By request...Culture Shock

Be warned. This is the culture shock I experienced when I came back the United States. This is a candid account and not meant to offend anyone. Every shock that I had I have also been a part of, so please do not think I am trying to exclude myself in any of these things. If anything, I feel that culture shock can be the mirror of our selves to help us change.

My first experience with culture shock, happened before I left Tokyo. I was at the gate. The flight attendants had told us to please remain seated, but everyone was in line, so I thought I should get in line. Our flight was delayed, but it was raining. Flights typically get delayed for safety. Not wanting to experience the scary, painful death of a plane crash, I am ok with this. We are standing in what is not really a line and the flight attendants begin to board the plane, and, as often the case, they start to board the plane from back to front. All the Americans were complaining because they had been standing in line and they wanted to get on the plane. Not only were they complaining, they were rude to the flight attendants. They were frustrated with the worker's English.
Observations from this experience:

• We were in Japan. Japanese people speak Japanese. We should not complain when their English is much better than our Japanese is.
• No one told us to get in line to board, we did that on our own. Had we been sitting down like they asked us to, the whole process would have been easier.
• Americans are impatient and rude.

Other observations from the Minnesota airport.

• Americans are big people. The norm in America is to be too big. I knew this, but being in a place where most people aren't big this really surprised me. I'm a big person too, but this is one of those mirror things.
• We are sloppy dressers. Wow, Japanese have so much style. There I am in my hooded sweatshirt. If we dressed better do you think that we would want to take better care of our bodies. I'm not saying we should spend a whole lot of money on clothes. I think the Japanese have less but spend more in the clothes department. I think I would rather have a few nicer things than a lot of not so nice things.
• EVERYONE is on the CELL PHONE! Talk, talk, talk, talk. Noise. Wow. In Japan, people are on the phone a lot, but most of the time people are using email on their cell phone, no noise. It's a totally different environment. Normal is quiet. You notice when it is noisy. In America, noisy is normal. You notice when it is quiet.

The other night I had severe culture shock. I think this was the most I have experienced it since I came back. My former roommate and I had gone to watch a TV show with a group of people. After the show, we started talking about a topic that was brought up during one of the commercial breaks. One person had an opinion that was different than the majority of the group. Instead of giving her the chance to defend or explain herself, they just bombarded her with questions. Mind you, they did not really want to know the answers to those questions, or they would have allowed her to answer them. They speak the same language, and they weren't even listening to each other. Everyone just wanted to be heard, so the volume rose and rose and rose to the point where people were yelling and I felt like I needed ear plugs. No one else seemed to notice. Everyone was talking at a volume so they could be heard, but no one was taking the time to listen to the other people also speaking at a high volume so they could be heard.

The topic was changed to something that doesn't even matter, but the intensity was just as high. IT DID NOT MATTER. Still no one was listening, just talking. Everybody wants to be heard, but no one wants to hear anyone else.

I don't have it all figured out. I want to be heard as much as anyone else (if you think about it, a blog is a way to talk without being interrupted or having to listen to what anyone else has to say), but I do think that I have learned the value of conversation in Japan. The people that I talked with and I barely shared a language, but we were able to have deeper conversations than I have had in a long time. Why is that? I noticed they were listening. I started to do that myself. I still like to talk, but you learn so much more when your mouth is shut.

Hello!

I am back. I promise a full post...later. I wanted to let everyone know that I am home and ok. I think I am still going to post on this blog and not my Xanga. Maybe I will start posting on Xanga again. Who knows? I have to keep things interesting some how right???

Thank you to Natsumi for yet another great day on the town!

Natsumi has been so kind as to take me on not one, but two sight seeing trips in Tokyo. Yesterday's adventure was quite interesting and enjoy able.
We had planned to meet in Shinjuku station at 2pm. I was not quite sure how long it would take me to get there and needed to run an errand before meeting her as well. To make a long story short, I was about a half an hour early. This was ok because I wanted some time to make sure I was in the spot she had planned for us, there were some stores to walk around and I had my iPod and was enjoying a message from my home church service.
It is a fact generally accepted that when one has their headphones on you don't talk to anyone. HOWEVER, this must not be taught in Africa. As I was waiting for my dear tour guide friend, I was approached by an African guy. Leave it to me to GET HIT ON BY AN AFRICAN GUY IN JAPAN. Wow. Seriously. Like I need another person asking me why I'm not married. But if you want to go dancing or have dinner with an African guy in Tokyo, I can hook you up with a number.
Natsumi and her friend Yukari arrived after my little adventure with the African guy. Our plan was to go to one of the bigger Buddhist shrines in Tokyo. I felt like if I didn't go to one, that I really wouldn't understand Japan. I'm glad I went but I was not quite prepared for the emotion that hit me.
It was nothing like I expected. I thought it would be peaceful and quiet. It is quite the opposite. There are tons of people, tons of shops, yes shops, and I just had an uneasy feeling as I walked through. Before you enter the actual shrine there is a incense thing that you can put smoke on your head to make you smarter. Then you are supposed to wash your hands before you go in.
Inside the Shrine is quite ornate. There are paintings on the ceiling and gold things. Unfortunately none of my pictures came out great. People then throw some money into these huge box things in front of the "shrine." Apparently in this thing there is a small image of Buddha. After they throw their money they pray.
It was so sad to me in a way that I am not sure how to explain. It just seemed like a lot of ritual, and no true god. Politely declining not participate in the rituals did open up some conversation later however.

