Lost in Transition

So I ended up doing the trip to Kyoto. I am not as easily impressed as I used to be when I was a kid. Everything seems redundant. Kyoto did not meet my expectations but was still a nice city. It seemed like the city itself was not extraordinarily beautiful or nothing, just the temples and historical places within it. I saw Toji temple and roamed around the Gion (geisha) district. The Gion district was very beautiful. It had a few rivers and nice stoned walking paths. The buildings were all wooden and offered small, intimate atmospheres. We ate at a Japanese restaurant. The dish: Tempura, which is different fish and vegetables fried in a batter. It was good, but like usual, very small. We got hammered off tequila, had some laughs over dinner, and were amazed by the rail station in Kyoto. Spencer, Amanda, and Mark were great company, making me feel less homesick being around other Ontarians. We went back to Amanda’s apartment and watched Seinfeld; much fun.

So the last three days I spent training. I was quick to pick up the structure of the lessons and believe I naturally make a great teacher. I am patient, can easily put myself in my students’ shoes, make them relaxed, and have an eye for what may be their difficulties. Training was intensive, teaching full lessons on the second day, but I liked what I was doing so it was fun! I did not know how great a job teaching could be. I mean what we have to do is easy which def. makes it less demanding, but it beats a hell of a lot of other professions. We are making decent money too so can’t complain. I drink at the local bar a lot (almost every night) and it is one of those places where everyone knows your name. It is a very warm atmosphere and it has the same regular gaijin (foreigner) crowd every night. Too bad no hot girls except for the bartenders, but lots of cool guys. I have developed a closer bond with one of my roommates, Aaron, since I’ve arrived. The other roommate, a dork from U.S, Chris, I have not. He is a complete loser. Can’t wait until I don’t have to see him anymore.

I have been deprived of internet access since I arrived and it has been killing me. I never knew how dependant I was on the thing. I feel detached from the world, especially since I am in Japan and it’s the best way to communicate with Toronto. Internet should be arriving in a couple weeks. I made pasta tonight. Tasted really good. Tomorrow is my first day of actual work. I am about to watch Lost in Translation, I know, how cliché. Anyways, I was thinking I would terminate my contract is 6 months, head back to Toronto, and then look for a job in Europe somewhere. Not because I don’t like Japan, but because 6 months may be enough. I will have had teaching experience and then maybe can find a job easier in Spain, Italy, France, or Greece. Just an idea.

Food is not an issue anymore. After discovering a couple good supermarkets I now know where to get everything I need. Plus I found a couple Japanese dishes I like.