Hola

So, I'm in my second year of being an ALT in Japan. Like I said, it really doesn't feel like a year has passed already, but it does at the same time. JETs tend to stay for 2 years, so it's no big surprise that I've chosen to stay. However, when asked if I will stay a 3rd, my answer is always no. I really can't imagine doing this job for 3 years...sitting at my desk with hardly anything to do, that is. So why, you ask, am I staying for a 2nd? Well, I don't think one year would feel as though my time here would be complete. I feel like I've just gotten used to things and I need one more year to soak it all in.

Before I came, I thought that I could use this time in Japan to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Haha...wishful thinking. I've come to learn that ALTs tend to get more side-tracked than ever while living here. We get paid well for not doing much while living in a foreign country. We get plenty of time off and have the luxury of traveling at any time. (We are also the most popular kids at school...making up for lost times in high school, I guess. =)) Now, why would you want to trade that in for a desk job back at home, right? That's the problem. Life is so good here that it gets harder to want to go back and face reality. I think our society tends to focus too much on consumption and climbing up ladders. Everyone is always working towards that car, or house, or whatevers, so they are willing to work at jobs that they may not like, or even hate. It's so sad. I don't doubt that this may very well be the road that lies ahead of me when I get back, but for now, I will just ignore that fact. ;-)

I really love Japan, even with all my sarcastic posts. Hehe. The people here are really nice (even if at times it's not genuine) and life is really enjoyable and relaxing. Like, I can't imagine riding my bike to the grocery store back at home. That'd be weird. But, that is one of the things I love about my life here. It's so simple. Oh, and having my own place is great! I love it love it love it! All the freedom in the world for rent that can't even get you a studio back at home. Dude, I should stop with all this talk, or else I'm gonna convince myself to become a life-long ALT! Hahahaha...as if that'd EVER happen.

Anyway, I think we're very lucky, us native English speakers with college degrees. We have it so much easier than soo many people in this world. I'm not sounding preachy, am I? Haha. What I'm trying to say is, we have so many options. That is why I have no regrets whatsoever about coming to Japan and staying for a second year, even if it means postponing my climb up the corporate ladder at home. Life is short, so if you want something, just go for it. It'll only get harder as you get older, so take your chances now. You'll never regret trying something new, but you never want to look back on your life and think, what if.

K, end Shindy rant.