Sermon:
I'm preparing to preach my very first sermon every this week! IN JAPANESE! However, unlike the title of this blog, there will be no three point alliteration. :P My pastor is going to Korea for the weekend, so he asked me to fill in for him while he is gone. I'm totally excited for it! And feeling a bit nervous about not feeling nervous, if that makes sense. PLEASE please PLEASE please pray for me!!! That God will give me the right words to say, content-wise and linguistically, and that the people He wants there would be there. :)
Shinkansen:
I had a lovely weekend in Tokyo this past weekend. I got to see Yoshi and Satoru, two of my best Japanese guy friends (for the first time all three of us got to hang out together!), my AMAZING host fam in Yokohama, and my friend Lucas who is a TCU student. I'm toying with the idea of maybe trying to move to Tokyo next year, because then I could live with a family rather than by myself... I have to re-contract for next year the beginning of February, so that would only give me a few weeks to find a job in Tokyo... which doesn't seem practical, so I am leaning towards staying here. Please pray that God will guide me and put me right where he wants me. :)
Schools:
School has been going great! I love my students and the Japanese teachers I work with so much! I have been given a lot of favor in my schools, so I am really thankful for that. The vice principal of one of my schools takes me on a morning walk around the school with him each day so we have time to chat. He's letting me announce about church Sunday to all the teachers in the morning meeting tomorrow. I saw the prefectural adviser for the JET program today, and turns out I work with her sister at my elementary school, and she said "all of the teachers at the school love you!" Stoked... I've bumped heads a bit with one of the teachers at one of my schools, but things seem to be smoothing out a bit. (If you could keep praying for that tho, that would be great!) I got to work with some students in a special program for kids that don't want to go to school due to social disorders last week. The kids were super awesome (the teachers said they were way more energetic than normal! YAY!) I did a "how much?" shopping lesson that ended with a little talk about human value, as well as taught them about Thanksgiving and taught them how to say what they are thankful for.
(the alliteration is over... moving on!)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
I celebrated on Tuesday with an American missionary family here, so fun!! They have two little kids, and when we were going around saying what we were thankful for, their 5 year old girl said in a HUGE voice "I'M THANKFUL FOR JESUS AND THE WHOLE WORLD!" Best answer ever! May my heart echo that each day! I hope each and everyone of you have an AMAZING time with friends and family, thanking God for everything he has given us.
HOME!!!!
I'm coming home for Christmas in less than 3 weeks now! YAY!!!! Hopefully I will get to see a lot of you!
Thanks for your encouragement and support of my journey thus far! It really means the world to me!
LOVE YOU!!!!!! (Yes, YOU!)
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Waiting for God
So I am pretty sure I know what I want to do with the rest of my life...
Below is a short paper that a friend of mine, Lucas McCandliss, wrote about whats going on with a lot of girls here in Japan... Please take the time to read it and pray!!!
Waiting for God
It's been three days since Mizuho left home. This fourteen year old couldn't stand the yelling between her parents or the beatings from her father and brothers any longer, so she packed her bags and walked out the door. Mizuho, who spent the past three days sleeping at an Internet cafe, is now out of money. She doesn't have any future goals at present. The only thing on her mind is to find a way to keep from having to return home. She signs onto an Internet forum and leaves a message under the category “Waiting for God.” In that message she leaves her screen name, a falsified age of 18, a cute snapshot of herself, and a simple note stating where she is and how long she needs a place to stay. Within minutes “god” replies with an assurance of a safe place to stay for the next three days. Mizuho will now go and meet this god; and he'll give her food to eat, a place to shower, and a place to lay her head at night, all without any financial cost. However, there still remains a price to be paid. That price is her body; it will become his for as long as she stays there. She tells herself to be strong, and that this is better than going back home.
The story above is fiction; however, the situation it depicts is real. It is a combination of many of the girls stories who now keep a profile on what is called “Iede saito”(家出サイト), or in English, runaway's website. On these runaway websites you can do searches on the local town level, which allows girls who are waiting on their god to be “saved” promptly. Government regulation prohibits minors from accessing such sites. However, no real effort is made to verify the ages of the users. The origin of the runaway site comes from what is known as deai kei saito (出会い系サイト), or in English, casual encounters site. In 2005 the government started to regulate these sites more strictly in hopes that involvement in child prostitution would wane. However, the regulations backfired and caused simple to use, free internet forums where no specific laws were being broken to flood the internet.
The runaway websites are legal. The legal age of consent for sexual interaction without the exchange of money is 13 in Japan. If money is exchanged, both parties must be at least 18 years old in age. While no money is exchanged, the basic Principal of prostitution is still present. Because no laws are being broken directly, the police refuse to step in. This is a failure of the system as whole because everyday thousands of girls like Mizuho are put at risk as they search for a haven. The only help they receive are the words, “Stay strong.”
Below is a short paper that a friend of mine, Lucas McCandliss, wrote about whats going on with a lot of girls here in Japan... Please take the time to read it and pray!!!
Waiting for God
It's been three days since Mizuho left home. This fourteen year old couldn't stand the yelling between her parents or the beatings from her father and brothers any longer, so she packed her bags and walked out the door. Mizuho, who spent the past three days sleeping at an Internet cafe, is now out of money. She doesn't have any future goals at present. The only thing on her mind is to find a way to keep from having to return home. She signs onto an Internet forum and leaves a message under the category “Waiting for God.” In that message she leaves her screen name, a falsified age of 18, a cute snapshot of herself, and a simple note stating where she is and how long she needs a place to stay. Within minutes “god” replies with an assurance of a safe place to stay for the next three days. Mizuho will now go and meet this god; and he'll give her food to eat, a place to shower, and a place to lay her head at night, all without any financial cost. However, there still remains a price to be paid. That price is her body; it will become his for as long as she stays there. She tells herself to be strong, and that this is better than going back home.
The story above is fiction; however, the situation it depicts is real. It is a combination of many of the girls stories who now keep a profile on what is called “Iede saito”(家出サイト), or in English, runaway's website. On these runaway websites you can do searches on the local town level, which allows girls who are waiting on their god to be “saved” promptly. Government regulation prohibits minors from accessing such sites. However, no real effort is made to verify the ages of the users. The origin of the runaway site comes from what is known as deai kei saito (出会い系サイト), or in English, casual encounters site. In 2005 the government started to regulate these sites more strictly in hopes that involvement in child prostitution would wane. However, the regulations backfired and caused simple to use, free internet forums where no specific laws were being broken to flood the internet.
The runaway websites are legal. The legal age of consent for sexual interaction without the exchange of money is 13 in Japan. If money is exchanged, both parties must be at least 18 years old in age. While no money is exchanged, the basic Principal of prostitution is still present. Because no laws are being broken directly, the police refuse to step in. This is a failure of the system as whole because everyday thousands of girls like Mizuho are put at risk as they search for a haven. The only help they receive are the words, “Stay strong.”
Saturday, October 30, 2010
A Person is Valuable Who....
I had a free period and ran into some of my fav students in the hall and asked them what they were doing next, and they said that all the 8th graders were having a class on bullying etc.
I joined the class, and joined one of the groups where one of the students was absent. The first thing that we did as a group was think about what kind of characteristics are valuable in a person, literally, "A person who is__________ is valuable" (値打ちがある人は＿＿＿＿＿人）
We each had to write on our paper, and then share as a group. The first thing I wrote was "each person is valuable just for being a person, so everyone." then I continued to write things like "A person who thinks about others first" "a person who can love someone who has been awful to them" and stuff like that. Then we share as a group, and my students tell me "Sensei, you say such cool things!" (先生はかっこいことばっかり言うね！）Then one of the girls asks me, "Sensei, are you a Christian??" Turns out she is too! ;)
Then all the groups write the top five from their group on the board. I am up at the chalkboard, and turn around to see half the class huddled over my paper reading my answers! We had a really really good conversation, and their favorite answer ended up being that "each person is valuable." ;D
This was probably my favorite hour at school so far. So blessed!!
I get to go to an alternative school for kids with social issues who refuse to go to regular school in Nov. I am working on a lesson for "How much?" "Its 500 yen" etc, but am hoping to transition to a clip from Amazing Grace about the slave trade and get to ask "How much is a person worth?" I can't only teach these kids a few English phrases and not address any of their heart issues... I'm just in the brainstorming phase right now though, so if you have any ideas let me know!
Some of my students from my main junior high haven't been coming to school for the past year or two, but I might get to go visit them in their homes soon... we'll see what happens!
I joined the class, and joined one of the groups where one of the students was absent. The first thing that we did as a group was think about what kind of characteristics are valuable in a person, literally, "A person who is__________ is valuable" (値打ちがある人は＿＿＿＿＿人）
We each had to write on our paper, and then share as a group. The first thing I wrote was "each person is valuable just for being a person, so everyone." then I continued to write things like "A person who thinks about others first" "a person who can love someone who has been awful to them" and stuff like that. Then we share as a group, and my students tell me "Sensei, you say such cool things!" (先生はかっこいことばっかり言うね！）Then one of the girls asks me, "Sensei, are you a Christian??" Turns out she is too! ;)
Then all the groups write the top five from their group on the board. I am up at the chalkboard, and turn around to see half the class huddled over my paper reading my answers! We had a really really good conversation, and their favorite answer ended up being that "each person is valuable." ;D
This was probably my favorite hour at school so far. So blessed!!
I get to go to an alternative school for kids with social issues who refuse to go to regular school in Nov. I am working on a lesson for "How much?" "Its 500 yen" etc, but am hoping to transition to a clip from Amazing Grace about the slave trade and get to ask "How much is a person worth?" I can't only teach these kids a few English phrases and not address any of their heart issues... I'm just in the brainstorming phase right now though, so if you have any ideas let me know!
Some of my students from my main junior high haven't been coming to school for the past year or two, but I might get to go visit them in their homes soon... we'll see what happens!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Japanese Schools
Today I walked out of the teacher’s office during 4th period to see a line of desks where teachers were talking with students one-on-one. I asked my vice principal what was happening, and he explained to me that the students were consulting with the teachers about which high school they could attended based on their current test scores. In Japan where you go to high school determines where you can go to college. Even though most of the schools are public, there are “good schools” and “bad schools.” It made me so sad to watch my 14 and 15 year old students sitting there, knowing that their academic performance up to this point, and the decision they make now, will effect the course of their life. Each decision effects our life, of course, but there isn’t much of a chance for redemption or grace in this system. If you have had a hard time thus far, you go to the “bad” school, which will make it impossible to get into a good university. If you decide in high school that you really want to try, and you want to do your best, its kind of too late. A lot has already been decided for you. You’re at the “bad school,” tough luck. I'm not the only one that thinks the system puts undue pressure on these kids at too early an age. I got to have a really wonderful conversation with my vice principal about the pressure the system puts on students, problems in the American school system, moral deterioration in Japanese society, human nature and ultimately the meaning of and need for grace.
I’ve been working with the special ed class a bit this week, and it has continued to remind me of how great God’s love for us is. Theses students can’t do anything. They aren’t useful to society by traditional standards. But they are people. They are made in God’s very image. And they are perfectly loved and treasured by their creator. (I think Henry Nouwen got it right). Goodbye pressure to perform. Goodbye feelings of worthlessness if I mess up. I’m loved completely, extravagantly, and passionately by God. Even if I screw up. Even when I make mistakes. Maybe especially then? His compassion is so deep and He understands our frailty and need for grace. Even in my successes I need grace, and He gives it. I wish somehow I could let my students know how completely they are loved! Not so that they would stop trying to learn because they no longer need to perform, but so they could learn in security and live in confidence that their worth is not based on their academic performance or the prestige of their school.
Everything in the school system is so different. Yesterday I was reflecting on what life looks like here, and I honestly felt like if I was air dropped here for the first time, I would feel like I was on a different planet. It’s starting to feel like home though.
Some parts of this school system wonderful. For example, in Japanese schools, there are no janitors, so the students clean the school everyday. Cleaning time is so much fun!! I just finished doing the Japanese version of “mopping,” zokin. Place a rag on the floor, put both your hands on it, stick your but up in the air, and then run forward in that position pushing the rag in front of you across the floor. Japanese people are super good at it, but I really really suck... I always either slip or get stuck. Today I raced a bunch of my girls doing zokin. I lost AND fell and went sliding across the floor. It was so great, the whole hall was laughing. And it gave them a perfect opportunity to use their latest grammatical structure, “Is it difficult for you to use zokin?” One of the girls even told me in English, "Now you are a real Japanese girl!" There is a much stronger sense of community among students here than in the States. It's really beautiful.
