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!

New Year Resolutions for 2009 - draft

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. Take the shinkansen

7. Climb Mt Fuji

8. Make 1 new friend each month

9. Take a risk each month and do something I really want to do - examples are telling people how you feel about them,  applying for a promotion, approaching a person that intimidates you,  starting your own business

10. Pay someone a compliment everyday

Here are my resolutions for 2008. Let's see, were they achieved?

New Year Resolutions for 2008!

Presenting...

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

O Yes! Now that I am in Japan I just have to do it.

2. Learn the guitar - attend classes regularly! practice at least once a week!

O Yes! Until the time when classes were cancelled in May.

3. Pass JLPT 2 - attend classes regularly! practice at least once a week!

X No! I still failed this year I think.

4. Research on Masters/PhD programmes - research at least once a week! map out timetable!

O Yes! Found a couple of programmes...

5. Exercise regularly - at least once a week!

O Yes! Does cycling to work almost everyday count?

6. Read a book each quarter - I can only try!

O Yes! Counting the number of Japanese textbooks...

7. Contact everyone at least once - This one I have to do, especially if I go on JET in August

O Yes! I did go onto JET. I did meet everyone!

8. Try smoking a cigarette - Trying to be naughty!

O Yes! I did! Yucky experience...

9. Backpack Japan - By hook or by crook!

O Yes! Doing it and loving it.

10. Learn first aid - something useful in life and encouraged by my workplace

X Nope, I didn't do it in the end...

... and I just chanced upon this!

11. Learn card tricks - impress the ladies! ;)

X Nope, it didn't strike my fancy...

shucks!

Dang! Im on my way to Tochigi prefecture now and while transferring trains I left my gloves behind! Now it is travelling to Ueno, Tokyo without me. I need to be more careful!

some thoughts ii

実はおかしいと思います。人間にとってどうして習ったものがつまらないと思いますか？例えば今帰り途中で宮城県と福島県を通じていました。茨城県よりおもしろいと思います。

some thoughts

Im quite afraid for things here to end. While there are definitely mMents where I yearn for stability and the familiar, the new experiences of a lifetime keep me away from giving in. Deep down inside, there is always something new to learn, something new to experience which cannot be done in the safe haven of home.

grr light fault train super delay

It is now almost 1pm and I have been riding trains since 730 this morning. I being adventurous and wanted to see how far my patience can last but this eats the cake. So close yet so far! I am a little concerned what time I can reach home by tonight as there is school tomorrow. I was hoping to soak in an onsen here in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture at least before I start the long journey back! I guess that looks difficult especially when I havent done any planning. Sigh! I should take it easy I guess! By the way just now I saw in a distance snowcapped mountains! Winter is here!

nice mist scenery

It has been rather cold and on some frigid mornings a thin layer of frost form on the paddy fields. It makes quite a misty scene when the sun comes up and heat up the land. The evaporating mist looks quite mystical. Im now on the train to Fukushima again, this time on the Seishun 18 kippu which means unlimited local train rides for only \2200 around S30. I think I will hit an onsen before coming home!

Bento!

I just realised I should have started making bentos a long time ago since I can always cook extra rice for dinner and serve up the remnants as the next day's bento box. A strategy to avoid preparation is to bring only rice to school and grab Y100 otsukemono (side dishes) from the mobile canteen vendor who comes by right before lunch. I'm sold! I think it is a better way than buying a Y450/Y500 bento box which is too much food for lunch, not to mention uncontrollable!

You can also order healthier choices like udon but they are expensive - easily Y600.

Rants

I feel a little miserable now so I took the opportunity to vent to HY. Here're the exerpts of our conversation which I guess will summarise my feelings for now:

Today was perfect all the way.

Until the last part before I left when I hurriedly asked my supervisor about a strange electrical bill I received.

It threatened to cut my phone line (I think) if I do not pay by next week.

I guess I sounded hurried and panicky because I really cannot imagine not having internet access at home.

He asked me to wait/calm down.

The thing is i am always quite affronted whenever he does that.

It is maybe because I don't have warm vibes with him.

I think I am thinking too much.

Anyway we ended up with I should check through my receipts and stuff and get back.

So I'm frustrated on a couple of accounts.

Firstly with him, because I have to figure out and do a lot of things myself and I am really tired.

I still don't have my bed and it is winter.

Then also with settling down in Japan and I wish all these administrative problems will disappear.

Quite sian about it.

But I have good reasons why I am bad in thinking that way.

Over the weekend, my supervisor went to Osaka and bought me souvenirs.

