Use of Time

Weeks have become days, days have become hours. Living by a strict schedule creates a sense of urgency in day to day life. It is easy to become lost in the activities of a day. I wonder am I making the absolute best of each day that I have? There are many good philosophies to life, each has it's perfect truth. My favorite realization so far is that as long as this moment exists, there is the opportunity to change everything. No regrets and certainly no excuses.

What do you really know?

I'm writing this post, so that I can sleep tonight without having these thoughts running through my mind. Being in Japan, around international friends, has made me realize that many people hate the United States. They hate the United States, because they believe that we (Americans) are self serving, greedy bastards. They hate the U.S.A. because they believe we kill innocent people in the pursuit of oil, and disguise it as justice. I know that many feel this way about America, and the truth is I don't really know what is happening beyond the headlines. Why anyone would believe anything that they cannot touch, see or feel with their own being? If you want to argue passionately about world politics, travel the world, investigate, find out the truth for yourself. Then make a stand. I am in no way trying to influence anyone in this post, to believe any particular view. Admit the truth, that unless you were there and saw with your own eyes, you really don't know. Bottom line on the USA, George Bush and the War on Terrorism; If you put a bomb in my house, kill my family and I live through it, I'm coming after you. Maybe the terrorists felt the same? Thoughtful comments welcome. EDIT: This post was referring to my experience with foreigners in Japan, not the Japanese people. I believe that most Japanese appreciate the United States, especially after we saved them from a North Korean missile!

Ok, really not that much rest today...

I actually ended up doing a lot today. I took the train to meet some friends and on the way decided to take some photos. This is a display that shows all the stops, your current location, direction of travel and estimated time of arrival to each stop. How convenient! Followed by a photo of the conductors booth. I would say the public transportation in Japan is at least ten years ahead of NYC or Chicago. I waited at a giant electronics superstore named "Bic Camera". These giant green booger monsters stood in the front, you could have your photo taken with them on this particular day. A few Japanese have asked me what Bic means, to which I reply, "shiranai". So we met up and drove to a Yokohama indoor snowboard "park" creatively name "SNOVA". The place was small of course, but the talent there was big and I was impressed by my buddies snowboarding skills. This is me grabbing huge air, if I was that guy instead of me ;) We stayed for about two hours and decided that since we were in the area, we would stop by the world famous Yokohama Chinatown for dinner. We arrived at the perfect time for picture taking. The colors were sublime and surreal. Ten points to whomever translates these kanji first. The temple we visited was intricate and flawless. I'm not sure what this god is, but he scares the shit out of me! (Sorry mom, sometimes I have to use bad words to convey strong emotion. And I heard you say "shit" on accident before so maybe that's where I got it from? J/K :) So much character, strength and beauty in this tree, desho... This is not the most flattering photo I've taken of myself, but at least you get to see me in context. I'm trying to start a "Dennis the Menace" cowlick trend, Criss Cross style. I'm starting to post too many photo's of myself. There is a word I just learned that partially describes this, "wakamama". It means acting for ones own interest, instead of acting in the best interest of the group. A very Japanese concept. That's your lesson for today.

Day of Rest

I've finished my training with Interac, and start a week of training with gaba, tomorrow. The photos are from the training building, which was very space age. Japan is approximately 14hrs ahead of US central time (Chicago). So, if you check this blog from the USA, soon after I have made a new post, you are literally seeing the future! This machine is manufactured by Toyota. It is a concept personal vehicle that morphs between a car and powered wheelchair. In the first photo, it is in the upright position. When traveling at higher speeds, the vehicle leans back into a race car form. The bottom photo is an rc model that was on display. I'm going indoor snowboarding with and old friend from Hawaii. I'll post some photos this evening.

So far so good.

Konbonwa. My job training is going very well. The instructors are both funny and sympathetic. Thanks for the comments on the photos, I've actually been using my camera phone, as the image quality is just as good as my regular digital camera. (Remember, you can click any photo for a larger view) It's much more convenient than trying to carry a camera around as well. I finally broke down and bought a bicycle today and am happy I did. Although I take the train going to work, it will be nice to cruise around my area when I have free time. I will devote a post to the bicycles and another to the motorcycles in the city. There are so many interesting varieties in Tokyo. I'm going to keep this one short, as I have to be up at 6:30 am. Oyasumi.

Shout Outs

When I originally decided to create this blog, I intended to document unbiased my experiences in Japan. I had hoped to leave out personal issues and relationships, but.... I don't think that's possible at this point. This is an opportunity to share with my friends and family my truest feelings. It's not always easy to be 100% myself in the company of others, but here in my blog I can leave a honest picture of myself for those that I care about. I'd recommend creating a blog to anyone that would benefit from a public record of their humanity. For the past three years of my life, I had the privledge of being with someone who forever changed my life. Although we have now gone our separate ways, I will forever be grateful to her for teaching me about the simple pleasures in life. I will always be a friend to you. My brother. "Jackson Train" once told me, "Anything said from the heart is always the right thing to say". That's one of wisest and most liberating statements I ever heard. Thanks for being a spiritual teacher to me. Many blind leaps that I've taken led to flight because of my faith in this life. "Reliks", your early accomplishments and confidence in life gave me the courage to face the world, because I knew success and talent were in my blood. I believe in you still. Thanks for the many kind years. A manager I once had in Hawaii, I'll call him "Mel Gibson", often said to me,"Sammie grow some F@#@*$# balls!" Well Mel, you'd be happy to know that I did and that I've been banging them on every door of opportunity I get. Mom, sorry for that last comment and thanks for all your encouragement and support. There's many folks I left out, so thanks to everyone. ' I love all of you" (RHCP) By the way, my first day at job training went great. Tomorrow is going to be even better.

