Month #3: Moving in and moving on!

It’s been a little bit since I wrote, but my life continues to develop. I have moved into my own apartment and I am loving it so far! It is truly refreshing to have my own space and a place to make home here in Japan. I still have some purchases to make (a couch, pots/pans, etc.), though for the most part, I am settled in. I’ve also been able to put my big suitcase away (in other words, it’s out of immediate sight) for the first time since I’ve been here; those of you who know my OCD tendencies know this is huge for me! The place is small, cozy and definitely encouraging me to embrace the simplistic, minimal lifestyle. To say the least, I’m digging it.

Every resident in Japan needs to register their address at the local ward office thus if one moves, that person needs to update their address at the [new] local ward office. I wasn’t too intimidated by this notion as I’ve done it once before when I initially got here. Also, there are several attendants standing near by, so to answer any questions or concerns people might have in filling out the necessary paperwork. Needless to say, I had an attendant by my side, walking me through each section I needed to fill out to change my address. Ward offices remind me of US DMV’s minus the lack of organization and ridiculous wait times. At my ward office, there were 9 lines working at a time, serving hundreds of people throughout the day. I got there at 9:45a, the office opened at 8:45a and my service number was 224. Line 3 was on 738 and line 1 was on 501. I was attended to within minutes of getting my number and probably only waited 10 minutes for them to update my resident card with the new address. Afterwards, I did the least Japanese thing I could do… I ate breakfast at Denny’s! Haha

As it was explained to me early on, Japan is not set up for foreign people to live. I mean this in the sense of paperwork: registering an address, bank accounts, etc. To register your address is a process period, then to tackle on my inability to write kanji (Japanese writing system) and my lack of Japanese speaking skills, things can get confusing quick! I am always amazed by the number of people able to communicate basic English. Although I try to speak as much Japanese as possible, in answering a question such as, “when did your address change?” English is still very necessary and helpful.

In regard to my English classes, I like my job more and more everyday. Last week I had a very interesting discussion with some of my junior high students. Because my school is very much designed for young English learners, I often use junior high class time as a seminar. I like to ask the students questions to get to know them a little better as well as break the ice some, then I open the floor for them to ask me questions. “Where are you from?” is always among the first asked, and after this is established, I normally encourage students to ask questions about me and/or the United States. This particular junior high class did not waste any time in asking the difficult questions! Some of them included: “What do you think about Trump? Do you agree with Trump in his decision to withdraw from the TPP? Do all Americans have guns?” I’ll leave my thoughts and political views regarding Trump in the classroom, however the gun notion was something new for me. Apparently, most Japanese people think that all Americans have guns. I really didn’t give this much thought until I started listing the people I personally know that own guns. The students, and even my JT, were bewildered by this. I tried to explain that there are laws in using guns as well as security precautions that are in place, however when asked about school shootings, mass murders, etc., I was left [almost] speechless. As I said to my students, gun laws are among the many regulations that need be changed and updated in my home country. Although as we all know, this is easier said than done.

On a lighter note, I have parents [of students] asking me when I will be back to their school because they want their kids to learn English from me! One parent in particular addressed me: “Sensei,” then complimented my teaching style. With a little translating help from my JT, this parent thought my lesson was fun, the students were focused on me and specifically the way I teach phonics is very helpful. I am definitely enjoying myself and it’s nice to know the parents are seeing this and responding well!

Tomorrow I am heading back to my old share house to celebrate “Setsuban,” which is a spring celebration in which we make sushi rolls and throw rice (outside of the house) to “rid the bad spirits/energies” of the past year and “welcome positivity” for the new year. Or at least this is what I’ve gathered thus far… I will make sure to update with details!