Land of the free..

Current Sounds: Exile - Giver

I find it interesting (and more than a little ironic) that out of the majority of the people I know, I'm basically the person who has the most respect for America, the most love for the country, and the strongest belief in America and its inherent 'right-ness'. And yet, I'm the one who doesn't live in the country anymore.

That's one thing I've had to correct on more than a few occasions; I don't actually dislike America. I didn't leave because of any issues with the country, or even because I loved Japan any more than America. It's just the path that my life has taken me down (and it doesn't hurt that I certainly don't mind Japan). While I disagree with many of America's (and, indeed, the Western world's) social norms, I still believe the country as a whole is a great one. Where America has not been great, or may be lacking, there are many people working to fill in the holes. I believe the vast majority of the actions committed on behalf of American interests (and those of her allies) tend to be good, with an emphasis on righting wrongs. Of course there are flaws.. but America is a country that values difference of opinion and allows those that disagree to step forward and try to fix it, making for a better and better end result. It's not a perfect country, and it never will be.. but we do a great job at trying.

Now, to my point.. there's one thing that I really, really cannot stand about America and is the one saving grace of being here: the sheer joy in hurting other people, particularly anonymously. I hate this.. with a passion. It makes no sense to me, and I can't understand what joy people derive from wronging those that they cannot understand and will never see. A prime example: Walking along the street and people yell derogatory comments from a passing car. A car splashing you in the rain. Having people throw trash at you from a vehicle (in my case, it was a half-full coke can). Random posts on the internet, telling you that you are worthless and deserve to die (I had 23 of those on my Youtube account since the last month because I mis-stated a fact in a video I posted about my life.. it wasn't for mass-consumption).

In the years that I've been frequenting Japanese message boards, networking sites, blogs, and the country itself, I've never had any of these experiences. Anonymity is not an excuse to do whatever your sick heart desires here. There's still personal accountability for your actions. Even if no one knows you did it, you still did and are still responsible for that. Sure, this leads to massively high suicide rates.. but hey, otherwise it's great. In America.. I find this responsibility to be lacking, and that makes me a very, very sad panda.

Of course, Japan is not without its faults. They have plenty. Honestly, I'll never feel 'proper' here. I can do the right things, I can say the right phrase and perform the right social ritual, but it's still not 'me'. I always feel a little distant here, as this just isn't my country.

Give and take.. every place has some good and some bad. It's all about finding your best match by finding what you can learn to tolerate. I've said it for years.. but if you don't like a country, leave. I have no respect for people who sit around complaining about how much they hate America. Either get in politics and change things, leave the country, or stop complaining. Ironically, I have left America (though how long this will last remains to be seen).. even though I'm fine with it.

It's a funny world we live in.. it's amazing it works out, you know?
Jason on 07.23.08 @ 04:30 AM JST [link]


Wednesday, July 16th

More randomness to entertain all of you


Dog? Check. Cat? Check. Bird? Check. Javelina? Check. Crab? Check. Wait.. what?

I think when you see a crab wander across the road in front of your car, you should stop and consider for a short period what, exactly, is going on in your life.

In other news, I got a package today from America. Beef jerky was smuggled into the country in the package.. not listed on the customs form. I should note that importing beef products from America is a no-go. Not an offense or anything, but it'll get your package held up in customs until you agree to either send it back or allow the offending item to be burnt. The weird thing is that my package was intercepted and opened by the good men and women of the Japanese postal service, who must have discovered my subterfuge. The strange thing is that despite the beef jerky being ON TOP of everything in the box (the box was opened and taped up with Japanese postal service tape) and labelled BEEF JERKY, they just taped the box back up and sent it on to me. That is really, really confusing.

Maybe they're setting up a sting operation?

Fortunately, my mailman and I are good buddies. We talk frequently.. maybe if they are setting up a sting, he'll let me know and we'll go driving off on a cross-country adventure on his mail-motor-cycle?

In real news, I have an interview with one of the top-ranked high schools in the region. The place I work for had a contract with them for the past 15 years, and apparently something with the last teacher went horrifically wrong. I was picked to be the new guy and my job is to make a stunning impression and amaze them with my useless background in Japanese history. Rock on.

Not really worried or bothered.. I know I'll do all right, and it's more of a confirmation interview than a "do you get a job, we're interviewing 100 people" kinda thing. Besides, it helps knowing that I'm awesome.

I'm tired.. will probably go to sleep early tonight. Sad that midnight is early. But when you work until 9-10 every night.. I suppose it kinda is.

Later!
Jason on 07.16.08 @ 05:57 AM JST [link]


Monday, July 14th

On conflict resolution..

Current Sounds: DDR - Naoki Dynamite Rave

When you run into conflict in America, be it in class, in the workplace, or some other disagreement in a personal conversation, we don't really have a method for dealing with it that applies across the board or that is pretty much universally accepted amongst all participants. Japan, however, is different.

They have Rock, Scissors, Paper (Janken, from here on out, as it's referred to in Japan). Yes, dear people, this is honestly how a vast majority of conflict is settled here in the land of the rising sun. And believe me, they take janken seriously here (just like ping pong and badminton... do NOT challenge someone to ping pong unless you can 'bring your A game', or are okay with dying). Two students get the card at the same time? JANKEN! I didn't believe it at first when I saw it happen.. but if you declare that two people must janken for some reason (be it honor, a point in a game, to be 'right' or 'wrong', whose suggestion you'll take, or anything really) they will do it. And, even more amazing than watching two people drop an argument to throw hand shapes at eachother, the people will generally accept the results of near-random hand-shape-choosing as the word of God and will drop the issue entirely, accepting the results of the almighty janken.

