Contradict the Contradictions

I've been a little on the quiet side for the past couple of weeks. There is still this part of me that thinks I should withdraw when I'm not feeling rosy. But, I always find that writing and connecting puts me in a much rosier mood. And so it goes.

My oldest student is a 70 year old man. He's one of my favorites to tell you the truth. He loves to travel to North America, but spends most of his time in his garden with his wife (who apparently drives him a little crazy). He has great stories to tell and always makes me laugh. Yesterday, we got to talking a little about race and it had me thinking. I've been thinking a lot about it ever since I set foot here and I want to understand more. It just seems like such a huge, touchy issue. Still, if we don't talk about it, how can we understand it.

So, first of all. I'm no expert. I know squat about Japanese history and not much more about American History. It's my own damn fault and I know it. Consequently, I have more questions than answers and welcome the discussion.

That said, I'm living in a country in which there are two groups: The Japanese and Everyone Else (Gaijin-Foreigner). On the whole, foreigners are largely distrusted, treated very well "as guests", but no matter how long you've lived here (even if you were born here), will never be accepted as a social citizen of Japan. There is a bubble-like mentality that I can't seem to wrap my brain around. I've heard it said, especially in the work environment, that Japanese hold the interests of the GROUP much higher than INDIVIDUAL needs. When I first heard this, I thought it made sense and liked the idea. I especially had it in mind as Frank and I joined the Peace March in Japan. Something changes in the air, call it God or source or Buddah or electrons in my brain, but *something* changes when people come together for the same cause. But I digress. As I talk to more people about the group/individual idea, the more it seems to be the case that it only pertains to Japanese people. For example, I recognize a group called Humanity. According to the ideal, we should regard the needs of humanity above the needs of ourselves. Well, I guess the ideal doesn't go that far. Instead, the interests lie in what's best for Japan vs. the rest of the world.

And so, I had to think some more. In America, we hold individual ideas in high regard. People want to participate in class, share their ideas, contribute ideas in business negotiations and the like. In Japan, it is considered extremely rude to give your input during business meetings and classes are quiet. (I remember getting extra points for participation!) Apparently in school meetings, it is insulting to the manager to give input as it insinuates that they are not doing a good enough job. Even if they ask *directly*, "do you have any ideas on this topic?" nobody is to actually *give* an idea. So, many Japanese people have perfected the art form of somehow presenting the manager with enough leading questions that they are under the impression that they came up with the idea themselves. So, things happen very slowly, making simple decisions like where to hang the new signs on the wall, take forever, and many times I just have to take a deep breath and bite my tongue. Sometimes I just want to stomp all over the eggshells and make a big mess. Needless to say, I'm finding the "group" ideal stifling. (I won't even get into the gender issues.) Comments welcome.

I went down to see Frank in Gotemba this weekend. We had a wonderful time. I had been wanting him to see Master and Commander, ever since I saw it without him. He brought it home from the states (along with welcomed deodorant, lipstick and a few other preferred western items). Anyway, he loved it as much as I thought he would. I love being able to share things with him. We walked in the humid fog and generally enjoyed each others company. Did you know he could make his own tortilla chips?? What's a girl to do.