２００７年７月７日
今週の漢字: 荷物
Luggage:
What should I pack?? That’s the question that concerns many JETs. As with moving into a college dorm as a freshman, it ranges from people packing as light as one outfit to people bringing everything they own plus whatever they buy along the way. As for me, I am in the middle closer to the light side. Well, that’s what I’d like to think. I am a packrat (to an extent) so I do end up acquiring lots of stuff. I may only bring about a fifth of all my things, but I usually return with my luggage filled with the new stuff.
I am trying to figure out what I should bring with me to Japan. Obviously, I’ll be bringing some of my clothes with me. However, this post is focused more on what other things to pack. In relation to last week’s post, I’ll be packing whatever omiyage I bought here. It has been recommended that I bring a few books on English grammar, which I have already set aside. Of course, these books are not textbooks as that would take up too much room. I have set aside a number of DVDs and video games that I stored in CD wallets. I tried so hard to narrow down from my collection of DVDs, video games, and CDs. I first had so many, but I was able to pick my top choices. Oh, I hope I don’t have to be put in that position ever again. The reason why I am bringing many of these discs of entertainment is because I am anticipating that I’ll have people over at my apartment, so I would like to provide some American entertainment in addition to whatever I get in Japan. Other things I am planning to bring include: plays, yearbooks (recommended by my predecessor for showing American culture), playing cards, books on Japan and Japanese, and a few computer accessories like my external hard drive and webcam. I hope it’s not too much. I wouldn’t want to be like those who horde everything.
I want to have enough stuff with me to show different aspects of American culture. Of course, this is in addition to representing America. In many ways, as a JET, I have a duel role as ambassador. However, shouldn’t I also mold to fit in with the Japanese culture and customs as the old saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do??” Because I am going to Japan to share the American culture and identifying myself as an American, I cannot fully follow the Japanese way of life. There’s this push and pull action, and I wonder how much of either direction I’ll face.
During the optional pre-departure orientation, the last scenario presented was about a few JETs who got drunk tainting the face of the program as well as the countries represented by the involved JETs. No wonder why some people view Americans (or even other countries’ citizens) as loud, obnoxious, and rude. Unfortunately, it takes only one person to really tarnish a name. So, if I was in a similar situation, I feel that it’s best to try to take control of the situation and use the favorite tactic of diversion. Hopefully, the JETs would eventually wear themselves out. As you see, it seems diversion is a very effective solution to a lot of situations and in many ways it is a tactic that seems to be used often by some Japanese people in sticky situations. I look forward to finding this balance as with the search for balance in life.
Stay tuned next week for more common pre-departure stresses for new JETs and thoughts on alcohol in Japan!
今週の写真: I saw the movie Ratatouille twice this past week. Doesn’t it show how much I loved it?! For those who haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. If you like Disney Pixar, you definitely should watch it. Ce film est très magnifique! Alors, voilà une image du film.
今週の漢字: 荷物
Luggage:
What should I pack?? That’s the question that concerns many JETs. As with moving into a college dorm as a freshman, it ranges from people packing as light as one outfit to people bringing everything they own plus whatever they buy along the way. As for me, I am in the middle closer to the light side. Well, that’s what I’d like to think. I am a packrat (to an extent) so I do end up acquiring lots of stuff. I may only bring about a fifth of all my things, but I usually return with my luggage filled with the new stuff.
I am trying to figure out what I should bring with me to Japan. Obviously, I’ll be bringing some of my clothes with me. However, this post is focused more on what other things to pack. In relation to last week’s post, I’ll be packing whatever omiyage I bought here. It has been recommended that I bring a few books on English grammar, which I have already set aside. Of course, these books are not textbooks as that would take up too much room. I have set aside a number of DVDs and video games that I stored in CD wallets. I tried so hard to narrow down from my collection of DVDs, video games, and CDs. I first had so many, but I was able to pick my top choices. Oh, I hope I don’t have to be put in that position ever again. The reason why I am bringing many of these discs of entertainment is because I am anticipating that I’ll have people over at my apartment, so I would like to provide some American entertainment in addition to whatever I get in Japan. Other things I am planning to bring include: plays, yearbooks (recommended by my predecessor for showing American culture), playing cards, books on Japan and Japanese, and a few computer accessories like my external hard drive and webcam. I hope it’s not too much. I wouldn’t want to be like those who horde everything.
I want to have enough stuff with me to show different aspects of American culture. Of course, this is in addition to representing America. In many ways, as a JET, I have a duel role as ambassador. However, shouldn’t I also mold to fit in with the Japanese culture and customs as the old saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do??” Because I am going to Japan to share the American culture and identifying myself as an American, I cannot fully follow the Japanese way of life. There’s this push and pull action, and I wonder how much of either direction I’ll face.
During the optional pre-departure orientation, the last scenario presented was about a few JETs who got drunk tainting the face of the program as well as the countries represented by the involved JETs. No wonder why some people view Americans (or even other countries’ citizens) as loud, obnoxious, and rude. Unfortunately, it takes only one person to really tarnish a name. So, if I was in a similar situation, I feel that it’s best to try to take control of the situation and use the favorite tactic of diversion. Hopefully, the JETs would eventually wear themselves out. As you see, it seems diversion is a very effective solution to a lot of situations and in many ways it is a tactic that seems to be used often by some Japanese people in sticky situations. I look forward to finding this balance as with the search for balance in life.
Stay tuned next week for more common pre-departure stresses for new JETs and thoughts on alcohol in Japan!
今週の写真: I saw the movie Ratatouille twice this past week. Doesn’t it show how much I loved it?! For those who haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. If you like Disney Pixar, you definitely should watch it. Ce film est très magnifique! Alors, voilà une image du film.
1 comment:
Striking a balance seems to be your common thread throughout these entries. It is a wise move whether it's packing items into luggage or being culturally equilibrated. Good on you.
-curtiss
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