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/

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!

Everyone loves a good mask!

Soon it will be the season of Fall. Usually Fall (depending on your location)is quite enjoyable with its cooler but comfortable temperatures and beautiful changes in nature. This fall however there is expected to be a big come back of the swine flu. (I refuse to call it by its scientific name mainly because I am too lazy to look it up.) A swine flu resurgence could only mean one thing, and that is pretty much all of East Asia will be in a stir. To help alleviate the fears of the people we have these lovely masks that not only protect you from swine flu but also give the appearance that you are some sort of Doctor or Scientist. Here is a commercial playing in Japan showing you how nifty these masks are and how fun they are for the whole family! I would also like to say how much I like the shots of each individual family member with the blue backdrop. Looks like they are transforming into some super awesome fighting task force, ala Power Rangers.

Well played Japan...well played.


(Commercial says its good for the whole family!)

Heres hoping it wont be a pain getting back into the country when its time for me to show back up for work.

What are you doing?

So what have I been doing lately? Well, my job doesn`t start till around December so I am just trying to enjoy Tokyo as much as I can while I am still here. I`m really not ready to go but my time is almost up. I have been really blessed with meeting some really nice people so I have been doing things like going to museums, English conversation groups, taking new friends to church, and spending an entire day trying to get my phone fixed, the last bit not so fun. Unfortunately I don`t have as much money as I would like to enjoy this great city more but God has been good with what I do have.

Since I will be living in Japan for awhile I would like to start giving more insight into Japan and Japanese culture for all 4 of you reading this =)

So you ask what am I doing???? What are you doing?

Mission accomplished!

We`ll after a second day of interviewing I was offered a job. Looks like I will be moving to Tokushima, Shikoku Japan by the end of the year. I gotta get some visa things worked out so I may head back to states while that is all being worked out which would be nice to try good Mexican food one last time and see my friends again before a year or more away. It is a pretty good job with a lot of good benefits. Shikoku is a bit rural in some ways but it is beautiful and I have heard so many good things from other teachers who have or are living there currently. It will definitely be a an adventure.

So after 26 days I accomplished the goal and landed a job. Now I can just relax in Tokyo for awhile till my return flight Oct 5th, then I prepare for coming back and starting life in my new home. This blog should start to get a lot more interesting, haha.

Thanks Jesus!