It’s been a while. Days and weeks have passed without update and you, dear Reader, are entitled to an explanation.
1. It’s simple: I am tired.
The amount of energy that I put into my job is enormous. Physically I bike, walk, jump around, sing and dance, run up and down stairs, do exercises—whatever all day. And then there is the emotional side to consider. My work persona is what I like to call “genki as fuck.” I smile and laugh and sing and dance; I am patient; I am supportive; I am enthusiastic and energetic. It is extroversion at its finest.
And then there is the language barrier. At work I study Japanese. After work I study Japanese. At night classes I study Japanese. I walk down the street and learn something. Friends share new things. Essentially, I am always studying. Despite this time and effort, several times a week people say to me, “I’m sorry, but I don’t speak English.” This is said to me in Japanese. It is usually preceded by me having spoken in Japanese. And, dear Reader, before you start saying, “Well, maybe you…” I want you to keep in mind that this is usually me having spoken the phrase “ohaiyo gozaimasu,” which means “good morning,” which has been part of my morning routine for the past two years. The response to “ohaiyo gozaimasu” is “ohaiyo gozaimasu.” It’s really very simple. Sometimes other coworkers will ask the person, “Are you kidding me? She was just talking to you in Japanese. She understands Japanese. She speaks Japanese. Why won’t you say hello?” Oh, it can be tiring.
Friday night means socializing. Every minute of Saturday is seized to its utmost potential.
Sunday is the only day of rest. What a day!
2. Also: I miss privacy.
Yesterday a student asked for my signature. I laughed and asked why. “You’re famous, Sensei!” he said, “And when you return to America you’ll be famous too!” I wanted to laugh more, but the student was serious. Although he had a point.
I’m not famous, but my face is conspicuous.
Yesterday I went to the bank and was seen by a gaggle of students across the street. “Sensei! Sensei! Hello! Sensei!” they shrieked, jumping up and down excitedly. I hoped that they wouldn’t run across the street in their enthusiasm and get hit by cars. Everyone on the street heard them and turned to look at me. Everyone in the bank heard them and turned to look at me. I smiled at everyone, blushed, and waved.
Everyone knows who I am, even if I don’t know who they are.
And then there are questions. People want to know all about me, and my hobbies, my favorite food, and my birthday. They wonder what clothes I wear to school. They wonder how I decorate my room. They wonder how I… well, everything.
3. In conclusion: I am tired.
Damn, this post is really lame.
Upcoming posts will feature the following topics: concerts, David Foster Wallace, homesickness, language, satisfaction, travel, zombies, and a short story that is technically a comedy, but everyone dies.
Words and Dreams and a Million Screams
It’s been a while. Days and weeks have passed without update and you, dear Reader, are entitled to an explanation.
1. It’s simple: I am tired.
The amount of energy that I put into my job is enormous. Physically I bike, walk, jump around, sing and dance, run up and down stairs, do exercises—whatever all day. And then there is the emotional side to consider. My work persona is what I like to call “genki as fuck.” I smile and laugh and sing and dance; I am patient; I am supportive; I am enthusiastic and energetic. It is extroversion at its finest.
And then there is the language barrier. At work I study Japanese. After work I study Japanese. At night classes I study Japanese. I walk down the street and learn something. Friends share new things. Essentially, I am always studying. Despite this time and effort, several times a week people say to me, “I’m sorry, but I don’t speak English.” This is said to me in Japanese. It is usually preceded by me having spoken in Japanese. And, dear Reader, before you start saying, “Well, maybe you…” I want you to keep in mind that this is usually me having spoken the phrase “ohaiyo gozaimasu,” which means “good morning,” which has been part of my morning routine for the past two years. The response to “ohaiyo gozaimasu” is “ohaiyo gozaimasu.” It’s really very simple. Sometimes other coworkers will ask the person, “Are you kidding me? She was just talking to you in Japanese. She understands Japanese. She speaks Japanese. Why won’t you say hello?” Oh, it can be tiring.
Friday night means socializing. Every minute of Saturday is seized to its utmost potential.
Sunday is the only day of rest. What a day!
2. Also: I miss privacy.
Yesterday a student asked for my signature. I laughed and asked why. “You’re famous, Sensei!” he said, “And when you return to America you’ll be famous too!” I wanted to laugh more, but the student was serious. Although he had a point.
I’m not famous, but my face is conspicuous.
Yesterday I went to the bank and was seen by a gaggle of students across the street. “Sensei! Sensei! Hello! Sensei!” they shrieked, jumping up and down excitedly. I hoped that they wouldn’t run across the street in their enthusiasm and get hit by cars. Everyone on the street heard them and turned to look at me. Everyone in the bank heard them and turned to look at me. I smiled at everyone, blushed, and waved.
Everyone knows who I am, even if I don’t know who they are.
And then there are questions. People want to know all about me, and my hobbies, my favorite food, and my birthday. They wonder what clothes I wear to school. They wonder how I decorate my room. They wonder how I… well, everything.
3. In conclusion: I am tired.
Damn, this post is really lame.
Upcoming posts will feature the following topics: concerts, David Foster Wallace, homesickness, language, satisfaction, travel, zombies, and a short story that is technically a comedy, but everyone dies.
I wonder about everything too.
Also I experience tiredness. <3 you
Hey pal, I know it can get very tiring in all ways while in Japan, but it is totally worth it. The crazy experiences which sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful become really crazy nice nostalgic memories after you return. Even on the tough tired days, do your best to enjoy yourself. I love hearing your crazy enthusiastic happy stories. No need to fake it of course, but I really hope you stay as happy as you’ve been. Take care =) Skype soon? I have a 3 day weekend. Well two days left. But you know. It be good. Miss ya tons and tons.
@KT I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: The solution is more coffee. Six-day work week? More coffee. Oil spill? More coffee.
@Matt A skyping sounds good. I’ll leave it on and we’ll see if the magic happens. Miss you too, boo.
I read this while covering one eye and affected depth perception gave this a really dreamy tint. It sort of felt like I was watching a dream, only that dream wasn’t a dream, it was my life.
And you may ask yourself, “Well, how did I get here?”
Let’s go running until the rice paddies turn into the night sky and none of that matters anymore.
Being tired is no good. Relax!
<4. Its like <3, but more love!
Well, then I <4 you.