(no subject)
I realized that I haven't really posted anything. So, a brief update from an email to my grandma, who I email just about as often as I post here. So, this should count for something, right? :P
In general, things are so-so here. Work is hard. I'm not very good at it, in part because of me and in part because of the way my boss wants things done. Teaching here is really different. It is kind of disappointing, because I loved student teaching with the immigrants in the US. Now I am not sure if I loved the teaching or if I was happy because I was doing something other than the job at unemployment. I think it was both. I hope it was both, and not just the latter. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but it is hard.
My Japanese is still almost non existent, even though I am going to a beginner Japanese class. I don't really study much, since after I get home (between 9-10:30 PM), I am not really motivated to hit the books (and I'm lazy). Before I came to Japan, I didn't understand why people could live in the US for years and still have such a low level of English. But now I do. You just don't have anyone to talk to and practice the really basic introductory phrases. So, it is really hard to improve because you are so isolated. Right now I am saving up for a vacation in August, but after then I am thinking about joining another beginner Japanese class so I will have more chances to speak. I hope this will help me meet more people, too.
I've been attending a church for English speaking foreigners, but it hasn't really helped me meet people. Nearly all the people who attend have been in Japan for years, sometimes decades. They don't remember what it was like to be a newcomer. Unlike most foreigners, I am not part of a big conversation school or company, so I didn't arrive with a built in social group. It is just me, which means it can get pretty lonely. Furthermore, they are all much older than me, and so aren't really interested in getting to know me either.Not that they are mean or anything, but they just aren't interested. There is only one or two other people that attend who are close to my age. One of them lives in another prefecture, so he takes the train to Nagoya because there isn't an English speaking church in his town. The other person only attends every couple of weeks. So, not really any opportunities for socializing. I am going to be trying out another church soon.
Day to day life is getting easier. I don't know, maybe this email sounds depressing? Despite having few acquaintances and problems with work, I still like Japan. I am not sure why. Maybe it is only part of culture shock. But I hope that I am really adapting and can build a successful life here, whether I am only here through March or I stay for a couple of years.
In general, things are so-so here. Work is hard. I'm not very good at it, in part because of me and in part because of the way my boss wants things done. Teaching here is really different. It is kind of disappointing, because I loved student teaching with the immigrants in the US. Now I am not sure if I loved the teaching or if I was happy because I was doing something other than the job at unemployment. I think it was both. I hope it was both, and not just the latter. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but it is hard.
My Japanese is still almost non existent, even though I am going to a beginner Japanese class. I don't really study much, since after I get home (between 9-10:30 PM), I am not really motivated to hit the books (and I'm lazy). Before I came to Japan, I didn't understand why people could live in the US for years and still have such a low level of English. But now I do. You just don't have anyone to talk to and practice the really basic introductory phrases. So, it is really hard to improve because you are so isolated. Right now I am saving up for a vacation in August, but after then I am thinking about joining another beginner Japanese class so I will have more chances to speak. I hope this will help me meet more people, too.
I've been attending a church for English speaking foreigners, but it hasn't really helped me meet people. Nearly all the people who attend have been in Japan for years, sometimes decades. They don't remember what it was like to be a newcomer. Unlike most foreigners, I am not part of a big conversation school or company, so I didn't arrive with a built in social group. It is just me, which means it can get pretty lonely. Furthermore, they are all much older than me, and so aren't really interested in getting to know me either.Not that they are mean or anything, but they just aren't interested. There is only one or two other people that attend who are close to my age. One of them lives in another prefecture, so he takes the train to Nagoya because there isn't an English speaking church in his town. The other person only attends every couple of weeks. So, not really any opportunities for socializing. I am going to be trying out another church soon.
Day to day life is getting easier. I don't know, maybe this email sounds depressing? Despite having few acquaintances and problems with work, I still like Japan. I am not sure why. Maybe it is only part of culture shock. But I hope that I am really adapting and can build a successful life here, whether I am only here through March or I stay for a couple of years.