....I tried to come to this country with no expectations.
After heeding many warnings from cynical expats and jaded teachers alike, I almost gave up on coming here.
Yet, I've always wanted to realize my eventual sojourn to Japan. After years of false starts and failed teaching contracts, I finally landed a job...not as an instructor at an eikawa in the capital as I had originally intended...but as a Junior High School ALT in Ami.
Small in comparison to Tokyo.
Flat in landscape and not much quite unique about it. Its a suburban town with a HUGE military base and low-rise buildings. The most interesting thing is that even though I work in Ami...I don't live there!
I live on the outskirts of Tsuchiura City in Ibaraki prefecture, which in itself is a promising small city. It boasts a medieval castle, a scenic park, and a celebrated fireworks festival among other things. However, since I live on the border of Tsuchiura and Ami, I am a bit far from these cultural delights. in time, I will have have to be my own personal Magellan and explore these places on foot and via train. This is caused by my circumstance of not having a car in Japan.
still.
Something about living in this part of central Japan resonates within me at this point in my life. chaotic financial decisions and lack of grad school options aside, I am eager for the opportunity to save some money to aid my wilting bank account and settle some debts.
What more can I say?
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