My last days as a Japanese English Teacher

Almost 2 years being an assistant teacher in Japan.  What a ride it has been.  The experiences I've had here will undoubtedly shape who I am.  It hasn't all been roses and rainbows.  I've had some really dark times here.  In a country with almost the entire population of Australia in one city it can be incredibly isolating.  There is a cultural tapestry here, that on the surface is gorgeously woven with kindness and hospitality, but underneath has threadbare smiles and superficiality.  Often a feeling of never being accepted or acknowledged.  Of efforts being unnoticed or ignored whether deliberately or not.  Could I live in Japan?  I don't think so.  At least, I don't think I could work here.  Not enough logic, perhaps, could summate it.

But having said that, I think this country will forever replay in my mind.  There are so many things that I will remember fondly as my life continues on it's meandering path.  Surely I will miss them.  Maybe it'll be the genuine conscientiousness and thoughtfulness of people.  Or maybe the punctuality.  The amazing culture which is so electrified of positive energy you cannot fathom where it comes from.  Maybe it will be some crazy superficial things like the effectiveness of postage services, convenience stores which have real meals and everything else, or even the way traffic directors will guide you to your carpark completely oblivious to the redundancy of his job.  Yes.  I will miss Japan.  And it's toilets.  It has really been amazing.  I have learnt so much about the political, religious, historical and cultural significances of not just Japan but lots of Asia too.  I can see how narrow my vision was before.  How ignorant I had been, even without intending to be.  How ignorant so many of us can be.  I have seen some truly beautiful places and had some unforgettable experiences that no photo will be able to remember for me.

My time in Japan has come to an end.  It's time to move on to the next stage of my life and for me to see how it all goes.  It has been an amazing, unforgettable ride with some amazing unforgettable people.
Thank you Japan.  今からがんばりましょう

Another Birthday

It's surreal to think that I've been here almost a year and a half.  That's a long time.  I've learnt a lot, gained an epic amount of asian culture knowledge, made some great new friends.

It begs the question though, what next? What will my next adventure be?  What is a career and why do we need to have one?

For my birthday I went to a shibazakura park which was millions of these little flowers in full bloom.  Also took a trip to the coast to watch a re-enactment festival of the first American ships to come to Japan.

Fuji in Spring

Here's a couple of shots of Mt. Fuji from the ocean. Shortly before I went back to Australia for a holiday. It's a mountain with many facades it would seem. Just uploading a couple of photos before I unload some of the holiday pics onto my computer.