Shrine Gate

Shrine Entrance

As we left, there was a booth where some people were teaching how to make origami cranes. Yukari, Natsumi and I made the traditional crane and another fancy celebration crane. The picture below is our first attempt. If you see the very colorful thing above Yukari's head, that is a huge thing of all cranes. Kinda cool huh? I kept thinking that they were going to ask for some money. They never did. And they gave us tea. I guess it is "Welcome to Japan" time or something. Good enough for me. It was way fun.

Yukari, Natsumi, and Me

After crane time, we walked around some. There are lots of shops and things. It was fun for me just to look around. There was a monkey. No joke. I don't have a picture to prove it because it cost 5 bucks to take a picture with the monkey. Some people have trained this monkey to be call, dress it up and charge people money to take pictures with it. I do mean WITH it too. There is no way I would hold that monkey. I already look like an idiot in this country. I most definitely do not need the help of a monkey.

Kinda like Hollywood Stars, but I don't know these people.

We ended the evening with diner. Big surprise right? Boy I like Japanese food.

Goodbye...

The lyrics of this song really hit me today. I'm really bummed that I am leaving soon, but everything except the Lord, His Word, and His people end.

it's difficult to say goodbye after all this time
the rain will fall down replenishing all of our broken dreams
and this burning tree that is withered will bloom again
would you believe
goodbye
walk away it's time to say goodbye
goodbye
walk away it's hard to say goodbye
now all that's left are pictures on the wall
memories and stories that are told
the more often told the bigger they get
create a legacy last we forget
goodbye
walk away it's time to say goodbye
no longer can i hold onto this defeated change in heart
it's time to sing "fare thee well" to life as we know it
my voice it will be still
something woke me up in the midst of dream and fantasy
halfway there but He always fills my cup
and he lifts me up oh how he lifts me up
goodbye
walk away it's time to say goodbye
i never took the time to stop and realize that death takes many forms
even while alive

-Goodbye by Plankeye

This was my response to Ange's blog. I thought that it really spoke to what I have been learning so I copied and pasted. I'm a rockstar.

thanks for sharing. that is cool stuff. i have to admit, even though i have read isaiah, i have yet to really get into it. i am so disappointed in the amount of time i have spent reading the Bible in which i really don't read it like it is the word of life. why don't i meditate on the word. seriously. mrs. h made a comment the other day on a sermon she had listened to. the guy said that we don't fall into sin. we usually have been meditating on it or something like it for a while. that has rung in my head since she said it. this is more than i was planning on saying, but then again when do i speak concisely?

p.s. one of my favorite memories from iowa was when I had an assignment in which i had to go to the art musuem. i, after almost 4 years as a student had never been to the free museum. shame on me. it was so peaceful to walk around and look at the art. it was great. i thought i would be embarased by being by myself, but it was so great.

Tokyo Tour Norio Style

Yesterday we were able to do some more site seeing. I think you could tour just Tokyo for weeks and not be able to see all there is to see.

Norio was our tour guide. He had been anxious to show us around. The day before he had made a plan. Unfortunately that was foiled by the rain threatening weather.

We met at the same dog statue as we had met the other girls. Apparently this statue is pretty famous. I have seen it quite a few times and have yet to take a picture of it. I probably will not get one now, as I currently have no plans to return to the Shibuya station where it is located.

I ate my words to T.J. ("Today's tour will be very different from our other tour.") when we ate at exactly the same restaurant that we had eaten at with the girls. We even had the same server. Oh well, it was still good!

Norio has a tourist book from 2002. It is still good. They have a ton of stuff in there that you can do for free. He was nervous about planning for us, but he did a great job. We wanted to stick around Shibuya for a while so that Mikkun could meet up with us later. That decision led to going to this Japanese science center thing. It was really cool. Unfortunately for us there was a limited amount of English, but that was cool. We are in Japan. Unfortunately for you, I did not take a picture inside or out.

