I found a job in Sendai. It is about two hundred miles north of Tokyo. It has one million people so its a proper city unlike Kawagoe, which feels like Daly City. I travelled there this weekend to take care of some business and to satisfy my curiosity about what the city's vibe was. It is great. And the job I have is exactly what I am looking for. The school is very organized, it has a set curriculum and it is very laid back compared with the school I am working at now. For instance I am not allowed to fraternize with my students now. This new job has monthly BBQ with student. And the little things that are hard to convey through writing aren't present. For instance I am not allowed to drink while walking around campus. I cannot smoke on campus. I cannot sit on a desk nor lean on a desk or against the wall. This new job seems more Americanized. Also this new job is following the governments new energy saving policy of no ties for men during summer. Japan has a very strong code of conduct and no one wants to rock the boat and change a policy or habit for fear of looking different and stepping out of line in a strict hierarchical society. conformity and consensus rule. So it took PM Koizumi to allow a no tie policy. Also the last 48 hours has produced many many strange and exciting stories. Most of which only resonate within me so I will only share a few of the more bizarre moments that I am still trying to catogize.
1. Satoshi an 18 year old rambuctious student of mine wept in front of 45 fellow students becasue I am leaving. He bawled for at least ten to fifteen minutes. It may have been alcohol induced. The students invited me for a dinner party and I oblidged since technically they are not my students after the last teaching day so I would not be breaking the no socializing clause of the contract
2. Karaoke is fun and exciting even when you have not idea what is being sung because it is in Japanese
3. Japanese people put a lot of machismo pressure on each other when it comes to drinking. I was forced to chug chug chug from the pitcher of beer until I was literally on the brink of puking. After that I refused the continued offers through out the night--losing a little face with my students but retaining my own dignity.
4. Money does not equal happiness. I am here in Japan for many reasons. One of which is to save some cash. Most teaching jobs offer a furnished apartment--essentials like refridgerator, washing machine and bed. This new job I am forced to aquire these items myself and find my own apartment. AND I have to pay the key money to the landlord. Key money is like a deposit but sometimes you don't get the money back. Suffice it to say I am shelling out a lot of money, which is going against my money saving plan but for some strange reason it is not bothering me because I feel Sendai, the school and my collegues will provide me with a lot of happiness. sorry for the sappy ending
5. I first learned that the japanese love to take pictures when I was in Machu Pichu. I saw some Japs snapping shots of every damn rock there. With the advent of cameras in cell phones pictures are everywhere. And I noted this when after my first few beers at the dinner party with my students. I decided to take off my tie. My studetnts said I am like a japanese business man and should tie the tie around my head. Because I was a few beers in it took zero amount of time for me to tie that tie around my head. The next thing I know 45 cell phones being wipped out and shoved in my face. Snap. Snap. Snap. If a student emails me the picture I will send it to you 
6. Bullet trains are cool and should be developed in the united states
rich
I dont exactly remember which student this is but it is similar to the almost dozen messages I have recieved from my students at TDU Hatoyama. 
hi, Richard.
do you remember me??I'm sorry that mail becames late.I was very busy. because my graduation research is verybusy.I'll send you 2 picture.Richard'photo and "Omatsuri picture".....today is"Omatsuri" in Kawagoe.In English..."Festival".The festival of Japan is traditional and very happy.and, fireworks of Japan are very beautiful!!have you ever seen??It is necessary to see it.
good bye
your student and friend,
yasuko
