Monday, November 29, 2010
Fukuoka Day 15 - Toyonoshima v Kisenosato - Nov. 28, 2010
A great sumo match from the final day of the Fukuoka Basho.
Check out my all-Sumo channel - JasonsinJapan (link on the right hand nav bar) - on YouTube for the final matches from senshuraku - Day 15 of the tournament.
-Jason
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
questions about why I vlog
A college student in America recently emailed me on YouTube via my Myargonauts channel, and asked me if I would answer a few questions about my vlogging experience for a class project.
So here are his questions and my answers.
Thanks for stopping by.
-Jason
Have you ever felt nervous in front of a camera? Does the nervousness ever go away or is it something you just learn to deal with?
I don't feel nervous just talking to a camera. I do sometimes get nervous talking in front of large groups, but being a teacher gets you used to being up in front of a group and retaining their attention.
I don't think of all the people that will eventually watch the video - I just pretend I'm having a chat with one friend.
How do/did you overcome or learn to deal with camera shyness?
Again - I never really had camera shyness. I was in drama club and speech and debate when I was in High school, so
I've had lots of practice talking in front of others.
The first few vlogs I did with me just talking at the camera were a bit awkward, but I've gotten better by watching others and editing helps. It helps to think about what you're gonna say in detail before you start to record, so you're not searching for words while on camera.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to start their own vlog?
Watch other vloggers that you like - what do you like about their videos? Try to imitate their pace\style\topics, etc at first and then develop your own style.
If you want loyal viewers, then try to find a niche to fill - there are 1000s of vloggers - but not everyone is talking about the same thing - find something somewhat unique to talk about and then be consistent and sincere.
What equipment do you use?
Hand held digital camera for on location and sometimes indoors, and my built in iSight camera on my Mac.
Is the type of camera important?
It is if you want to shoot widescreen or in HD - but for simple vlogs where it's just you talking at the camera, then not really.
Lighting and sound are more important - make sure your face is well lit and we can hear you and there is no music drowning out your voice.
What software do you use for editing video?
I often just upload what I shoot straight - I'm kinda known for my one-take vlogs. But when I do need to edit or add titles, I use iMovie on my Mac.
What is your editing process?
If I'm trying to be more entertaining than informative - then I try hard to keep the pace brisk and edit to the music.
Why did you decide to start vlogging?
At first I was just uploading small 1 or 2 minute clips - mostly of my school life.
But I started to watch more and more YT vloggers in Japan and I thought I could take a shot at talking to the camera.
I was already getting emails with questions about Japan, even tho I only had about 100 subscribers when I did my first on-camera vlog. Then I looked around YouTube and noticed no one really had made videos about the process of becoming a JET and I found my niche.
Did you know any other vloggers at the time?
I was an active commentator on other vlogs, but I didn't know any of them in person.
Was it hard to start a vlog?
No - they're incredibly easy to start. Everyone has a few good stories to tell, etc.
They are though very hard to maintain. To post consistently for a year or two takes some dedication.
You will run out of ideas or motivation from time to time, but if you have loyal viewers, they'll inspire you, give you suggestions, and make you want to keep going.
How did you know what to say or what to vlog about?
Well, there seems to be a bottomless well of people that are interested in Japan and learning Japanese who watch YouTube.
So talking about Japan became my main niche.
When I decided to start talking about movies or my other interests, such as watching Sumo, I actually started new channels so it wouldn't distract from my main channel's Japan focus.
Why have you continued to vlog?
Well, the JET Programme recruits new JETs every year, so there are always new folks coming along that want to come to Japan and learn about JET. So I keep vlogging for them.
What motivates you to keep vlogging?
My viewers are by and large a great group of people. They are very appreciative of the work I do, and they leave me great comments and send me wonderful emails. That is a big motivation. And now that I'm no longer a JET, but am back in Japan and teaching at a university, I hope to have all new insights and adventures that I can share with my viewers.
-Jason H.
So here are his questions and my answers.
Thanks for stopping by.
-Jason
Have you ever felt nervous in front of a camera? Does the nervousness ever go away or is it something you just learn to deal with?
I don't feel nervous just talking to a camera. I do sometimes get nervous talking in front of large groups, but being a teacher gets you used to being up in front of a group and retaining their attention.
I don't think of all the people that will eventually watch the video - I just pretend I'm having a chat with one friend.
How do/did you overcome or learn to deal with camera shyness?