However, this group identity leads to a stifled sense of self. I sit right next to one of the phones in the teacher’s room, which is wonderful for “listening practice” (aka eavesdropping). ;P My first day at school I heard this conversation between a teacher and one of the students fathers:
“Hello, this is so and so from Oike Junior High School. Is this so and so’s father?... I was calling about so and so’s hair color. Summer break just ended and his hair is a little bit brown… oh… his hair was always a little bit brown…?... Well, it was black last semester…Oh, he dyed it black last semester?... Well, do you think you could get him to dye it black again?”
As the Japanese proverb says, 出るくいは打たれる, the nail the sticks out will be pounded down.
Anyways, I love it here, but there are things I hate here (maybe that’s why I’m here?). I hate that one of my 8th grades doesn’t want to go to high school at all because he doesn’t think he is smart enough to get into a good school, so why bother. I hate that some of the seats I sit in at lunch are empty because the students refuse to come to school already (futoko). But I love the warmth the teachers and vice principal here extend to me. I love the joy with which the students greet me in the halls. I love the curiosity that they have about my world. I love the way the students care for one another. I love the deep conversations I can have with the Japanese teachers. I love zokin races down the hall at cleaning time. I love it here.
I’ve been working with the special ed class a bit this week, and it has continued to remind me of how great God’s love for us is. Theses students can’t do anything. They aren’t useful to society by traditional standards. But they are people. They are made in God’s very image. And they are perfectly loved and treasured by their creator. (I think Henry Nouwen got it right). Goodbye pressure to perform. Goodbye feelings of worthlessness if I mess up. I’m loved completely, extravagantly, and passionately by God. Even if I screw up. Even when I make mistakes. Maybe especially then? His compassion is so deep and He understands our frailty and need for grace. Even in my successes I need grace, and He gives it. I wish somehow I could let my students know how completely they are loved! Not so that they would stop trying to learn because they no longer need to perform, but so they could learn in security and live in confidence that their worth is not based on their academic performance or the prestige of their school.
Everything in the school system is so different. Yesterday I was reflecting on what life looks like here, and I honestly felt like if I was air dropped here for the first time, I would feel like I was on a different planet. It’s starting to feel like home though.
Some parts of this school system wonderful. For example, in Japanese schools, there are no janitors, so the students clean the school everyday. Cleaning time is so much fun!! I just finished doing the Japanese version of “mopping,” zokin. Place a rag on the floor, put both your hands on it, stick your but up in the air, and then run forward in that position pushing the rag in front of you across the floor. Japanese people are super good at it, but I really really suck... I always either slip or get stuck. Today I raced a bunch of my girls doing zokin. I lost AND fell and went sliding across the floor. It was so great, the whole hall was laughing. And it gave them a perfect opportunity to use their latest grammatical structure, “Is it difficult for you to use zokin?” One of the girls even told me in English, "Now you are a real Japanese girl!" There is a much stronger sense of community among students here than in the States. It's really beautiful.
However, this group identity leads to a stifled sense of self. I sit right next to one of the phones in the teacher’s room, which is wonderful for “listening practice” (aka eavesdropping). ;P My first day at school I heard this conversation between a teacher and one of the students fathers:
“Hello, this is so and so from Oike Junior High School. Is this so and so’s father?... I was calling about so and so’s hair color. Summer break just ended and his hair is a little bit brown… oh… his hair was always a little bit brown…?... Well, it was black last semester…Oh, he dyed it black last semester?... Well, do you think you could get him to dye it black again?”
As the Japanese proverb says, 出るくいは打たれる, the nail the sticks out will be pounded down.
Anyways, I love it here, but there are things I hate here (maybe that’s why I’m here?). I hate that one of my 8th grades doesn’t want to go to high school at all because he doesn’t think he is smart enough to get into a good school, so why bother. I hate that some of the seats I sit in at lunch are empty because the students refuse to come to school already (futoko). But I love the warmth the teachers and vice principal here extend to me. I love the joy with which the students greet me in the halls. I love the curiosity that they have about my world. I love the way the students care for one another. I love the deep conversations I can have with the Japanese teachers. I love zokin races down the hall at cleaning time. I love it here.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Kingdom of Heaven is like…
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 13:44
God gave me this verse before I left the States, and he keeps speaking it to me over and over here, in this new country.
As I continue to settle here, God keeps telling me to “go sell all I have.” My attachment to home country, my obsession with my friends, my desire to be close to family, my ability to function as a normal and literate member of society, my false idea that I can somehow control my own future. Go sell it all, and buy the one thing, the one being, who is worth everything.
I was listening to one of my favorite professor’s radio interview the other day, and he reminded me again that the choice to follow Jesus entails a complete surrender, a surrender that is effective every second of my life, and demands that every inch of my heart and every ounce of my will belong to Him. I don't call the shots anymore.
God is challenging me to surrender the last pieces of my heart that I have kept from Him. The piece of me that wants to have an out if the calling has placed on my life doesn’t turn out to be so “fun.” The fear that I am going to be alone, and lonely in this country. He wants it all on the table. But! He is worth it. Jesus is the treasure.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matt. 13:45-46
And it was worth it.
With all that to say, I am starting to get settled here!
Students:
I have been teaching for a few weeks now, and love my job! I love the students and love being a part of their lives, even though there are 1,300+ of them and I have no hope of ever remembering all their names. I’m making progress though!
Teachers:
I’ve also been bonding really well with the teachers I work with, both the English teachers and the other teachers. This past week Thursday was a national holiday and the school nurse from one of my junior highs that I hadn’t been to in two weeks called to invite me to a barbecue with her friends. She ended up coming over to my apartment afterward and we talked about life and God and dreams and issues that students have for more than 4 hours. She’s 25, so were pretty close in age, and I have a feeling we will be good friends. J I go out to dinner with one of my other teachers at least once a week. I’m becoming very good friends with the vice principal at one of my schools.
Small Group:
I’ve got a small group of Japanese girls in their 20s that meets at my apartment once a week. Its really difficult to meet cause we have to try to find a different night each week when people are off work, so it ranges from two to three of us, although there are quite a few others that want to come. They are all Christians, but some of them can’t go to church because of work. One of my girlies’ dads is a pastor, but some drama went down and the church, and he ended up leaving. Two of my girls are from that church, and haven’t been to any church in over half a year. Needless to say, they are at various places in their walk with God. Most of them are dating non-Christian boys (which is not surprising when the church in this country is 90% female). I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my girls! That the Lord would heal their wounded hearts and pour His love out on them in a way that they can understand and receive it. Also, if you could pray for wisdom for me, that I would be able to gently encourage them and lead them deeper into His heart. And if you could pray for my language ability, that would be great! It’s kinda tricky trying to talk about some of these things with my lack of vocab and illiteracy. But God has been gracious to me so far, and we have been able to talk about some deep stuff and pray for one another.
Church:
I finally settled on a church. It’s tiny (like 15-20) and super stoked to have me! The pastor and his family are really excited about introducing me to a lot of the community members and making opportunities for me to share God’s love with the people here.
Friends:
I still love my coworkers very much! And am building some friendships with Japanese girls in the community I have met in various ways. Today I went to a little coffee shop up in the mountains with a Japanese friend, and then we walked around and looked at a temple. She was actually the one that wanted to talk about religion, and we got to share our beliefs with each other. The temple was a place where you are supposedly able to ask a god for something you want after you walk around a certain rock 100 times. I got to tell her about how I can talk to God whenever, and He hears me because of Jesus. She was surprised that I could talk to God without being in a church building!
I had a three-day weekend last weekend, so I went to Tokyo and got to meet a ton of Japanese friends and international student friends from when I was on study abroad in 2007. It was sooooooo good! It felt like being home. And when I got back to Mie, it also felt like coming home in a way. I think that the trip was a really good choice to remind myself that I am not in a completely new country, and that God has been establishing me here and preparing me for this since before I came to this country my first time when I was 16.
I also made a new friend who has been a missionary here for a few years and just started studying at Tokyo Christian University (TCU). Long story sort: he is my German friend from TCU in 2007’s German friend from high school’s American husband’s little brother’s YWAM teammate… and we just ran into each other randomly at TCU’s cafeteria. It's the first time I met someone who could really understand all my experiences in this country. We’re both pretty thankful to have a friend to vent to and be encouraged by that actually understands why we are here, as well the intricacies of being an American, Japanese speaking Christian with a heart for the gospel, youth and the Japanese church.
Oh, there is so much more I could say!! But I am already on page three… so I’ll stop for your sake.
Please keep me in your prayers! I need wisdom, language ability, and stability of soul to keep moving onward and upward in my own life and in my interactions with the beautiful people in this country. Thanks for partnering with me on the journey!
PS I’m not allowed to post any pictures of my students online because of Japanese gov. privacy regulation, but I am totally allowed to e-mail them, so if you want to see, send me your email address! brown.k.michelle@gmail.com
Matthew 13:44
God gave me this verse before I left the States, and he keeps speaking it to me over and over here, in this new country.
As I continue to settle here, God keeps telling me to “go sell all I have.” My attachment to home country, my obsession with my friends, my desire to be close to family, my ability to function as a normal and literate member of society, my false idea that I can somehow control my own future. Go sell it all, and buy the one thing, the one being, who is worth everything.
I was listening to one of my favorite professor’s radio interview the other day, and he reminded me again that the choice to follow Jesus entails a complete surrender, a surrender that is effective every second of my life, and demands that every inch of my heart and every ounce of my will belong to Him. I don't call the shots anymore.
God is challenging me to surrender the last pieces of my heart that I have kept from Him. The piece of me that wants to have an out if the calling has placed on my life doesn’t turn out to be so “fun.” The fear that I am going to be alone, and lonely in this country. He wants it all on the table. But! He is worth it. Jesus is the treasure.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matt. 13:45-46
And it was worth it.
With all that to say, I am starting to get settled here!
Students:
I have been teaching for a few weeks now, and love my job! I love the students and love being a part of their lives, even though there are 1,300+ of them and I have no hope of ever remembering all their names. I’m making progress though!
Teachers:
I’ve also been bonding really well with the teachers I work with, both the English teachers and the other teachers. This past week Thursday was a national holiday and the school nurse from one of my junior highs that I hadn’t been to in two weeks called to invite me to a barbecue with her friends. She ended up coming over to my apartment afterward and we talked about life and God and dreams and issues that students have for more than 4 hours. She’s 25, so were pretty close in age, and I have a feeling we will be good friends. J I go out to dinner with one of my other teachers at least once a week. I’m becoming very good friends with the vice principal at one of my schools.
Small Group:
I’ve got a small group of Japanese girls in their 20s that meets at my apartment once a week. Its really difficult to meet cause we have to try to find a different night each week when people are off work, so it ranges from two to three of us, although there are quite a few others that want to come. They are all Christians, but some of them can’t go to church because of work. One of my girlies’ dads is a pastor, but some drama went down and the church, and he ended up leaving. Two of my girls are from that church, and haven’t been to any church in over half a year. Needless to say, they are at various places in their walk with God. Most of them are dating non-Christian boys (which is not surprising when the church in this country is 90% female). I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my girls! That the Lord would heal their wounded hearts and pour His love out on them in a way that they can understand and receive it. Also, if you could pray for wisdom for me, that I would be able to gently encourage them and lead them deeper into His heart. And if you could pray for my language ability, that would be great! It’s kinda tricky trying to talk about some of these things with my lack of vocab and illiteracy. But God has been gracious to me so far, and we have been able to talk about some deep stuff and pray for one another.
Church:
I finally settled on a church. It’s tiny (like 15-20) and super stoked to have me! The pastor and his family are really excited about introducing me to a lot of the community members and making opportunities for me to share God’s love with the people here.
Friends:
I still love my coworkers very much! And am building some friendships with Japanese girls in the community I have met in various ways. Today I went to a little coffee shop up in the mountains with a Japanese friend, and then we walked around and looked at a temple. She was actually the one that wanted to talk about religion, and we got to share our beliefs with each other. The temple was a place where you are supposedly able to ask a god for something you want after you walk around a certain rock 100 times. I got to tell her about how I can talk to God whenever, and He hears me because of Jesus. She was surprised that I could talk to God without being in a church building!
