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It was a leap of faith at first. I was hired to teach via the internet, so I had not even met my new boss in person until I arrived here (6 years ago). My first 4 months were a real adjustment. It is a different culture for sure; for example, there are not many animal welfare organizations here, at least there are some but it is not easy to help strays (a concern of mine always). And it is still a heirachal society (and yes, men are still first). I am an only child, so in a way I think that really helped me. I do not get lonely. I love solitutde, time to read and walk on the mountains. It also helped that I overlook the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. And fortunately, I loved teaching Englilsh here (I had taught and coached before - soccer - but this was my first time teaching English as a second language). When I went back to the U.S., I could hardly make ends meet. I worked 3 jobs for 3 years, including work from home and weekends. Then realized that I would be happier back here in Japan teaching. Fortunately, I was again lucky to get a very good job via internet and life has progressed from then.
Which city are you close to?
So interesting, @4EverBonded!!! I contemplated the idea of moving to Japan a few years ago but I'm very much European, and I'm still very emotionally connected to this silly old continent that I love so much.
I would also love for Bond to return to Japan (apparently he is!). And yes, Bushido. I wonder if we could get that amazing line from YOLT (book): You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you face death in the face. Did I get it right?
Sorry to disapoint you but just because she lives in Japan that doesn't necessarily mean that she is surrounded by gadgets any more than if she continued in the US!
Mike, I live in western Japan, Not Tokyo (where the truly amazing cool gadgets are more prevalent), in an old Japanese house (actually new for Japan: Only about 80 years old) with hardly any gadgets, not even a real oven, in a quaint neighborhood. I walk to the train station and take the train or bike everywhere (which I LOVE); very convenient.
Sandy, I think you got the quote from Fleming's novel YOLT right; I guess I should double check it to make sure.
Germanlady, yes the culture of workaholics is - on my personal lmited experience - based on truth. Everyone seems to work hard here, at jobs and in personal life, and for a long time (I could be wrong, but I think 70 is the retirement age here). To do otherwise is, I think, frowned upon. Stoic is a good word. But also, as again a generalization (so please take this with a grain of salt) it seems many folks I know really do without some basic comforts by choice (because it is sort of the way it is done here, in their families and others they know) - such as: even though Japan is techologically advanced, there is little insulation in the buildings (they could of course but choose not to do so) ...so when it is winter the cold seeps through the houses and buildings easily. And my Japanese friends may complain a little but not much. They use their air conditioners/heaters much less than I do (I want to be warm or cool enough to be comfortable). Maybe they are more easily comfortable than me in the harsher weather, for sure that could be true - but anyway it is part of the culture that I notice.
"Ganbatte!" sort of *gahn-bah-tay" is truly said everywhere, in nearly every situation. It means basically "Go for it!" Do your best, give your all. And with that comes the sense of don't complain, make do, and overcome. Hard workers, yes, and that seems to be part of their upbringing.
When the imbelievably devastating earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan a little over a year ago, so many feelings flooded through me of course. And one thought came to the surface, too: the Japanese can overcome this. Even if half of their entire country was wiped out, they have the spirit to rebuild, hold fast, and keep faith. They come together and work together no matter what; it is part of their culture for sure.
I am American, and I see things through my American perspective naturally, yet I can say even though there may be some things I am not comfortable with or do not really care for here, I do respect the Japanese people very much. For me, at this time in my life, I am blessed to be here.
I am not the only member who is living in Japan. I know that manfromjapan is, too; but I do not know where he lives. I just remember reading (here on MI6) an article he wrote about QOS. And there are probably other Japanese members. Love to hear from them, too. :)
Okay konban wa (good evening) and I am off to golden slumbers (I hope).
To be continued ...
When the disastrous tsunami and eq hit, the discipline and patience shown by them is talked about in the world. They were really lining up for getting the supplies waiting for their turn whereas you can imagine people would break into riots and chaos in any other part of the world. Do you know what happened to those brave people who were there in the Fukushima Nuclear plant to contain radiation? I'd like to hear about them and hope they somehow have survived. God bless them.
