Archive for the 'Personal' Category

An Engaging Anouncement

Published on March 24, 2009 in Iwate and Personal. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

It’s funny that I forgot to write about this on my blog. Considering how long I’ve had this site, you’d think I’d remember to do something as simple as letting you all know that I’ve asked the love of my life, Akira, to Marry me.  Yes, we’re officially engaged.

You see, last year, I went to this really expensive work party at a local ryokan called “Saito.” A ryokan is a traditional Japanese hotel. Saito was famous for it’s multi course meals and using Maesawa Beef , one of the most expensive and delicious meats in Japan. After I came back from the party, I told Akira about the food, and she instantly wanted to go and try it. I promised her that I would take her at some point, but I wasn’t committal about it. That is, until about three weeks ago.

I asked her if she had and free time during the weekend and I made the plans. She got really exciting about going.  What she didn’t know is that I was going to pop the question to her. On Saturday night, after we checked in, we went the baths to freshen up. When she came back to the room, that is what I asked her if she would marry me. I became the luckiest guy in the world when she answered, “Yes.”  I think that made the Maesawa steaks just a little more delicious.

So there you have it. Marriage plans are forthcoming. Stay tuned for details, and thanks for reading this blog, depsite the lack of update. I promise you that more is on the way.

Akira at Saito

Akira in a Japanese Ryokan (by jasohill)

Milestones

Published on October 28, 2008 in Administation, Iwate and Personal. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Rainbow of Peace, originally uploaded by jasohill.

Hi everyone. I do apologize for the lack of blog updates. I’ve busy here in Japan and I realized that is has become so much like home for me that I don’t blog about it any longer. Well, I do intend to keep you updated on what is going on here a little more than I have been lately. To start off, I wanted to share with you a little milestone that occurred today.

You may remember my photo, “Rainbow of Peace.” I took it during my trip to Nagasaki in 2006. At the time I never thought it would be my most popular photo. I stood over the ground zero point at the memorial area and tried to get as many colors in the photo as I could. Once I got that photo on flickr, it took off and quickly became my most popular photo on flickr.

Well today, over two and a half years after I took it, “Rainbow of Peace” has surpassed the 15000 mark. I never though I would have a photo do that well. It’s certainly not my only successful photo on flickr, but it was the first to make me realize that I can take pictures that make people smile. It was the catalyst that lead to where I am today. On the road to a career as a pro.

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped make this photo the success it is today. I couldn’t get back to all of you, but I appreciate all the kind words you wrote for me and the photo.

Welcome to the World, Kieran

Published on February 6, 2008 in Personal. 0 Comments

When good news comes along, I am always happy to blog about it. So I’m really glad to report on something this wonderful. My good friends Mannie and Dan Ross are proud to announce the birth of their Son Kieran James Ross. He is a bouncing baby at 5 pounds, 6 ounces and he came out with a full head of hair. I want to wish both parents and Kieran the most joyous of times together. I only wish I could be there to see the little guy.

If you are a long time reader of my blog, then you’ll know that both Dan and Mannie have visited me in Japan before, and both of them have a deep interest in the culture of this country. Kieran also comes from a Japanese origin name.

Week of Crushing Immobility(Part 2)

Published on December 6, 2007 in Culture, Hachimantai, Iwate and Personal. 4 Comments

As you might recalled from my last post, I twisted my ankle while playing a volleyball game at school. I begged and pleaded with the staff to let me walk it off, but given the size of the swelling, they insisted I make a trip to the doctor, and prevented me from walking on it. This is the continuation of that post. Please enjoy.

Continue reading ‘Week of Crushing Immobility(Part 2)’

Week of Crushing Immobility(part 1)

Published on November 21, 2007 in Culture, Education, Hachimantai and Personal. 2 Comments

If I were asked by someone what my worst experience in Japan was, I would have to say that this week would come very close to being the winner. I spent the last week hobbling around in a leg cast, and it left me unable to leave my house. But it’s not quite as bad as you think. What happened to my leg? Here is my sad little story.

Continue reading ‘Week of Crushing Immobility(part 1)’

As the days go by…

Published on July 31, 2007 in Culture and Personal. 6 Comments

I am sitting here at my desk, trying to explain to myself why I haven’t blogged anything in the last three weeks. I would assume the one thing that keeps me from doing so is my absolute lack of desire to blog about Japan at this time. It’s not that there hasn’t been anything to blog about. I am just finding myself in a position of complete disillusionment.