I had a three-day weekend last weekend, so I went to Tokyo and got to meet a ton of Japanese friends and international student friends from when I was on study abroad in 2007. It was sooooooo good! It felt like being home. And when I got back to Mie, it also felt like coming home in a way. I think that the trip was a really good choice to remind myself that I am not in a completely new country, and that God has been establishing me here and preparing me for this since before I came to this country my first time when I was 16.
I also made a new friend who has been a missionary here for a few years and just started studying at Tokyo Christian University (TCU). Long story sort: he is my German friend from TCU in 2007’s German friend from high school’s American husband’s little brother’s YWAM teammate… and we just ran into each other randomly at TCU’s cafeteria. It's the first time I met someone who could really understand all my experiences in this country. We’re both pretty thankful to have a friend to vent to and be encouraged by that actually understands why we are here, as well the intricacies of being an American, Japanese speaking Christian with a heart for the gospel, youth and the Japanese church.
Oh, there is so much more I could say!! But I am already on page three… so I’ll stop for your sake.
Please keep me in your prayers! I need wisdom, language ability, and stability of soul to keep moving onward and upward in my own life and in my interactions with the beautiful people in this country. Thanks for partnering with me on the journey!
PS I’m not allowed to post any pictures of my students online because of Japanese gov. privacy regulation, but I am totally allowed to e-mail them, so if you want to see, send me your email address! brown.k.michelle@gmail.com
Sunday, September 5, 2010
First Days of School
I’m a teacher. It's weird to realize that I am the teacher now when I have been a student all my life. It’s strange because I don’t feel strange. I don’t really feel any different at all standing at the front of the class. I just feel like me… BUT I LOVE IT!
I’ve been at my main school, Oike Junior High, for three days now. I have 16 classes, totaling around 850 students. I am the only foreigner and the only native English speaker, so being there is quite an experience!
To be able to fully convey what my experience has been like, I need to tell you about the American that had my job at my school before me… I hate to talk poorly about someone I have never met, but my experiences there are directly linked to him in a way… so I’ll just stay it straight. My predecessor was a 41 years old 6 foot +, 300 pound + American male. He wanted to pocket the money that the Board of Education gives us for transportation, so he would ride his bike for about an hour to get to Oike, and show up literally soaked with sweat. We were specifically instructed to not eat junk food in front of the students, but he would walk around the school chugging a 2 liter coke every day (eating or drinking while walking is very rude in Japanese culture). From what the teachers and vice principle have told me, he didn’t work hard or care much about being involved with the students. So pretty much no matter what I do here, I am golden in everyone’s eyes.
The beginning of the semester opening ceremony was my first day at Oike. I had to make a speech to the whole school in English, and was told to translate for myself into Japanese. As I walked over to the gym for the ceremony, I felt like I was in a parade. All of the students were crowded into the corridor and would stare at me, smile at me, wave at me, shout “hello” or talk to each other in Japanese about me screaming things like, “Gyyyaaa! KAWAII!” (Ohhh! She’s so cute!) Made me feel like a million bucks, that's for sure. As I sat in the back of the ceremony looking around at all the students, I almost cried. I was so excited to finally be here! After all these years of prep, prayer, and following God’s direction in my life, these were the students I am being entrusted with for this year.
The following day I began teaching. I walked into my classroom, and one of the girls sitting up front turned around and yelled to the rest of the class in Japanese, “Oh my gosh! She’s so much better than the other teacher!” I started laughing, of course. Then all the students started murmuring to themselves, “OH! She understand, she understands!” Nice way to start out my teaching carrier. My first lesson for every class I teach is my self-introduction lesson. I have blown up, laminated, and attached magnets to a bunch of pictures of things in my life. Family, friends, places I’ve traveled, my hometown, hobbies, languages I’ve studies, etc. I try to make them interact as much as possible, asking them if they have siblings too, or having them guess things about me. I’ve discovered the “How old am I?” question is quite dangerous. I’ve gotten 37, and even 50 as answers! I have a picture of me as a baby, and the students always freak out when I show it and start asking each other in Japanese “Is that her baby?” Its funny to listen in on them as I do my presentation, cause they still haven’t quite figured out that I can understand whatever they say… “Wow! She can do anything!” “She looks like her mom!” etc. The second half of class we play a quiz game in teams about trivia from my life. “How old is my brother?” “What’s my grandpa’s trucks name?” How many countries have I been to?” The students get pretty into it, its really fun! Some of my kids are super ADD and are standing on their chairs and trying to sit up in the windowsills instead of in their chairs, but I think they will be some of my favorites. ;)
Lunch time I get to eat with the students. The students all eat lunch in their classrooms in groups that are assigned by the teacher and only rotate every few months. My first lunch I got put with a group of students that was so shy they wouldn’t even looks at me or tell me their names. Luckily, the girl that screamed “this teacher is so much better than the last one,” Sae, keep yelling questions to me in English from the other side of the classroom. “Teacher!! Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, many many! Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, many many!”
(Best way to dodge the question, and give everyone a good laugh).
The next day Sae and her friends all ran into the hall as I was walking by and wanted me to hug them. Hugging a Japanese person is like hugging a cardboard cut out. They never hug, so they have no idea how to do it and just stand there with their arms out. It’s really cute and pretty amusing.
When I’m not in class I’m in the teachers room at my desk editing and grading assignments. The last two days of school I graded all of the second and third year paper about what they did during summer, and wrote the students little notes. One of the second years went to Bible camp over summer. I haven’t taught their class yet, but I’m looking forward to meeting them! Statistically there should be 4-8 Christian students at my school. I can’t wait to find them! J
There are a lot of really really cool teachers at my school! Most don’t speak English, so they are really happy to be able to speak to me in Japanese. The vice principal is super super chill, and so is the school nurse, tea lady, and rest of the staff. J
There is a cleaning period each day where all the students clean the school. I’ve been joining the students in cleaning. They don’t use mops, just wash rags. They do this thing where they put the rag on the floor, put their hands on it in a crouching position, and then stick their butts up in the air and push the rag down the corridor. I’m really bad at it. I either get stuck and can’t go forward or go two quick and fall down… it’ll take some practice. Teachers usually don’t clean, so the vice principal LOVES it that I clean with the students. I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten on his good side already. Plus, it's a great chance to chitchat with the students.
I go to my second junior high next Wednesday. I’m only there about 4 or 5 days a month. Every Friday starting this week I will be at Tokiwa Elementary School, just down the street from here.
So that's the story!!!!!!!!!! I’m a teacher.
I’ve been at my main school, Oike Junior High, for three days now. I have 16 classes, totaling around 850 students. I am the only foreigner and the only native English speaker, so being there is quite an experience!
To be able to fully convey what my experience has been like, I need to tell you about the American that had my job at my school before me… I hate to talk poorly about someone I have never met, but my experiences there are directly linked to him in a way… so I’ll just stay it straight. My predecessor was a 41 years old 6 foot +, 300 pound + American male. He wanted to pocket the money that the Board of Education gives us for transportation, so he would ride his bike for about an hour to get to Oike, and show up literally soaked with sweat. We were specifically instructed to not eat junk food in front of the students, but he would walk around the school chugging a 2 liter coke every day (eating or drinking while walking is very rude in Japanese culture). From what the teachers and vice principle have told me, he didn’t work hard or care much about being involved with the students. So pretty much no matter what I do here, I am golden in everyone’s eyes.
The beginning of the semester opening ceremony was my first day at Oike. I had to make a speech to the whole school in English, and was told to translate for myself into Japanese. As I walked over to the gym for the ceremony, I felt like I was in a parade. All of the students were crowded into the corridor and would stare at me, smile at me, wave at me, shout “hello” or talk to each other in Japanese about me screaming things like, “Gyyyaaa! KAWAII!” (Ohhh! She’s so cute!) Made me feel like a million bucks, that's for sure. As I sat in the back of the ceremony looking around at all the students, I almost cried. I was so excited to finally be here! After all these years of prep, prayer, and following God’s direction in my life, these were the students I am being entrusted with for this year.
The following day I began teaching. I walked into my classroom, and one of the girls sitting up front turned around and yelled to the rest of the class in Japanese, “Oh my gosh! She’s so much better than the other teacher!” I started laughing, of course. Then all the students started murmuring to themselves, “OH! She understand, she understands!” Nice way to start out my teaching carrier. My first lesson for every class I teach is my self-introduction lesson. I have blown up, laminated, and attached magnets to a bunch of pictures of things in my life. Family, friends, places I’ve traveled, my hometown, hobbies, languages I’ve studies, etc. I try to make them interact as much as possible, asking them if they have siblings too, or having them guess things about me. I’ve discovered the “How old am I?” question is quite dangerous. I’ve gotten 37, and even 50 as answers! I have a picture of me as a baby, and the students always freak out when I show it and start asking each other in Japanese “Is that her baby?” Its funny to listen in on them as I do my presentation, cause they still haven’t quite figured out that I can understand whatever they say… “Wow! She can do anything!” “She looks like her mom!” etc. The second half of class we play a quiz game in teams about trivia from my life. “How old is my brother?” “What’s my grandpa’s trucks name?” How many countries have I been to?” The students get pretty into it, its really fun! Some of my kids are super ADD and are standing on their chairs and trying to sit up in the windowsills instead of in their chairs, but I think they will be some of my favorites. ;)
Lunch time I get to eat with the students. The students all eat lunch in their classrooms in groups that are assigned by the teacher and only rotate every few months. My first lunch I got put with a group of students that was so shy they wouldn’t even looks at me or tell me their names. Luckily, the girl that screamed “this teacher is so much better than the last one,” Sae, keep yelling questions to me in English from the other side of the classroom. “Teacher!! Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, many many! Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, many many!”
(Best way to dodge the question, and give everyone a good laugh).
The next day Sae and her friends all ran into the hall as I was walking by and wanted me to hug them. Hugging a Japanese person is like hugging a cardboard cut out. They never hug, so they have no idea how to do it and just stand there with their arms out. It’s really cute and pretty amusing.
When I’m not in class I’m in the teachers room at my desk editing and grading assignments. The last two days of school I graded all of the second and third year paper about what they did during summer, and wrote the students little notes. One of the second years went to Bible camp over summer. I haven’t taught their class yet, but I’m looking forward to meeting them! Statistically there should be 4-8 Christian students at my school. I can’t wait to find them! J
There are a lot of really really cool teachers at my school! Most don’t speak English, so they are really happy to be able to speak to me in Japanese. The vice principal is super super chill, and so is the school nurse, tea lady, and rest of the staff. J
There is a cleaning period each day where all the students clean the school. I’ve been joining the students in cleaning. They don’t use mops, just wash rags. They do this thing where they put the rag on the floor, put their hands on it in a crouching position, and then stick their butts up in the air and push the rag down the corridor. I’m really bad at it. I either get stuck and can’t go forward or go two quick and fall down… it’ll take some practice. Teachers usually don’t clean, so the vice principal LOVES it that I clean with the students. I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten on his good side already. Plus, it's a great chance to chitchat with the students.
I go to my second junior high next Wednesday. I’m only there about 4 or 5 days a month. Every Friday starting this week I will be at Tokiwa Elementary School, just down the street from here.
So that's the story!!!!!!!!!! I’m a teacher.
Monday, August 30, 2010
“Nice to meet you! Let’s get naked!” “AGGGHHH it's a foreigner!” And other cultural oddities!
Since I’ve last posted I’m gone to all my schools, met the teachers I will be working with, made quite a few new friends, climbed an EPIC mountain, traveled to Okayama to see one of my girlies from YWAM, visited the Asahi Brewery in Nagoya, begun to get networked with the Christian community in Yokkaichi, spoken at a church, and been asked to help start an inter-church young women’s small group, among other things. It’s been busy! (There are pics of most of these on facebook, so feel free to take the photo tour!)
But rather than giving you all the details of those events, I want to tell you some interesting cultural musings and experiences I’ve had. Especially for those of you readers that have never been over here.