Summer Festival

Today was a huge summer festival in the streets. Firemen, sprayed the thousands of participants who carried shrines in honor of their local neighborhoods. The huge water party was a welcome relief from the miserable heat. We left soaked and made a short walk to the temple afterwards. Click any photo for a larger view.

Final Decisions

I've accepted two job offers as of today. Thank you to my mentors and kind references who made this possible. I will be working for Interac as an Alt. English Teacher in a Tokyo public elementary school. Also, I will be working for GABA, which is one of the fresh concept one on one English schools in the city. Both organizations are very reputable and I like the direction they are going. I am overwhelmed by the opportunities I have been given. I honestly did not believe that I was qualified for these positions, and even stated that at the interviews. But my interviews went very well and my new employers believe that I am the right person for the jobs. I am withdrawing three other applications at this time. The other positions I was considering were in the Foreign Exchange Market and Executive Search industries. Although I am very interested in both, I know that I can enter those fields in the future if I like. I will however, make significantly less money teaching English as opposed to the other two fields. I had a question sent to me in one comment from an earlier post. The question was: "Help me understand the purpose of your time in Tokyo - what led to this journey?" This single question helped me realize that I was here to learn the culture, not to make money. I am here to learn about the people and their ways of life. I can think of no better way of accomplishing this than to spend my days in the classroom of an elementary school and one on one with the general population. So, thank you Texan for your enlightening question. I am sure of my decision, which leaves me feeling optimistic and excited about today, tomorrow and the days beyond that. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support. I have tried to express my experience and emotions here as honestly as possible. It is a very "un"Japanese approach to communicating. The more traditional Japanese population, rarely expose their true feelings, especially to strangers. This is done for the sake of the people around them, whom they do not want to feel uncomfortable when exposed to their emotions. It's a very unselfish and honorable reason to "shield others from discomfort". The Japanese rarely "tell" someone they love them. I believe that they choose/intend to "show" it instead. I am not sure what this insect is, at first glance I thought it was a bee. If anyone knows what this creature is, feel free to comment. Enjoy your day.

The Wind changing Directions....

During my first few days here, I pushed myself very hard to get out and find work. I became a little disheartened when I couldn't find anything right away. Well things have changed this second week in Tokyo. I have had three successful interviews, more to come, and now I am faced with choosing a direction in my career. I won't lie, this is not an easy time for me. I have never felt this strange in my life. It's a very lonely city to be new in, and I have been through a lot of downs and difficult decisions lately. I know that at the end of every dark tunnel, there's a light and a new experience waiting. So for now, I'm going to keep walking. And I'd advise the same to whomever finds themselves in the dark.

Nichiyobi (please don't correct my spelling)

Getting lost is occurring less, as I adjust to the mass transit system and gain a sense of direction in the city. On this day I met with my aunt and her husband, who live about fifteen minutes northeast of me by express train. They were a shining example of Japanese hospitality and humility. I met my aunt first and wanted to hug her, but didn't so as not to embarrass her in public. When I met her husband (for the first time) he was simply introduced as "my husband". I wanted to hug him too and call him uncle, but again I restrained myself. Our lunch was quiet and calm, not much like the loud version of an American reunion. I felt comfortable and was relieved that I didn't have to explain anything or make up useless chit-chat. One thing nice about the "shyness" or what I would prefer to call "stillness" of their persona, is that when emotions such as laughter do arise, they are genuine and felt deeply. Alrighty then, so after a gigantic lunch (our waitress messed up our order so we got double soba) we headed to the market. The place was six floors of everything you could possibly think of that would fit in the building. It was similar to Costco or Sam's, but you don't have to buy in large quantities. The bottom floor was an extensive grocery or food market. So per request, photos from a market, starting with the bakery section: These were skillfully crafted "piggy" cocktail wieners. Meats on sticks. Skewers, Kabobs, Yakitori. Chefs were cutting and packing sushi quality fish. You can tell the fish are fresh, by the clarity of their eyes ;) Hawaii and Japan are the only two places I've ever seen good sushi in a grocery store.The noodle isle was the most beautiful of all. Alright, Nihonshu! Aka: sake' But this is the good stuff. Not the junk made in California and Oregon. (sorry cali & oregon ;) Misc. drinksOba-san to Oji-san And for the Grand Finale: The kid whose mom made him put the candy back where he got it. Thanks for surfing in.