I could not find full updated information quickly (I just spent 20 minutes looking online) regarding the Fukushima workers. God bless them all, truly. Those who stayed, and the many firefighters and engineers and other workers who streamed into the area to help and who stayed, were definitely exposed to dangerous levels of radiation; the long term effects cannot be good. I beileve 3 were hospitalized last spring and I think at least one worker has died. (in addition to the 2 young ones who were killed during the tsunami as they tried to make repairs). I am nowhere near that area and for months I checked radiation levels, but we are okay.
Anyway, I am happy to chat about Japan but I feel that I am for sure not an expert; so I hope people do not take offense at anything I offer - it is really my opinion.
Bond related ... Bond here is still huge: Most of my Japanese friends enjoy James Bond - and they do like Daniel Craig. They also seem to really like Tom Cruise, still (I don't) and I did not get to see Ghost Protocol in the theatres so I am still waiting for it to be available on dvd to rent. I do want to see it; heard from MI6 members it was great.
Why, oh why do we have to wait until past Xmas, probably into 2013, to see Skyfall? Still tough to think about for me. :-((
Even I'm a huuuuge fan of Tom Cruise and Daniel Craig. Top Gun is my all time favorite movie followed by Casino Royale!
I love almost all other movies by both the actors.
My son has visited Japan and he found it very different but he liked lots about it. A friend of his had married a Japanese woman, who now came to live in Switzerland. Personally travelling is my love and so I wouldn't mind getting my own impressions of that country.
I sincerely hope you do visit! It is worth a trip, for sure. I'd be happy to show you my little part of Japan. I wish I was closer to London, especially for the premiere of Skyfall. And I am sure some of our forum members will be there. Lucky! I will probably have to stay away from news and this website a good deal if I don't want to not know the full story before I finally get to see it.
If someone comes to any Asian country from a western culture it will be so different, some folks are bound to feel uncomfortable or not like some things. But if you can have an open mind and heart and be willing to have things look, feel, and really taste different - then traveling to other cultures can be rewarding.
I know airfare is not cheap to Japan, but please do come ya'll (my southern American roots coming through) when you can! Right now the cherry blossoms are blooming, and it is a glorious Japanese spring. The blossoms only last barely 2 weeks, the air is crisp and cool with sunny mixing with rainy days, finally a warm enough spring to feel like spring. This time is maybe my favorite, although I have to say I enjoy the fall more (splendid colors and crisp air then, too) and it lasts longer.
I know none seem to have happy endings that we know of, ... but aside from that. Is there one you would like to be? There are two for me: Honey and Natalya. Both seemed to have a strong sense of who they were and could go on to live fulfilling and fun, adventurous lives.
OK 2 questions: Which would you like to be?
AND If you were an actress, which would you like to portray?
For me, I think I would have loved to have played Bach's role in TSWLM, Wai Lin's role in TND, and Vesper (if only it could be a happier ending, but still; how great to be that girl that Bond first loved!)
@4EverBonded: That's a tough one. It seems that all my favorite Bond girls have had pretty difficult lives/backstories. Although if I were an actress, I'd definitely want to portray Solitaire. Her costumes would be so fun to wear, and I love her character!
@Jack - boring to be in th US? Really? I tried to get my Green Card, when I was 20 and would have killed to live there permanently. But what a great time I had there. I loved LA - you either love or hate it. I loved it. These days - not so much, so maybe you are right. Its not,. what it used to be. Still, when I visit, it still has some magic for me.
I can only recommend to go see it - at least once. And sure, Europe has so many different cultures, that its always interesting to visit some countries.
@Jack - so you go to NY sometimes? Are you living close? If you ever touch Germany, let me know ;)
To answer your earlier question, I've been to New York a few times. I think it's about 4-5 hours away from me. And I would love to go to Germany; it's in my top 3 places I want to visit!
It must be so beautiful in Japan right now! And it makes me feel homesick, the cherry trees are also blooming now where I come from ;;) but here there are not many of them.
Sounds like you had a lovely spot to relax in, Sandy! I do want to keep this thread going; I'll write more later. But it's nearly 7 a.m. now and I have to run for my train. "Kio sketay" everyone (take care). :)
Me too, will back later in the day after work gto chit chat some...