Then another teacher gave me a school tee which looks cool and I always wanted it secretly.

It relates to the second point above, that everything i really need to do myself, including planning for vacations.

I guess I am starting to be tired of being responsible for myself.

I want to be babied and pampered!

Then I look at my situation of no girlfriend and I go sian.

Then Japanese  language also going nowhere though I must say it is improving but slowly.

Then like just now, I was so angry with myself again.

Recently I started realising I overbuy groceries.

And then they rot and I throw.

And due to that I end up overeating.

I am so angry also.

I bought bakwa over.

Then I never give out and they're expiring this month.

I think I will just give out to all teachers.

Actually I know most of these problems can be solved easily.

I just need to vent.

So tiring!

Prefectures in Japan

Prefecture	Japanese	Capital	Region	Island	ISO 3166-2	Date	Place
Hokkaido	北海道	Sapporo	Hokkaido	Hokkaido	JP-01	Feb09	Sapporo
Aichi	愛知県	Nagoya	Chubu	Honshu	JP-23
Fukui	福井県	Fukui	Chubu	Honshu	JP-18
Gifu	岐阜県	Gifu	Chubu	Honshu	JP-21
Ishikawa	石川県	Kanazawa	Chubu	Honshu	JP-17
Nagano	長野県	Nagano	Chubu	Honshu	JP-20
Niigata	新潟県	Niigata	Chubu	Honshu	JP-15
Shizuoka	静岡県	Shizuoka	Chubu	Honshu	JP-22
Toyama	富山県	Toyama	Chubu	Honshu	JP-16
Yamanashi	山梨県	Kofu	Chubu	Honshu	JP-19
Hiroshima	広島県	Hiroshima	Chugoku	Honshu	JP-34
Okayama	岡山県	Okayama	Chugoku	Honshu	JP-33
Shimane	島根県	Matsue	Chugoku	Honshu	JP-32
Tottori	鳥取県	Tottori	Chugoku	Honshu	JP-31
Yamaguchi	山口県	Yamaguchi	Chugoku	Honshu	JP-35
Chiba	千葉県	Chiba	Kanto	Honshu	JP-12	Aug08	Kaihin Makuhari
Gunma	群馬県	Maebashi	Kanto	Honshu	JP-10
Ibaraki	茨城県	Mito	Kanto	Honshu	JP-08	Aug08	Hitachinaka
Kanagawa	神奈川県	Yokohama	Kanto	Honshu	JP-14	Jan09	Yokohama
Saitama	埼玉県	Saitama	Kanto	Honshu	JP-11
Tochigi	栃木県	Utsunomiya	Kanto	Honshu	JP-09	Oct08	Nikko
Tokyo	東京都	Shinjuku	Kanto	Honshu	JP-13	Aug08	Shinjuku
Hyogo	兵庫県	Kobe	Kinki	Honshu	JP-28
Kyoto	京都府	Kyoto	Kinki	Honshu	JP-26
Mie	三重県	Tsu	Kinki	Honshu	JP-24
Nara	奈良県	Nara	Kinki	Honshu	JP-29
Osaka	大阪府	Osaka	Kinki	Honshu	JP-27
Shiga	滋賀県	Otsu	Kinki	Honshu	JP-25
Wakayama	和歌山県	Wakayama	Kinki	Honshu	JP-30
Akita	秋田県	Akita	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-05
Aomori	青森県	Aomori	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-02
Fukushima	福島県	Fukushima	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-07	Oct08	Eta
Iwate	岩手県	Morioka	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-03
Miyagi	宮城県	Sendai	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-04	Oct08	Haranomachi
Yamagata	山形県	Yamagata	Tohoku	Honshu	JP-06
Fukuoka	福岡県	Fukuoka	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-40
Kagoshima	鹿児島県	Kagoshima	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-46
Kumamoto	熊本県	Kumamoto	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-43
Miyazaki	宮崎県	Miyazaki	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-45
Nagasaki	長崎県	Nagasaki	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-42
Oita	大分県	Oita	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-44
Saga	佐賀県	Saga	Kyushu	Kyushu	JP-41
Okinawa	沖縄県	Naha	Kyushu	Okinawa	JP-47
Ehime	愛媛県	Matsuyama	Shikoku	Shikoku	JP-38
Kagawa	香川県	Takamatsu	Shikoku	Shikoku	JP-37
Kochi	高知県	Kochi	Shikoku	Shikoku	JP-39
Tokushima	徳島県	Tokushima	Shikoku	Shikoku	JP-36

Green - scheduled

Blue - visited