I've been reading many blogs and talking to several friends who've lived in Japan for 5 years or more. Everything I read and learn is affirmed by the experiences from all those people. All the culture shock is the same. The stereotypes of being asian-american vs. white-american and living in Japan are all the same. All this is due to Japan's lack of internationalization despite being very progressive. To be completely honest, the more I read about Japan, the less I want to try to assimilate into that culture. And consequently, the less I want to work there. My co-worker at the restaurant told me that it's probably a good thing that I have this view so I won't be surprised when I get there. Hehe, well I will still try and I will enjoy it, but it will be a difficult journey.
In any case, my favorite cultural difference is being an asian-american or white-american. Being asian-american means that Japanese people will speak to you in regular japanese despite knowing (based on hearing one speak) that you cannot speak very good japanese. On the other hand, being a white-american means that Japanese people will try some English or not try at all. They don't speak Japanese to you even if you speak near perfect Japanese to them. My co-worker (who was white) said that she was known as the "American friend" whenever they were with other friends and they barely used Japanese with her. And as a result her Japanese never had much opportunity to improve. She was there for 5.5 years.
On a random note, I will [try to] join a gym called Tipness in Japan. My friend (a housemate back in my college years) will try to help me join and figure out the logistics. Hopefully they have all the stuff I use...I'm hoping at free weights and dumbbells that extend beyond 100 lbs. I can't survive off just machines. I don't think I will be able to function well in Japan if I can't resume the lifestyle I live to live for. (It's the one thing that keeps me sane in life). At this point, I've already decided that fish and eggs will be the main protein source of choice. Chicken is pretty much out of the question because it cost much more compared to America. Some people may question eggs for a variety of reasons, so let me clarify now: 1) eggs in Japan are either pasteurized or guaranteed to have no salmonella (caused by hens that are sick / have salmonella) 2) few egg yolks will be consumed. Eggs in America are not guaranteed to be safe, nor are all of them pasteurized.
Tomorrow, I will by some chocolates for my friend as a gift for helping me so much...I've bought a small amount of beef jerky and french cookies (DA BOMB) for them so far. Gotta get the Costco turkey jerky they requested now.
____________________________________________________________________________
Workout wise: I may skip tomorrow to really recover from my soreness and actually get sleep. Luckily its the first day of the 3 Rep Week so it is really easy and is meant for recover as HST back cycles. Sleep has not been every friendly to me of late. I've been waking up at 6am despite sleeping at 2am the past few days. Speaking of which I should be sleeping by now.
Good night~
No comments:
Post a Comment