Budding Buds of Cherries and Suds

With the ending of March comes the beginning of spring. Perhaps nowhere on earth is this celebrated more than in Japan.

For hundreds, if not thousands of years the people of Japan have been celebrating spring by watching cherry blossoms bloom. From a gray, cloudy winter the soft pink petals of the blossoms are a reminder or birth and life. A quick gust of wind can send the petals skyward, then cascading down like velet snow. Their beauty is very brief, lasting only a weeks or two at most.

Today, not too unlike old Japan, people get together with friends under the cherry trees to eat, talk and, most importantly, drink. I too gathered in a park to celebrate with some of Sanami's friends, but it was too cold and rainy...

つづく

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The Dollar and The Yen.

Many things I enjoy; the ocean, seasonal foods, relationships, good movies, and even video games; come in cycles or waves. One good film will often be followed by many sub-quality ones. A fun with a friend or loved one is often followed by distance and long periods of no contact. An excellent video game comes once every year or so, leaving a hard void to fill.

Right now the USD and the Japanese Yen are performing the same dance. I can buy $1.00 for only 95 yen, as of today. That is a 25% increase in buying power for the yen since 8 months ago. The yen has not been this strong against the USD since 1993. So what does this mean for me person? I have been thinking about some options to take advantage of this. And by "take advantage" I of course mean economic speculation. There is no guaranty the future USD will be stronger. It could continue to get weaker.

Thinking about many possible future outcomes, the greatest benefit for me would be to replace by US student loan (at 4%) for a Japanese loan (at 2%). This would also save $$$, not having to wire money overseas to pay my loan. I will be talking to my bank about this, to see if I can even get a loan.

つづく

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Old People Wednesdays

On Wednesday I teach in the morning and then again in the evening, giving me a chance to return home to rest and relax. On my train commute to work I see mostly businessmen, in black suits, between the ages of 25 to 40. However, when I return home in the middle of the day, I am surrounded by the honored elderly.

I often wonder if their way of thinking, their view of the world is far different than mine. We are distanced by generation, culture, and language, so I would guess our thinking is very different.

Talking to one of my older students today, I found that we think the same about one thing: government pension. Most likely we will not see any form of government pension fund in the future.

つづく

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Being Sick

It started yesterday morning, and has grown into an annoyance in my life. I am talking about a virus or germ that is now inside my body. It was bound to happen one day, but I hope it doesn't get worse.

What do you think I have?
-Aching/stuffy ears
-Waves of mild nausea
-Loss of energy
-Aching muscles
-Sore throat

つづく

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Work

While at work today, I was asked by a student to describe my education, then he asked about my career plans using the phrase, "What will you do in the future?"

I told him, "I have a degree in both Japanese culture and international business, but I really enjoy teaching. If I continue liking teaching I will continue to work here, or maybe go back to America and teach. In the future, if I do not like teaching I will use my Japanese and work a non-teaching job."

"Oh, I think you have a very good plan," he replied with a smile half genuine and half filled with the kind of envy you only feel when a friend has a better job than yourself.

つづく

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