Apologies on the lengthy absence. I'll make it up with a lengthy account covering the many things floating in my head that need a landing pad and pen.
Unfortunately, my lack of writing is not due to leading an exciting, adventurous life. Actually, it is because I really have not accomplished much. I spend almost ten hours a day at work and when I come home around 10:30, all I want to do is eat, catch up on facebook, and study Japanese.
I seriously study about 2-3 hours every night and while I can start to see some improvements, like my reading speed is picking up, I am still so far behind where I would like to be. But, I am more determined than frustrated. I mean, look at how many years of French I took in school, including college, and I probably have the same mastery of the language as a French middle-school student. So if my Nintendo DS Japanese Coach says I am a Japanese First Grader, well then I'll accept it as a sign of improvement. At least I can ask where is the restroom without needing help.
Toire wa doko desu ka.
Anyway, Japanese people always ask me "How is Hamamatsu life" or "How is Japan life." It is an interesting question for two reasons: first, the proper way to translate that question into colloquial English is "How do you like living in Hamamatsu/Japan?" but I think it is fascinating because my mind starts to dissect how I think people in Hamamatsu/Japan live in comparison to American life.
Last night I invited Keiji, one of my students, over for drinks. After a few beers, wine and sake, we (including his friend) were discussing societal differences. Many of these I've thought about on my own, but it is completely different to hear Japanese men discuss these. For example, we talked about how Americans are free to discuss their opinions in class. Of course having the correct answer is important, but so is being able to formulate an answer through your own mental processes, of your own volition.
Japanese students are forced to just memorize through rote learning. Unless you know the correct answer, you do not speak. It is frustrating as a teacher of the conversational use of English to have students who will not speak. But I do my best to not only remind them that there is no penalty for the wrong answer but better: a reward in the form of mastery. The only way we can really learn a language is to try speaking it. Really. We learn through trial and error and my students who show the best improvement are the ones who volunteer first and who suffer through my polite corrections. And class is better because of their courageous offerings.
In my opinion, I think a system that combines both is what's really needed. Of course Americans are free to discuss opinions in class, but the majority of 20 somethings in America cannot accurately find Afghanistan on a map, even though they may have a strong opinion on whether troops should be sent there or not. Also Americans are infamously the loudest tourists in the world, because we are encouraged to be expressive. I do think there are times when it is vital to speak out. I also think there is a time to shut the hell up. And this is where Japan and America should educate each other.
I am slowly becoming a better teacher, definitely a more patient person, and because I am learning Japanese while my students are improving their English I always remind them how proud I am of their work. Because when they say their English I poor, I show them how bad my Japanese is. This proves to them that they really are not as atrocious as they think!
Last night, Keiji's friend commented on my hospitality. As they emptied their glasses I always made sure there was another full one waiting and I kept them entertained. He joked in Japanese, only to translate it later, that I am more Japanese than American. What a compliment. But I am very glad that I was born in such a country that allows me to explore my own personality and desires (with limitations that vary from city to city of course).
I didn't learn how to be a good host in Japan. It's something that I worked on in America; something that Louisiana in particular encouraged. And while I never want to move back to Louisiana, I am proud to be able to share the sense of southern hospitality- the finer points of my heritage that one can glean from such a closed-minded place.
On the 29th, I am taking my first trip away from Japan. It funny that I've lived here for three months, yet I will have explored South Korea more extensively than my own country. But once I get a firm grasp on my job, I will start to venture out to Tokyo, and to the lands past my favorite city, Nagoya, including Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and the like. Maybe I'll go up to Hokkaido, have a Sapporo in Sapporo. Or travel to Okinawa and eat Spam. I hear they do marvelous things with canned ham-like products there. But during my week-long vacation I am going to do just that: vacate.
I promise the cornucopia of pictures will overwhelm and you will welcome another lengthy absence. And when I come back, I am finally going to mail all of the wonderful things I've collected for my dear family and friends. Because you deserve to know how much I actually think about you even though we're miles apart.
