Sayonara to a Friend

A close friend here will soon be leaving for the US. She has been having perpetual backaches which no doctor here have figured out why. Though she doesn't want to go with an unfinished contract, the discomfort she feels forces her to leave. Just last weekend, we already started packing some of her things. She's not happy to leave. I'm not happy to see her leave, too. But that's how things are for foreigners.

My friendship with her made me realize another aspect of living in a foreign land.

Credits: http://www.goodlightscraps.com/friendship.php

I realized that friendships are more consciously decided. When two foreigners meet, there's almost always that back-of-the-mind thought whether they can be friends or not. Of course, there's tentativeness in every type of relationship but being in a foreign land makes that 'testing period' shorter. This is unlike in you're in your home country when friendships are made by fate or chance meetings. The first few times that my friend and I talked, there's already that silent agreement that we have decided to become friends. We didn't leave our friendship to chance. We decided to pursue it. Hence, the next realization.

Friendships are also more actively pursued. The loneliness from living in another country draw foreigners together. Plans to get together are frequent and almost a habit. We don't wait for someone's birthday or a special day to meet. We find reasons to do something together. This is almost like a marker of the weeks passed in this foreign land. I can't remember a week spent without seeing another foreigner. My friend is one of my regular weekend buddies. We'd usually eat somewhere or explore some area. Come January, I won't have a weekend buddy.

I feel that friendships are deeper and more expressively caring. Foreigners know that all we have is each other for families. Only people from another country can understand the isolation and the constant adjustment of foreigners. Hence, there's that unspoken concern for the welfare of another foreigner. This is not to say that all foreigners are kind and caring. This is about foreigners who are already friends. I remember the night when I helped my friend go to the doctor. I wouldn't normally do that if I were back home. I can't be bothered at night. But knowing that my friend is alone as I am, I didn't have hesitations to go that extra mile.

At the same time, we know that no matter how good our friendship is, it's only temporary. We know that things will change once we're back to our home countries. It makes everything more intense and bittersweet. Though there's that temporal quality in friendships abroad, it doesn't make it less sincere. It doesn't make it less of anything. It's just the way things are. So though it's sad to see my friend go, we both know that sooner or later we'll be parting ways. It's just sad that it seemed so soon.

I don't know if we'll meet again in person. I don't know if we'll even keep in touch. I've seen a handful of friends leave promising to still communicate but didn't. I don't hold it against them. (I'm also guilty.) I also won't hold it against my friend if I didn't hear anything from her after she leaves. I'm already grateful that even for a short while, a person from halfway around the world became my friend.

This Small Act: Puple Pen Writes on Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)

Dear Reader, 

I may not know who you are but I'm grateful that you're taking the time to read or browse over my blog. For the past year, I only talked about my thoughts and experiences here in Japan. This blog was borne out of free time at work. It has no noble reason except to record whatever's happening in my life. Today is different though. I'm using this medium for a nobler and more humane cause.

Last Friday, Nov. 8, the strongest typhoon in history hit my country- the Philippines. It was such a great devastation. Thousands of lives are lost along with billions worth of property damages. The images of the aftermath are so heartbreaking I can't help but be haunted of sadness for the past days. I can't imagine the extent of grief of my fellow Filipinos who lost their homes and loved ones. Though I've done a small part by donation, I'm still compelled to do something more. So I am writing this.

The typhoon's aftermath
Credit: www.rappler.com

The typhoon's aftermath
Credit: www.digitaljournal.com

First, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the countries and people who willingly aid my country. Billions of pesos have been pledged for the rehabilitation of Visayas. Manpower and in-kind donations keep pouring in. The Filipinos are overwhelmed by the help so selflessly given to us. God surely sees these acts of kindness and will not go unnoticed.

Disclaimer: This is not mine but I don't know who to give credit to.

Next, if you're a Filipino reading this blog, I hope you're doing your part too in rebuilding our nation. If you're in another country like me, don't hesitate to send your donations whether in cash or kind. If there's no cash to spare, use the social media wisely. I believe you have an internet since you can read this. Express your support and encouragement to the survivors. Check on  friends who may have been affected. If you're in the Philippines, then you are in the best position to help. I believe that a lot of NGO's like Red Cross and Sagip Kapamilya are needing manpower to pack relief goods. What is an hour or two if it will make a difference to the lives of many people? Also, if you're willing, I think they need people to help distribute the goods.

Packing of relief goods
Credit:www.ibtimes.co.uk

Also, this is the time to be socially and politically aware. There's so much to the internet than posting selfies and food photos. Let's be vigilant on the financial aid given to us. We can repay those countries by making sure that the help extended to us was used in the right way. Let's continue to demand transparency from the government. This is not the time to be indifferent. You may think you're not affected but as long as you are a Filipino, what the government does affect you.

Credits: http://www.pricepanda.com.ph/blog/help-victims-of-typhoon-yolanda-haiyan-list-of-relief-centers-donations-drop-offs-banks-etc/

Third, if you are a powerful person or a person with expertise, I hope you'll have the heart to help in the rehabilitation process. Relief operations are only temporary answers to the people's needs. In the long run, we need businessmen who'll invest in agriculture, tourism, industry and trade. We'll need engineers and architects who can design and build well-planned communities and sturdier buildings. We'll need medical experts to help the survivors in gaining back their physical and mental health. We'll need responsible journalists who have the passion to report facts and not sow unverified negative reports. (Eg: Aquino walking out in a briefing when he didn't) We'll need leaders who can replace the rotten political leaders we have.

Disclaimer: This is not mine but I don't know who to give credit to.

