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Re: Hiya (Reply to this comment)
by kedsand1
Smorg,
Thanks for your encouraging comment. Planning for the next installment is slow-going currently. I am debating with myself regarding the extent of the information I will present; should I focus on just the JET Programme and the job, or should I include non-work topics? It's hard to find that balance...
Thanks for reading my articles. I always appreciate your input.
KEDSand1
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May 13 '08
1:59 pm PDT
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Hiya (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
Just letting you know that the crowd awaiting your next installment is growing... No pressure, though. ;o) Great essay!
Cheerio,
Smorg :o)
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May 10 '08
2:10 pm PDT
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Re: Just curious. (Reply to this comment)
by kedsand1
OCF,
Thanks for dropping by. It's good to see that you're still frequenting Epinions!
Well, I guess it all depends on the game shows, though I found that game shows largely involved celebrities only and not ordinary people. I suppose that celebrities, being used to direction on-camera, would be easier to control; also, I wonder if celebrities satisfy their contractual agreements with their studio or record label by appearing on such shows.
Regarding that eerie feeling you described, I suppose it seems eerie that all the contestants get along so well and the banter flows as such. But, here's something I've observed in Japan as a foreigner: Japanese people are almost uniformly raised and trained to say programmatic phrases and react a certain way to general situations. When all else fails, distance and apologies seemed to be the Japanese approach. This may seem like a generalization, but I would have to explain at much greater length to justify what I'm saying and be more specific. Suffice it to say, Japanese people click well together because they learn a "right" way to behave, unlike in the U.S. where we are taught to be polite, but also to be individuals.
Other than that, I actually found Japanese game shows amusing (even though I understand about 40% of what was being said), innocuous, and light. Japan also had (or still has) some hilarious variety shows headed by music groups like V6 and SMAP, which is totally different from the U.S. I would say that Japan like reality television peppered with celebrities doing outlandish things; conversely, in the U.S., I think that Americans favor reality television with common people thrust into unusual circumstances. Maybe Japanese people like seeing their celebrities shine, while Americans like to see commoners flounder (or succeed).
What do you think?
KEDSand1
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Apr 23 '08
12:34 pm PDT
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Just curious. (Reply to this comment)
by oldcomixfan
Since you've been to Japan, can you possibly explain their game shows to me? They are indeed clever in dialogue and the hosts' back and forth banter and strangely hilarious for the most part, but sometimes very disturbing on a deeper level I can only feel and intuit in the subconscious and the gut.
Maybe you have some insights, I hope?
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Apr 22 '08
11:09 am PDT
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Re: Life-changing travel (Reply to this comment)
by kedsand1
Gandy8,
You have graced my comments section with your textual presence! Thanks for commenting; it means a lot!
You flatter me with your kind words. Seriously, how could I not mention you in this article? You got me through a lot of tough times in college, and I'll never forgot our ping pong matches, movie quoting, basketball games, and those nights you let me crash at your place. All that contributed to encouraging me to do better.
And, the count of people eagerly awaiting part two is at least two people now. :P Hopefully it'll include tales of ramen and Hoka Hoka Tei?
Oh, yes! My Hirado adventure shall include Hokka Hokka Tei! That place got me through some tough times, as well! Back in the day, I used to power down a Chicken Nanban bento and a Karaage chicken bento for dinner; now, if I did that, I'd severely pay the price (waist-wise and general well-being-wise).
Thanks again for commenting. Your name may pop up again yet!
KEDSand1
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Apr 04 '08
9:06 am PDT
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Re: hey there ...ands1... (Reply to this comment)
by kedsand1
Sleeper,
Thanks for your comments!
You know what would be cool..?? Links to the locations in Japan. Tried to find a couple using googlemaps but really not sure where your location was.
I'll have to consider that for the next installment. In the meantime, look up Hirado at Wikipedia and you'll get a nice little description. Himosashi is located at the midpoint between the northern and southern part of island. There is a main road that runs from north to south; just follow that road and you'll find a town there.
Ya know, as a parent of three early twenty-somethings . . .I can tell you that parents love nothing more than to be proven wrong in their doubts. And ya know . . .sometimes a parent might actually be rooting for a child behind that exterior of caution and doubt.
I find that's the case with my boys and me. I tend to be stern with them, but, deep down, I'm rooting for them to do well. Sadly, though, they may not see that, so I have to really try to encourage them and voice and show affection and approval for things they do right. My dad, as good a guy as he is, wasn't a big person for open praise, but I heard from my mom that he often praised me when speaking with his co-workers. Again, the sad thing is that I didn't get to see and hear that directly...
Nonetheless, that's all in the past. If anything, I noted that here just to add a footnote to my personal Japan history.
Thanks again!
KEDSand1
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Apr 04 '08
9:00 am PDT
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Life-changing travel (Reply to this comment)
by gandy8
You know I don't think I ever believed that JET would have turned you down. :-) You're the perfect candidate- a personable, enthusiastic, knowledgeable American with a passion for the country, its people, and culture.
I'm surprised and flattered that you included me in your reminiscences from that time, since you did all the heavy lifting, and I just remember being envious of the adventure you were about to go on!
And, the count of people eagerly awaiting part two is at least two people now. :P Hopefully it'll include tales of ramen and Hoka Hoka Tei?
Julian
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Apr 04 '08
7:45 am PDT
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hey there ...ands1... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
...
You know what would be cool..?? Links to the locations in Japan. Tried to find a couple using googlemaps but really not sure where your location was.
you said...
"(It's funny how children spend most of their lives motivated by the objective of proving their parents wrong regarding their doubts and reservations.)"
Ya know, as a parent of three early twenty-somethings . . .I can tell you that parents love nothing more than to be proven wrong in their doubts.
And ya know . . .sometimes a parent might actually be rooting for a child behind that exterior of caution and doubt.
Looking forward to more tales of your experiences in Japan.
...tom...
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Apr 03 '08
2:53 pm PDT
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Re: I can't wait for part two! (Reply to this comment)
by kedsand1
Flash,
Thank you, sir, for your devotion to my writing! I also await your future writings, and I'm not just saying that!
I don't know when I'll get around to part 2. I may write a companion piece to part 1 offering tips on how to apply and interview for the JET Programme. Or, I may just skip to part 2!
Stay tuned!
KEDSand1
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Apr 03 '08
10:24 am PDT
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I can't wait for part two! (Reply to this comment)
by flashfriday
I really enjoyed reading how you got involved with the JET program and I can't wait to read about your first year in Japan.
I had briefly considered going to Japan when I first graduated from college since I wasn't sure what I would do with my English degree. I often wonder how my life might have turned out if I had worked in a foreign country for a few years.
For what it's worth, you have a devoted audience of one that is eagerly awaiting part two.
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Apr 03 '08
10:22 am PDT
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