I met this girl at a friend’s get together, and then I met here randomly again on the train a week later. She found out I like hiking, so she offered to take me to climb a mountain. Then she took me to the Onsen, the hot springs/bath house. It was our first time hanging out, and one of our activities was to get naked, take a shower right next to each other, and then go sit in a hot tub together, naked, and chat it up for an hour or so. NORMAL. I went to visit a friend from YWAM this weekend at her family’s house in Okayama. I haven’t seen her in 3 years, or her family in 5. When I arrived they took me to sushi, and then to the onsen. My friend, her mother, sister and I all bathed together. NORMAL. This weekend while I was gone one of my coworkers went to the onsen and ran into one of her students. Can you imagine being a junior teacher and running into one of your students while you are both naked? But here… it’s NORMAL. Interesting, huh? I’ve been here long enough to be comfortable with my body… around complete strangers and people I’ve just met… weird, I know. But here it’s NORMAL.
The other day I was wearing what I thought was a very cute and work appropriate blouse. Then my boss said to me… “Michelle, your shirt is very cute! You’re shirt is very Asian. Your shirt is colorful… Junior high students have to wear very dull colors…” End of conversation. I asked one of my coworkers who has been here longer what that could have possibly meant, because I had worn much more colorful clothes to work and never had it mentioned before. She said, “Oh, I was gonna tell you, our boss is o.c.d. about sleeve length, and yours were a bit short.” CUTE+ASIAN+COLORFUL+STUDENTS WEAR DULL COLORS= MY SLEAVES ARE TOO SHORT. Try that for indirect communication!!! Which, by the way, is the main way Japanese communicate.
I live here, but I don’t belong here. In the Japanese way of thinking at least. Their word for foreigner is 外人(gaijin). The character 外(gai) means outside, and 人 (jin) means person. We aren’t much nicer calling our immigrants back home “aliens.” Back home, diversity is the norm. Here, in Japan, homogeneity is the rule, as it has been from the beginning of this nation. The Japanese have a proverb, 出る杭は打たれる. (The nail that sticks out will be pounded down). Conformity is a virtue.
Japan. Land of a thousand gods. Land of 1.3 million faces. Walk through any crowded area and you will be greeted by a sea of flowing humanity... all Japanese.
In this land, I am 外人(gaijin). Foreigner. No matter how long I live here, no matter how fluent my Japanese becomes, I will always be 外人(gaijin). Imagine how utterly I would fail if I tried to fit in with all 5’8” of my gaijin-ness and red hair!
Being a foreigner here is both a blessing and a cures.
Downers:
#1. The “AGGHHHHH!!! WHAT IS THAT THING!?! PLEASE DON”T EAT MY CHILDREN!” face. This is often the reaction when a Japanese person suddenly sees me where they were expecting to see a normal Japanese person. This is by far the worse part of being gaijin for me. It makes me feel like I am some kind of monster and not a real person.
#2. Everyone knows where I live. I got off the train at 11:30 one night and was approached by a middle aged Japanese man that said to me in broken English, “You’re an American, and you live in Leo Palace Apartments!” Creepy!!!!!!!!!!!
#3. If I do anything wrong in public (like run a red on my bike or something) there’s a good chance of it making it back to my boss, cause its very obvious who I am and where I work.
#4. My head hurts from bumping into things, and my back hurts from bending over.
#5 I get stared out all the time, and I feel like a giant.
PLUSES:
#1. I will always be noticed. Need any attention fix? Try being a gaijin for a day.
#2. I get excused for my mistakes as not knowing better.
#3. I will be constantly praised for my ability to speak Japanese. Feeling down? Say five words, and suddenly everyone thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread! (tatemae mo aru kedo ne)
#4. I can break Japanese cultural norms. My favorite to break is “don’t talk to strangers.” I’ve made plenty of friends on the train, talked with the bus drivers the whole trip, etc. Japanese people would never do that with each other, but because I am gaijin, its fair game.
#5. When the train is really crowded I can still breathe easily because my head is above everyone else’s!
#6. If I ask for help, for example what train to take, I usually end up with someone to talk with the rest of the trip! So fun!
AN EXPERIMENT: One of my friends here is Asian American. He was bummed for a while that he wasn’t getting the gaijin treatment and getting to experience what the rest of us blatantly foreign people are experiencing. We were coming home late one night with a bunch of our coworkers, and talking about it in on our way to the train station. I said “Ok, watch this” as I slipped my arm through his. Suddenly, EVERYONE was watching us, gesturing towards us, and taking pictures. The reaction was, “AGGHH!! That Japanese guy is with that foreign chick!!! We’ve never seen anything like this before!” It was so funny to watch the whole train station react. (Yes, a part of it was that people aren’t used to PDA, but that level of PDA I see often enough to know that it wasn’t a reaction to that). Good thing I didn’t come over here with my heart set on finding a Japanese boyfriend! Their reaction tells me the odds of that happening. :P
Needless to say, I am what I am. Gaijin!! And I am gonna milk it for all its worth! Its so easy to talk to people here looking like I do and speaking Japanese. :D We’ll see what doors God continues to open for me! Soli Deo Gloria!
(PS I’ll post later about deeper things in my heart and mind, but for today, just some cultural trivia! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! LOVE YOU FRINEDS!!)
But rather than giving you all the details of those events, I want to tell you some interesting cultural musings and experiences I’ve had. Especially for those of you readers that have never been over here.
I met this girl at a friend’s get together, and then I met here randomly again on the train a week later. She found out I like hiking, so she offered to take me to climb a mountain. Then she took me to the Onsen, the hot springs/bath house. It was our first time hanging out, and one of our activities was to get naked, take a shower right next to each other, and then go sit in a hot tub together, naked, and chat it up for an hour or so. NORMAL. I went to visit a friend from YWAM this weekend at her family’s house in Okayama. I haven’t seen her in 3 years, or her family in 5. When I arrived they took me to sushi, and then to the onsen. My friend, her mother, sister and I all bathed together. NORMAL. This weekend while I was gone one of my coworkers went to the onsen and ran into one of her students. Can you imagine being a junior teacher and running into one of your students while you are both naked? But here… it’s NORMAL. Interesting, huh? I’ve been here long enough to be comfortable with my body… around complete strangers and people I’ve just met… weird, I know. But here it’s NORMAL.
The other day I was wearing what I thought was a very cute and work appropriate blouse. Then my boss said to me… “Michelle, your shirt is very cute! You’re shirt is very Asian. Your shirt is colorful… Junior high students have to wear very dull colors…” End of conversation. I asked one of my coworkers who has been here longer what that could have possibly meant, because I had worn much more colorful clothes to work and never had it mentioned before. She said, “Oh, I was gonna tell you, our boss is o.c.d. about sleeve length, and yours were a bit short.” CUTE+ASIAN+COLORFUL+STUDENTS WEAR DULL COLORS= MY SLEAVES ARE TOO SHORT. Try that for indirect communication!!! Which, by the way, is the main way Japanese communicate.
I live here, but I don’t belong here. In the Japanese way of thinking at least. Their word for foreigner is 外人(gaijin). The character 外(gai) means outside, and 人 (jin) means person. We aren’t much nicer calling our immigrants back home “aliens.” Back home, diversity is the norm. Here, in Japan, homogeneity is the rule, as it has been from the beginning of this nation. The Japanese have a proverb, 出る杭は打たれる. (The nail that sticks out will be pounded down). Conformity is a virtue.
Japan. Land of a thousand gods. Land of 1.3 million faces. Walk through any crowded area and you will be greeted by a sea of flowing humanity... all Japanese.
In this land, I am 外人(gaijin). Foreigner. No matter how long I live here, no matter how fluent my Japanese becomes, I will always be 外人(gaijin). Imagine how utterly I would fail if I tried to fit in with all 5’8” of my gaijin-ness and red hair!
Being a foreigner here is both a blessing and a cures.
Downers:
#1. The “AGGHHHHH!!! WHAT IS THAT THING!?! PLEASE DON”T EAT MY CHILDREN!” face. This is often the reaction when a Japanese person suddenly sees me where they were expecting to see a normal Japanese person. This is by far the worse part of being gaijin for me. It makes me feel like I am some kind of monster and not a real person.
#2. Everyone knows where I live. I got off the train at 11:30 one night and was approached by a middle aged Japanese man that said to me in broken English, “You’re an American, and you live in Leo Palace Apartments!” Creepy!!!!!!!!!!!
#3. If I do anything wrong in public (like run a red on my bike or something) there’s a good chance of it making it back to my boss, cause its very obvious who I am and where I work.
#4. My head hurts from bumping into things, and my back hurts from bending over.
#5 I get stared out all the time, and I feel like a giant.
PLUSES:
#1. I will always be noticed. Need any attention fix? Try being a gaijin for a day.
#2. I get excused for my mistakes as not knowing better.
#3. I will be constantly praised for my ability to speak Japanese. Feeling down? Say five words, and suddenly everyone thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread! (tatemae mo aru kedo ne)
#4. I can break Japanese cultural norms. My favorite to break is “don’t talk to strangers.” I’ve made plenty of friends on the train, talked with the bus drivers the whole trip, etc. Japanese people would never do that with each other, but because I am gaijin, its fair game.
#5. When the train is really crowded I can still breathe easily because my head is above everyone else’s!
#6. If I ask for help, for example what train to take, I usually end up with someone to talk with the rest of the trip! So fun!
AN EXPERIMENT: One of my friends here is Asian American. He was bummed for a while that he wasn’t getting the gaijin treatment and getting to experience what the rest of us blatantly foreign people are experiencing. We were coming home late one night with a bunch of our coworkers, and talking about it in on our way to the train station. I said “Ok, watch this” as I slipped my arm through his. Suddenly, EVERYONE was watching us, gesturing towards us, and taking pictures. The reaction was, “AGGHH!! That Japanese guy is with that foreign chick!!! We’ve never seen anything like this before!” It was so funny to watch the whole train station react. (Yes, a part of it was that people aren’t used to PDA, but that level of PDA I see often enough to know that it wasn’t a reaction to that). Good thing I didn’t come over here with my heart set on finding a Japanese boyfriend! Their reaction tells me the odds of that happening. :P
Needless to say, I am what I am. Gaijin!! And I am gonna milk it for all its worth! Its so easy to talk to people here looking like I do and speaking Japanese. :D We’ll see what doors God continues to open for me! Soli Deo Gloria!
(PS I’ll post later about deeper things in my heart and mind, but for today, just some cultural trivia! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! LOVE YOU FRINEDS!!)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
What a Weekend!
This weekend has been nothing but guzen (fate), as the Japanese would say. However, I would like to attribute all of this weekend’s happenings to divine providence.
Friday night:
My JET RA, Hallie, invited me and the others I work with over to her house in the countryside to hang out and spend the night. The next morning we would be picked up by some Japanese people to go to their house and make Tacos. Hallie knows that I am Christian, and her Japanese friends are Christian so she wanted to introduce me. Friday night we hang out with us Americans, and some Japanese girls, one of them who is named Akiko. Guitar hero, snacks, drinks, AC, Japanese conversation and an apartment that has 4 rooms=bliss!
Saturday:
Ms. Mori comes to pick us up take us to her daughter’s house to make tacos. Ms. Mori’s daughter, Ayumi, and Ayumi’s husband (they just got married in Jan.) come out to meet us in the parking lot. Turns out her husband is a Nepalese guy that I met in Chiba in 2007! It was so crazy! We were both like, “WHHAAA?? I know you!!!” So we have a lovely time eating tacos and hanging out. Turns out that not only my Nepalese friend, Ashesh, is Christian, but so are Ms. Mori, Ayumi. They agreed to take me to church with them the next day. Later that night I went to watch a movie at one of my coworkers apartments. When I got back, I had gotten an email from a local pastor apologizing for not getting back to me before Sat. night at 10, because I would be able to make it to church the next day because of the late notice (he was at camp all week, so his late reply was totally not his fault.) Turns out his church is the one that Ms. Mori and the crew go to, and I had already been invited.
Sunday:
I show up at that church, and the pastor is like “WHHAAA? How did you get here?” After the service this girl comes up to me and tells me that she goes to the school in Chiba I did a semester at in 2007, and although she is a freshman, she knows who I am from seeing my pics on our mutual friends facebook. Then I get to meet some of my future students who go to the church! They are the elementary kids, and are SOOOO CUTE!!
