When first I laid eyes on Japan, I saw what would become my favorite and most treasured aspect of this culture: its people. From the moment I was greeted by the welcome party at the airport, through welcome parties, dinner invitations, and road trips to this very day when I shared a lunch with hospitable fellow teachers, I feel like I've been welcomed most enthusiastically. The Japanese people have taught me about hospitality; its importance, the sacrifice it requires, and the feeling of gratitude that is always present. I'll be ever-striving to imitate the openness of Japanese generosity.
The second thing I experienced in Japan, and also one of my favorite things about living here was school. School, and more specifically the students and teachers at school, are so refreshing and encouraging. I’m glad that my first year of teaching took place at Ozu Junior High. I've observed that Junior High is a magical age where students transform from children to young adults before your very eyes. It takes a few years, through a slow, rocky transformation, but when the journey is complete the evidence of a teacher's impact is clear. For better or worse, a student's progress in junior high is tangible and it's helped me see how very important the role of teacher is for young people.
I don't know how to classify the many and various experiences I've had this year. I've traveled, learned another language, met new people, listened to different music, driven on the other side of the road, and eaten all kinds of foods that haven't been cooked. ; ) For example, if my year's experiences in Japan were represented by a conveyor belt of sushi, the sushi would contain the following assortment: tamago (sweet egg-symbolizing memories that always make me smile), tako (octopus-for all the "firsts". Who knew I would enjoy raw octopus tentacles?! But I do and I'm so glad to have had the experience.), ikura (salmon eggs-There are some things that I just couldn't swallow. Of course, Japan isn't perfect. There are bad memories as well as good. I'll keep trying ikura and I'll try to keep an open mind. I don't want to miss a thing!), and finally, "maku ando chizu" (mac and cheese sushi-Remarkable, isn't it? That people across the globe can share so much. From language to pop culture to social values and even to comfort-food-faves, we have a lot in common.)
It's been a year; a great, unique, life-changing year. I'll never have these experiences again and I feel like I lack the pores necessary for soaking it up. There is much I want to do in the next year: I'd like to make an English club at my school, travel to another Asian country, buy a sanshin (Japanese guitar), and learn 365 kanji (Japanese/Chinese writing characters, one for each day!). I'm already dreaming and wishing and imagining the possibilities of my 2nd year anniversary. Will I have done everything I set out to do? Will I be satisfied with my time in Japan? I have 365 more sunrises. All I can do is take it one sunrise at a time.
that is so beautiful. I love your sweet spirit. It made it twice as emotional to me to read it while I'm listening to my Shelby-made cd!
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