Saturday, October 3, 2009

Sayonara Tokyo (さよなら東京!)


Its my last day in Tokyo before going home for 2 months and then moving to Tokushima to begin my new life as an English teacher. This means it is time for me to reflect on the last months spent in Japans biggest city.

If you have been following the blog since early summer you know that my goal in coming to Japan was to find a job teaching English. You also know that thanks to God this goal was accomplished. I have been in Tokyo Japan for about 2 months and 1 week and it has been an experience. It isn`t my first time in this city, but its the longest time I have spent here and it was quite a different experience this time.


The last time I was here it was for 5 weeks, it was my very first time and it was much more of a tourist experience. I did a lot of traveling in Tokyo and even a little outside of Tokyo like my Mt.Fuji climb. I met a few people and spent a bit more money. This last time however I came for buisness. I brought just enough to survive for the time here and even had to adopt a 700yen/day spending limit for food so that I could make it with some money intact throughout the time here. It wasn`t an ideal situation but I did what I had to, to accomplish a dream and despite my own limitations God decided to bless me abundantly.

1. New friends: I met much more people this time around. Some I met through internet language chat sites and finally got a chance to meet in person. Some I met in English Cafes. Some I knew from before but was first time visiting them in Japan, and some I met through other people. This was the most significant difference. All these people help to make this trip a much more interactive experience. People like Keiko-San, and Yoda-San, were such big blessings for me, and their kindness was really touching for me. Others like Kazuko-chan, and Asuka-chan, Kenta-kun, Yu-kun, and Waifoong kept me busy in other ways and one even gave me a little crush. The people in our lives are what makes our experiences worth mentioning and these people and more are all a part of my eternally thankful memories.

2. New places: Its true the last time I was hear I pretty much saw all of the great places in Tokyo, but its a big city and there is so much more to see. For instance, thanks to Aco-chan I was able to go to Odaiba which is a nice amusement island. I also took a trip deep into Chiba for the Tokyo Game Show. Even places like Mickey House (English Cafe), the 3 Universities I visited, and the Edo Museum are all new places in locations that I have been before. There is a lot to see in Tokyo, and I have been able to see a lot of it.


I am a bit sad to be leaving now. Its easy to get attached to a place like this especially when you've met so many great people.

But with any positive comes negative, and I don`t have a lot to say but just that perhaps the busyness of Tokyo is even too much for me. Its a great city but what is the point if almost everyone is too busy to enjoy it? Its in the culture to work hard, but I hope they can learn to play as well. Obviously Tokyo is even more extreme and I`m hoping for a little more of a relaxed time when I move to Tokushima.

Japan is a great place, and the adventure has not even begun. I look forward to my experience of actually living here. Stay tune. Its not over.....

www.sharedtalk.net
http://www.mickeyhouse.jp/

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Yuri to Hotaru (Yuri And The Fireflies.)

I cant believe I have a blog about Japanese stuff and I haven`t posted this old project I made in Japanese class awhile ago.


Project for a Japanese class presentation. The pictures are stills from a more elaborate Japanese short movie that I have in post production with the same title. The actual movie will be much better assuming I ever finish it. We were required to use certain things we learned in the class during the semester and make a presentation of sort with them.

I made this about a year ago but its theme is still relevant today...I am just trying to make it sound smarter than it really is. Enjoy!