Thursday, November 24, 2011

Employment

Some good news. I started my job today as a tutor. It's not much about 1500yen per hour but it's better than nothing. I am charging below market rate because my student is an acquaintance that I got to know through another friend. She seems interested in continuing lessons with me so I am happy that at least I will have some kind of employment to support my expenses here in Tokyo.

I also got a one-time assignment for an English voice recording job yesterday. I got 5000yen for that one hour. It's awesome money but unfortunately it is only a one-time thing.

外国人日本舞踊大会- Performing Traditional Japanese dance

I just found out about an exciting event today. I may be able to learn some traditional Japanese dance and perform it in June 2012. I am going to miss two practices but I really hope I can participate. I just emailed them in my terrible Japanese but I hope they can understand and will respond soon.

I am so excited because I have been looking for a place to take up traditional Japanese dance. I also really love to perform so I really hope I get it.

If any of you guys are interested, do check out their webpage. It seems like this is a yearly event so for those of you who are coming next year- look out for their recruitment poster on their webpage.

http://www.npo-japa.com/index.html

They also have other cultural exchange programs and events so check out the page for more info.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Trip to Matsuyama

I have been on several trips but I haven't really blogged about them yet. I went to Matsuyama (松山) when my friend Eiji came back to Japan (from SF) for his yearly visit home. I don't have classes on Monday and only have one class on Tuesday so I skipped that and declared that weekend my own holiday. Matsuyama was a very interesting place. There are a lot of good udon (うどん) and okonomiyaki (お好み焼き) places that Eiji took me. Living in Tokyo has been insanely expensive so Matsuyama is a nice change because EVERYTHING was really cheap in comparison. They had free bike rental at my hotel so I biked everywhere and didn't have to worry about transportation costs.

I tried an onsen (温泉) for the first time in Matsuyama. For those of who may be afraid of being naked in front of strangers... well let me just say that it is a very liberating experience. Eiji and I went together but males and females are separated so we just set a time to meet in the lobby. I think because I was by myself that it made getting naked a lot easier. I imagine it to be a little awkward if it's among friends.

The Onsen experience was just so relaxing. I liked it so much I went back to the onsen with Eiji every night of my trip. This onsen was near the Matsuyama JR station and was 550円 each time. They have lockers for you to put your things in but just remember to bring 2 towels- one (face towel size) to wash yourself with before entering the bath and another (bath towel) to dry yourself with. If you don't have them, I think they can provide you with them for a charge.

Matsuyama is a nice quiet town near the sea- it may not be exciting like the cities but it is wonderful relaxing place with lots to discover. I do recommend going there if you are looking for an adventure away from the city.

Getting there: I took the overnight buses from Yokohama to Matsuyama (they have many other stops like Shibuya, Shinjuku etc.) which cost me 13000円 round trip. I got it a week before my trip so that's why it was more expensive. But the bus is still a lot cheaper than any of the other transportation- shinkansen was twice this price and flights were close to 60000円

Getting around: As I mentioned earlier, bike rental are really cheap and often free at your hotel/hostel so check with them before you make your booking.

Accommodation: I paid 3800円 per night @ Hotel Taihei. They have two hotels and I stayed at the older one. Its location is convenient and they offer free internet and bike rental for the entire duration of your stay (even for the day that I checked out) It's comfortable and have non-smoking rooms.

Food: Check out small places hidden in corners. Mochi in Matsuyama are really delicious-ask around for places that are well-known for their mochi. Udon is also really good in Matsuyama so try it while you are there too.

Living in Tokyo- Inner City Pressures

For those of you who got the Flight of the Conchords reference in the title- Good for you! haha... if not, you can always youtube it.

I am grateful that I am studying abroad in Japan but there are times that I regret studying here in Keio because 1) Living in Tokyo is very expensive 2) there are not that many classes at Keio to choose from so I end up taking classes that I am not really interested in. I am having a lot of fun with my other friends and meeting many wonderful people but the Japanese society in general is quite stressful. This invisible pressure may not be noticed by everyone but I feel it because I grew up in Singapore and Hong Kong where there are similar pressures by the society to fit in. This feeling is very hard to explain to people who don't grow up in that kind of environment. Not only are you expected to fit in but you are always constantly being judged all the time- especially in public places by random strangers.

I lived in the US for 4 years and I forgotten how intense this pressure could be. It is not paranoia but just something that some people are oblivious to. To be honest, I am kind of envious and wish that I have the luxury of not being aware. Sometimes, ignorance is really bliss.

This is not to discourage anyone who wants to come to Japan for their study abroad. I am still having a really wonderful experience but it's just something that bothers me from time to time.