Japan tales

[barhaven]

I don't post a whole lot about my day-to-day life in Japan. Stuff becomes routine no matter where you live, so it just becomes normal after a while. I'm in the mood to write something, though, so I feel like sharing a few random things.

Comments

[angary]

Aww! It's great to hear little stories like that, especially the ones about T-Bag (cute!) and playing piano with the kids. The bit about your students giving you letters is so sweet, and it makes me miss teaching because I'd get little letters like that too. It's nice to see some of the positive experiences you're having over there, despite some of the WTF things like how expensive real cheese is over there. I'm not sure if cheese can be shipped overseas, but could your family send some to you?

[barhaven]

Cheese can't be shipped overseas by regular mail, unfortunately. You have to get it from either an import store or an online store like the Foreign Buyers Club. And it's expensive. I just have to get what I can, and make it last.

A lot of the day-to-day teaching can be stressful and monotonous, so I think I'd go crazy without nice things happening every now and then.

[levitatethis]

I love stories like these! It's like getting a bit of "slice of life" from you and reminds me of my friend's stories when she was teaching over in Japan a few years ago.

[barhaven]

A lot of people who teach over here have similar experiences. I just don't post about mine all that often (though I really SHOULD, since talking about the good stuff helps put the bad stuff into perspective). Glad you enjoyed it. :)

[ibroketuesday]

Conveyor belt sushi really is the best invention ever, and I have not even had it in Japan.

Your stories are fabulous. I especially like the one of people being awed by your pictures of Misha, haha.

[barhaven]

Is there conveyor belt sushi in the U.S.? I've never seen it in Canada, but that could just mean I'm not looking hard enough. I'm going to have to track some down whenever I move back home, it's such a great system.

LOL, when I showed the Misha pictures, the girl gasped and starting going "CASTIEL! CASTIEL!" Apparently even the Japanese SPN fans are fangirling him. TRUFAX.

[ibroketuesday]

There's totally conveyor belt sushi in the US. And I've been to Canada several times and have encountered conveyor belt sushi almost every time. :P Learn more about your country, woman!

That makes me glee. Misha's appeal is universal. XD

[moustachios]

Yay, stories!

[barhaven]

I really need to post stories more often, it helps put the bad stuff into perspective.

I meant to call you tonight, but I had a million Christmas packages and cards to address. Yours is already in the mail, you should get it in a week or two if Canada Post feels inclined to actually deliver things.

[black_waltz_13]

Do you have any advice for spending your first christmas away from home?

[barhaven]

Do something you enjoy, wherever you happen to be. I spent my first Christmas here alone in Tokyo, but I had tons of things to do and a whole city to explore, so it wasn't too bad since I was constantly on the go and seeing cool things. I didn't really feel lonely until Christmas Eve, when I was sitting in a restaurant by myself at a time when I'm usually with my family. I emailed my mom and my friend from my cell phone, and they both replied back with very lovely emails that made it feel a bit less lonely.

You have Skype, so you might want to set aside a time on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to call your family. I always arrange a time to hook up with them on Skype via webcam, and we open our gifts together and stuff. It's not the same as being there, but it's the next best thing.