I come home for the afternoon, and get to skype with my fam, and my framily (friends who have become family) Jacob, Terrilyn and Antje.
For the evening I head over to eastern Nagoya to attend an international church one of my friends from study abroad is working at. Its about a two hour commute, but I had an awesome time making friends with the bus drivers and people on the trains. (Its such a blessing to be a foreigner here and speak Japanese!! Everyone is willing to talk to you.) The service was amazing and I feel so refreshed!! I got to catch up with my friend Joey, who I haven’t seen in 3 years, and meet his lovely fiancé Yisel who is from Uruguay (she is soooooooo sweet!) We had a lovely time catching up over dinner. I caught the last bus out of their area, and chatted it up with the drive all the way to the station (20 mins), then took the subway over to Nagoya station and hopped on an express train to Yokkaichi. This Japanese guys came and sat down next to me and was looking at me in the “I want to talk to you but I’m shy” way (as opposed to the “I want to stare at you cause you are white” way that is most common.” I leaned across the isle to ask him if the train I was on when to Yokkaichi, even though I knew it did, just to give him a chance to talk if he wanted to. Turns out he did! He speaks amazing English, is super friendly, and has a PHD in Chemistry, AND he surfs in Mie!!! So we’re probably going to the beach sometime in the near future. One of my coworkers had been dying to surf, so he is going to be so stoked that we finally have a surfing connection. J About three quarters of the way to Yokkaichi station, I look towards the front of the car and see my friend Akiko that I met Friday night! So she comes and hangs out with me and Katsu for the rest of that train ride, and then we both have to transfer to the same local train, so we go together and get to hang out more and exchange numbers. Seems like we will be hanging out sometime soon! She loves to hike, so I am super excited to go adventuring with her!
So those are the highlights of the weekend!! Yes, I am still a bit homesick, but I am starting to be more and more comfortable here as I network and see that God SO has his hand in me being here.
Coming soon: Blog on what its like being a foreigner in Japan… ;)
Friday night:
My JET RA, Hallie, invited me and the others I work with over to her house in the countryside to hang out and spend the night. The next morning we would be picked up by some Japanese people to go to their house and make Tacos. Hallie knows that I am Christian, and her Japanese friends are Christian so she wanted to introduce me. Friday night we hang out with us Americans, and some Japanese girls, one of them who is named Akiko. Guitar hero, snacks, drinks, AC, Japanese conversation and an apartment that has 4 rooms=bliss!
Saturday:
Ms. Mori comes to pick us up take us to her daughter’s house to make tacos. Ms. Mori’s daughter, Ayumi, and Ayumi’s husband (they just got married in Jan.) come out to meet us in the parking lot. Turns out her husband is a Nepalese guy that I met in Chiba in 2007! It was so crazy! We were both like, “WHHAAA?? I know you!!!” So we have a lovely time eating tacos and hanging out. Turns out that not only my Nepalese friend, Ashesh, is Christian, but so are Ms. Mori, Ayumi. They agreed to take me to church with them the next day. Later that night I went to watch a movie at one of my coworkers apartments. When I got back, I had gotten an email from a local pastor apologizing for not getting back to me before Sat. night at 10, because I would be able to make it to church the next day because of the late notice (he was at camp all week, so his late reply was totally not his fault.) Turns out his church is the one that Ms. Mori and the crew go to, and I had already been invited.
Sunday:
I show up at that church, and the pastor is like “WHHAAA? How did you get here?” After the service this girl comes up to me and tells me that she goes to the school in Chiba I did a semester at in 2007, and although she is a freshman, she knows who I am from seeing my pics on our mutual friends facebook. Then I get to meet some of my future students who go to the church! They are the elementary kids, and are SOOOO CUTE!!
I come home for the afternoon, and get to skype with my fam, and my framily (friends who have become family) Jacob, Terrilyn and Antje.
For the evening I head over to eastern Nagoya to attend an international church one of my friends from study abroad is working at. Its about a two hour commute, but I had an awesome time making friends with the bus drivers and people on the trains. (Its such a blessing to be a foreigner here and speak Japanese!! Everyone is willing to talk to you.) The service was amazing and I feel so refreshed!! I got to catch up with my friend Joey, who I haven’t seen in 3 years, and meet his lovely fiancé Yisel who is from Uruguay (she is soooooooo sweet!) We had a lovely time catching up over dinner. I caught the last bus out of their area, and chatted it up with the drive all the way to the station (20 mins), then took the subway over to Nagoya station and hopped on an express train to Yokkaichi. This Japanese guys came and sat down next to me and was looking at me in the “I want to talk to you but I’m shy” way (as opposed to the “I want to stare at you cause you are white” way that is most common.” I leaned across the isle to ask him if the train I was on when to Yokkaichi, even though I knew it did, just to give him a chance to talk if he wanted to. Turns out he did! He speaks amazing English, is super friendly, and has a PHD in Chemistry, AND he surfs in Mie!!! So we’re probably going to the beach sometime in the near future. One of my coworkers had been dying to surf, so he is going to be so stoked that we finally have a surfing connection. J About three quarters of the way to Yokkaichi station, I look towards the front of the car and see my friend Akiko that I met Friday night! So she comes and hangs out with me and Katsu for the rest of that train ride, and then we both have to transfer to the same local train, so we go together and get to hang out more and exchange numbers. Seems like we will be hanging out sometime soon! She loves to hike, so I am super excited to go adventuring with her!
So those are the highlights of the weekend!! Yes, I am still a bit homesick, but I am starting to be more and more comfortable here as I network and see that God SO has his hand in me being here.
Coming soon: Blog on what its like being a foreigner in Japan… ;)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What 180 Looks Like
“He is jealous for me.
Loves like a hurricane,
I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his love and mercy.
All of the sudden I am unaware
Of these afflictions,
Eclipsed by glory.
And I realize just how beautiful you are
And how great your affections are for me.
Oh, How he loves us so.
Oh how he loves us.
How he loves us so.”
Well, dear friends, I feel like my heart has done a 180 since I last posted. Isn’t life like that? I think it is because Our Great God is the business of redeeming all things.
I was very very upset about my apartment when I last posted, and would come home and cry because I was alone in a shoebox. I hate being alone. And I was frustrated with myself for coming all the way over here, and always thinking about the soonest time I could come home.
Then I got an email from one of my favorite profs, encouraging me:
“Dear one, be patient and gentle with yourself
during these early days, weeks, months.
The Father is.
After all, He has all the time in the world
For you.
Technically, all eternity.”
Yesterday when I walked in the door, I expected to melt down again because I was alone. Instead, I was greeted by an overwhelming sense of peace and joy, and I realized that I was not alone here, this was God’s and my apartment. He is here with me. I am not alone. That changes everything. I am sure I will still be lonely. And homesickness for me is a never-ending battle, because I am so fond of you all. I’m wired to thrive off of being around people, and here I am, living in a one-room apartment by myself. My prayer has been, “LORD, you made me like this, and you put me here, now please take care of me.” I know he hears me. And I know he hears all of you. A million thanks to all of you, dear friends, for standing beside me during this time. As the above lyrics declare, I know that He is jealous for me, and he has brought me here for a season of pruning back and growing up.
The past few days have been incredibly busy!
Yokkaichi Matsuri:
Yokkaichi’s yearly festival (Matsuri) took place this past weekend. The festival is centered around carrying a few portable Shinto shrines around the city to invoke the favor of the gods or something. I haven’t been able to get a straight answer out of anyone about what exactly they believe is taking place. So anyways, the shrines get carried around with a lot of chanting. And older man grabbed a bunch of us teachers and tried to make us join in carrying the shrine. I politely refused and tried to engage him in conversation about what was going on (I really wish I knew more about traditional Japanese religion, I need to study up!), but all he would say was “volunteers carry the shrines, you are a volunteer!!,” as he tried to drag me towards the shrine. Hahaha, that's some philosophy on volunteering! I obviously refrained, but a few of my coworkers got carried away in the procession. Although the main thing in the festival is the shrines, most of the time and energy is dedicated for the community to come together, have fun, and enjoy traditional Japanese arts. There are taiko drumming and dance performances all over the place, and the streets are lined with food and game booths like a fair. The whole community comes out to watch, so it was a great chance to meet people. The second year teachers took us around, and we were constantly getting mobbed by students running up to greet their English teachers. It was like walking around with celebrities, everyone under 15 knew their names and would call out to them and come talk to them as they walked by. I can’t wait for that to be me next year!! J
Work:
All of the new teachers are finally here! YAY!! And I really really like them! We’ve spent the last few days dressed up in suits being paraded around the city hall building meeting all the high up people, and everybody else. We’ve had meeting with the mayor, superintendent, speakers for the city (some of it was even covered by the local news!), and have stopped in all of the offices on all of the levels around where we work on the 9th floor to introduce ourselves and say “Doozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu” (I’m very pleased to meet you, and I hope we can have a very pleasant and productive relationship). We’ve had a official appointment ceremony, and lots of sit and look pretty, say a few words, and drink some green tea. Friday they are having a formal welcome dinner for us, and then afterwards everyone gets drunk and goes to Karaoke.
We are also currently preparing lessons to teach at seminars for Japanese people who are English teachers. I am teaching a 3rd grade lesson on “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,” as well as a few other skits and stuff.
Schools:
The summer is filled with curriculum prep, having our teaching critiqued, and conducting workshops for other English teachers. Starting September, I get to start teaching at 3 schools!
Oike Jr. High & Tomida Jr. High: I haven’t heard so much about these school, because they people who had them last year aren’t here this year. I’ve heard Tomida is a good school though.
Tokiwa Elementary School: One of the poorest elementary schools in the area. Tokiwa Jr. High is notorious for being a "bad school" and having the cops there all the time, but I'm not sure what the elementary will be like. (Its not dangerous, so no worries, the students will just be a bit rougher around the edges).
Fureai classes!: I’m one of the two teachers out of the eleven of us who got assigned to teach Fureai classes. From what I’ve gathered so far, these are classes for students that are border line hikikomori (a social disorder where Japanese people lock themselves away in the rooms and refuse to interact with society) and futoko (students who often refuse to go to school). Some of the schools have these classes to try to get some education for those struggling with these issues, and maybe other issues? I’m not totally sure what it will be like, but it seems they let them go at their own pace a bit more than normal. I'm sooo soooo sooooo excited to get to teach them! I did my Intercultural Studies senior thesis on social disorders among Japan’s urban youth, so I am very excited to actually be able to interact with these students. Its not a weekly thing, its just every now and then, but I'll get to be with the students all day when I'm there. J My co-worker Tim, from Long Beach, will be joining me.
I'm also picking up a once a week adult class. It's a cool chance to make extra money and get further involved in the community.
Travel:
I’m heading to Osaka this weekend to visit some dear friends from my Japanese church in LA who are currently in Japan. One of my friend’s parents are pasturing a church in Osaka, and they are currently doing an outreach with the help of a team visiting from a Korean church in LA. Saturday is VBS. I’m really looking forward to being there.
Another ridiculously long post! SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!! There’s just so much going on!
Prayer requests:
• God would bless my time in Osaka, and the ministry taking place there. That my friends and I would mutually encourage one another.
• Ability to teach well. Although I have TESOL training and some experience, working with this young of an age group at this low of a proficiency level is totally new for me. I’m a little nervous. AGH! Also, that my heart would be prepared to give my best effort to my students come September.
• That I would be able to make good friends here with everyone I work with and with the community. I like everyone a lot, so hopefully I can be a blessing and an encouragement to them some way.
• That God would continue to break up the untilled soil in my heart, and make it into a beautiful garden. Homesickness and all the jazz…
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #1 For your prayers. #2 For who you are in my life. #3 For making it to the bottom of this post! :P
PS! new pics are on facebook!
Loves like a hurricane,
I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his love and mercy.
All of the sudden I am unaware
Of these afflictions,
Eclipsed by glory.
And I realize just how beautiful you are
And how great your affections are for me.
Oh, How he loves us so.
Oh how he loves us.
How he loves us so.”
Well, dear friends, I feel like my heart has done a 180 since I last posted. Isn’t life like that? I think it is because Our Great God is the business of redeeming all things.
I was very very upset about my apartment when I last posted, and would come home and cry because I was alone in a shoebox. I hate being alone. And I was frustrated with myself for coming all the way over here, and always thinking about the soonest time I could come home.