Mikkun met up with us after our adventure at the science center. We decided that we would go to the emperor's palace. We needed to travel to another area by train. This is where we met Joanna's new friend. A rather large, brown rat. Wow that thing was sick.

The emperor's pad is tight yo. It is so tight that no one gets to go in. But we had a fun time walking there and walking around it. There is a mot, seriously.

The River on the way to the Emperor's House

Cool Bridge by the Emperor's House

Norio, Me, Joanna and Mary infront of the cool bridge.

Norio and Me

Mikkun: Apparently doing his "Peace Warior" pose

Then we went to the Diet. This is the Japanese version of the house of congress. It was pretty cool, but once again were were not allowed to go in. Oh well.

The Diet

We then proceeded to a Shabu Shabu place. Shabu Shabu is a cook your own food type place. They bring out a couple big plates of meat and veggies and then you put them into these pots of boiling broth like stuff. When you take it out you dip it in either soy sauce or sesame sauce and enjoy. I learned that dipping is not only good for flavor, but for cooling off meat. Yikes, I burnt my tongue! I should have taken a picture of that too, but I did not. Sorry friends.

Norio had to a meeting and had to leave us, so we then met up with Eddie in his Wasadea apartment.

It was such a great day!

This sign says to not take pictures. 

You can see Toyko Tower in the background. 

Where are we going? 

Tokyo Tour photos 

Me and Jo 

Tokyo Tour

So this is way late and if you look at Joanna's blog you have seen most of these pictures. Here is the rundown.

Okonamiaki- Japanese pancake. Decisions, decisions.

Just in case the glasses sitting there were not clue enough.

Do NOT drink the bathroom water.

We Like ice cream. There is all kinds of ice cream in this guy. Five of us split it.

I'm enjoying it, not all by myself.

Check us out climbing Tokyo Tour!

Tokyo Tower at night. It is really pretty.

This is the place where you can look down.

What is there to see? Natsumi?
Joanna and I in downtown. I like this picture a lot.What is a Tokyo tour without eating several times.

Ayano and I are buds.

Moving Attitudes

A week and a half ago I moved. Yes, I have lived in Japan for less than two months and I moved. Before I was living in the R household with Joanna. Then the R clan returned. Then Mary was on her way. Soon there was no room for me at the R house.

It was decided that I would move over to the H house. This was a big change. Before while I was at the R house I felt like I was living with Joanna in a house in Japan. Five days a week I got up and "went to work." When work was done it was time to go home.

This was very good for Joanna and my relationship, but it led to an attitude of worker/boss with the H's. This is not a bad thing, but not my favorite way to relate to people.

Since living with the H's I have been able to get to know them better. Even tonight, I went upstairs to wash my face and get ready for bed and talked to Mamma H for probably an hour. We get to relate. I understand them better. Heck, they have seen me with my bed head and PJ's on. Lil J will want to come into my room and hang out with me. I get to greet Big J when he comes home from school.

I love this family. Living with them has taught me so many things. I like the house to be clean. Yes, Mom, did you read that? I like the house to be clean. I do like to be able to have a few messy spots, but I like it clean. The house is easier to clean when you clean often, at least weekly. Laundry never ends. Babies talk and it is beautiful. Children still love their parents after they are spanked. I will never completely understand "two year old" language. It is easier for moms to love their children when they love Jesus first. Kids don't care if you spent an hour or 15 mintues on lunch. Dance party is a fun way for everyone to get some exercise. A four year old might be listening more when he is not looking at you. Kids remember what you promised them, especially when it comes to DVDs! Sometimes you need to walk away, and that is ok, just walk away....I know there is more. I will have to add more when I think about it.

P.S. The pictures are of my room. So simple. Why do I think I need so much stuff in America?

EARTHQUAKE!

No, I'm not joking. Tonight I experienced my first earthquake. Obviously I survived, but it was slightly traumatizing to the parties involved. I had just put the kiddo's to bed. Mom and Dad H were on a date. They get to do that now that I am here. Big and Lil J had been angels all night. We had no problems. I'm checking the email and I feel this shaking feeling. It takes a few seconds to process, this is an earthquake. It takes less time to process: CRAP! THIS IS AN EARTHQUAKE AND I AM TAKING CARE OF TWO CHILDREN BY MYSELF AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW 911 IN JAPAN!

By the time I processed all this and was downstairs, Big and Lil J were already in the doorway. Poor Big J had this total look of fear on his face. I hugged both of them and the shaking stopped. Then he started to cry.

Praise the Lord. Nothing really happened, and everything was ok. Wow.