Getting out of Japan... *on a good note*

[Rezz]

I just went back and re-read the 'Getting out of Japan' thread and...well... I feel a bit guilty of 'sensationalizing' the bad situation I've been going through.

Let's get one thing straight: I haven't grown to despise Japan. Far from it. It's just that some days you really wonder what the hell you're doing here.

But thats far from the whole picture, and thats what I want to do with this thread - give a balanced view and start focusing on some of the nice things about the place. A total about face from 2 weeks ago (I know trust me) but I don't want to be seen as someone who's come here and just made a mess of things and gone home with just a bad view of the place.

Some nice things that have happened in the last week:

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- An old Japanese salaryman walked into an elevator and pressed the button to go up while I ran from about 10 meters back to catch the same elevator. Just as the doors closed I tapped the button to open the doors - which they did amazingly - and as I walked in the old salaryman said in broken English "I'm so sorry, mienakatta... I dodn't see you". Cheers muchly mate

- It cost me a total of 7,700 yen (A$91) to get a new battery installed, 5L of oil, Oil filter, with the oil and oil filter changed AND a full mechanical check all in 20 minutes flat... at SuperAutobacs Sunshine wharf in Kobe.

- I got a postcard from Okayama prefecture from one of my old students who came with me to Perth last year for a homestay at my parents house saying how she missed taking my class and she thinks about the trip to Perth every day. She drew a picture of the Perth city skyline which (if you know Perth) has the 'Bankwest Tower' included next to 'Central Park Tower'... very sweet of her to do something like that.

- My boss has helped me out. Not going into this but lets just say it's like what 'Hansel' said on Zoolander: "changed my whole perspective on sh!t..."

- My mother-in-law passed the 'Jistuyou Eiken' (practical English) test at level 5... way to go mum... hahaha SHE bought ME a present for it aswell :confused: don't I feel special

Theres other stuff too, but the point is that theres good and theres bad and I'll never be so negative about Japan ever again. If I offended anyone out there, please accept my apology.

Anyone else got any positive stuff about Japan to add?

[Elmo_Chic]

I have been in Japan for almost a year now. I recently decided that I would stay for another year. Can't be such a bad place if I wanna stay here for longer. I just feel that I am not ready to go home and start my life yet.

For me, living in Japan is a bit of break from reality. I have had many positive experiences here but I also understand some of the other stuff you mentioned in the other thread. I can't imagine lving here for as long as you have, Australia will always be my home.

Mostly the people have been great here. They are always so polite and friendly. I am lucky to work for a great company who has been really helpful. When it came to negotiations to recontract, a few decided not to do it. Mostly because of the Japanese politics involved in it all. Where I work, we have 2 sets of rules. 1 for the foreigners and 1 for the Japanese staff. Being a foreigner, I usually get the better deal compared to my Japanese coworkers.

I am looking forward to visiting in August, the first time since I came here last August.

I hope you enjoy being back home for good Rezz!

[totoro]

well i hope all works well for your justin.... i am japanese and i still think its a good place for fun but not work.... and teaching english can be a "ground hog day" experience....

hope we can catch up once you are back in perth as im curious to meet with you and see your car as well... hahaha

masahiro

[CircusMonkey]

Stuff like this:

Going over the Rainbow Bridge over the Tokyo Harbour at night listning to the ending theme from Blade Runner.

Service etc would a shop get one of it s clerks get me a pair of shoes from a shop 15min away in a correct size anywhere else than in Japan.

Go out at night without having 20 people getting in your face starting ruckus. :evil:

Leaving some of your property outside and still find it in the same place 3 hours later.

Technology vs tradition.

.......and some negative also like getting into the country customs and immigration.

Felt every time i come to Japan is when the officer checks your passport going

"what the feck you want in Japan ?"

[totoro]

my personal favourite is reading car magazine at a convenience store anytime of the day/night and cigarette vending machines galore!

[sidewaymambo]

I married a Japanese wife for 12.5 years now, for me everyday is amazing..trust me.

we are in Saseibo, a country town, but I still have not visit it all.