Again - I never really had camera shyness. I was in drama club and speech and debate when I was in High school, so
I've had lots of practice talking in front of others.
The first few vlogs I did with me just talking at the camera were a bit awkward, but I've gotten better by watching others and editing helps. It helps to think about what you're gonna say in detail before you start to record, so you're not searching for words while on camera.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to start their own vlog?
Watch other vloggers that you like - what do you like about their videos? Try to imitate their pace\style\topics, etc at first and then develop your own style.
If you want loyal viewers, then try to find a niche to fill - there are 1000s of vloggers - but not everyone is talking about the same thing - find something somewhat unique to talk about and then be consistent and sincere.
What equipment do you use?
Hand held digital camera for on location and sometimes indoors, and my built in iSight camera on my Mac.
Is the type of camera important?
It is if you want to shoot widescreen or in HD - but for simple vlogs where it's just you talking at the camera, then not really.
Lighting and sound are more important - make sure your face is well lit and we can hear you and there is no music drowning out your voice.
What software do you use for editing video?
I often just upload what I shoot straight - I'm kinda known for my one-take vlogs. But when I do need to edit or add titles, I use iMovie on my Mac.
What is your editing process?
If I'm trying to be more entertaining than informative - then I try hard to keep the pace brisk and edit to the music.
Why did you decide to start vlogging?
At first I was just uploading small 1 or 2 minute clips - mostly of my school life.
But I started to watch more and more YT vloggers in Japan and I thought I could take a shot at talking to the camera.
I was already getting emails with questions about Japan, even tho I only had about 100 subscribers when I did my first on-camera vlog. Then I looked around YouTube and noticed no one really had made videos about the process of becoming a JET and I found my niche.
Did you know any other vloggers at the time?
I was an active commentator on other vlogs, but I didn't know any of them in person.
Was it hard to start a vlog?
No - they're incredibly easy to start. Everyone has a few good stories to tell, etc.
They are though very hard to maintain. To post consistently for a year or two takes some dedication.
You will run out of ideas or motivation from time to time, but if you have loyal viewers, they'll inspire you, give you suggestions, and make you want to keep going.
How did you know what to say or what to vlog about?
Well, there seems to be a bottomless well of people that are interested in Japan and learning Japanese who watch YouTube.
So talking about Japan became my main niche.
When I decided to start talking about movies or my other interests, such as watching Sumo, I actually started new channels so it wouldn't distract from my main channel's Japan focus.
Why have you continued to vlog?
Well, the JET Programme recruits new JETs every year, so there are always new folks coming along that want to come to Japan and learn about JET. So I keep vlogging for them.
What motivates you to keep vlogging?
My viewers are by and large a great group of people. They are very appreciative of the work I do, and they leave me great comments and send me wonderful emails. That is a big motivation. And now that I'm no longer a JET, but am back in Japan and teaching at a university, I hope to have all new insights and adventures that I can share with my viewers.
-Jason H.
Friday, November 12, 2010
ゆめタウンShopping Spree & Creative DVD Titles
My latest YouTube vlog from my main channel - Myargonauts.
Enjoy my overspending. :)
Enjoy my overspending. :)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My new students - already poking fun at their teacher
Overall, my new college students are a pretty cool bunch.
I have about 53 ichi nen sei (Freshmen) who are 18/19 years old,
and I have about 49 ni nen sei (Sophomores) who are 19/20 years old.
My classes are 90 minutes, but split into 2 sessions with a 5 minute passing period between them.
So I teach for 45 minutes, that group of 25 or so students leave and the next group comes in for their 45 minutes.
The other half of the 90 minutes is spent reading. My students are supposed to read 10,000 English words every week. They have a bunch of ESL books to choose from which are color coded to difficulty level - so white sticker books are the easiest, with easy vocabulary and smaller word counts, and up to dark blue books, which are like regular novels.
I'm the only teacher in my classroom, and I'm in charge of all the lessons, grading, attendance, etc. Quite a change from the ALT status of most JETs, myself included.
Today I was teaching my 1nen sei about the English word "too." As in "too young" or "too old."
They had a list of 6 opinions and had to guess the age the person was talking about.
For example, "She is too young to drive a car." What age do you think this person is?
So I went around class asking various students their ideas.
One opinion was "He's too old to play soccer." I asked one girl and she said "40."
I laughed and told her I was 41, so I'm not allowed to play soccer anymore?
The class laughed as I pretended to mark down minus 1 pt for her answer.
Later I asked a boy about the opinion "She's to old to dance." He responded "45."
