Yes, this is still Creighton's Japan blog. I'd been kind of frustrated with the last template and wanted to try something new. I also was never completely happy with the title, and I think this is much better and funnier. Of course, my declaring its humor value will almost certainly make it spectacularly unfunny. Let me know if it looks ok, I'm still tweaking it a bit.
This was a pretty average week for me, with a couple nights at karate and fast-moving weekdays of classes. Last night a bunch of JETs did some Christmas caroling for charity at the Kanazawa train station, and it was a blast. I'll try to get some pictures up of that when I get them from other people.
The big piece of news is this:
I wrestled with the re-contracting decision for a while, but in the end it was a simple choice, and the sense of relief I felt when I circled that statement made me even more sure. I signed it a couple weeks ago, but I won't turn it in for a while (deadline's in February) just in case something earth-shattering happens.
I have been learning so much here, meeting people, exploring my surroundings. It's already been almost 5 months, and I know I wouldn't be satisfied if I went home in July. The sightseeing is one thing, but I think there is still a lot this place and this experience can teach me if I allow it to and if I make a strong effort to seek it out.
I wasn't expecting to do this at all when I left; when saying goodbye, it was always accompanied by some version of the sentence "See you in a year!" Well, I will probably come back for a visit at some point, but that sentence may have to be amended.
To be clear, I don't think Japan is "the country for me". I don't see myself here long term, and I don't have a particularly strong affinity for the people or culture more than those in the US. However, the opportunity I have here to examine myself and the world around me is unparalleled, and I think I can use the country and culture as a sounding board to figure out what it is I really want to pursue and dedicate myself to doing and being after I leave.
There are frustrations and joys by turns here. I am sometimes deeply impressed with things like the Japanese focus, dedication, observance of community, and patience, and sometimes infuriated by the darker side of all of those traits. I guess that's "culture shock", but it just feels more like the same process we all go through in learning to live with one another in this insane, beautiful world, no matter where we live or who we live with.
I know I feel better here than I have in a while, physically and mentally. I see myself more clearly, I've lost 15 pounds I needed to lose, and I'm always excited about the future. I attribute that not necessarily just to Japan but to the experience of jolting myself into a new, unfamiliar, but rewarding place.
While you must believe me when I say I miss you all dearly, and often find myself wistful for the United States--especially during the holiday season--this has become home for me, at least until July 2011.
And I'm damn excited about that.
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