I am so curious...who is reading this thing? If you happen to pop by...I'm calling this blog episode "ask jane" - if you have a burning question about what things are like here or about Japan in general, feel free to drop a comment if you like. I will try my best to answer. By no means am I an expert. I just know my own experience. If I don't know, I can ask my students.
I know my dad has been getting his coworkers and stuff to read this as well. Thanks dad for putting it out there. Its been fun to get emails from friends and family lately too. I'm just really curious as to who is actually reading this. Its my pleasure to let you all into my world.
Love
jane.
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18 comments:
I'm reading it Jane!! I Love hearing all about everything. It's so exciting. Sorry I haven't been in touch. I know I promised you an email and I never got it to you. But truly things are so good, but busy as usual.. I'm all over King's, I have no clue what they will do without me.
Love ya
Alicia
I want to start a Jane cult. I check my e-mail 7-10 times a day usually and almost everytime I check it, i check your blog too, even though I know the chances are slim that you'd be blogging between 2-8am, but i still check.
And my question regarding Japan is...What is agriculture like there? Do they have farms and fields etc? What do they grow mostly? Where do these places exist in japan? (okay, that might be an extended question)
Funny you should ask Bri. I just happened to have a convo about this today in a class. I was telling students that I miss the open wheat fields of Alberta today. I described it as miles and miles of nothing but "miles and miles."
Mostly, the main product in Japan is rice. Rice, rice, rice. Oh, and soybeans as well. Its the land of tofu!!!
There are many rice fields that can been seen in the distance from the train on the outskirts of Kyoto. But, fields here are really nothing compared to Canada. As far as size goes anyways. Usually little plots of land here and there. But, the students were telling me today that the so called "country side" still has homes that are close together and the streets are narrow and winding.
I guess like only 15% of Japan's land is for farming or something like that. Most of the regions are mountains. I hope this somewhat answers your questions.
Ps. Any girls out there want to know about buying feminine products in Japan?
Well...I will tell you...they are friggin expensive. For a package of "feminine products" - like only 10...it costs a wopping $7.00 CAN"!!! Ouch. And ouch! And its quite the operation to open the package. I will be honest with you people. I had to buy some at the grocery store tonight. Since I go there almost everyday...and the same men are always there, they pretty much know my cycle.
Another hint: Japanese mint oil does wonders for the cramps though (and headaches to!). For any girls out there - I haven't taken a ibprofen or asprin since getting to Japan. Wherever you have aches...just apply the oil and it does wonders. You can buy it in Edmonton, I think.
Its official. I have no dignity left.
hello jane... this is karen fernhout writing, a former bible study groupie and big fan of your blog. oh the asian experience - you know i love it. i'm sorry i don't comment more often, but i just wanted you to know that i read it. and enjoy it thoroughy. sounds like you're really enjoying your experience and getting stretched and pulled and all that good stuff. i am happy for you and i look forward to seeing you again someday. with love...
You have an amazing blog. I check it every day. :)
My question:
What is the hardest thing to get used to in Japan?
Karen - so good to hear from you! I remember looking at your pictures of Thailand over the last year and thinking to myself, I would love to do something like that. Seriously, you and Melisa really inspired me. So good to hear from you.
Erika. Thanks for visiting. Umm...so des ne (let me think, in Japanese...)
Well, despite the ever present language barrier (which is now seemingly getting better thanks to my language exchange partner Emi!), I guess one of the hardest things to get used to is the lack of space here. Everything from my apartment, to the train to trying to find shoes to wear - everything seems so small here. While there are many huge buildings, bright lights etc - the lack of space here can really get to you sometimes. Thats why I love getting out of the city on my days off. To take a breath. And to see open space. There are a few of these open spaces around, I'm finding you just have to go out of the city to do so.
Another thing to is up until recently, I haven't really boughten myself any decent clothes in the last few months. Shopping can be difficult at times! "Real women" sizes are so hard to find here. The Japanese women are like seriously size -3! Luckily, another teacher gave me the heads up about a store in Namba Parks (popular shopping area in Osaka) it has real women sizes. I'm so excited to finally have some new clothes to wear again.