So I'm too old to play soccer and almost too old to dance.
The last question was about marriage.
"He's too old to get married."
I asked a boy about this in the previous class, and he said "There is no age limit on love." In English! Awwwwww....
But in this class, the boy I asked responded "35."
I pretended to immediately mark him down 1 pt for the answer and everyone laughed.
I mimed that I can only move around in a wheel chair according to them and should just watch TV all day. :P
I know when you're 18 or 19, 40 does seem awfully old, but the funny thing is I don't "feel" 40 most of the time. Compared to my fellow professors, who are all married and most have kids, I feel like a single, fun-loving guy.
It was an interesting follow-up class to the Tuesday lesson which kicked off this unit about life transitions, such as graduating from school, getting a job, buying a house, getting married, etc.
Aside from some interesting cultural differences, when I asked them what the most important transition in a child's life is, and what the most important transition in an adult's life is, I got some interesting answers.
They have a ceremony here for when you turn 20 years old, and some cited that as an important childhood transition.
But I tend to think of 20-year-olds as adults. I think a big childhood transition is learning to walk and talk and going to school for the first time.
Maybe the 20-year-old ceremony is a good transition for adolescence to adulthood.
According to the supplied phrases in the textbook I'm using, common activities that define the stage of life called "adulthood" include getting a job, getting married, and buying a house. I'm 1 for 3 on those criteria. See, I told you I wasn't a real adult yet. :)
Anyway - class is going well overall, and my kids seem to be enjoying my lessons and learning along the way.
-Jason
too old to dance, but never too old to sing karaoke! :D
I have about 53 ichi nen sei (Freshmen) who are 18/19 years old,
and I have about 49 ni nen sei (Sophomores) who are 19/20 years old.
My classes are 90 minutes, but split into 2 sessions with a 5 minute passing period between them.
So I teach for 45 minutes, that group of 25 or so students leave and the next group comes in for their 45 minutes.
The other half of the 90 minutes is spent reading. My students are supposed to read 10,000 English words every week. They have a bunch of ESL books to choose from which are color coded to difficulty level - so white sticker books are the easiest, with easy vocabulary and smaller word counts, and up to dark blue books, which are like regular novels.
I'm the only teacher in my classroom, and I'm in charge of all the lessons, grading, attendance, etc. Quite a change from the ALT status of most JETs, myself included.
Today I was teaching my 1nen sei about the English word "too." As in "too young" or "too old."
They had a list of 6 opinions and had to guess the age the person was talking about.
For example, "She is too young to drive a car." What age do you think this person is?
So I went around class asking various students their ideas.
One opinion was "He's too old to play soccer." I asked one girl and she said "40."
I laughed and told her I was 41, so I'm not allowed to play soccer anymore?
The class laughed as I pretended to mark down minus 1 pt for her answer.
Later I asked a boy about the opinion "She's to old to dance." He responded "45."
So I'm too old to play soccer and almost too old to dance.
The last question was about marriage.
"He's too old to get married."
I asked a boy about this in the previous class, and he said "There is no age limit on love." In English! Awwwwww....
But in this class, the boy I asked responded "35."
I pretended to immediately mark him down 1 pt for the answer and everyone laughed.
I mimed that I can only move around in a wheel chair according to them and should just watch TV all day. :P
I know when you're 18 or 19, 40 does seem awfully old, but the funny thing is I don't "feel" 40 most of the time. Compared to my fellow professors, who are all married and most have kids, I feel like a single, fun-loving guy.
It was an interesting follow-up class to the Tuesday lesson which kicked off this unit about life transitions, such as graduating from school, getting a job, buying a house, getting married, etc.
Aside from some interesting cultural differences, when I asked them what the most important transition in a child's life is, and what the most important transition in an adult's life is, I got some interesting answers.
They have a ceremony here for when you turn 20 years old, and some cited that as an important childhood transition.
But I tend to think of 20-year-olds as adults. I think a big childhood transition is learning to walk and talk and going to school for the first time.
Maybe the 20-year-old ceremony is a good transition for adolescence to adulthood.
According to the supplied phrases in the textbook I'm using, common activities that define the stage of life called "adulthood" include getting a job, getting married, and buying a house. I'm 1 for 3 on those criteria. See, I told you I wasn't a real adult yet. :)
Anyway - class is going well overall, and my kids seem to be enjoying my lessons and learning along the way.
