3 Years in Japan

I had just said goodbye to my Grandpa for the last time and was getting driven to Calgary by my Mom and sister, and I vividly recall thinking that 'its never going to be like this again'. The next morning I was to fly to Japan with no job, no apartment, and no real wad of savings to hold me over. I also knew no matter what I'd return eventually, but I'd be changed, and things back home inevitably would have changed too.

Everyone uses a 'milestone' of some sort to mark something, to grade progress, something to guage themselves and their life's path by. Some expat Gaijin in Japan use the 'Japanniversary' as exactly that.

It's hard to believe that it was 3 yrs ago, I can still remember the cold sweat as I landed at Tokyo. I remember seeing all the little workers in cute little worker outfits all dressed properly and bowing to the plane, each other, the baggage, and anything else they didnt feel the urge to offend at the moment. I was in a daze through security/immigration/customs, and suddenly I was in the arrivals meeting Nobuko (friend from Canada), who quickly guided me on how to work the Japan Rail ticket machines and gates. Then the culture shock hit...

I was on the train from Narita to Yokohama. I have no idea what train lines I took. I know I changed at least 3 times. It was hell. It was 5pm, the rush of salarymen and office ladies were being literally crushed INTO the train by the official 'train packers'. I had a seat, with my large backpack on my knees, and my forehead buried into it trying to block it out. I looked, rough. I had a nice clausterphobic crush and a slight panic attack thinking, 'if this is Japan Im not lasting a month'.

Living in a foreign country definitely takes some sacrifices. I hear it too often from old friends that "you're living the life" etc. No, I'm living my life, you're living yours. I made these choices, you made yours. To live abroad you have to uproot yourself. I was lucky enough to have almost no roots put down and could pick up and roll on, but its still a challenge, and its something that each gaijin in Japan shares.

You do miss out on things. You miss Christmas' with family, you miss your sisters birthday, you miss your brothers first house, your miss Grandpa and Grandma's funerals, you miss your friends, your friends weddings, your friends new babies. You miss the NHL Playoffs every April-June, you miss the glacier, the Rockies, you miss running with your buddies trading stories that get better and better with time, you miss a steak, a slurpee, and real bacon.

But there's alot to be gained from it as well, and alot of things you learn to love.

I saw my first talking/music playing toilet.
I also had to learn HOW to use the toilets.
I had to learn how to take an Onsen (communal bath/hot spring) and sit on the mini stool without falling off, and learned to love soaking next to a group of strangers in the same water. Although my initial shock was, 'I have to soak next to some old balls in the same pool?!'
I can have a pretty good conversation in Japanese with a 4 yr old nowadays, or a very simple one with an adult.
I can actually read what some 'squiggly things' (kanji) say and what those 'boxy things' (katakana) mean too.
I love the mini cans of Coke and Guarana, just the right amount of pop that you don't get bloated (about 1/8th the size of a SuperSize McDs Coke back home, which would put me in the hospital now).
I love coffee in a can now.
Even if its cold coffee.
I also love coffee ice bars.
I just realized I may consume as much coffee as my Dad now.
I managed to get over eating Sushi and even like it, a little.
I got to BBQ fresh squid and got over the 'grossness' of it to admit it was kinda, sorta, good.
I got used to playing hockey and bowing to the refs after the game even if they usually were shit. And won two city championships along the way.
I even led in goals, and of course, penalty minutes.
I helped get the Sapporo Terry Fox Run off the ground for 2 yrs with the help of an unreal group of supporters.
I ran 3 marathons in 3 yrs.
I ran my fastest half marathon, full marathon, and 10k in Japan.
I was able to feel comfortable in a room of 8 four year olds, some crying, some pissing themselves, and some staring at me trying to figure out why I had blue eyes, likes it some sort of affliction.
I managed to get so used to those four years olds that when I left them they were 6 and 7 yr olds and I actually missed them, alot.
I was able to save up enough to get half out of debt, and even take a dream trip through Tibet, Nepal, and Vietnam.
I even love the private karaoke boxes here (not for the songs, but for the drinks and good times)
I love the all you can eat and all you can drink set ups here.
I really love the fact you can sit outside in the part and sip a beer, and its not against the law, its not offending an overprotective civil rights group, you can just sit outside, and enjoy it.
And the snow in Hokkaido is the best in the world.

It turned out I lasted that first month, my travels around Japan, throughout Hokkaido, 3 (yes THREE) trips back home to Canada, a Christmas in Okinawa, and a bike ride through Tibet. What was a working holiday visa year (max one year mom, I swear) has turned into 3 today. It's easier to look back on 3 yrs not just for what you've done or what you've learned, but look back and imagine your life without the people you've met along the way, the good times had, and you'll find you can't imagine NOT having come to Japan. As long as you keep moving forward, life keeps up. If you're not moving forward, you're spinning your wheels (or pulling a 'smokeshow' if youre in my redneck hometown).

Cheers Japan, here's to the next three.

(kidding Mom, put the phone down)