From 18 to 28

Yesterday, I attended a closing ceremony of one of my schools for the summer vacation. While it was the usual plethora of (rather dry and incomprehensible) speeches, one part from the Principal's speech rocked my brain.

"Now you are 18 years old. Have you thought of what you will be 10 years later, when you are 28?"

It sent a chill down my spine as I was reminded of my impending 28 in 2 months.

Let's see, what was I thinking when I was 18? A levels was a really tough nut, then there was the incoming NS, then there was university application which was seriously the first time I have ever faced with making lifelong decisions primarily on my own. I dreamt of preparing myself for a job that allows me to move up a career of some sorts, finally with the power to earn money.

Now at 28. I've been in Japan for almost a year. I was teaching in a rather unconventional institution before this. Then there was university and there was NS. I am still teaching in another unconventional system, though I am starting to wonder if this 'unconventionalism' will pay off. However, while I am at it, looking at the bigger picture, everything seems to be a marvellous fit. Fate has really been kind to allow me to pick up whatever I endeavour to do, though during those particular moments of thinking about "what's next", they were not smooth sailing spreads of green grass but of anxiety. Probably I am short-sighted, impatient and having a keen sense of urgency which I should temper.

Have I dreamt of my situation now? Probably not from the vantage point of 18 where I had to make my own decisions. However, my life now mirrors the time whethe doors of possibilities first dawned. That era where one can be everything. That era called childhood.

Looking at yet again another 5 and 10 years later, which voice should I listen to? The voice of reason says get back to Singapore, climb the ladder, settle down. The voice of the child who got stuck at the top of a tall ladder in kindergarten and wailed and thought his life was over then seems to say, in a voice that grows increasingly fainter, the world is still big and wide and out there. Go walk a little, go eat a little, go contemplate a little. Probably with a companion and toddlers as big as that child.

Incidentally, before I left, I told an English teacher about this stroke of coincidence and she said, "I"m sure she meant something else."

Of course, that was for the kids. By some uncanny brush of fate, it was for me too.

5 things I am thankful for - 020309

. having fun with my last classes
. studied some Japanese
. lazed around and watched Final Fantasy videos

4 things I am thankful for - 010309

Experiencing a Japanese senior high school graduation ceremony for the first time
Going out for lunch with 3 other Japanese teachers and having a nice chat
Trying out Hi-Chew momo peach flavour sweet
Getting lots of little snacks from parents of graduating students

5 things I am thankful for - 280209

Going to Kairakuen and seeing beautiful nature - pretty ume blossoms
Entering the bathhouse near my place for the first time
Eating unagi-don for the first time in Japan (though it wasn`t nice)
The wonderful weather
Taking the train back from the temporary station outside Kairakuen

5 things I am thankful for - 270209

I read in another blog about this gratitude journal of sorts which sounds like a good and quick way to reflect about the day. Here it is, for today:

- today, kyoto-sensei asked me to try a mochi that is wrapped in a sakura/cherry blossom leaf. it tastes strangely salty
- today, HROK-sensei talked at length with me about some English material we were both reading
- today, everyone in the staff room got this corporate gift from the PTA except me. KSMR-sensei gave me hers, saying, "Oh it is the same as the one we got last year." She's always so kind to me
- today, snow (or rather ice pellets) once again descended in my town. I first heard of it from HROK-sensei during noon, to which I exclaimed, "So what are we waiting for? Let's go home and enjoy!"
- today, my only class (with 2-1) was an absolute breeze as they were active and attentive

There was such a strong rain yesterday that my new umbrella was blown to bits and just 10 minutes ago I experienced earthquake #3! The magnitude was 3.

Mulls over the future

Watching Obama's grand stroll into the White House, I cannot help but feel that there are so many wonderful things to experience in life. However, harsh realities of society and nature (age, health) often make us unable to proceed.

I remembered over the past few years I have been thinking about what to do over he next few years and I took this from my previous blog.

---

Things I wanna do in my life
- master Japanese / JET (2 years)
- master English / CELTA (4 months)
- learn the piano / hobby
- learn French / ?

- long term career option / mass communications (US university, 2 years)
- long term career option / instructional design (US/UK/Australia university, 2 years)
- long term career option / education (US/UK/Australia university, 2 years)
- education / MOE (4 years)

I am now 25 years old!

26 - 2007 - RP
27 - 2008 - RP/?JET
28 - 2009 - RP-CELTA/JET
29 - 2010 - JET
30 - 2011 - ?JET/?RP
31 - 2012 - RP
32 - 2013 - masters
33 - 2014 - masters
34 - 2015 - MOE
35 - 2016 - MOE .etc.

---

The plan still looks consistent, though I wonder what happens after JET. Masters seem a little tough given the need for a scholarship to fund my studies. MOE still remains as a long term career option.

New Year Greeting

新年明けましておめでとうございます。
旧年中はお世話になりました。
本年も相変わりませず、よろしくお願いいたします。

to

あけましておめでとうございます。
本年もよろしくお願いします。

to

おけおめほんよろ

New Year in Japan

It's 8am in the morning of the clear new day of 3 January 2009 (it feels strange to type it). I am getting ready to run out and catch the bus at 841am which I have to catch to go to civilisation. The next bus is not until 1059. Go figure.

Transportation aside, the past few days have been wonderful and I have been rather tired out to put forth that enthusiasm that I really enjoyed myself. As such, a few hosts might have had their tails stomped by that and I feel quite apologetic.

So how did I usher in the new year? I spent the remnants of 2008 (now it feels confused) in Tokyo and Kamakura which felt more like a dive into the nostalgia of city life. I never speak as much around my Japanese colleagues as compared to other ALTs, so meeting K and running amok around Tokyo, first with Comiket and Tokyo Bay and then subsequently Kamakura was very fun. After returning, the next day which was the 31st came ISZK-sensei's home visit yet again and this time it is my third. I met his children, a daughter of 19 and a son of 21 together with two of their childhood friends over dinner and accepted their invitation to stay since it was too late into the night and I don't fancy troubling ISZK-sensei to send me home. It was quite enjoyable to eat soba and mochi, two traditional staples of the new year. We watched TV, talked a bit though I sadly was feeling reserved. Should have drank more? ;) Then early the next day, I was woken up at 6am to catch the first sunrise, which is a popular activity amongst Japanese to be done on the first day of the new year other than visiting temples/shrines. That was really touching, as ISZK-sensei hasn't done it for a couple of years now and he braved the cold (it was hovering slightly above 0 degrees Celcius) to bring me along. Wow.

After that we were all tired and I was waiting for a good time to leave. I left when the father and son lulled in front of the TV to watch this 6-legged full marathon, catching him just as he nods off to sleep.

That was quite magical, in retrospect. Thank you.

I shall continue with part 2 another time. Happy new year, from Japan to the world.

Presenting.. the final list of resolutions for 2009!

1. Pass JLPT2 in 2009

2. Date (nampa? http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/nampa1.htm)

3. Apply for graduate school

4. Learn how to cook - at least a dish a month!

5. Obtain a Japanese drivers license

6. Travel to every prefecture in Japan

7. Climb Mt Fuji

8. Make 1 new friend each month

7. Read a publication in Japanese each month

10. Be positive and look at the bright side

And most importantly...

Cherish every moment

Yesterday was great!

Here are some names of new people I met - Yuta, Wakana, Hiroaki and this other girl. It will be great to catch up with them again next time.

It was also the language barrier as well I guess. I can only roughly understand where their conversations are going and it wasn't easy for me to come up with interesting continuations.

I would have taken tons of pictures, if not for the hesitation and lack of confidence.

Come on!