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GREEN PAGES of my LIFE
GREEN PAGES of my LIFE
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A Year of a Good Start
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I have been living in Japan for a year now. I can't notice the passing of time, because I don't have idle time. I am always on the go, following the rapid rush of Japan.

I have already adjusted to the culture and way of living in Japan. I can understand and speak the language already but not as good as a native speaker, of course. It will take a long time to master the Japanese language.

We had separated from my husband's parents and moved to an apartment in the city. I learned to take care of household matters and my husband.

I had been to some places in Japan, all by myself while carrying a map and trying hard to read Kanji characters. I had been lost to some places but managed to find the way home.

I have joined an organization and found my talent appreciated.

When I first came to Japan, the thing that struck me the most was the Japanese fashion. Everytime I was out on the street, watching the people, I felt amazed of their taste of fashion. They are very creative and confident to dressed up themselves according to their mood or personality. It seems like there is always fashion show on the streets and other public places. That's why I made up my mind to follow their fashion sense otherwise I will be considered behind the times. I went shopping and chose the dresses and accessories that I think best suit me and here I am, dressed like one of them. Some Filipinos whom I met, told me that they couldn't recognize me as a Filipino.

I had gone to some job interviews and fortunately I got a job recently as an office staff in an English School and a language teacher in an international language school. In my free time, I also have online job and I still attend Japanese class.

I have to keep going, there are still more years to face for challenge and learning.

March 24, 2008 | 4:04 AM Comments  0 comments



Life in a Foreign Land
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

When you decided to live in a foreign land for good, you understood that you have to learn its language and culture. You knew that homesickness will surely linger in your lonesome moment.You had feared of what will be your life in that land. You were worried to be alone and forsaken by your only companion whom you depend so much. You had no idea how the people will treat you. You were not confident if you could adjust with the new atmosphere. However, you managed to pretend to become strong and held on to your decision.
When you first stepped on Japan’s ground, you felt a mix of excitement and fear. Excitement for doing new things and fear of being treated as an alien. At first, you have been introduced to many acquaintances, brought to many beautiful places and exposed to cultures and traditions of Japan. Then, you have tried to accept the new environment and system and acted as if everyday is a normal day. You have tried to acquire a job not related to your field and felt disappointed because you were not accepted. You have decided to learn the language and culture seriously because it is a must. You have restrained yourself from doing things that will disappoint other people. You have behaved as if you were a saint because you don’t want others to criticize you and give impression that all people from your country are same as you. You have told them your own culture, food, language, etc. but they just simply said they are all strange. You tried to be friendly to anybody, but you couldn’t find real friendship. You were once treated unjustly because you are an alien.
There were moments that you felt alone and disappointed of the things that were happening to you. You realized that you lost your career and felt unfruitful in this land. You believed that you haven’t done what you ought to do because there were barriers.
However, there were more happy moments than sadness, because your companion, who gives you inspiration to hang on, doesn’t forsake you. This land is fertile so you have to keep in mind that there will come a time that you will become fruitful.

March 23, 2008 | 10:27 AM Comments  1 comments



New Year's Pigeon-Toed Walk in a Kimono
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Since the time I know my husband, it had been my desire to wear a kimono. I would like to know the feeling of wearing a kimono.

Fortunately, last New Year my mother-in-law gave me a kimono. After we ate ‘osechi ryori’ or festive food which is served every New Year she helped me wear the kimono. It was not easy to put on kimono, because it has many layers and accessories. It was a full-length garment, T-shaped, straight-lined robes that fell to the ankle, with collars and full-length sleeves.

According to what I learned about kimono, on special occasions unmarried women wear kimonos with extremely long sleeves that extend almost to the floor. The robe is wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right. It is only wrapped with the right side over the left when dressing the deceased for burial and secured by a wide belt (obi) tied in the back. Kimonos are generally worn with traditional footwear (especially geta, thonged wood-platform footwear; and zori, a type of thong-like footwear) and split-toe socks (tabi).

The belt was so tight and wide that it pressed my flab. The lower part of the dress was a little bit tight too. Even so, I managed to wear it for 2 hours. We walked down the road to a ‘Jinja’ or Shrine while I was pigeon-toeing. I was often left out by them while walking because I couldn’t walk in my normal way of walking. When we got to the shrine, I saw only few people wearing a kimono. But I was pleased to wear the traditional clothes of Japanese.

Even though, I am a Christian, I respect the Buddism beliefs and traditions. I paid respect to the shrines by washing my hand and mouth before entering. Then, in the evening my husband’s nieces arrived and we gave them ‘otoshidama’, money given as a gift at the New Year.

March 23, 2008 | 10:25 AM Comments  0 comments

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Japanese Spirit of Respect and Service
Related to country: Japan

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic


The progress of one’s country depends on its culture. In my 7 months of stay in Japan, I have already witnessed some of its culture. I could say they have very impressive culture. I will mention some of it in the following:

Business:

In business, when Japanese meet for the first time in business meeting, they usually give each other a ‘meishi’ or business card. The card tells your name, your job title, the organization you work for, your address and telephone, etc. By looking at the card one can know who will use more polite words. Do not put it in your bag or keep it as soon as you received it, and if there is table you have to put it on the table in front of you.

After work, they usually say “Utsokarisamadeshita”, and bow to each other many times. While I was at the train station, I happened to see a group of people who bow many times, before parting. “Why is it that there bow seemed like endless? Once is enough. They are overdoing it.” I told my husband. He replied, “You cannot understand Japanese spirit”.

Japanese bow when they say "Thank you", "Sorry", "Hello", "Good bye", "Congratulations", "Excuse me", "Good Morning", "Good night", , etc. To bow to an older person or with higher position in the society, is to bend longer and deeper. Men usually bow with their hands on their side, while women bow with their hands touched in front of their thighs. The left hand must cover the right hand which signifies humbleness. In Western countries, they used to shake hands to greet people but Japanese feel uncomfortable of physical contact so they just bow their head instead.

The services in private or public offices are really satisfying. The employees behave very refined and friendly. Probably because of competition every employee are trained to behave the best.

In parties or meetings, Japanese usually pour drinks for each other. They cannot leave each other’s glass empty unless one says, “Iie, kekko desu!” But traditionally, women are supposed to be the one who should pour drinks to men.


Home:

When you visit somebody’s house, you have to say “Ojamashimasu” which means “I am here to disturb you”. At the entrance of the house which is called ‘genkan’, there is step and you have to take off your shoes before stepping up. After you take off your shoes, the resident of that house will then turn your shoes facing the door, so that when you leave the house it is ready for wearing. It is their way of service to the visitor. When you leave the house, you should say “Ojamashimashita” which means “I have disturbed you”.

Language

While I am learning the Japanese language, I noticed that they have polite reference to many things. They add ‘O’ or ‘Go’ in the beginning of the word, such as ‘Osara’, means plate, ‘Oshuyu’ means soy sauce, Gokyoudai, refers to somebody’s sibling, ‘Goshujin’ refers to somebody’s husband, and more. I realized even small things in the house they have polite reference for it.

Transportation:

In a train or bus, elder people, pregnant woman and handicapped are given the priority to have a seat. If you are sitting and some old people are standing everybody will stare at you.