An Eventful Week

Hello once again


We had another guest this week, this time- Cathy's cousin, Skye, who grew up in Australia. She's currently living in Tokyo with her husband while he works on his PhD thesis in anthropology. Skye originally came to Japan for a year as a 15 yr old on exchange- and if she adds up all the times she's been here, she says its probably about 6 years. Her Japanese, as you would expect, is amazing. Skye is a professional journalist and photographer, which I also found interesting as I enjoy taking photos too.

The other day, I went out bowling with Andrew, Angela and Ando-san. I think out of all of us, I had been bowling the most recently which was probably about 3 or 4 years ago. Anyway, it was hugely fun- we all got really into it (jumping up and down and yelling in support of each other, clapping enthusiastically even when one of us got zero...).

Andrew and Angela were interviewed today for the same segment in the newspaper that I was in a few months ago. The section is designed to give Japanese people an insight into "the lives of foreigners". This particular segment is going to be about what movies Andrew and Angela enjoy. It was fun for me though, because I sat in and *tried* to interpret what everyone was saying, which at times was particularly difficult.

The weather is continuing to get worse and worse- this week is going to be 31 like everyday and HUMID. It's worst when you are wearing jeans, a hat and a jacket- for sun and mosquito protection - and cycling. You get so sweaty that Japanese people carry mini-towels around with them in summer, to wipe themselves off before a meeting. To be fair, I don't mind the current weather too much, it's more the knowledge that it is going to become significantly even hotter that I find difficult. I have a newfound respect for my uncle, who, whether its 42 degrees or 8 degrees, cycles to work from the outer suburbs of Melbourne into the city everyday.

We went to the orphanage again with Nahid yesterday to give the children "virtues education" (lexically-dense explanation?). This time, Ando-san and Angela also came with us. This month's theme was "love". The kids are all between 1 and 5, and for being so young I was really impressed by how well they listened, and how well-mannered they were.
We read the first part of the following quote together, then the children coloured in a picture of a rose:

"In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love,

and from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold"

- Baha'u'llah

Once again, if people want to comment or email me, have any questions, opinions or anything about what I'm doing and my blogs- feel free!

Love from Japan,

Sonia

Culture Shock

Hello

Last night, I went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner with Andrew & Angela, and another American couple they work with. Just the idea of going out to Indian in Japan I found very novel. While we were there, Peter (other man) asked us all "What would you take back to America from Japan?". Answers were interesting- the garbage system* (see below), public baths, urban agriculture, the public transport system, Japanese people's hospitality & consideration for others. I think a couple of them may be going through some form of culture shock at the moment, so I think it was a smart question to ask.

"Let your vision be world embracing"

- Baha'u'llah

Culture Shock Phases

Andrew googled "culture shock" the other night, and was really interested by the different phases within it. I thought people might find them interesting (courtesy of Wikipedia as usual!):

1. Honeymoon Phase- Differences between old and new are seen in a romantic light. (eg love new foods, peoples habits)

2. Negotiation Phase- After about a few weeks, differences between old and new become more apparent, and may cause anxiety. (eg miss food from home, find people's habits annoying)

3. Adjustment Phase - After about 6-12 months, one becomes used to new culture and things become more "normal". Host country no longer feels "new", become concerned with basic living again.

4. Reverse Culture Shock - Produces same results as above, but is often unexpected and therefore can be more difficult than standard culture shock.


Types of "International People"
(Thank you Wikipedia!)

1. Rejectors - Can't integrate into new society and form ghettos. May be perceived as hostile by general community, return to home country seen as escape. Ironically, this type also struggles with re-integration the most when they return home. 60% of expatriates are like this.

2. Adopters - Completely take on host culture and lose original identity. Remain in host country forever. 10% of expatriates are like this.

3. Cosmopolitans - Adapt parts of host culture they like, while retaining aspects of original culture. Able to return home, or relocate elsewhere with few problems. 30% of expatriates are like this.


Prevention/Coping Tips

Scared? Here's some tips I found for the international adventurer.

* Learn about the country & culture before your trip. This way, culture is more familiar and one is more aware of differences & how to deal with them. (eg study the language, reading about country)

* Avoiding offence (this is v. useful in life generally) - Try not to be offended, or offend locals. When I feel offended by what someone says, I take a deep breath, then try to understand the reason why the person said it. 90% of the time it's not intended to be hurtful.

* Being open-minded about culture - Try not to think "Why do they do it like this? In Australia, ...". It's simply different.

* Exercise, meditation, yoga etc are good ways of dealing with stress

* Socialise!

For other tips, see http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/cGuanipa/cultshok.htm



Sonia



* In Japan, you have to divide your garbage into several categories - combustible, plastic, PET/aluminium, non-combustible, paper & cardboard. If I wasn't so lazy I might appreciate it more!

Guest

Hey

A few nights ago we had a very interesting man visit our house. He came to Takamatsu for Second Hand, to do a lecture at the local university about non-profit organisations. This man went to Iraq as a "human shield" at the start of the Iraq War, and as a result of that experience developed a love for Iraqi culture and its people.

In Japan, like in the West, the image many people receive of Middle-Eastern people is distorted, and our guest said that before he went to Iraq, he too was prejudiced. However, meeting the Iraqi people in person revolutionised his outlook. Apparently half of the Iraqi population is under 18 years old, and our guest really enjoyed the large number of children there.

As a result of this experience, he decided to start a charity which brings Iraqi artists to Japan, in an aim to transform Japanese people's view of Iraqi people, and to give them an opportunity to be exposed to such a different culture. He also started studying Arabic which I found amazing! His global perspective reminded me of this quote:

“The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens”

「地球は一つの国であり、人類はその市民である。」

Tomorrow night the children's class fathers and I finish the 1st workbook of the study circle sequence. I'm very excited. Because I've been involved with so many study circles (the majority of which are in the 1st workbook), I've done many sections of this workbook several times.

I've been particularly repeating parts from the 1st unit, which primarily deals with what kind of qualities we should strive to practise in our lives (eg truthfulness, kindness). I don't think you can repeat this enough though- if we all got to a stage where we could model these qualities more, you'd think the world would be a better place.
Here's a quote I particularly like, from the very first section of the workbook (below).
Every time I look at it, I feel like it keeps all my goals and actions directed towards "the betterment of the world".

"The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct."

「世の改善は清らかで立派な行いと、称賛に値する礼儀にかなった行動を通して達成できる。」

The weather's continuing to heat up here. At the moment, its averaging high-20's still, but the humidity makes everything a bit bothersome. It also makes me wonder how I'm going to transport my space-consuming ski jacket home, on the way here I wore it- but wearing a ski jacket when it's over 30 degrees and humid won't be pleasant.

My neighbourhood has been transformed into a land of emerald lakes with the flooding of the rice-fields. It's gorgeous.

Sonia