Oz to Oya

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=aDGjaOpb530

http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/tajima/0001230765.shtml

I’m famous! Again! Taj Ultimate was great and I was interviewed by the Kobe Newspaper!!!

I’ve been wanting to write for a while…. only I have nothing to say…..

Lots of things have been happening in my life.  The weekend before, the Tajima people all went down south and took part in the Akashi Beach frisbee tournament.  It was great.  I really had a fun time, I got some exercise, I got some sun, and I spent a lot of time with my good friends.   This last weekend, we had a farewell party for the people that are leaving.  Grayson, Carly, Paul, Luke… many people will leave this year.

I’m really going to miss Grayson.  He is a kindred spirit in many ways.  He has a calming presence and we have many similar interests and ideas about life.  In many ways, he’s like a big brother to me.  I will definately go and visit him in America.

On Saturday, there was a salsa party in Toyooka.  In a way, that was a farewell party for Grayson and Carly as well.  They have touched the lives of many people in this area and they will be missed.  I danced a lot and I had a great time…. but again, it was a bittersweet time.

I know I only have one more year on JET.   I just can’t really imagine my future right now.  I don’t have any grand dreams or ambitions or hopes.   Everyone is leaving, and I can’t stop them. That kinda sucks.    Sorry about the depressing update… just thinking about stuff and needed to get it out of my head.

I’ve been in Japan for a while now.  In August, I will start my fifth year on JET.  Now, my situation is pretty good.  I have a good school, I have a very nice house and I’m surrounded by a great bunch of people.  But is that enough?

I recently went back to Perth, Western Australia, to visit my family.  My sister just had her first child, a beautiful baby boy.  While I was back, I caught up with many of my friends.   Most of them are married and many of them are having children.  And of course, almost all of them have bought a house.  I have been looking at buying an investment property for a long time.  I missed a few good opportunities over the last few years and while I’ve kept my eye on the market…. I can’t afford to buy a property in Perth.  It’s simply too expensive.

Which brings me to my next point.   I’ve been on JET for nearly 4 years, soon to be a 5th.  The JET salary hasn’t changed since it’s inception more than 20 odd years ago. And while our salary may seem like a lot to our co-workers and friends….. it’s really not a lot of money.  I have some perks, like very cheap accomodation, etc.   But on the whole, I’d be making a lot more money back in Perth.  (I checked jobs while I was back and the average salary that I would be on is triple to quadruple my current JET salary).

So…. what is keeping me in Japan?   It’s obviously not the money.  And while I have a lot of great friends here…. well… I have a lot of great friends all over the world.  I’ve been thinking about it a lot.

Last weekend, I was invited to a live concert in Yashiro.  Many Hyogo JETs are probably familiar with the Yashiro kitchen band.   My friend, Seiji is the main guy in that band.   He sometimes invites me to his live shows.  On Saturday, I drove done to Yashiro to see his show.  I got there early and helped him and some of the other bands set up.  After the setup, Seiji handed me a sheet of paper with the lyrics to “I feel fine” (by the Beatles…. of course).  And he said, “Let’s sing this together”.

Because I drove to Yashiro, I couldn’t drink.  I’m pretty sure liquid courage would’ve helped!  But sure enough, when his band went on, after a song or two, Seiji called me up on stage to sing the song… on the main mic!   It was pretty nerve wracking!   But at the same time, it was awesome to be able to say, I got up on stage in front of an audience and sang a Beatles song (poorly!).

The reason I didn’t drink that night was because I had to drive back to my house.  The next day, I had a salsa performance at the Tajima Dome.   But I didn’t end up going straight home after the concert.  Because I knew the band, I was invited to the after party… and while I was at the after party.  My friend Jim called me and asked me to join him in Himeji.  His japanese friend  is a DJ at a club in Himeji.  He wanted us to come.  So I left the after party a little early and drove to Himeji.  I had a great time there and ended up coming home around 4am.

I slept in a little the next morning and then went to the Tajima Dome to meet everyone.  We all arrived a little early to practice a few last times.  It was quite impressive.  The Tajima Dome is a big place.  There was a flea market at one end and so there was quite a few people around to watch the various performances.  We were the final act of the day and it went perfectly.   After our performance, we all went to an izakaya together to celebrate and relax.  On my drive home, I was thinking about all the things I had managed to cram into ONE weekend.

I love my friends back in Perth and of course, I love Perth too.  It will always be my home.  But I also know that the events and random occurances that happen to me here just wouldn’t happen back in Perth.  A perfect example being the Naked Man festival that I wrote about previously. Perhaps that isn’t exactly the best example to use..   but I’m sure you get my meaning.   It’s a combination of many small things that is keeping me here… and I think it’s going to keep me here for a while yet.

I have been very busy since I came back.   I am in charge of organising the Taj Ultimate frisbee tournament this year!  I am so glad that all the Tajima people are helping me!  (To be honest.. they are doing all the work! mwahahaha)..

Also, I have been busy practicing for a salsa performance at the Tajima Dome.   My salsa dancing group performed today and it was GREAT!!  We did really well.  I will get a copy of the video and upload it to facebook and Youtube.   

But I want to write an update about my weekend.  Especially about singing in front of an audience!!  haha… send me an email or hassle me to write about it so I don’t forget!!