Then I got an email from one of my favorite profs, encouraging me:
“Dear one, be patient and gentle with yourself
during these early days, weeks, months.
The Father is.
After all, He has all the time in the world
For you.
Technically, all eternity.”
Yesterday when I walked in the door, I expected to melt down again because I was alone. Instead, I was greeted by an overwhelming sense of peace and joy, and I realized that I was not alone here, this was God’s and my apartment. He is here with me. I am not alone. That changes everything. I am sure I will still be lonely. And homesickness for me is a never-ending battle, because I am so fond of you all. I’m wired to thrive off of being around people, and here I am, living in a one-room apartment by myself. My prayer has been, “LORD, you made me like this, and you put me here, now please take care of me.” I know he hears me. And I know he hears all of you. A million thanks to all of you, dear friends, for standing beside me during this time. As the above lyrics declare, I know that He is jealous for me, and he has brought me here for a season of pruning back and growing up.
The past few days have been incredibly busy!
Yokkaichi Matsuri:
Yokkaichi’s yearly festival (Matsuri) took place this past weekend. The festival is centered around carrying a few portable Shinto shrines around the city to invoke the favor of the gods or something. I haven’t been able to get a straight answer out of anyone about what exactly they believe is taking place. So anyways, the shrines get carried around with a lot of chanting. And older man grabbed a bunch of us teachers and tried to make us join in carrying the shrine. I politely refused and tried to engage him in conversation about what was going on (I really wish I knew more about traditional Japanese religion, I need to study up!), but all he would say was “volunteers carry the shrines, you are a volunteer!!,” as he tried to drag me towards the shrine. Hahaha, that's some philosophy on volunteering! I obviously refrained, but a few of my coworkers got carried away in the procession. Although the main thing in the festival is the shrines, most of the time and energy is dedicated for the community to come together, have fun, and enjoy traditional Japanese arts. There are taiko drumming and dance performances all over the place, and the streets are lined with food and game booths like a fair. The whole community comes out to watch, so it was a great chance to meet people. The second year teachers took us around, and we were constantly getting mobbed by students running up to greet their English teachers. It was like walking around with celebrities, everyone under 15 knew their names and would call out to them and come talk to them as they walked by. I can’t wait for that to be me next year!! J
Work:
All of the new teachers are finally here! YAY!! And I really really like them! We’ve spent the last few days dressed up in suits being paraded around the city hall building meeting all the high up people, and everybody else. We’ve had meeting with the mayor, superintendent, speakers for the city (some of it was even covered by the local news!), and have stopped in all of the offices on all of the levels around where we work on the 9th floor to introduce ourselves and say “Doozo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu” (I’m very pleased to meet you, and I hope we can have a very pleasant and productive relationship). We’ve had a official appointment ceremony, and lots of sit and look pretty, say a few words, and drink some green tea. Friday they are having a formal welcome dinner for us, and then afterwards everyone gets drunk and goes to Karaoke.
We are also currently preparing lessons to teach at seminars for Japanese people who are English teachers. I am teaching a 3rd grade lesson on “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,” as well as a few other skits and stuff.
Schools:
The summer is filled with curriculum prep, having our teaching critiqued, and conducting workshops for other English teachers. Starting September, I get to start teaching at 3 schools!
Oike Jr. High & Tomida Jr. High: I haven’t heard so much about these school, because they people who had them last year aren’t here this year. I’ve heard Tomida is a good school though.
Tokiwa Elementary School: One of the poorest elementary schools in the area. Tokiwa Jr. High is notorious for being a "bad school" and having the cops there all the time, but I'm not sure what the elementary will be like. (Its not dangerous, so no worries, the students will just be a bit rougher around the edges).
Fureai classes!: I’m one of the two teachers out of the eleven of us who got assigned to teach Fureai classes. From what I’ve gathered so far, these are classes for students that are border line hikikomori (a social disorder where Japanese people lock themselves away in the rooms and refuse to interact with society) and futoko (students who often refuse to go to school). Some of the schools have these classes to try to get some education for those struggling with these issues, and maybe other issues? I’m not totally sure what it will be like, but it seems they let them go at their own pace a bit more than normal. I'm sooo soooo sooooo excited to get to teach them! I did my Intercultural Studies senior thesis on social disorders among Japan’s urban youth, so I am very excited to actually be able to interact with these students. Its not a weekly thing, its just every now and then, but I'll get to be with the students all day when I'm there. J My co-worker Tim, from Long Beach, will be joining me.
I'm also picking up a once a week adult class. It's a cool chance to make extra money and get further involved in the community.
Travel:
I’m heading to Osaka this weekend to visit some dear friends from my Japanese church in LA who are currently in Japan. One of my friend’s parents are pasturing a church in Osaka, and they are currently doing an outreach with the help of a team visiting from a Korean church in LA. Saturday is VBS. I’m really looking forward to being there.
Another ridiculously long post! SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!! There’s just so much going on!
Prayer requests:
• God would bless my time in Osaka, and the ministry taking place there. That my friends and I would mutually encourage one another.
• Ability to teach well. Although I have TESOL training and some experience, working with this young of an age group at this low of a proficiency level is totally new for me. I’m a little nervous. AGH! Also, that my heart would be prepared to give my best effort to my students come September.
• That I would be able to make good friends here with everyone I work with and with the community. I like everyone a lot, so hopefully I can be a blessing and an encouragement to them some way.
• That God would continue to break up the untilled soil in my heart, and make it into a beautiful garden. Homesickness and all the jazz…
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #1 For your prayers. #2 For who you are in my life. #3 For making it to the bottom of this post! :P
PS! new pics are on facebook!
Friday, July 30, 2010
I'm Here!!!
Sorry I haven’t written yet! Life has been a whirlwind of traveling, catching up with long lost Japanese friends, trying to get oriented to a new area, unpacking, working, and a never ending series of orientations. I’m gonna break this one up by topic so you can read as you like. It’ll probably be pretty long. Gomen ne! (Sorry!) Look forward to shorted anecdotes and random stories in the future, but this is the general overview to set the scene. J
Flight Over:
ANA Airlines: most uncomfortable seat ever! I didn’t sleep a wink, but I was sitting next to a super friendly/interesting guy from the program who is working in Okayama (a few hours south of here), so we talked for most of the 11 hour flight. It is his first time to Japan and he doesn’t speak Japanese, so it was fun to get to teach him as much as possible on the plane, and give him a tour of the Tokyo landmarks as we traveled from the airport to the hotel.
Tokyo Orientation:
Imagine. 600+ foreigners, most in their 20s, looking sharp in business attire, all living in one hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Weird experience. I’ve never seen so much schmoozing and so much click forming go down in one place in such a short amount of time. It felt like not being in Japan, cause everyone was speaking English. Some of the sessions were helpful, some weren’t. I got to meet up with my YWAM friends the night I flew in, my friends from study abroad and my church in LA the next night, and the next night I ditched the hotel and went and stayed with my host family in Yokohama. It was so nice to see everyone! It felt like coming home in a weird sort of way. It looks like I am headed to Tokyo twice next month to see friends. The Nozomi Shinkansen, the fasted bullet train ever, connects Nagoya (30 mins from here) and Tokyo in a short hour and a half ride. The downer is it's the same as buying an airline ticket.
Yokkaichi:
Yokkaichi is my new city! Its alright I guess. Its super super industrial, and although I am close to the beach, its super super industrial. Just from the city, its definitely not one of my favorite places in Japan, but life is about people and not places. I loved living in La Mirada because I loved my classes and loved my friends, not because I loved La Mirada. I think it will be the same thing here. God has be here for a reason, we’ll just have to wait and see what it is!
Apartment:
I got really shafted on the apartment situation. Eight of the people working for this board of education are living in small apartments closer to the train station and the shopping, with a nice view of a garden out their window. Three of us are living in apartments 40% smaller, farther away, and with a view of a parking lot that houses semis. Cool… My kitchen is literally a recess in the 3 foot entrance hallway. I can lean on the wall while I cook. The sink in at my waist, but if I lean forward I hit my head on the other wall. There is literally zero counter space, and I have 2 shelves that are about 6 inches by six inches. No joke. And it's the same rent as everyone else is paying. LAME. I just had my first meal here alone, and I almost had a breakdown cause I never eat alone when I am back in the states. One of my Japanese friends called me though, and it was soooo soooooo nice to catch up with her! It totally changed my attitude. YAY video conferencing! It makes me feel like I am less alone over here as I really am. (The other people in this apartment aren’t here yet, so I am really by myself).
First day of work:
I got totally totally lost on my way to the other apartment complex yesterday to meet with the others (who all live together) to head to the train station. I had gotten all dressed up for work, and then had to ride my bike in pelting rain with no umbrella. I wore a trash bag to try to stay a little dry, but it didn’t do much for my legs and hair. I got totally lost, and thought if I could just know where the convenience store I could orient myself. I found this little Japanese woman to ask, and totally lost it trying to ask her, “Where…sob SOB SOB… is the… sniffle… convenient…SOB…store?” So by the time I rolled up to their apartment I looked like a drowned rat. And then I got to go to work and introduce myself to my new coworkers. *sigh* I am working in the education department of city hall for the next month until school starts. I have my own little desk in the Japanese style office of education on the 9th floor (great view!) My own desk means that I have a seat at a giant table that everyone works at, including my boss. They gave us the day off to get situated today. Monday, I meet the mayor. The rest of the month is curriculum prep and doing teachers training seminars for the Japanese teachers of English.
Co-Workers:
I love LOVE LOVE the people I am going to be working with. My boss, Ms. Irie, is super super kind and sweet. Jenn, one of the second years, has fully dedicated herself to making sure Jason (the other new person) and I are completely taken care of. She has spent all day taking us around, getting us oriented, taking us shopping, making sure we are fed, helping us get our cell phones, etc. for the last two days. She’s pretty much my favorite person ever right now! I really think we are going to be good friends. J Everyone else is super cool too. There’s 5 new people coming tomorrow, and they start work on Monday. I am so thankful we got a few extra days to get settled!!
Health:
Both my feet are hurting me now. SO LAME! If you could keep that in your prayers, it would be awesome!
Church: I’m trying to meet up with the pastor doing a church plant here ASAP. We’ll see how that goes. J
Weather:
In the 90’s and a million percent humidity. Sauna anyone?
Tomorrow:
Yokkaichi-Matsuri!! Our city’s yearly festival with a lot of Taiko drumming and dancing.
Prayer Requests:
-Emotional Health: If you can’t tell, I’m taking the transition really hard. The summer was so busy, I am just now starting to realize that I don’t go to college anymore. I really really miss my Biola friends, and wanna move back in to the old house we rented last year. Not possible even if I wasn’t in Japan. Please pray that I would be able to process in a healthy way, keep a positive attitude and not be homesick.
-That God would bless my relationships with the people I am going to be meeting, and have met.
-Pray my feet would get better.
-Pray for my fam. I think they miss me quite a bit.
THANKS FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!! You mean the world to me, and the reason I am feel homesick is cause I want to be with you! So know you are loved!!!
Flight Over:
ANA Airlines: most uncomfortable seat ever! I didn’t sleep a wink, but I was sitting next to a super friendly/interesting guy from the program who is working in Okayama (a few hours south of here), so we talked for most of the 11 hour flight. It is his first time to Japan and he doesn’t speak Japanese, so it was fun to get to teach him as much as possible on the plane, and give him a tour of the Tokyo landmarks as we traveled from the airport to the hotel.
Tokyo Orientation:
Imagine. 600+ foreigners, most in their 20s, looking sharp in business attire, all living in one hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Weird experience. I’ve never seen so much schmoozing and so much click forming go down in one place in such a short amount of time. It felt like not being in Japan, cause everyone was speaking English. Some of the sessions were helpful, some weren’t. I got to meet up with my YWAM friends the night I flew in, my friends from study abroad and my church in LA the next night, and the next night I ditched the hotel and went and stayed with my host family in Yokohama. It was so nice to see everyone! It felt like coming home in a weird sort of way. It looks like I am headed to Tokyo twice next month to see friends. The Nozomi Shinkansen, the fasted bullet train ever, connects Nagoya (30 mins from here) and Tokyo in a short hour and a half ride. The downer is it's the same as buying an airline ticket.