Japan, I have learned, is really about asking the question, "Ok. What do I really need?" Finding the simplest thing can seemingly take hours! I pretty much have the philosophy now that everything is backwards in Japan.
For example, on Valentines day, the women give the men gifts!! The men don't do anything. They then return the favour, even if they are not exactly fond of the woman, in March on what they call "White Day."
I love this country. Its like a box of chocolates - you never know what your gonna get.
ps. I am realizing now that this list of difficult things could go on forever. And the list of wonderful things could go on equally as long. Perhaps a new blog topic...i will think.
I am your biggest fan! Like everyone else I so look forward to your postings. I love how you are learning so much about yourself and your new home. You are right about me getting everyone to read your postings. People are even printing them out and reading them as well as passing them on to others. I am so proud of you.
Love Dad
I read this.
Love you Dad. And Mom. And Julie. I miss you. I am YOUR biggest fan!
Hi Jane:
You know I read this blog and I am one of your biggest fans!!
I want to hear more about the men in Japan and how are your prospects?? Is Mark not a product of his environment during his growing up years hehe?
Love ya, Gerri
Jane Dear, I read your Blog as well. Like most of us, i check it every day, ok ok, several times a day really. I too am a huge fan. I miss you very very much. I was reminising about Spain, Morocco, and Portugal last night, retelling my stories to Ben. Seems so long ago. Im so glad we did that. Ans im so glad you followed you heart to Japan, Im proud of you. Guress what, only 72 more days till i get to see you!!!
Hi Jane,
I check in fairly regularly. It is fun to see someone go through what I experienced 5 years ago! How long do you plan on staying? Glad to see that you are enjoying it. If you get the chance take a trip to Kanazawa - it is a great city - about 4 hours from Osaka via densha. Have you checked out this website yet? www.engrish.com
It just gets funnier the longer you have been in Japan.
Ja, mata ne!
hey jane:) still reading (although i've been slacking since back from tanz.-sorry. ) you are looking great in those pics! and yes you can get japanese mint oil in the health food store- i use it for headaches!! sweet. i'll try it for cramps next time.
ummm. question? whats the average height of the people there? are you tall there?
Ok...so Gerri re:the men in Japan.
All I can say is the men are either good looking, really good looking or just plain ugly! I often see very good looking business men on the Hankyu line in the morning going to work. And often, its quite humorous, coming home from work - because I am literally nose to nose with these good looking men on the train!
Mostly, the Japanese man, according to my female students, say that they are shy and often very slow to make a move. But, my friend Yuji is very genki! (Japanese word for full of life and just plain happy!). Mostly, they just take their time with women. Thats for sure. I'm working on it Gerri, I'm working on it!
Lindsay re: height.
not sure of the average height. But all I know is...I am finally able to look at the top of peoples heads for once in my life!! I love it! To look out, while walking down a long, crowded subway station, its pretty crazy to see just a sea of peoples black hair! And often, I am the only gaijin walking in the subway station.
Jill re: Kanazawa and how long will I stay?
Thanks for the suggestion. I will defanitely try to check this out. I'm going to Amanohashidate on my upcoming days off next week, hopefully! So, perhaps my next trip will be to Kanazawa. I will look it up in lonely planet. I like getting your suggestions!
And how long will I stay here? Well..let me just say, I can certainly see why people stay for as long as they do here. And I can understand why you stayed as long as you did. I have my good days and my bad days, and my really bad days and my really good days - I think the answer to your question may be indefinitely. I love my students so much, and the people I work with. I feel like I am finally using the skills that I feel I have. And now that I am doing a language exchange with this girl Emi, it just gets me more excited to practice my japanese! But, doing more school in the future is always in the back of my mind too. So...well...indefinitely. Yes, indefinitely.
Jane, we have been reading your blog since we found out about it. When you write, it is like we are there ourselves. You have a great way of describing an experience. I have enjoyed it all - including your funny video clips and I check it out at least 3 times a week (or more). I anticipate your days off and look forward to your next adventure. I am sure your mom and dad can't wait to get there to see you. We are so proud of what you are doing. What an awesome experience!
Al & Donna
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