So, I've been trying to keep in mind that the Orientation here in Tokyo is something of a glamourous affair and not how my life in Japan will actually be. I mean first off, there is air conditioning in this hotel, The toilet is similar to that Simpson's episode, you know the one, the fountain bidet with the jumping dolphins? (someone confirm this, b/c I could just be losing it) and there is a Denny's down the street. Not in anyway, the one you think of in the States but yea... Denny's.
Our guest speaker at opening ceremony was a former JET ALT and CIR and a great speaker by all accounts. The part of his speech I most related to was that there was those in the audience who weren't at stage one of the JET experience. Instead of euphoria, we put on a face while secretly being miserable. (Ok, maybe miserable is a bit of an exaggeration but I'm definitely not one of those riding high, socializing, and pepping it up. I know why it is, too.) There is hope for me yet, though. and my mission is to find a quiet place to be alone so that I can finally cry it out. The first day was a day loaded with speakers and crowds, speeches in Japanese, fancy food, warnings of this and that, running to lecture to lecture. I feel apprehensive, TIRED, excited... I need a quiet place all to myself, to absorb everything that has happened and is happening.
I wanted to come to Japan, visit my family, be a teacher, and right now... I just need the quiet me time to absorb that it is actually happening. It is not going to be an easy journey ahead, until I find a bit more balance. One more day in Tokyo, tomorrow I fly to Kyushu.
This makes me squee ^_^
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