Yokkaichi:
Yokkaichi is my new city! Its alright I guess. Its super super industrial, and although I am close to the beach, its super super industrial. Just from the city, its definitely not one of my favorite places in Japan, but life is about people and not places. I loved living in La Mirada because I loved my classes and loved my friends, not because I loved La Mirada. I think it will be the same thing here. God has be here for a reason, we’ll just have to wait and see what it is!
Apartment:
I got really shafted on the apartment situation. Eight of the people working for this board of education are living in small apartments closer to the train station and the shopping, with a nice view of a garden out their window. Three of us are living in apartments 40% smaller, farther away, and with a view of a parking lot that houses semis. Cool… My kitchen is literally a recess in the 3 foot entrance hallway. I can lean on the wall while I cook. The sink in at my waist, but if I lean forward I hit my head on the other wall. There is literally zero counter space, and I have 2 shelves that are about 6 inches by six inches. No joke. And it's the same rent as everyone else is paying. LAME. I just had my first meal here alone, and I almost had a breakdown cause I never eat alone when I am back in the states. One of my Japanese friends called me though, and it was soooo soooooo nice to catch up with her! It totally changed my attitude. YAY video conferencing! It makes me feel like I am less alone over here as I really am. (The other people in this apartment aren’t here yet, so I am really by myself).
First day of work:
I got totally totally lost on my way to the other apartment complex yesterday to meet with the others (who all live together) to head to the train station. I had gotten all dressed up for work, and then had to ride my bike in pelting rain with no umbrella. I wore a trash bag to try to stay a little dry, but it didn’t do much for my legs and hair. I got totally lost, and thought if I could just know where the convenience store I could orient myself. I found this little Japanese woman to ask, and totally lost it trying to ask her, “Where…sob SOB SOB… is the… sniffle… convenient…SOB…store?” So by the time I rolled up to their apartment I looked like a drowned rat. And then I got to go to work and introduce myself to my new coworkers. *sigh* I am working in the education department of city hall for the next month until school starts. I have my own little desk in the Japanese style office of education on the 9th floor (great view!) My own desk means that I have a seat at a giant table that everyone works at, including my boss. They gave us the day off to get situated today. Monday, I meet the mayor. The rest of the month is curriculum prep and doing teachers training seminars for the Japanese teachers of English.
Co-Workers:
I love LOVE LOVE the people I am going to be working with. My boss, Ms. Irie, is super super kind and sweet. Jenn, one of the second years, has fully dedicated herself to making sure Jason (the other new person) and I are completely taken care of. She has spent all day taking us around, getting us oriented, taking us shopping, making sure we are fed, helping us get our cell phones, etc. for the last two days. She’s pretty much my favorite person ever right now! I really think we are going to be good friends. J Everyone else is super cool too. There’s 5 new people coming tomorrow, and they start work on Monday. I am so thankful we got a few extra days to get settled!!
Health:
Both my feet are hurting me now. SO LAME! If you could keep that in your prayers, it would be awesome!
Church: I’m trying to meet up with the pastor doing a church plant here ASAP. We’ll see how that goes. J
Weather:
In the 90’s and a million percent humidity. Sauna anyone?
Tomorrow:
Yokkaichi-Matsuri!! Our city’s yearly festival with a lot of Taiko drumming and dancing.
Prayer Requests:
-Emotional Health: If you can’t tell, I’m taking the transition really hard. The summer was so busy, I am just now starting to realize that I don’t go to college anymore. I really really miss my Biola friends, and wanna move back in to the old house we rented last year. Not possible even if I wasn’t in Japan. Please pray that I would be able to process in a healthy way, keep a positive attitude and not be homesick.
-That God would bless my relationships with the people I am going to be meeting, and have met.
-Pray my feet would get better.
-Pray for my fam. I think they miss me quite a bit.
THANKS FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!! You mean the world to me, and the reason I am feel homesick is cause I want to be with you! So know you are loved!!!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
"I have not called you to a place, I have called you to myself."
I always remind myself of this quote whenever I am about to leave for some far off adventure, and am feeling really excited an anxious. One of my team leaders from when I was in the Middle East told be the story of his late wife Bonnie who was martyred by gunman who shot her in cold blood while she was volunteering as a nurse. Before the tragedy, there was a time in the couple's life when they felt like God had led them to go somewhere, and then closed the door. God spoke the above words to Bonnie, and he continues to speak them to me. Yes, he has called me to Japan, but more than that he has called me to Himself. There is so much more peace in that, because there is a lot less pressure on Japan to be a fun place, and on my friends there to be enough support for me. Japan is amazing, but it is another place with flaws, just like any other. My friends there are human, just like my friends here. (and I love you all so much!) But God is strong, God is love and He does not change. If he is calling me further up and further into his heart, what really do I have to fear?
Like Abraham, "when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going...For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God," here I go!
I've shed quite a few tears in the last few days, which I am very ok with, because this is a grieving process, and I refuse to pretend like it is not (even though I am very excited to go!). I said by the the family this morning and am in LA at the moment saying bye to the framily (friends who have become family=framily).
I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO GET TO TOKYO!!!! My first 3 days in Japan are orientation, but I'm sneaking away each night to visit friends, and I cannot wait to see them!!! So the adventure begins!!!! Just 3 more days.....
I always remind myself of this quote whenever I am about to leave for some far off adventure, and am feeling really excited an anxious. One of my team leaders from when I was in the Middle East told be the story of his late wife Bonnie who was martyred by gunman who shot her in cold blood while she was volunteering as a nurse. Before the tragedy, there was a time in the couple's life when they felt like God had led them to go somewhere, and then closed the door. God spoke the above words to Bonnie, and he continues to speak them to me. Yes, he has called me to Japan, but more than that he has called me to Himself. There is so much more peace in that, because there is a lot less pressure on Japan to be a fun place, and on my friends there to be enough support for me. Japan is amazing, but it is another place with flaws, just like any other. My friends there are human, just like my friends here. (and I love you all so much!) But God is strong, God is love and He does not change. If he is calling me further up and further into his heart, what really do I have to fear?
Like Abraham, "when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going...For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God," here I go!
I've shed quite a few tears in the last few days, which I am very ok with, because this is a grieving process, and I refuse to pretend like it is not (even though I am very excited to go!). I said by the the family this morning and am in LA at the moment saying bye to the framily (friends who have become family=framily).
I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED TO GET TO TOKYO!!!! My first 3 days in Japan are orientation, but I'm sneaking away each night to visit friends, and I cannot wait to see them!!! So the adventure begins!!!! Just 3 more days.....
Sunday, July 11, 2010
So Begin the Goodbyes...
“Look to the heathen without Christ, and you will find an altar…and may God help you to be a sacrifice.”– Warren Chastain (OMF Missionary to Thailand)
This past week has been the beginning of saying goodbyes. Realizing that I won't be seeing most of you for at least a year, maybe more, is so so difficult for me.
The above Warren Chastain quote reminds me that I have chosen to follow wherever God leads me. However, I want you all to know that the sacrifice that I hold dearest, and have the hardest time giving up, is not myself, but is your presence in my life. Your friendship, companionship and love are the sweetest thing in my life, and the hardest for me to surrender.
All the hours of laughs, inside jokes, stories, crazy adventures, heart-to-hearts, and tears are so precious to me.
The good thing is that I am not dying, I'm just moving overseas. Just a video conference or facebook post away!
And so, dear friend, the goodbyes continue. But I am so thankful that it is almost always "see you later" and not "goodbye." May we both grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior until we meet again. Hopefully sooner rather than later! <3
This past week has been the beginning of saying goodbyes. Realizing that I won't be seeing most of you for at least a year, maybe more, is so so difficult for me.
The above Warren Chastain quote reminds me that I have chosen to follow wherever God leads me. However, I want you all to know that the sacrifice that I hold dearest, and have the hardest time giving up, is not myself, but is your presence in my life. Your friendship, companionship and love are the sweetest thing in my life, and the hardest for me to surrender.
All the hours of laughs, inside jokes, stories, crazy adventures, heart-to-hearts, and tears are so precious to me.
The good thing is that I am not dying, I'm just moving overseas. Just a video conference or facebook post away!
And so, dear friend, the goodbyes continue. But I am so thankful that it is almost always "see you later" and not "goodbye." May we both grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior until we meet again. Hopefully sooner rather than later! <3
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Gypsy Life, about to become The Working Life
Well dear friends, it has been quite a while since I have told you about my life!
The last four weeks have been nothing short of incredible.
Wine tasting in a castle in Napa. Going to the most beautiful wedding ever.
Exploring the Northern California coastline without a map; hitchhiking with cute rangers into closed areas, and asking directions from a cabin in the middle of a dark woods.
Visiting my childhood best friend in her San Francisco life, toaster strudel, little warm kitlers, art galleries and car towings.
Watching my brother look the happiest I have ever seen him as he walked across a stage to get his diploma in Davis.
Alpine slides in Park City Utah.
Rainy adventures without a tent in Jackson Hole.
American wildlife safari, camping, hiking, and exploring geothermal features in Yellowstone.
Becoming a junior ranger in Grand Tetons (with means Grand Boobies in French). (Rangers are SOOOO cute!) Hiking up a glacier carved canyon and icing my foot in glacier melt. Searching for Moose and actually finding them.
Celebrating my 23rd birthday with amazing friends at Ye Olde Shippe. Salsa dancing, and just being together.
Visiting my framily in AZ, and getting to hang out with my sweet friend from Germany who is in town at the moment. Shopping with the girlies and having epic photo schools. Laying poolside in 110 weather, soaking up the rays.
And today is Flagstaff!
ON ANOTHER NOTE: WORK!!
The puzzle pieces have finally been coming together for my job in Japan. I've been in contact with my boss, who is a sweet heart, and have met most of my coworkers, one in person, the others via facebook or email. There are 11 of us working for the Board of Education in Yokkaichi. Most of them are from Long Beach, because it is Yokkaichi's sister city. All of us have our own apartment in two different complexes, so we will be close to one another. I will be teaching in 2 jr high schools and 1 elementary school. :) SO EXCITING! Another sweet thing is that I don't have to pay taxes to either the US or Japan! WOOHOOOO! The more I know about my job, and where I am going, the more real its feeling, and the less stressful it is. 21 days till I fly out! Please keep praying for this transition!
The last four weeks have been nothing short of incredible.
Wine tasting in a castle in Napa. Going to the most beautiful wedding ever.
Exploring the Northern California coastline without a map; hitchhiking with cute rangers into closed areas, and asking directions from a cabin in the middle of a dark woods.
Visiting my childhood best friend in her San Francisco life, toaster strudel, little warm kitlers, art galleries and car towings.
Watching my brother look the happiest I have ever seen him as he walked across a stage to get his diploma in Davis.
Alpine slides in Park City Utah.
Rainy adventures without a tent in Jackson Hole.
American wildlife safari, camping, hiking, and exploring geothermal features in Yellowstone.
Becoming a junior ranger in Grand Tetons (with means Grand Boobies in French). (Rangers are SOOOO cute!) Hiking up a glacier carved canyon and icing my foot in glacier melt. Searching for Moose and actually finding them.
Celebrating my 23rd birthday with amazing friends at Ye Olde Shippe. Salsa dancing, and just being together.
Visiting my framily in AZ, and getting to hang out with my sweet friend from Germany who is in town at the moment. Shopping with the girlies and having epic photo schools. Laying poolside in 110 weather, soaking up the rays.
And today is Flagstaff!
ON ANOTHER NOTE: WORK!!
The puzzle pieces have finally been coming together for my job in Japan. I've been in contact with my boss, who is a sweet heart, and have met most of my coworkers, one in person, the others via facebook or email. There are 11 of us working for the Board of Education in Yokkaichi. Most of them are from Long Beach, because it is Yokkaichi's sister city. All of us have our own apartment in two different complexes, so we will be close to one another. I will be teaching in 2 jr high schools and 1 elementary school. :) SO EXCITING! Another sweet thing is that I don't have to pay taxes to either the US or Japan! WOOHOOOO! The more I know about my job, and where I am going, the more real its feeling, and the less stressful it is. 21 days till I fly out! Please keep praying for this transition!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away
Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. ~Job 1:21
4 years at Biola.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
23 years in the US.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Although this season comes with so much joy, it also comes with grieving. But it is thankful grieving. Grieving what is no more, understanding the sheer grace that the Lord gave it to me in the first place.