-Jason
too old to dance, but never too old to sing karaoke! :D
Monday, October 11, 2010
Swap Meet in Oceanside
Swap Meet in Oceanside - 4
Originally uploaded by Jason In Japan.
I had a big storage unit for the 5 years I was in Japan - full of "stuff." No furniture or practical items, mostly just comics, CDs, books, DVDs, toys, etc, etc.
So little by little after I got home I started to sell stuff off. First, I found a guy in LA who bought 30 "long comic boxes" from me for about $600. I only kept about 3 long boxes of my most favorite books.
Then we had a garage sale at the house, and I sold my Laser Discs players, a bunch of Star Wars toys, and other stuff.
I traded in a bunch of CDs for credit at a local used shop, and eventually got my 10'x10' storage space, which I was paying $76/month for, down to a 5x10 space, thus making my monthly rent $54.
I figured that was about it, when I got an email after I listed some comics on Craigslist from the local organizers of a swap meet in Oceanside. They wanted to have a "collector's con" aimed at comic fans, Pokemon fans, anime fans, etc.
It was only $25 to rent the space, and even tho I'd never sold at a swap meet before, I decided to give it a try just two weeks before I was set to leave for Japan.
Luckily I knew a pal, Mark, who had helped when we ran the booth at Comic Con back in July, so I called him up and arranged for him to help me for part of the day. He ended up working the whole 9 hours, and we were pretty busy - I sold over $600 worth of stuff, so minus some expenses I made about $450.
It was a lot of work, but overall it felt good to "give away" some of my stuff and let others enjoy it instead of it just sitting in my dark storage for another potential 4 or 5 years.
-Jason
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Back in Japan - Jason's Adventures Phase 3
Hello All -
I made it back to Japan earlier this month and right now I'm in the process of getting the necessary visas etc to allow me to start work at the university.
I'm living in another rural town - much like Taisha where I lived before - but this time I'm not with JET, but I've been hired to teach English at a fairly small university.
I'll have Freshmen and Sophomores my first year and also be helping out with their language support room in the media center. Should be plenty to keep me busy, and lots of new challenges as I've never taught that age student before.
September has been really hot and humid so far, but I'm settling back in somewhat - today was actually the first "coolish" day we've had so far - haven't had to turn on the aircon once today so far, which is nice.
I'm watching sumo and eating ramen and getting back into some of my old habits.
I'll be moving into my new apartment in mid-October, and I've been lucky so far as local folks - new friends - have been nice enough to offer me a place to stay until then.
I hope to have lots of new adventures in Japan to tell you about.
Thanks for stopping by.
-Jason
I made it back to Japan earlier this month and right now I'm in the process of getting the necessary visas etc to allow me to start work at the university.
I'm living in another rural town - much like Taisha where I lived before - but this time I'm not with JET, but I've been hired to teach English at a fairly small university.
I'll have Freshmen and Sophomores my first year and also be helping out with their language support room in the media center. Should be plenty to keep me busy, and lots of new challenges as I've never taught that age student before.
September has been really hot and humid so far, but I'm settling back in somewhat - today was actually the first "coolish" day we've had so far - haven't had to turn on the aircon once today so far, which is nice.
I'm watching sumo and eating ramen and getting back into some of my old habits.
I'll be moving into my new apartment in mid-October, and I've been lucky so far as local folks - new friends - have been nice enough to offer me a place to stay until then.
I hope to have lots of new adventures in Japan to tell you about.
Thanks for stopping by.
-Jason
Friday, August 20, 2010
Fun email from a former student
It's always fun to get email from my students, and this one showed up in my inbox this morning somewhat out of the blue...
Kaori was a student who graduated from my Jr High in 2007 and she is now at a university. I mentioned her in a vlog - she's a super cool kid, but I hadn't communicated with her in a while - I sent her a message when I visited Japan back in March when she was graduating from HS, but she was so busy, she never got back to me.
Japanese people in general are notoriously slow at replying to email, so just be patient if you try to strike up a correspondence with someone in Japan.
Here is the email (with slight edits for content, but it's all her own style and wording):
Dear Jason
Hello! Jason! How are you?
I'm kaori k........ I was Taisha junior high school student 4 years ago.
Do you remember me?
I'm sorry to sent you the letter so long time.
I was very busy that time.
I would sent the letter because I had very happy news.
I passed the university exam!
Now , I go to university of M.........
M........ is far.
It is 12 hour from Shimane by car.
But M........ is very good place!
Many people is kind!
I like M........!
