Packing

yes ladies and gents, its that time. the time that I know my parents wanted over a year ago, the time that I now can't believe is happening. I'm packing to move back to the US.

It's a strange experience actually. Packing things that you've accumulated in a year and seven months, and sticking it all in two, oversized and overweight bags. sorry guys, no room for souvenirs. Ive found junk that i didnt even remember getting, (and maybe I didn't, it was just deposited in my stuff when someone else left), and junk that i know i should get rid of, but still has that japanese feel. (pachinko balls anyone?)

I don't know.... this is already starting to sound like a big ramble, even though i just started, but some things need to be said:

Japan started as a getaway for me. A chance to leave my depressing job and failing relationships. It was a chance to see other parts of the world usually not even thought of by 99% of my Texas friends (Europe all the way,right?)
But what i found was more than I ever expected.
While Japan is at the forefront of technology, the people really know how to relax. Stressed? Go to an onsen. Want to talk loudly with friends without someone nagging you to leave? Go to an izakaya. Want to bask in the beauty and fragility of nature? Go to a hanami party. Want some real peace of mind? Go to a temple.

The real point here is, that my journey started as a getaway, and became a life changing event. I'm more calm now, I grit my teeth instead of yelling (ok, most of the time). I'm thinner, To date I've gone down four belt holes and lost about 12 pounds. I like fish now, and sadly the best texas sushi can't stand a chance against the worst in Japan. I'm not, as much of a pack rat (kindof goes against what i said earlier, but its all for scrapbook purposes). I've traveled to several destinations in Asia: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and China (and let me tell you, Asia is a goldmine. Much cheaper than Europe, safer, and older) I'm a new man, and I have Japan to thank for it.

Now wait a minute.... Don't get me wrong, I'm not a US hater, Japan lover now. This place still has faults. Anyone ever seen that early 90's Sally field movie 'Not without my daughter'? About an Iranian man who takes his half american, half iranian daughter to iran, then keeps her there because he wants to and the woman has no rights to get her back under iranian law? (or something like that). Well. Japan is like Iran in this case, where the japanese spouse has all the rights to the child, and if the child is kiddnapped and taken to japan, there is no bombing that bush can do to get the child back under japanese law. Yes, a little stone age. Another messed up thing has to do with the education system. Did you know that while yes, Japanese students study english for 6+ years, THEIR TEACHERS CAN'T EVEN SPEAK ENGLISH (studies are in english grammar, not speaking). deep contrast between that and my second year spanish class that was 90% spanish. Organ transplants are also extremely difficult to come by here in japan (which is why, if any of you remember, over christmas there was a young japanese child in the US for surgery and transplants).

BUT.... as I said before, the place isnt perfest but Japan has made me a better person, introduced me to people that i'll remember forever, and brought my quarter life crisis back onto the right trail. And for that I'm forever grateful. Take care, I need to get back and pack.

China

Ahhh... so much to say, so little time. I'll start with China.
China is an interesting country. As many of you know, the 2008 summer olympic games will be in Beijing (peking) whatever you want to call it. Being one of the last communist countries in the world, I'm sure that the power of the people's republic wil come together to make the city shine, but they have a lot of work to do.

Beijing, if you didnt know, is the capital of China. It holds Tiannemen Square, the site of the famous student demonstrations for democracy in the late 1980's. It's also just 80 km from the great wall, making it a good base. All in all the buildings look like my vision of cold war russia from the 1980's, very boxy and monolithic. But there are some buildings with more than four sides. Everywhere you go in the city you can find a military presence. I remember being in one shopping street, very very nice actually, and seeing three green vans with soldiers in riot gear, ready to pounce on any hint of dissent. Scary. Honestly though, i wasnt worried. I proudly wore my Mao t-shirt purchased a day earlier for a dollar.


Beijing is dusty. imagine this... its 5 pm and the sun is beginning to set. Its at a 30 degree angle with the ground... and you can actually look at it straight on! there is that much smoke and dust in the air. gross. I feel that beijing is actually a desert, with buildings fit in. masks might actually be necessary there.

ok, blah blah blah. i need to meet some friends for lunch, as I'm leaving in five days. i'll write more later, but here are some photos to tide you over.

Suckers!!!! April Fools!

I'll be back in two weeks. for good.

The Big Announcement...

I know that i haven't been back here since i returned from thailand, but let me say that i'm fine and all is well... it was an amazing trip, I show you photos later....

I also just returned from a week long solo trip to kyoto, nara and koyasan. Also amazing... but it brought me to a decision that I needed to make... Even though I've quit my job. I dont feel like i'm ready to leave. This country is too amazing to just walk away from. so, since my visa is still good until september, I will go home for a few months, take care of some financial things, then come back to japan and teach again. just look at these kids! I can't leave this.


I know, that many people were counting on me to return, but i've kindof takin a liking to this place...

next up... China! on Monday!
Mata ashita!