Wow.
Its been a really long time since I really wrote anything - let alone, my experience in Japan and on the JET Program(me) itself. I used to have a blog from before I started applying for JET, detailing every single experience I went through from applying for the program, to passing the initial application process, the interviews, the acceptance, the placement wait, and to hearing from my contracting organization.
For a long time, it felt like I was experiencing everything just so I could say I did something interesting in my life, or to write about it in a blog (which is no longer up) and post photos of it to update everyone that I'm actually alive, surviving, and doing pretty well for myself straight out of university.
But later on, I began to realize that.. most of what I was doing, indeed, I was just doing for that. And I hated it. It made me feel like I was living and experiencing Japan simply through my digital camera's viewfinder, and traveling to other places just so I could write about where I went, instead of reflecting on any meaning or significance that place I traveled to held, or what I could possibly enjoy doing, eating, seeing, or experiencing there.
From when I arrived up until November, it was probably like that. Living through every day just so I could talk about my experiences, take photos, act like a tourist-who-was-staying-fo
Then it hit me. When most of us had departed from the Chicago consulate, we were asked to write our goals that we'd hope to accomplish while we were over in Japan. I gave it a thought. 1. Improve my Japanese. Did I do that? Yes and no. I studied, but not as hard or as seriously as I did during uni, when I could've. But I have to admit - I learned some great Osaka-ben, which is originally why I wanted to come to Osaka. I talked to many of my special needs kids, JTEs, new friends I had come across by chance, and even spoke in front of a room full of JTEs, school principals, and my supervisor and the staff of my BOE entirely in Japanese.. So in a sense, I fulfilled that. Now I just gotta pass 2-kyuu and remember NOT to climb Inari-yama again before doing so.
2. Participate in at least one Japanese festival or parade. Nope. Not yet. I've been to several, though. I've been to so many festivals.. Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, local festivals held by my school, ones that are in shotengai.. but I need to find one to actually become part of. What an honor it would be, to be a part of one, representing your cultures and country in a parade in Japan, while embracing it as well.. unless Doguyasuji Matsuri counts, but it didn't seem like something I quite had in mind..
3. Gain more self-confidence and improve upon it. Hmm. This is difficult to tell, because I can't of course be a judge of it for myself. I feel like I should say no, because I didn't have the self-confidence to travel on my own outside of the Kansai region. But in a sense, I would say yes, because I've managed to live on my own for an entire year.. abroad, no less. However, I guess it depends on what kind of self-confidence we're talking about here:
[ BRANCHES OF SELF-CONFIDENCE CINDY HAS (SUPPOSEDLY) IMPROVED]
- social ability: A little bit. Could use improvement. I'm starting to talk more with other people, and taking initiative, rather than waiting for people to talk to me. I'm still not used to it, though, and sometimes could use a boost from other people who like to talk. :) I still feel withdrawn and incredibly shy a lot, but it's getting there.. it's getting there..
- independence: Tremendously, I feel. I've learned to discipline myself and manage my time a bit more (well, more on certain days than others of course) but I've also manage to hone my skills a bit better that I didn't have as much time for in the past to learn: like cooking, sewing, cleaning, mending, fixing..
- presentation and public speaking: I'm not so sure - most days I'm able to get out there and think of a speech or something to say right then and there, but I do still finish classes off with the occasional "um, err, uhh, ehh, I think so.. I'm pretty sure.." and still sounding hesitant. But being a quiet speaker so much when I was back in Minnesota, it doesn't feel as weird now when I project my voice to be louder for the class, or even as much as raise my voice to students who're being disruptive.
Anyhow.. there's probably so much more I've thought about but simply forgot to put in here, so I guess all I can do is update this note from time-to-time to make it more of an accurate personal reflection.
| ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2007-2008 |
* Made new and awesome Japanese friends, and friends from all over the world. :)
* Improvement on self-confidence is up 40%!
* Traveled in ALL prefectures of Kansai!
* Taught over probably 200+ classes in English!
* Made games, artwork, puzzles, and did a bunch of other stuff like preparing lesson plans.. that I thought I'd never be able to do in my lifetime. XD
* Learned a teensy little bit about photography and photo layouts and stuffies. New camera!
* Took up the koto and began koto lessons, and also tried out the shamisen a couple of times. :D
* Learned some sumi-e (Japanese calligraphy) from the incredibly wonderful and spirited teacher over at Nishi!
* Joined Osakapella, an a cappella singing group with lots of fun.. and wrote my first musical composition for a cappella. Ever. :o Getting to sing again is awesome!
* Experienced several performing arts: Bunraku, Takarazuka, Rakugo, and Kabuki.. soon Shin-Kabuki.. Noh thank you!
* Visited more UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites than I can count on my own two hands.
* Participated in a flash mob, something I thought I'd never do. :)
* Became a liaison for the 'Gisu (kind of like a PA) O_o Something that I thought would never happen.. (<3 to my goslings)
* Made one of my dreams come true: seeing as many cherry blossoms as possible and experiencing the magic of hanami~
* Finally starting to work again on my story that I began three years ago~
* It's about time I began utilizing this major of mine..
| NEW GOALS FOR 2008-2009 |
- Travel more. At least go to one other country outside Japan (*cough* China, South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, perhaps Singapore? XD) that's in [Southeast] Asia either alone (or with friends, preferably ;_;)
- Talk more. I need. To talk. More. And not seem so shy and hesitant or freaked out like I appear to most people..
- Practice more. I only have "two" more years in Japan, and koto teachers aren't that easy to find in the US..
- Use more Japanese. I learned it for a reason. And I'm so ashamed to admit that I hardly spoke it during my first year, because for awhile I thought it wouldn't be as encouraged. Now I understand when it's appropriate to use it, and when I HAVE to use it.
- Study more. A given, of course.
- Sign up with a kyudo dojo.
- Find a parade or festival for me to participate.
- Write more songs!
- Keep in touch. I feel bad, I've written postcards, but I need to get into the kick of that again..
- Involve myself in events and social gatherings more often. I'm still feeling shy and not as sociable, but I guess that'll open up more this year than last since I'm a bit more settled in, I think..
- Do a few more touristy things that I doubt I'll have the guts to do: dress as a geisha (AHAHA yeah right), run around in ninja theme park things, dress in a kimono and walk around town (but a concert is enough, so I think that'll do XD)
- ... cook? XD
Hooray! I'll think of more things to post here or something. But I think that's a fair reflection.. I feel like I've learned a lot about myself in terms of what I'm capable of and what my limits are while living here. I just wonder what it'll be like once I go back to Minnesota..
