The year in review

So it's been a year here in Japan and it has been filled with ups and downs. I'd have t o say an equal amount of both. On the whole I think that this year if it could be assigned a grade it would be a "C". So I guess I should list the "good" first. . . .

The list of good things that have happened here in Japan is long so I will give highlights, if you will.
-I have not mastered the Japanese language yet, but I have made some big improvements over the past year. I can now read about 50 Kanji (those are the hard Chinese based characters!) and I have much increased vocabulary! (Thank GOD!) I feel that I can understand a lot more and I have a lot more confidence to speak.
-I have gone to see, not just one, but 2 sumo events this past year alone! That is something that I never thought that I would do! seriously.
-Have traveled to several places in Japan outside of the city that I live in. Which might seem like something small, but trust me it ain't!
-I have moved into my own apartment (with my wife). And I still need to give a BIG thanks to all my in-laws here for all their help with that!!! Domo arigato gozaimasu! (me bowing!)
-I have made a lot of contacts outside of work and have increased the money I make outside of work! And extra money never hurt anyone!
-I got my driver's licenses in JAPAN!!! YEAH BABY!!!
-My wife changed my visa status for me . . . that was a BIG help.
-I have met and become good friends with some quality people at my work. The kind of peole that you introduce to your Mom! And I am happy to have met them!
-And I have learned a LOT about myself. . . I know that that statement seems a little lame or cheesey or whatever you want to call it but it is the truth. I have learned what my limits are and that I am pretty good at improvising when needed! I don't know if I am any better of a person but I know that I have not become more of an a$$hole! And that's always a good thing.
-It has been a very very humbling experience being here. You think you know everything about life and then something comes along and knocks you on your ass and makes you think twice about what you think you know! And Japan was what knocked me on my ass.

There are a lot of little things that I would talk about, but I am not sure if I could truly express what they are in words.
And now for the NOT so good. . . .

-I f#cking miss Mexican food.
-Japanese TV is really starting to piss me off. I was trying watch the MLB All Star game and Japanese TV cut away at a great moment in the game to show news. . . (you have got to be f#cking kidding me!). Man, that pissed me off. Needless to say I miss the last part of the game!
-Drivers SUCK in Japan. Really, really suck. It's like they think they are the only people on the road! AAAARGH!!!!
-People still stare at me. . .
-Summer. . . still sucks, it is so humid here. I don't sweat. . .sweat POURS out of me.
-I miss my family and my friends.

All in all it's been a strange, strange trip and I am have extended my stay here in Japan for at least another year. . . I just renewed my contract at work. I hope that more people will post comments on my blog. It may seem small but it lets me know that people are still out there listening to me and know that I am still alive (and kicking!)
shizzle

It's been a year. . . WTF?

Well this past Friday marked the end of my first year in Japan. I will be writing up a big post over the next couple of days. I will be talking about the highs and lows of the past year here! And posting some pictures too. Just gimmie some time. . . sometimes I run on MST (Mexican Standard Time) and I don't get shit done. Just ask my Mom she will tell you!