Japan update 2
So here is an update of things from well two months of no updates. Sorry about that, been quiet an interesting month/new year.
Okay so last time I wrote and update was November. Since then many interesting things have happened. I realized that my employers well really are not that caring about their employees. Especially when it comes to them being ill and still made to work. However from this to well me living in a semi shack I figured that this has to be the reason the three other teachers before me left in a period of three months. So since that time has passed I am a still trying to get over the lovely case of sinusitis that I caught. However what seems to get me the most is how they can say that I do not know what I am talking about when I am teaching a class and it is right out from the books that they have me use. It makes me wonder at times if they really want a teacher there or if they just have a grudge against all foreigners and keep them employed more or less as their well verbal punching bags. Anyways currently looking for a new job, may have found one that is for a school district and will be moving maybe at the end of the month. Yes things are that bad, let’s just say not hot water to wash things and well taking a shower and moving to the cold outside are not my idea of well fun. Anyways let’s get back to what matters here, what else has been going on in my life in Japan.
So in December I went back to Ishigaki to well see Matt, get some sun that I miss being here, and also see friends that I missed from down there. I actually met the mayor of Ishigaki, quit informally at the ice carving festival that they have down there. He seems to be a nice guy, and from what I hear a very good mayor. He has been the mayor for 16years. So I celebrated Christmas and my birthday down on the island. It was a very nice relaxing week. However I did have to go to the hospital about what I thought was a cold, but instead was sinusitis. I will say that Japanese hospital may be confusing, but they are very efficient and as soon as you are in the right area, things go swiftly.
After being down in Ishigaki for a week, Matt and I came back up to Nishio for two day and two night total. He met my friends here, we hung out, went to an Izakaya where he was compared to the likeness of Tiger Woods, and well of course did karaoke. So after this time of meeting people quickly, we got on a Shinkansen and went to Tokyo. It was a great ride and man those trains are fast. When we arrived at where we would be staying the next few days; we dropped off our things, and immediately were met by our friends who are in a progressive metal band in Japan names Gonin-nish. We went to Ueno, and some other places close by since the trains didn’t run to late that evening. The next day was New Year’s Eve and we went with a few of my friends who were also in Tokyo for the holidays to of course Asakusa. We stayed in Asakusabashi, one stop away from Asakusa. So we got to see the temple in all of it’s before the crowds’ glory and prayed. I actually for the first time got to witness monks praying at a temple. After this we went to Shibuya and met up with the rest of our friends from Western, Breana, Kayla, Kianna, and a few others from America who were friends of my friend. So after getting together the hunt started on where to spend the coming New Year, America style. So after walking around Shibuya for three hours and splitting into two groups, we finally found a place 10 minutes before midnight. So we get into the bar area and at first I was thinking, uh no way, this looks kind of well not like the kind of place you would do a New year’s thing. However we were seated given menus and served our drinks and a small glass of champaign right before the bell rang for the New Year. Very nice, and we even got to have a tastes of sake from a barrel that they opened and offered us.
The 1st Matt and I went to Asakusa again, and let’s just say that I would not wait three hours in line to well meet the famous movie star I always wanted to meet, however people were lined up to the street corner to go inside of the temple. I was amazed and yet quite befuddled. However, while there we ran into two of our old AUAP students/friends.
After this we went to Tokyo Tower and got to see the nice night view of Tokyo. On the 2nd we went to the Ueno zoo and I got to see all of the animals. Besides that fact that they all looked cold and very upset to be stared at while being cold it was a great time. After this we hung out with my friend David and his buddy Craig. We went to a restaurant with another former AUAP student, Tasuhiro. We also got a chance to see Sugaru also. On the 3rd our last and final full day, we went to Odaiba. This was our let’s have fun day. We met up with Tasuhiro, Brandon, and Kianna again and walked around on the Odaiba board walk. I got to see Japan’s miniature stature of liberty, and lots of dogs in well human clothing. Later we ended up going to a Sega amusement park called Joy-o-polis. It was okay, but not really worth the 2,500 yen per person. However I will say that at one point I though I was going to die from shock thanks to well Kianna, Brandon, and Tasuhiro scaring me half to death after I was already freaking out because Matt wanted to go to into a walk through haunted house. Okay yes, for all it is worth I do get scared by some thins okay. No exception to the Japanese scary characters we all love like the girl from the Ring coming behind you chasing after you and disappearing and reappearing in front of you. Yeah, so after I’m trying to get out as fast as possible they jump out and scare me, I end up having a slight panic attack, and scaring all the other poor Japanese people in line. I will say that right now that is my best achievement, scaring a line of about 15 Japanese people waiting to go into a haunted house. However, to add to this before we went in there a couple of the people before us; both guys and girls were coming out in tears and also screaming.
After this though the guys won me Stitch dolls to make it up to me and I calmed down a bit. Matt and I rode on the ferries wheel and ten went back to our hotel, slept, and then parted ways at the Tokyo train station. Now I am back in Nishio, looking for a new job, a new place to well fit in. I will admit being here is hard and I do miss everyone a lot. At times I want to just say “forget it” and come back home, however if I do that then well I would be giving up my dream. So I am staying and going to make the best of this. Besides I wanted to come here to see the real Japan, and experience the well real world, next time though if I say that I am planning on moving so many thousands of miles away, remind me of how much money, time and other things that it took. However never let me forget the good times okay. I miss everyone a lot and I will keep you posted and update more regularly as soon as I get internet in my own place wherever that may be. Take care and you are always in my heart and in my mind.