A phone call saying that I was loosing literally every possession I had in my house in San Diego, my parents were loosing the house, and my father was going to jail.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. JUST KIDDING!
Turns out there is absolutely nothing wrong with our home, any of our stuff, and absolutely no reason for anyone to go to jail. Sounds like a cruel joke, but sometimes life is a bit of a cruel joke.
What a week it has been! Loosing what was home, with my girlies at Biola, and then being told I was loosing everything that I had ever owned in my life, and the place that was "home" for the past 19 years. And then being told, "just kidding! everything is fine!"
The good news is I am road-tripping through some of the most beautiful areas in California. Napa, Bodega Bay, Point Rayes, San Francisco, and soon to head over to uncharted territory in Montana and Wyoming.
The Lord gives.
Friendship that will last despite any distance.
The Lord gives.
Places and people to call home when "normal" home no longer exists.
The Lord gives.
Security amidst uncertainty.
The Lord gives.
Hope.
The Lord gives.
Adventure.
The Lord gives.
And what he takes away was His anyways.
4 years at Biola.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
23 years in the US.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Although this season comes with so much joy, it also comes with grieving. But it is thankful grieving. Grieving what is no more, understanding the sheer grace that the Lord gave it to me in the first place.
A phone call saying that I was loosing literally every possession I had in my house in San Diego, my parents were loosing the house, and my father was going to jail.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. JUST KIDDING!
Turns out there is absolutely nothing wrong with our home, any of our stuff, and absolutely no reason for anyone to go to jail. Sounds like a cruel joke, but sometimes life is a bit of a cruel joke.
What a week it has been! Loosing what was home, with my girlies at Biola, and then being told I was loosing everything that I had ever owned in my life, and the place that was "home" for the past 19 years. And then being told, "just kidding! everything is fine!"
The good news is I am road-tripping through some of the most beautiful areas in California. Napa, Bodega Bay, Point Rayes, San Francisco, and soon to head over to uncharted territory in Montana and Wyoming.
The Lord gives.
Friendship that will last despite any distance.
The Lord gives.
Places and people to call home when "normal" home no longer exists.
The Lord gives.
Security amidst uncertainty.
The Lord gives.
Hope.
The Lord gives.
Adventure.
The Lord gives.
And what he takes away was His anyways.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Home is where... is where the company assigns me
Well folks, looks like I have a new home! I've never been there, but it will be my home in 2 months and 1 day.
I've been assigned to Yokkaichi City is the Mie Prefecture.
Where is that? you ask. Thats what I asked too. Check it out on google earth. It's a city of 313,000 on a bay on the pacific in central honshu (the main island).
Just a few tidbits:
Mie Prefecture is the home of the Ninja. Its where ninjitsu originated, and the Ninja museum is there.
Mie Prefecture is also the home of the biggest and most sacred Shinto Shrine in all of Japan.
I've never been to Mie Prefecture, but I have three friends that living in the area. And a million friends who will be somewhere within a two hour train ride during the summer. That should make the transition much more pleasant. A friend has already networked me with missionary couple that has been there forever, and they have agreed to show me around. My host family from Tokyo is coming to Kyoto in August, so I will be able to see them so soon! Also, another good friend from Tokyo's family lives close by, so I can see her and her darling little girl when they go to visit the fam.
Also, there is one other teacher working with the company that is in my city, which is quite a rarity. Maybe we will share housing? Or maybe at least we will be nearby? There are two others with the company in the area as well, but they don't have their city assignment yet. I've already been in email contact with one of them, as ASU alum named Cassi who sign off of her emails with things like "ta-ta" and "Ciao." I think we're going to be friends. :)
I'm very very thankful to be so centrally located, and am excited because I know that the people of that city are who God has chosen to be my friends and teachers and students. (BTW, I'm most likely going to be at a jr. high). I'm excited to meet them!
Having a new home makes it so much easier to get excited about going.
I've been assigned to Yokkaichi City is the Mie Prefecture.
Where is that? you ask. Thats what I asked too. Check it out on google earth. It's a city of 313,000 on a bay on the pacific in central honshu (the main island).
Just a few tidbits:
Mie Prefecture is the home of the Ninja. Its where ninjitsu originated, and the Ninja museum is there.
Mie Prefecture is also the home of the biggest and most sacred Shinto Shrine in all of Japan.
I've never been to Mie Prefecture, but I have three friends that living in the area. And a million friends who will be somewhere within a two hour train ride during the summer. That should make the transition much more pleasant. A friend has already networked me with missionary couple that has been there forever, and they have agreed to show me around. My host family from Tokyo is coming to Kyoto in August, so I will be able to see them so soon! Also, another good friend from Tokyo's family lives close by, so I can see her and her darling little girl when they go to visit the fam.
Also, there is one other teacher working with the company that is in my city, which is quite a rarity. Maybe we will share housing? Or maybe at least we will be nearby? There are two others with the company in the area as well, but they don't have their city assignment yet. I've already been in email contact with one of them, as ASU alum named Cassi who sign off of her emails with things like "ta-ta" and "Ciao." I think we're going to be friends. :)
I'm very very thankful to be so centrally located, and am excited because I know that the people of that city are who God has chosen to be my friends and teachers and students. (BTW, I'm most likely going to be at a jr. high). I'm excited to meet them!
Having a new home makes it so much easier to get excited about going.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Today I Cried...
Today I cried...
In class...
In front of one of my favorite profs...
And my classmates...
And its ok. Because I needed to cry. I cried for loss; it was the last lecture I would ever attend at Biola. I cried for what is yet to be achieved in my education, which I must now pursue alone. I cried for enormity of God's calling on my life and the frailty of my own ability. I cried because I was tired. I cried because I heard the gun that starts the race fire. No more training, time to run.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
1 Cor 9:25-26
In class...
In front of one of my favorite profs...
And my classmates...
And its ok. Because I needed to cry. I cried for loss; it was the last lecture I would ever attend at Biola. I cried for what is yet to be achieved in my education, which I must now pursue alone. I cried for enormity of God's calling on my life and the frailty of my own ability. I cried because I was tired. I cried because I heard the gun that starts the race fire. No more training, time to run.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
1 Cor 9:25-26
Friday, May 14, 2010
I'm in Love.
Yes, its true. I'm in love.
I'm in love with late nights with my roommate.
Laughs with my housemates.
I'm in love with my dear friends.
Sitting on my front porch with a cold drink, watching the hummingbirds fly around our budding tree.
I'm in love with my kitchen; my handmade apron, fresh baked bread and company for lunch or dinner every day of the week.
I'm in live with my roses.
I'm in love with my bicycle, and our journeys together around the neighborhood.
I'm in love with the jacaranda trees that blossom this time of year.
I'm in love with my professors, not in a creepy way, mind you.
I'm in love with the way they make my brain hurt.
I'm in love with the papers that I write, not cause they are good, but because I care for them like a child, born after long hours of suffering.
I'm in love with Berry Cool and Boba-Ya, disc golf and Clark park.
I am in love with life.
Two weeks from tomorrow, I will walk across a stage in the direction of the library, get my diploma, and then make a sharp turn left towards my family and friends. That will be the last time I walk towards Biola's library. Life, as I know it, will be over.
But I will still love life. I will still love because all of these things are shadows, and the reality is Christ. As beautiful as this home is, it is not mine. Like Abraham, I will journey onward, "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
That is not to say that I will not grieve. I have been taught, and have learned that the gospel has a sharp edge, and the cross is always dangerous. Its dangerous to my pride, my idols, my sense of control, and my belief that I can sustain myself and I am the builder of my own world. The cross calls me to come and die, to give it all up, to follow in faith. Scary? Yes. I will grieve, and I will miss. But scary? No. Would I have any of this, but for His providence? Would I have any of this, but that He took me by the hand and brought me here?
And as he takes my hand again, I will follow.
I'm in love with late nights with my roommate.
Laughs with my housemates.
I'm in love with my dear friends.
Sitting on my front porch with a cold drink, watching the hummingbirds fly around our budding tree.
I'm in love with my kitchen; my handmade apron, fresh baked bread and company for lunch or dinner every day of the week.
I'm in live with my roses.
I'm in love with my bicycle, and our journeys together around the neighborhood.
I'm in love with the jacaranda trees that blossom this time of year.
I'm in love with my professors, not in a creepy way, mind you.
I'm in love with the way they make my brain hurt.
I'm in love with the papers that I write, not cause they are good, but because I care for them like a child, born after long hours of suffering.
I'm in love with Berry Cool and Boba-Ya, disc golf and Clark park.
I am in love with life.
Two weeks from tomorrow, I will walk across a stage in the direction of the library, get my diploma, and then make a sharp turn left towards my family and friends. That will be the last time I walk towards Biola's library. Life, as I know it, will be over.
But I will still love life. I will still love because all of these things are shadows, and the reality is Christ. As beautiful as this home is, it is not mine. Like Abraham, I will journey onward, "looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
That is not to say that I will not grieve. I have been taught, and have learned that the gospel has a sharp edge, and the cross is always dangerous. Its dangerous to my pride, my idols, my sense of control, and my belief that I can sustain myself and I am the builder of my own world. The cross calls me to come and die, to give it all up, to follow in faith. Scary? Yes. I will grieve, and I will miss. But scary? No. Would I have any of this, but for His providence? Would I have any of this, but that He took me by the hand and brought me here?
And as he takes my hand again, I will follow.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Graduating from College is Like...
Today my boss told me that graduating from college is like having a baby. It's really scary, but you are so tired of being pregnant you just want it to happen.
A couple years back one of my Japanese friends told me that having a baby is like having a watermelon come out of your nose.
It follows, then, that graduating is like having a watermelon come out of your nose...
There is a feeling of panic, "what the crap is happening to me? WHY is there a WATERMELON coming our of MY NOSE!" And a feeling of desperation, "will I have enough energy to get the watermelon out of my nose?" And a deeper fear that wonders what the abyss left by the now-abscent watermelon will look like and how long it will take to heal.
But its exciting too. MMMMMMmmmmmm... WATERMELON!
You can't you keep a watermelon growing in your nose forever. I guess I have to graduate in 23 days.
A couple years back one of my Japanese friends told me that having a baby is like having a watermelon come out of your nose.
It follows, then, that graduating is like having a watermelon come out of your nose...
There is a feeling of panic, "what the crap is happening to me? WHY is there a WATERMELON coming our of MY NOSE!" And a feeling of desperation, "will I have enough energy to get the watermelon out of my nose?" And a deeper fear that wonders what the abyss left by the now-abscent watermelon will look like and how long it will take to heal.
But its exciting too. MMMMMMmmmmmm... WATERMELON!
You can't you keep a watermelon growing in your nose forever. I guess I have to graduate in 23 days.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Beginnings
Last week I was eating Sushi when I made the comment about my upcoming move to Japan, "This time its FOR REAL!"
As most of you know, the last 7 years of my life has been filled with overseas travel to a number of countries, but somehow I always seem to end up in Japan, or with Japanese people. Until now its seemed like a hobby; something to do with my vacation time. My goal has always been that someday, some trip, I would stay. Move. Settle. Begin a life there.
This time, IT IS FOR REAL. On July 24th I will be boarding a plane and beginning a one year contract with the JET Program as an English teacher in the public school system in Japan.
I have 27 days left until I graduate, 2 months of summer (with a lot packed into them), and then its REAL LIFE. Its time to take all of the training and experience I have gathered over the past years and put it to work.
This blog will tell my story. Thanks for being a part of it!
Soli Deo Gloria
As most of you know, the last 7 years of my life has been filled with overseas travel to a number of countries, but somehow I always seem to end up in Japan, or with Japanese people. Until now its seemed like a hobby; something to do with my vacation time. My goal has always been that someday, some trip, I would stay. Move. Settle. Begin a life there.
This time, IT IS FOR REAL. On July 24th I will be boarding a plane and beginning a one year contract with the JET Program as an English teacher in the public school system in Japan.
I have 27 days left until I graduate, 2 months of summer (with a lot packed into them), and then its REAL LIFE. Its time to take all of the training and experience I have gathered over the past years and put it to work.
This blog will tell my story. Thanks for being a part of it!
Soli Deo Gloria
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