I have to say.. it really is convenient. We really should institute such a policy in America. Don't you think life would be easier to have a holy method of conflict resolution? Seriously.

Anyway, I should go work. See you later!
Jason on 07.14.08 @ 06:03 PM JST [link]


Sunday, July 13th

I need to eat BEEF

Current Sounds: Watching Voltron

While the life of an English teacher is not the most exciting, it certainly not without its interesting moments. Some good (I got candy and other such things from no less than 4 students this week. Not the norm; I think I just lucked out), some bad (having weird people call me at odd hours and tell me they're 'angry' is not my idea of fun), and some simply disturbing (I had a five your old grope my chest on Friday and shout 'BOOB' in Japanese.. for no apparent reason. That was.. alarming).

Every day, at least once a day, there's a moment where you stop and stare and think "... what?". Sometimes the end result of your mental inquisition is good.. sometimes bad.. and sometimes, totally unresolved and just leaves you even more confused. But, there's rarely a dull moment.

Except, of course, when I'm working. Some of my classes are great. Absolutely amazing, look forward to them. Others.. they're a bit of a drag. It's not so much that the classes are bad, or the students don't care. It's due to a variety of reasons. One class, for instance, has 2 junior high school girls who do NOT talk. No matter what activity you do, what question you ask, you're lucky to get more than 3 words. It's not that I don't understand.. they're 13 year old girls just starting to learn a language that they don't really feel confident in, and I'm a 22 year old man who speaks English natively. But that doesn't really make standing and jumping around while everything you say fails to illicit any response more enjoyable. I just wish there was more I could do is all. The rest of the classes I dislike tend to be for similar reasons.

Other than that, life's been going all right. Really, really tired.. not sure why. The funny thing is that I've only drank coffee a few times in my life, and that was generally when compelled to (someone bought be coffee, made me coffee.. basically, when it'd be too rude to simply say that I do not drink coffee). While I still don't like it in the least, I have been drinking coffee much more often lately. On Tuesdays one of the students makes coffee, and then throughout the week, depending on how many more classes I have to teach and how hectic they are, I go out and buy cans of coffee. Can't stand the taste, so I just knock the can back and drink it as fast as possible.

Isn't my life exciting?

In other news, I learned that I've lost 15 pounds since coming here. This is related likely to my not eating a whole lot in general (I never did eat much in America, though now that I live on my own I don't keep a whole lot of 'snack' food in the house, and Japanese food--on the whole--tends to be healthier). I'm trying to change that, but it's hard to convince yourself to increase the amount of calories you're taking in, especially considering that for the past X years of my life, all I've heard is "cut the calories!". Tsk, society. You're making a population of anorexic people in your desire to stop people from eating too much.

Speaking of healthy eating, they've released the "Mega Mac" here, which is like a big mac, but with 3 overly large and markedly unhealthy-looking beef patties. Yeeeeeah.

Having my cell phone's proving to be nice, especially between classes as I can still keep in touch with my Japanese friends on the go, and I can install games to it or something to keep my busy while waiting. It also has a really good JPN <-> ENG dictionary, and the camera's decent.

Anyway, I should get going.. got work tomorrow and all that.

By the way, watched "Lucky Number Slevin" last night. Really good movie!
Jason on 07.13.08 @ 04:16 AM JST [link]


Wednesday, July 2nd

One phone calls and cars

Current Sounds: Gummi Bears on DVD

So, I bought a cell phone last Friday.. finally signing contracts and stuff here in Japan. Kinda strange to do that, and to negotiate these things (something I didn't really do much of stateside). For anyone who's curious, there's a video of my phone here. It's been really convenient so far, especially for the e-mail access on my phone, and the camera's decent (it's easier to make myself take my phone out to take a picture of the scenery and places I work than to take out a camera , turn it on, etc). So, I should have more pictures to upload soon.

Only about 5 people in the country know my number, and I've thus only received one call (from the car mechanic... long story). That is, until an hour ago.

At about 1am, 1:30ish, my phone suddenly rings. I figure it's a coworker or my friend (in another city), but it says "unknown". I answer it anyway (in Japanese), but I can't understand what they're saying. I ask what they said, but they still mumble it and I can't understand. I say (in Japanese) that this is Jason, and I asked who the caller is. The caller on the other end (a woman, Japanese judging by the pronunciation) says "I'm angry." in English. I ask why, and she says it again then hangs up.

Now remember that not only is my number unlisted and that no one knows it, but that I'm in a country where the majority of people do NOT speak English. I never spoke English until after I heard what they said. I tried to call back, but it was a blocked number (unknown and blocked) so I couldn't, I can't even find the number. So.. that makes it much less likely that it was just a misdialed number (especially considering they spoke the phrase in English on the phone).

If I was a superstitious sort, I'd be alarmed. I'm still... perturbed by the call, but not enough to really bother me.

Fun!

I need to get to bed, but for a quick update:

I got internet installed in my house (good!).
My umbrella got stolen when I went into a store at midnight 2 miles from my house in the pouring rain (bad)
I put 4 gallons of kerosene into the gas tank of my car (VERY bad).. hence the mechanic last weekend.

Let me just tell you.. READ THE SIGN. I can read the kanji, I know the difference. I just didn't check.. I assumed, and this led to me putting 4 gallons of kerosene into the car tank. Not exactly cheap to fix.. though the mechanic was a really nice guy and had never met a Japanese speaking American before, so he invited me into his house and we talked for awhile.

I need to go to bed.. demon calls aside.

I'll try to update soon (ideally this weekend) and upload some pictures. See you later!!
Jason on 07.02.08 @ 09:03 AM JST [link]




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Infonography...
Name:Jason
Age:23
Born:12-30
Location:Arizona


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Location: Japan
Doing: English Teacher
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