Love always, and sincerely best wishes and regards,
Tanyisha
タニシヤ
谷井謝
Okay so last time I wrote and update was November. Since then many interesting things have happened. I realized that my employers well really are not that caring about their employees. Especially when it comes to them being ill and still made to work. However from this to well me living in a semi shack I figured that this has to be the reason the three other teachers before me left in a period of three months. So since that time has passed I am a still trying to get over the lovely case of sinusitis that I caught. However what seems to get me the most is how they can say that I do not know what I am talking about when I am teaching a class and it is right out from the books that they have me use. It makes me wonder at times if they really want a teacher there or if they just have a grudge against all foreigners and keep them employed more or less as their well verbal punching bags. Anyways currently looking for a new job, may have found one that is for a school district and will be moving maybe at the end of the month. Yes things are that bad, let’s just say not hot water to wash things and well taking a shower and moving to the cold outside are not my idea of well fun. Anyways let’s get back to what matters here, what else has been going on in my life in Japan.
So in December I went back to Ishigaki to well see Matt, get some sun that I miss being here, and also see friends that I missed from down there. I actually met the mayor of Ishigaki, quit informally at the ice carving festival that they have down there. He seems to be a nice guy, and from what I hear a very good mayor. He has been the mayor for 16years. So I celebrated Christmas and my birthday down on the island. It was a very nice relaxing week. However I did have to go to the hospital about what I thought was a cold, but instead was sinusitis. I will say that Japanese hospital may be confusing, but they are very efficient and as soon as you are in the right area, things go swiftly.
After being down in Ishigaki for a week, Matt and I came back up to Nishio for two day and two night total. He met my friends here, we hung out, went to an Izakaya where he was compared to the likeness of Tiger Woods, and well of course did karaoke. So after this time of meeting people quickly, we got on a Shinkansen and went to Tokyo. It was a great ride and man those trains are fast. When we arrived at where we would be staying the next few days; we dropped off our things, and immediately were met by our friends who are in a progressive metal band in Japan names Gonin-nish. We went to Ueno, and some other places close by since the trains didn’t run to late that evening. The next day was New Year’s Eve and we went with a few of my friends who were also in Tokyo for the holidays to of course Asakusa. We stayed in Asakusabashi, one stop away from Asakusa. So we got to see the temple in all of it’s before the crowds’ glory and prayed. I actually for the first time got to witness monks praying at a temple. After this we went to Shibuya and met up with the rest of our friends from Western, Breana, Kayla, Kianna, and a few others from America who were friends of my friend. So after getting together the hunt started on where to spend the coming New Year, America style. So after walking around Shibuya for three hours and splitting into two groups, we finally found a place 10 minutes before midnight. So we get into the bar area and at first I was thinking, uh no way, this looks kind of well not like the kind of place you would do a New year’s thing. However we were seated given menus and served our drinks and a small glass of champaign right before the bell rang for the New Year. Very nice, and we even got to have a tastes of sake from a barrel that they opened and offered us.
The 1st Matt and I went to Asakusa again, and let’s just say that I would not wait three hours in line to well meet the famous movie star I always wanted to meet, however people were lined up to the street corner to go inside of the temple. I was amazed and yet quite befuddled. However, while there we ran into two of our old AUAP students/friends.
After this we went to Tokyo Tower and got to see the nice night view of Tokyo. On the 2nd we went to the Ueno zoo and I got to see all of the animals. Besides that fact that they all looked cold and very upset to be stared at while being cold it was a great time. After this we hung out with my friend David and his buddy Craig. We went to a restaurant with another former AUAP student, Tasuhiro. We also got a chance to see Sugaru also. On the 3rd our last and final full day, we went to Odaiba. This was our let’s have fun day. We met up with Tasuhiro, Brandon, and Kianna again and walked around on the Odaiba board walk. I got to see Japan’s miniature stature of liberty, and lots of dogs in well human clothing. Later we ended up going to a Sega amusement park called Joy-o-polis. It was okay, but not really worth the 2,500 yen per person. However I will say that at one point I though I was going to die from shock thanks to well Kianna, Brandon, and Tasuhiro scaring me half to death after I was already freaking out because Matt wanted to go to into a walk through haunted house. Okay yes, for all it is worth I do get scared by some thins okay. No exception to the Japanese scary characters we all love like the girl from the Ring coming behind you chasing after you and disappearing and reappearing in front of you. Yeah, so after I’m trying to get out as fast as possible they jump out and scare me, I end up having a slight panic attack, and scaring all the other poor Japanese people in line. I will say that right now that is my best achievement, scaring a line of about 15 Japanese people waiting to go into a haunted house. However, to add to this before we went in there a couple of the people before us; both guys and girls were coming out in tears and also screaming.
After this though the guys won me Stitch dolls to make it up to me and I calmed down a bit. Matt and I rode on the ferries wheel and ten went back to our hotel, slept, and then parted ways at the Tokyo train station. Now I am back in Nishio, looking for a new job, a new place to well fit in. I will admit being here is hard and I do miss everyone a lot. At times I want to just say “forget it” and come back home, however if I do that then well I would be giving up my dream. So I am staying and going to make the best of this. Besides I wanted to come here to see the real Japan, and experience the well real world, next time though if I say that I am planning on moving so many thousands of miles away, remind me of how much money, time and other things that it took. However never let me forget the good times okay. I miss everyone a lot and I will keep you posted and update more regularly as soon as I get internet in my own place wherever that may be. Take care and you are always in my heart and in my mind.
Love always, and sincerely best wishes and regards,
Tanyisha
タニシヤ
谷井謝