As the summer months crawl by, I keep asking myself the same old questions. “Why I am still in Japan, when so many have moved on.” “Why I am still single, when so many my age have married and started families?” Or better yet, “Why I can’t seem to settle on a career when I am 31 and many are already well entrenched in their ambitions? ” It’s not that I am envious of those who are “successful” in the oxford definition of a happy life.  Yet I can’t help but feel the ALT lifestyle is leaving me stretched thin.  I love many aspects of Japan, yet feel I can never really amount to anything if I stay here. But then I ask myself, what is this “anything” I want to amount to in the first place.  Is it worthwhile? Will it leave me satisfied? Can I really say that digging myself into a mediocre career with a wife and kids will give me anymore satisfaction than what I am doing now?

But there lies the problem. What am I doing now? The life of an ALT is a strange one indeed. I am there to assist my teachers with lessons, and I even make my own lesson plans when it comes to elementary school? Sadly, there is little that changes year to year. I am always making flashcards and finding songs. I am always using myself as a human tape recorder when I am in the Junior High classes. There are no promotions and no raises. I am not a human here. I am an ALT, and that is something I will always be. I am highly expendable, and that bothers me. As much as I enjoy this job it is not something I can do for rest of my life. When it comes to being ambitious, I am not Howard Hughes, but I am also not Kleatus, the slack jawed yokel. I feel like some days I am force to choose between these ridiculous extremes.

Which brings me to the next step. What that is, I’m not sure, however, I need to find it as soon as possible. I delayed this decision last year by moving out into the middle of nowhere. I fear now that if I don’t make it soon, I’ll be relegated to the vast rice-fields of Japan for years to come. In the mean time I will resume my blogging ways, and finding ways to make Japan enjoyable for all of you on the outside. Thanks for sticking around.

The Ass End of Japanese Cuisine

Published on January 31, 2007 in Culture and Personal. 3 Comments

I’d like to talk to you today about Japanese Cuisine. I’m not going to mention any food in particular, but I would like to get a little intimate with you. You see, I love Japanese food, and there are very few dishes I cannot handle, other than perhaps Sea Pineapple and Raw Liver here.) However, subsisting on a Japanese diet for over a month can have some really interesting consequences on you body.
Continue reading ‘The Ass End of Japanese Cuisine’

The Dreary Doldrumes of January

Published on January 12, 2007 in Iwate and Personal. 3 Comments

Well, I’m now back in Japan. After a 14 hour trip that, coincidently, had me on the same plane as a friend of mine. I arrived back in Tokyo and got myself a bullet train up to the frozen north of Iwate. It’s amazing how the weather goes from warm and raining, to cold and blizzardy all in the space of 400km. Within a day of returning, I was back at work and back to routine. My trusty kerosene heater decided it didn’t want to work, and is now in the shop, leaving me chilled to the bone.

I’m not sure what it is about 2007 that already has me in a bit of a funk. It could be the rather cold reception I got when I came back(Oh! you’re back. Whoop de doo), or possibly the army of friends and acquaintances I know that seem to have found true love in the last six months. I always know about how happy they are, because they never stop reminding me. This wouldn’t bother me so much if it weren’t for the fact that I can’t seem to locate a woman that shares anything in common with me. I have been in three rocky relationships in the last three years, and I have spelunked my way out of them. I do want to relax a little and enjoy my freedom, but, as some of my younger friends remind me, “Wow, you’re 30? Why don’t you have like three kids by now?” It’s hard to shake that artificial pressure that at this age that I need to be with someone. But I’ll do my best to fight it.

I think I’ll just chalk it up to SAD again this year and try to move on with my life. There should be plenty of interesting things to blog about here in Iwate. Overall, I’m sure I’m just a little tired from a long flight across the pacific. I really enjoyed my trip back to Edmonton, and I can take away a lot of positive memories from it. I also took some great pictures and will be sharing them with all of you as well. So here is a preemptive “cheers” to 2007!

From afar

Published on January 4, 2007 in Personal and Travel. 2 Comments

First of all, I want to wish all of my readers a happy 2007. I am currently in Edmonton, Alberta on vacation and I have not been blogging about Japan. Today I want to reflect a little on what it is like to return to North America after three years living in Japan.

Continue reading ‘From afar’

Homeward Bound

Published on December 19, 2006 in Personal. 0 Comments

On Saturday I’m doing something I haven’t done in a very long time.

I’m going home.

I’m not sure why I waited three years to return. All I know is that now is the time. I will be staying in Vermont for eight days and then flying to Edmonton for eight days. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous about this.

What has changed in three years? How have I changed in three years?

Honestly, I thought I could make a home for myself in Japan. My entire family moved away from Edmonton three years ago and made lives for themselves. Japan was supposed to be my place. Why is it not working out the way I wanted it to?

Is it something about Japan? Is it something about me?

In addition to all of this, I got my contract renewed today. It is good until April of 2008. I will be coming back to Japan for another year. What will it be like? Should I still try to make this a home? Or should I abandon this effort and return to Canada when 2008 comes around. There are many perplexing questions I have to deal with, and there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to attack them. One thing is certain, however. On Saturday, I am going home.