硫黄島からの手紙

It is not often that I watch a movie that very deeply moves me.

And so I was surprised tonight when watching "Letters from Iwo Jima" to be terribly saddened by the history it was portraying - of men forced from their homes, their wives and children and family, to be put into a position often resulting only in death; of men shooting each other for no reason other than having been told to do so; of men with nothing but the hope of survival.

I can't even imagine what it must have been like. I can only be glad that nobody I've ever known has had to endure a situation like that.

I Wonder as I Wander

[Uta no Hi: Sunset at the Begin Concert, Nishihara]

I remember singing this song (though being most impressed with Chanticleer's version of it) when I was younger. The lyrics I barely remember; if I took the time to look them up, I might lose interest in typing, so just bear with me and pretend I know what I'm talking about.

I'm pretty sure the song has a religious connotation, but again, I'm not sure. The title strikes me the most, however.

Eleven months have passed since I came to Japan last year. In that time, I have met amazing people, spilled my heart and feelings to some of them, made connections that will never be broken - stretched as some may already be through time and distance - and put myself to the task of learning to speak and understand Japanese as a Japanese. I was so determined to come on JET a while back, that I never took the time to imagine what I wanted to do next.

Just today, as I was sitting with friends, chatting about time spent in Japan, time yet to be spent here by some, and the upcoming departure of others, I thought, "What's next?" The simple answer is "another year in Okinawa, duh." And so I settled down for a minute. Then my brain did what it always does: it jumped ahead and asked, "And after that?"

There was no answer. There is no answer. I have no idea what I want to do with my life. If you ask me (please don't, I already have, see?) what I want to do after JET, I'd say, "Be happy, healthy, and in love. With a stringed musical instrument in my hands." Great answers, yeah?, and there's not much more I desire. Practically, some money has to be made and saved to some extent, but the money doesn't make life more valuable. It helps to make things available, and then perhaps interesting and entertaining, but haven't most of us had those moments where just by lying around and doing nothing, the best of the best just springs forth spontaneously? Or by teaching Elementary school children - they are the most amazing people sometimes. I don't remember ever having bought a laugh. I don't remember ever having bought a memory. And I've certainly never bought any of the feelings that well inside of me and bring me happiness, misery, or contentment.

And so I was wondering today, what next? I need to shorten the time-line, say perhaps to this week, or tomorrow. Or even just a few hours from now. You wanna know what it is I'm thinking about? I'll give you this miserable hint: _ _ _/_ _ _ _/_ (think I) _ _ _ _

PS - It's a happy thought, in case you read this post wrong. And no, it's not the upcoming Kanken.

Last Minute Notices

I purchased a ticket to a concert that starts at 1:00 this Saturday. The ticket cost me 3,800 yen.

I got a phone call from my supervisor yesterday (Thursday). My next week's school changed their schedule and the event that was to be held on a normal Monday, will now be held on this Saturday. My supervisor told me I had to go. Meaning I can't go to the concert. Meaning 3,800 yen went to a pretty piece of paper.

There is a systemic problem in my village (and some other ALTs complain of a similar situation in other towns and cities) where I am poorly informed of events both voluntary and mandatory. Poorly, meaning eventually, but at such a last minute, that any plans I had made previously have to be changed drastically or dumped or I just don't go to the (voluntary) village functions. One such example was two weeks ago when I was to fly to Tokyo to meet some friends. Two weeks after I book the tickets (for a weekend trip), I'm told I'm needed to be an MC for a speech contest (they found a replacement).

I've brought this problem up with all the people I work with, but the only way I can see to get any real change started is to put it on the agenda of the next village English meeting (principals, teachers, and boss). I have a feeling if I started popping last minute news on my schools, the earth would explode.

Third Time's Charm?

I had another driving test today. It was scheduled for the afternoon at 1:00 pm, not at 8:30 like I had originally thought. I discovered this last night, which was great, since I got to stay up a little later and study. And since the last two tests that I failed were morning tests, I figured a change of appointment would maybe play a part in my luck.

Apparently, it did. I passed today's test with what seemed to be a perfect run. The instructor made some encouraging comments about two turns in, and I chatted with him for a little bit, before getting back to the business of passing.

Today, I made sure to spin my head and my shoulders when looking in my blind-spots. I even called out each mirror and location to which I looked, letting the instructor know that I was checking everything all the time.

One of the tougher spots on the course, the kirikae - or the "crank" - a Tetris-shaped piece path through which we have to maneuver without hitting the curbs or any of the poles set up around it, went really well today. Last time I backed up just to make sure I didn't touch anything. But today, I had plenty of room and breezed through it. The S-curve went well, too, though in all three times I took it, I was certain my front bumper was going to rub the curb - but it never did.

I pulled into the final parking spot, where the instructor told me to get out. After checking to see that no (imaginary) traffic was coming up behind me, I opened the door, checked below the door for dangerous items, stepped out, and walked to the other side of the car (where the instructor was sitting), when he gave me the good word: "Pass."

Four of us passed today, today being the third visit for two of us, fifth visit for the other two. We spent the next hour or so doing paperwork and just reveling in being done with the hardest part of the process. I go back Monday for a 30 minute lecture, on driving safety I presume, after which I will be handed my Japanese driver's license. Good timing, considering applying for a replacement Illinois license from Japan is proving to be a real pain in the ass.

All in all, I spent Y12,000 on driving school, Y12,000 on test paperwork, Y10,000 on tolls to get to Naha, Y10,000 on gas for the five trips needed to get it all done (two for paperwork and three for driving test attempts), and 5 days of holiday for time off school. Approximately $440 for the whole deal (though tack on about another $40 for Monday's gas and tolls). I'm glad to be almost done spending (wasting?) the time and the money.

Sweat, Study, Sweat, Repeat

It's first trimester test week here at my small school. The first three periods of each day for the next three days are reserved for student test taking. The afternoon classes are still in session, but will primarily focus on study for the next day's tests.

This means I have a lot of time free for the next couple mornings. I've been using that time to review for my upcoming kanji test on July 11. The test will cover 420 of the basic (1,945) kanji that all students study (up through 3rd grade elementary). While knowing more kanji is nice (note: I did the Heisig method and can recall all 1,945 writings from a keyword, but can't read them all), it's the increased vocabulary (and increasingly difficult grammar) that is paying off. I can now listen to a number of sources and pick out a lot more words that I couldn't before. I think it's a lot like buying a new car. You don't notice how many there are on the road until you're driving one. So, while the words have been floating around Okinawa through various utterances and broadcasts (放送 housou), now that they're floating around in my head, it's starting to make sense.

On the other hand, it's hot. Maybe not so much hot, because Arizona is hotter for sure, but humid. The two minutes prior to typing this were what gave me the idea for the title. I felt a drop of sweat running down my chest, so I pressed my shirt against it only to have the purple turn dark purple, wet. Only one of the schools in Higashi has a/c in the teacher's room - this is not one of them. And I have to say, I don't regret giving up on the "let's see how long I can last without using the a/c while I'm sleeping or at home."

And in very other news, I passed my 進級試験 (shinkyuu shiken) karate test last Saturday. Photos and stuff to come in another post.