I've been home about 6 weeks now and all has been pretty good. The weathers been a bit funky but its finally starting to cool down.
Started a new job at a Jewelry company as an HR Generalist for corporate. Its only been a week on the job and it seems to be going well.
I guess what I really wanted to write about was how everyone is different and the meaning of success is different for everyone. What does it mean to you?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Theres a first time for everything
I went to the onsen with Erin and Allison bright and early today. Onsens typically dont allow people to enter with tattoos because tattoos are often associated with the yakuza (gang). Erin has a few tattoos, nothing big and nothing that looks like it would be associated with the gangs. An old lady who was working at the onsen came over to use while we were showering and started talking to us in Japanese. She basically said tattoos arent allowed and that she'd have to leave or put on some clothes. Of course, we didnt understand her very well but the lady was convinced I was Japanese! I kept saying I dont speak Japanese and that I dont understand but she kept staring and talking directly to me as if I was lying to her. After a good 5 minutes, she left and we went about our business in the hot springs. While we were showering and getting ready to leave, she came over again and started talking to me only. She was spoke to me as if Allison and Erin werent there. I still told her I didnt understand and that I dont speak any Japanese. She didnt really care and jsut kept talking away. After two minutes of her nonsense, she came close to me and whispered something in my ear. Unfortunately, I dont have a clue what she said. I just thought that was super rude since I kept insisting I didnt understand. In the end, she still thought I was lying to her. Thats the first time its happened to me where someone thought I was lying! Its just frustrating and I didnt know what to do or say.
Most foreigners here have the opposite experience. Many ignorant Japanese people refuse or wont sit next to them on the train, or just stare at them becuase they look different. Up until now, I hadnt experienced that kind of discrimination. Sure, I've had people stop me to ask for directions or talk directly to me at restaurants (when I'm with other foreigners) but never anyone persisting that I do speak Japanese... I mean, wouldnt I know if I spoke Japanese?? Sheesh...
Most foreigners here have the opposite experience. Many ignorant Japanese people refuse or wont sit next to them on the train, or just stare at them becuase they look different. Up until now, I hadnt experienced that kind of discrimination. Sure, I've had people stop me to ask for directions or talk directly to me at restaurants (when I'm with other foreigners) but never anyone persisting that I do speak Japanese... I mean, wouldnt I know if I spoke Japanese?? Sheesh...
Saturday, June 13, 2009
happy 7 months
Its been 7 months since I've been in Japan, a lot has happened in the last two months. i wont go into detail but in short, there has been mail theft, golden week, my sisters visit, and my decision to leave japan. Yes, that's right, I'm coming home baby!
My mail theft started happening back in February but I wasn't positive about it until mid April. I was in a rush for work one day, checked my mail, saw my electricity bill and left for work. After work around 9pm, I came home to an empty mailbox. Anyway, this whole ordeal happened and it wasnt taken care of and even still, I am still being charged late fees and making up for missing bills which is totally no fault and head office should take full responsibility for it, yet they are not.
On to bigger and better things, Golden week in Taiwan was super awesome! Hung out mostly with family, ate great food, what could be better! After Golden week, my sister flew with me back to Japan. We ate, we cooked, we went to onsens, fish market, etc. It was just a good time and nice to have another familiar face visit.
I do have to say tho... my apartment is not made for more than one person! Its just too cramped and you have no where to go! All in all, I'm happy that all my visitors could make it and it made Japan even more fun and special.
I'm trying to do as much as I can in the next few weeks but it'll be hard with packing and work still. See you all in NY July 15!!! Mark your calendars!
My mail theft started happening back in February but I wasn't positive about it until mid April. I was in a rush for work one day, checked my mail, saw my electricity bill and left for work. After work around 9pm, I came home to an empty mailbox. Anyway, this whole ordeal happened and it wasnt taken care of and even still, I am still being charged late fees and making up for missing bills which is totally no fault and head office should take full responsibility for it, yet they are not.
On to bigger and better things, Golden week in Taiwan was super awesome! Hung out mostly with family, ate great food, what could be better! After Golden week, my sister flew with me back to Japan. We ate, we cooked, we went to onsens, fish market, etc. It was just a good time and nice to have another familiar face visit.
I do have to say tho... my apartment is not made for more than one person! Its just too cramped and you have no where to go! All in all, I'm happy that all my visitors could make it and it made Japan even more fun and special.
I'm trying to do as much as I can in the next few weeks but it'll be hard with packing and work still. See you all in NY July 15!!! Mark your calendars!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sakuras and Peni
Sakura season is finally here! Although the allergies suck, the blossoms are so brilliant that its worth it. Their lifespan is so short so everyones trying to work Hanami parties into their schedules and things like that. busy busy month for all. Heres a picture from Ueno Park
Erin, Justin and I spent half the day in Ueno Park, taking pictures, and just hanging out. We rented a swan boat and peddled around the "lake" under all the blossoms. quite picturesque.
The next day, we went to Kanamara Festival aka Penis Festival near Yokohama, it was in Kawasaki Daishi. The pictures are pretty self explanatory
Enjoy!!
Erin, Justin and I spent half the day in Ueno Park, taking pictures, and just hanging out. We rented a swan boat and peddled around the "lake" under all the blossoms. quite picturesque.
The next day, we went to Kanamara Festival aka Penis Festival near Yokohama, it was in Kawasaki Daishi. The pictures are pretty self explanatory
Enjoy!!
Which do you dislike more?
There are three kinds of students, this goes for mostly elementary school kids.
1. Smart, but too smart so they become naughty in class since they are bored and not challenged enough, so they dont try. They're usually the ones who can pick up really quick but are badly behaved in class.
2. The not so smart kids who try but get easily frustrated, then just give up.
3. The not so smart kids who just are bad kids and dont try and just just all sorts of bad.
4. The unresponsive students who simply just dont talk.
Which ones would you choose not to teach if you had a choice? If I had a choice, all my students would be little geniuses but then I'd be out of a job.
My choice would be to not teach the unresponsive kids. I have a 7 year old and a 12 year old from two different schools. They dont answer questions and they just dont want to do any work. Theres nothing I can do so I just ignore them and then I feel bad.
Oh well, I still get paid, its their loss. My 12 year old student took 15 minutes to draw a happy face on the board today, hes not a bad kid, just doesnt get it. He's only got 30 minute class! What a waste of time.
1. Smart, but too smart so they become naughty in class since they are bored and not challenged enough, so they dont try. They're usually the ones who can pick up really quick but are badly behaved in class.
2. The not so smart kids who try but get easily frustrated, then just give up.
3. The not so smart kids who just are bad kids and dont try and just just all sorts of bad.
4. The unresponsive students who simply just dont talk.
Which ones would you choose not to teach if you had a choice? If I had a choice, all my students would be little geniuses but then I'd be out of a job.
My choice would be to not teach the unresponsive kids. I have a 7 year old and a 12 year old from two different schools. They dont answer questions and they just dont want to do any work. Theres nothing I can do so I just ignore them and then I feel bad.
Oh well, I still get paid, its their loss. My 12 year old student took 15 minutes to draw a happy face on the board today, hes not a bad kid, just doesnt get it. He's only got 30 minute class! What a waste of time.
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