I enjoy life.
Jason,what are you going to do this summer?
I am going to do volunteer activity during summer vacation!
And, reading many books ,listening many musics ,thinking many things etc....
I am going to enjoy this summer vacation!
I hope that you enjoy this summer!!
Good bye,Jason!
from kaori k.........
Here is a pic of us in school back in 2006:
Kaori and her classmate Yukako used to write me letters in English for practice:
Kaori was a student who graduated from my Jr High in 2007 and she is now at a university. I mentioned her in a vlog - she's a super cool kid, but I hadn't communicated with her in a while - I sent her a message when I visited Japan back in March when she was graduating from HS, but she was so busy, she never got back to me.
Japanese people in general are notoriously slow at replying to email, so just be patient if you try to strike up a correspondence with someone in Japan.
Here is the email (with slight edits for content, but it's all her own style and wording):
Dear Jason
Hello! Jason! How are you?
I'm kaori k........ I was Taisha junior high school student 4 years ago.
Do you remember me?
I'm sorry to sent you the letter so long time.
I was very busy that time.
I would sent the letter because I had very happy news.
I passed the university exam!
Now , I go to university of M.........
M........ is far.
It is 12 hour from Shimane by car.
But M........ is very good place!
Many people is kind!
I like M........!
I enjoy life.
Jason,what are you going to do this summer?
I am going to do volunteer activity during summer vacation!
And, reading many books ,listening many musics ,thinking many things etc....
I am going to enjoy this summer vacation!
I hope that you enjoy this summer!!
Good bye,Jason!
from kaori k.........
Here is a pic of us in school back in 2006:
Kaori and her classmate Yukako used to write me letters in English for practice:
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Jason & SpongeBob
Jason & SpongeBob
Originally uploaded by Jason In Japan.
I've posted the rest of my San Diego Comic Con pics at my Flickr site - enjoy!
-Jason
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Zack (Walter) and Jason at Comic Con 2010
Zack (Walter) and Jason at Comic Con 2010
Originally uploaded by Jason In Japan.
I've got well over 150 pics on the way, as well as tons of video footage too from the 2010 San Diego Comic Con.
I worked Preview night on Wednesday and then all 4 full days from Thursday to Sunday at a friend's booth in the retailer section of the main convention floor. But I also had time to spend some money, attend some panels, and see some celebrities, old and new.
If you don't know the "celebrity" in the photo above, just Google "Walter Jones Zack" and you'll see... :)
-Jason
Monday, July 19, 2010
Jason's going to Comic-Con & selling stuff
I'm going to Comic Con this year all 4 days + Preview Night on Wednesday. I have to help out at a friend's booth in exchange for the 5-day pass, so I won't be able to see all the panels I want to go to, but I hope to hit a few of the big ones, including panels about Tron, Walking Dead, Big Bang Theory and Scott Pilgrim.
I hope to take footage each day and make vids for my TaishaJason YT channel in August.
I hope to take footage each day and make vids for my TaishaJason YT channel in August.
Friday, July 09, 2010
NHK not to air next sumo competition live
I'll still try to have updates on my all-Sumo channel on YouTube - JasonsinJapan - but my access to footage via TV Japan may be limited.
-Jason
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
4th of July and Holidays in Japan
Here is my latest vlog - shot around my house in San Diego on July 4th - Independence Day.
I also talk about holidays in Japan - what days are similar, what days have no meaning in Japan and how this is an opportunity for JETs to teach a little about your culture, whether you're from the UK, Australia, Canada, America or elsewhere.
In the text below the video on the YouTube page, I ask my viewers to leave a comment telling me what their favorite holiday is and why. Feel free to leave a comment here on this page too.
Thanks for watching!
-Jason
I also talk about holidays in Japan - what days are similar, what days have no meaning in Japan and how this is an opportunity for JETs to teach a little about your culture, whether you're from the UK, Australia, Canada, America or elsewhere.
In the text below the video on the YouTube page, I ask my viewers to leave a comment telling me what their favorite holiday is and why. Feel free to leave a comment here on this page too.
Thanks for watching!
-Jason
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Fuyu Yasumi 2010: An ALT Goes to New York
My friend and fellow JET (altho I guess I'm now a former-JET) made this excellent video chronicling his trip home last year for winter vacation. He used it in his classes in Japan with his Jr High students.
Good example of how you can bring real world information and practical knowledge into the classroom and make your lessons more interesting for your students.
Well done Eric!