Then, I'm calling on the government to have a true heart for public service. The Philippines has suffered so much already. More than the natural calamities that embattled us, the corruption and ineffective governance is destroying a beautiful country. It pains me to live in a progressive country like Japan knowing that if only we have an effective government, the Philippines can attain this much progress. My prayer is that God purge the country of evil politicians, lazy government officials and inefficient workers. ( In the same breath, I'm cursing all the corrupt people in the government- from the topmost people to the those in the bottom of the ladder. F--- Y-- All!) I want to see the Philippines be a first world country in this lifetime.

Photo Credit: www.kimmierose.com

Lastly, whatever nation you came from, I hope we won't give up on our planet and on each other. Climate change is real. This big typhoon is one of its effects. If we don't do something about our environment, there could be much worse. It's scary to think that things would only get worse. At the same time, I salute the human spirit for responding in these times of distress. And I'm not only limiting this to what happened in the Philippines. As of this writing, there's a threatening volcanic eruption in Indonesia, an unexpected cyclone somewhere in Africa, extreme poverty in large parts of Asia and Africa, wars in the Middle East, nuclear breakdowns in Japan and so much more. The discussions, expressions of concern, prayers and all the help are all great testimonies that amidst the chaos we're in, people still care for their fellow human beings.   Let's continue to dream and do what we can do for each other. Let's continue to hope that humanity still has a future. I still believe in this planet. I still believe in us- the human race.

With high hopes,
Purple Pen

Japanese Teachers Want Me to Go Home

It's been almost a week now since a typhoon hit Japan. That was Tuesday night until early Wednesday morning. Another typhoon is brewing in the Pacific that is set to hit this Thursday. It's supposed to be violent. I hope not. Not only because I worry for possible damages it'll cause but because no matter how violent that typhoon is, I know I still have to go to work. Just like last Wednesday. Classes were suspended. There were no students but teachers still have to go to school. Such a waste of a possible rest day, really.

In more than a year of working here in Japan, I came to the conclusion that the Japanese teachers know no rest day. They seem to live in the schools, I swear. They're always in the school- after school, on weekends, on holidays and even on days with typhoon. They stay in school even if they don't need to. Just like last Wednesday. The principal already told the teachers that they can go home after 12. I was so ecstatic the whole morning waiting for the clock to strike 12. Yey! I can go home early and continue watching Grey's Anatomy. (I'm hooked on it lately.)

Then comes 12 noon. I was waiting for the teachers to stand up, get their bags and go home like any sensible human being would do. No one was moving. All were staring intently on their computers. Others were endlessly shuffling papers. (I don't know why they can't figure out how to arrange a few pieces of paper). Then an old teacher across me moved. He got his bag. I told myself that I'll leave as soon as he does. Pffft! The teacher got a bento box from his bag. Maybe he'll eat lunch first, I think. Soon, other teachers also brought out their bento boxes. Not to be outdone, I brought out my sandwich and yogurt wrapped in 7/11 plastic. I have to eat too. Maybe when everyone has eaten, we'll all go home. We can't be hungry on the way home, I think.

A Japanese Office
Photo credit: http://www.buzolich.com/indecorum/media/crampedJapaneseOffice.jpg

So everyone ate silently with all eyes eyeing the computers in front of us. If you want to eat like a real industrious Japanese teacher, take note of the following. Chopsticks on the right hand, bento on the left and eyes on the computer monitor. Blinking is not allowed. It would mean you're not working hard enough during lunch. You should also wear a stoned and serious face. You can't show that you like how your food taste. You're busy working so you have no time for gustatory delights. I did just that trying to set aside the number of things I'm planning to do when I get home- watch Grey's Anatomy Season 4 Episode 1, then watch Grey's Anatomy Season 4, Episode 2, breathe, cry a little, watch Grey's Anatomy Season 4 Episode 3, then 4, then 5. (You get the idea.)

One o'clock came but everyone's still intent on staring at their computer monitors and shuffling papers. Some stood up a little to brush their teeth while staring intently on their computer monitors. I sat there waiting for someone to just leave so I can follow. I know I can technically go home but I don't feel I should be the first one. Foreigners already have a reputation of being lazy just because we can finish our job on time. I don't need to emphasize it further. I was praying that one brave soul will pick his/ her bag and say "Osakini Shitsurei Shimasu" then bang the door on the way out. I looked at the old Science teacher. He's busy cleaning his ears, he won't go home yet. I looked at one of the English teacher, he's still writing something. I looked at one of the Math teachers, she's shuffling papers and maybe counting them. Nobody seemed ready to go home yet.

The clock turned 2. I went to the toilet hoping when I get back somebody has left already. Fail! Everyone's still there. I already did every possible thing I could do- lesson planning, doing worksheets, journal writing, news reading, Facebooking, Instragramming, and Candy Crushing on my mobile phone. I looked at the clock and it was just 3 pm. I thought of being the first one to say goodbye but I was intent on being proper and polite. I will not be a lazy foreigner. I decided to just go home at the usual time- 4 pm. I'll finish my working hours. So I continued playing Candy Crush.

The golden hour came. I turned off my laptop, put all my things in my bag and hand my hanko sheet to the vice-principal. (A hanko sheet is like a signature sheet. Everyday, I have to ask the vice principal to sign this sheet as a proof that I am a diligent ALT who comes every workday.) With my bag on my shoulder, I bowed and said "Osakini Shitsurei Shimasu." Upon doing this, a most awaited thing happened. Three teachers closed their laptops. A few teachers started putting things in their bag preparing to go home. Some stopped shuffling papers. Others, who were busy checking were suddenly done. I know that in a few minutes, they'll all be ready to call it a day. I touched my bag straps and started going down the stairs chuckling to myself. All this time, the Japanese teachers are actually waiting for this one lazy foreigner to go home so they can go home too. How they must hate me for finishing my day. How I hate myself for not being lazy that day. Such a waste of a possible rest day, really.