One Full Month in Japan!

So today marks my first full month in Japan! I am both excited and a little sad. I've gained one full month of experience yet have completed one month of my time here. I thought I'd write a post today evaluating what I've done so far and contemplating goals.

So far, I've gone to...

• Nara (Todaiji with the Great Buddha, Nara Park, and saw the Nara dear)
• Kobe (Nunobiki Falls and Ikuta Shrine)
• Mondoyakujin Shrine
• Kabutoyama Forest Park
• Osaka (Osaka castle (in bloom), Ikeda's Ramen restaurant, Den-den Town, an Owl Cafe, and Nanba)
• Iga Ueno (Castle and Ninja museum)
• A pokemon store
• Japanese cake shop, bread shop, anime shop, and dollar store

I've eaten...

• Kobe Beef
• Onigiri
• Udon
• Soba
• Kitsune udon/soba
• Tempura
• Japanese-style Western and Chinese Food
• Thick ramen
• Handmade mochi
• Okonomiyaki
• Takoyaki
• Dango
• (Tonight) Japanese eggplant parm and edamame soup
• And a bunch of foods and dishes I had never heard of before and were not on my list, but were delicious regardless

I've...

• Gone to Karaoke
• Taken thousands of pictures
• Used Japanese vending machines (with hot drinks!)
• Paid bills at a convenience store
• Discovered new things to check out
• Experienced Sakura season in Japan
• Gotten lost and found my way
• Rode the trains and subways!
• Went on solo day-trips (for the first time)
• Done laundry without a dryer and dishes without a dish-washing machine
• Worked up the courage to initiate conversation with locals on numerous occasions 
• Met a lot of awesome people
• Read a volume of manga completely in Japanese (a couple, actually)
• Played electric guitar and bass
• Went to a free metal-rock concert
• Ran in the rain

And as my almost daily blogs have shown, a lot more. I'm happy with what I have accomplished in this first month. 

There are a few things I just start working on for the rest of my time here. I feel like I should make more of an effort to hang out with my Japanese friends. At the moment, my Nihongo Partners and I eat lunch together on Thursdays because that seems to be the least busy days for them. However, they both live in Kobe and one is a senior who is not only taking classes but job hunting, which is a strenuous part of Japanese work culture apparently. Anyway, maybe this next weekend's GS Network trip can act as a segue for more frequent contact with Japanese friends.

There are a few big places I want to go to that I am going to start planning in more detail. Fushimi Inari will be a day trip (with maybe other Kyoto day trips) - Yakushima a weekend - Tokyo a weekend trip + Fox village excursion - hopefully Kumamoto. If expenses and time permits there the more dreamy trips of South Korea, Taiwan, Okinawa, and places very far North in Japan. A group of friends have graciously invited me on their Tokyo trip which I am pretty sure I shall partake in - going to Tokyo is not something I want to do alone. I am considering if they would be a good group to Yakushima with as well. There is still a lot of things I want to do and food I want to eat, but I won't list them here (except, I have not gone to a sushi restaurant yet and I want to!)

Concerning classes, I was a little worried about my load at first, but honestly there is a lot less stress and work for this semester than back at UNLV. On the other hand, the language classes are pretty challenging without being overwhelming. The way they handle the Japanese language courses schedule is still a little confusing, but I'm getting along. Though I am learning a lot in my English classes, I am a little sad they meet only once a week (though, it's nice that they meet once a week because that means I can take as many as I'm currently taking).

I wish I could go back in time and tell myself not to be so afraid of my host family. They are so sweet and supportive. The food is amazing and we always laugh when we are together. It's also great living so close to school, train stations, and a forest park.

I'm pleasantly surprised with my financial situation. The cash I took out for this first month is not yet depleted despite all that I've done and needing to buy lunch almost everyday. Of course, I did use non-cash methods for textbooks and my indoor-only shoes for the gym. This just makes me more hopeful of accomplishing more of my travel goals.

I'm honestly not sure if Culture Shock has hit me. I remember being shocked or taking notice of differences in the culture, but I haven't gotten tired of being here or frustrated with the culture. Sometimes I worry about my language ability in class, but I try my best with the natives. Most of the time, I am complimented for the amount of Japanese I do know, which makes me happy (though I honestly reply that there is a lot more that I need to learn).

I'm wondering if I really want to go through with the JET Program once I graduate. I love Japan and am pretty sure I am going to want to return; however, I am not sure if I am truly okay with or prepared for returning as an English teacher. Teaching isn't really my goal. I have spent a month here and I have not yet miraculously figured out my career path, though I have been considering various options. Maybe being a translator/interpreter for a Japanese company. If I'm fluent enough and am sure it's what I want, maybe take Graduate courses here. There is just so much to consider and to learn and to explore.

It honestly doesn't feel like a month has gone by. It still feels like the first week of classes - the first week here, yet with a deeper sense of familiarity and experience. I do miss my family, friends, and home campus but I am truly enjoying my time here.

Let the adventure continue!