Quote:
Originally Posted by ChisaChi
Ooh that's right, forgot about the plum wine, I love that stuff! Wouldn't mind living in a prefecture famous for that rather than beer... although I doubt choosing a prefecture based on the local alcohol is a thought that would be appreciated by the interviewers XD
Have you thought about doing JET for a second time, samurai007? It sounds like it made quite an impression on you.
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It really did... it changed my life. And I really miss Japan and would like to see it again, so I have thought about it.
However, right now, I just can't do it. My mom passed away 2 years ago, and my dad had a stroke several months ago, so I need to stay here, keep him company, help him out with things, etc. Also, my own health is no longer as good as it once was when I was in Japan, so I couldn't do some of the things I used to over there (and I couldn't tolerate the heat and cold as much anymore). I now have 2 nephews that I'd like to see as they are growing up, and while I have no time right now as I spend 6 nights a week at my dad's place, I'd like to find a wife, settle down, and start a family of my own. (Japan would be a great place for a honeymoon though...)
Teaching in Japan taught me a great deal as well, but I don't feel as if there are a ton of things left there for me to do, see, and learn. I traveled all across the country, went on 6 homestays, stayed in everything from temples to hostels, ryokans to business hotels to beach resorts. I went to museums and castles, dozens and dozens of temples, stood in skyscrapers in Tokyo and bathed in a 2000 year old onsen in Matsuyama, hiked the Japan Alps and spent all night barhopping in Osaka. I don't feel an overwhelming need to live there again, though a visit would be great. I do miss a lot of things, and I'm grateful for my time there, but I don't think I'll be signing up for JET again.
I hope I've explained it well enough... maybe this Japanese saying will help get the point across:
"A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji once, but only a fool does it twice" I don't think it'd be foolish to go to Japan again, but I've had the experience... it was great, I have many fond memories, I hope many other people try it as well, but for a variety of reasons I'm not ready to do it again.