Good example of how you can bring real world information and practical knowledge into the classroom and make your lessons more interesting for your students.
Well done Eric!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
男らしい日本語って： Manly Japanese
Great video by a fellow J-vlogger living in Shiga ken.
With subtitles so you can follow along if you don't speak Japanese.
The stuff at the end about approaching a woman is pretty funny.
Enjoy!
-Jason
With subtitles so you can follow along if you don't speak Japanese.
The stuff at the end about approaching a woman is pretty funny.
Enjoy!
-Jason
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
New vlog from TaishaJason channel
Do you have a good "random act of kindness" story? Please feel free to share in the comments below or over on the forums at JapanJuku.com
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Blog TV May 29th at 8pm PST
join me tonight for a chat about JET, Japan and anything else that comes up.
Click Here for my Blog TV channel.
Click Here for my Blog TV channel.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Great vid on arguing with Japanese people
Made by my pal Hiko and some of his friends. With English and Japanese subtitles.
Enjoy!
-Jason
Enjoy!
-Jason
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
May Grand Sumo Tournament has started
Sumo has started once again, and even tho I'm currently living in California, I still watch sumo daily via a cable channel I pay for here called TV Japan.
I'll have highlights and commentary on my all-Sumo channel on YouTube - JasonsinJapan.
Just click on the video below to be taken to my YouTube main channel page for sumo.
Enjoy!
-Jason
I'll have highlights and commentary on my all-Sumo channel on YouTube - JasonsinJapan.
Just click on the video below to be taken to my YouTube main channel page for sumo.
Enjoy!
-Jason
Friday, May 07, 2010
money vs happiness
I've got a good job now in California. I make decent money, my co-workers are generally cool people, the office is nice and conveniently located, and the work itself is fairly easy.
But it doesn't excite me - it doesn't challenge me very often - it's very repetitive. I don't wake up excited about going to work - I do it out of duty and obligation, instead of any desire to contribute to the greater good.
I know some of you are saying, "You're making good money at a decent job - why complain?"
Because I had a job for 5 years that I really ENJOYED and I was pretty good at doing.
And I take the train most days to work and I can see the drones making their way to their offices each day to punch the clock and put in their hours so they can afford a new iPad and go out on the weekends. I don't want to become one of those drones.
Which is why I'm going to give up a much better paying job in a city I really like to move back to Japan and work for less money in a city where I won't know anyone.
If my 5 years on JET taught me one thing about myself, it's that I really love teaching. I like the day to day challenge of it - the quest to find a better way to involve and interest your students in their lessons - the ever-changing variety - the school atmosphere in Japan with large school events and it's own brand of school spirit. And I enjoy teaching English.
Perhaps not as much as I would if I could teach history, which is a subject closer to my heart, but with English it's easier in a way to notice real progress in your students. At the end of the year you can tell if they learned anything and are able to communicate at a higher level than when they started.
So I'll be giving up job security in California for the unpredictable and sometimes frustrating job of teaching English in Japan - and I can't wait! :)
-Jason
But it doesn't excite me - it doesn't challenge me very often - it's very repetitive. I don't wake up excited about going to work - I do it out of duty and obligation, instead of any desire to contribute to the greater good.
I know some of you are saying, "You're making good money at a decent job - why complain?"
Because I had a job for 5 years that I really ENJOYED and I was pretty good at doing.
And I take the train most days to work and I can see the drones making their way to their offices each day to punch the clock and put in their hours so they can afford a new iPad and go out on the weekends. I don't want to become one of those drones.
Which is why I'm going to give up a much better paying job in a city I really like to move back to Japan and work for less money in a city where I won't know anyone.
If my 5 years on JET taught me one thing about myself, it's that I really love teaching. I like the day to day challenge of it - the quest to find a better way to involve and interest your students in their lessons - the ever-changing variety - the school atmosphere in Japan with large school events and it's own brand of school spirit. And I enjoy teaching English.
Perhaps not as much as I would if I could teach history, which is a subject closer to my heart, but with English it's easier in a way to notice real progress in your students. At the end of the year you can tell if they learned anything and are able to communicate at a higher level than when they started.
So I'll be giving up job security in California for the unpredictable and sometimes frustrating job of teaching English in Japan - and I can't wait! :)
-Jason
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Blog TV April 24 & 25
I'll be on Blog TV tomorrow at 8pm PST and most likely again on Sunday at Noon.
Swing by for a chat if you can.
Swing by for a chat if you can.
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