Social Suicide

I've been thinking of quitting Facebook. Is that considered to be a form of social suicide?

I've always hated being "online" and have avoided things like posting pictures of me or my friends or writing anything personal about myself on the world wide web. Even at my last job, I avoided writing a section for the "Meet the Staff" page until my supervisor prodded me for the 3rd time four months into my job.

Yes, I sense the irony since you're reading about this on my all-about-me blog.

Being the rather private person that I consider myself to be, I just think Facebook's too much exposure. I don't feel comfortable with it.

Once, a friend told me that she found out about her friend's engagement being called off through Facebook. I told her I couldn't believe that it was posted on Facebook like that for everyone in the world to see. I'm sure that whatever the reason for the engagement cancellation, it was a sensitive and private issue. Does the world really need to know all your joys and sorrows in an instantaneous manner?

It's no wonder that an acquainance changed his last name from "Taylor" to "Ishidingfrompotentialemployers" on his facebook profile.

It's as though you need to be more aware of your every action because, undoubtedly, there will be someone carrying a digital camera with them ready to catch your every act of stupidity (of which I am sure I'm guilty of committing many) and then thereafter posting it online.

Looking stupid is not really my main fear, maybe it's just wanting to keep certain things at a distance.

What prompted me to write about this was because I noticed that so many of my former teachers were on Facebook. It was a bit eerie. When I was a student, I looked at these people with a sense of distance. They were teachers, I was a student. Although some teachers have turned into good friends, it's hard to imagine that if I add them as a "friend" on Facebook , I will have full access to their private lives (which may include wild partying, their every feeling as they "update" us, etc) as well as them having access to mine.

The same friend who told me about her friend's engagement being called off told me that she enjoys Facebook because it has allowed her to keep in touch with people that she's known in the past but have lost touch with. That's definitely important. I agree.

But I also said, there's probably a reason why people fall out of touch. If relationships are important to us, then we'd do our best to keep them going, right? Even if it means one brief email every other year, we make the effort of showing we care. If either party feels that correspondence is no longer necessary, isn't this a sign that people have slowly grown apart or that people, in general, just grow?

I honestly don't think that contains any sort of message signifying you as a bad friend or an inconsiderate person. It's just a part of life, isn't it?

Anyway, I think I've blabbed on for too long about this. I think Facebook has its great attributes as with many other technologies that have allowed us to keep in touch with each other. There are just certain things about it that I find slightly unnerving.

I will hold off on committing this act of social suicide, but please don't be surprised if I disappear one day into thin air in the world of Facebook.

!#$@%^#% Tea!

My biggest fear of my existence in Japan came true today. Somebody at school asked me to...pour tea for guests!!

The tea lady was on her way out to go to the bank at 2pm and she knew that guests were coming at 2:30pm. After looking around in the staffroom, she said, "Ah, it's alright, Louise is here." It was only then that I realized that I was in trouble. I looked around and I was the only other female in the staffroom. Crap.

So, the tea lady ran through all her instructions and was very thankful that I was there. Then, off she went.

I was sooo pissed off that I was asked to do this.

I remember saying to friends in the US that if a male staff member asked me to help with serving tea, I'd act like I didn't understand. But this situation was sorta different. I didn't quite know how to turn down her request for help because she has been super nice and serves me (and everybody else) tea everyday.

As before, I couldn't believe how sexist this crap was. This bit just added to all my growing annoyance of many things here in this country. I was cursing and giving my male colleagues angry glares (in my mind). I had to go occupy myself by making enlargements in the copy room in fear that I would have an angry outburst at innocent bystanders.

Miraculously, the tea lady came back from the bank in 15 minutes. I no longer had to do the dreaded task of serving tea just because I am female.

However, my anger didn't dissipate.

I understand that guests need to be shown some hospitality, but why do women have to get them tea?!

The guys also have hands, right? So, they can also get the *@#$%^& tea!

Neighbors

For the longest time, I was the sole tenant in the 4-unit apartment building I lived in. About 2 months ago, the bottom two units were rented out separately. It's comforting, in a way, to know that people actually live in the building aside from me.

However, I now have this new obligation of being more considerate about the amount of noise I make. And that's not cool. =)

Although I've never met my new neighbors, the one who lives in the unit directly below me is somewhat on the strange side. S/he has this tendency to do laundry everyday at 6 in the morning! Instead of being awaken by the fighting cats or my alarm clock, I am now being waken up by the melodic sound of a washing machine.

I'm not sure if I like having neighbors.

Home?

I just had a Japanese friend who visited me at my apartment for the first time. She looked around the apartment and said, "You enjoy single life, huh?" Single, as in living alone in my own apartment rather than not having a significant other.
Is it really that obvious?

I look around my apartment and I realize that I have everything that I need. It's not so much a I'm-so-proud-of-my-material-wealth, but more along the lines that I'm satisfied with my living situation. I feel like I'm building my own home and I feel comfortable in it.

Everything else before hasn't felt like it was "mine" perse. When I lived with my parents, it was me being a part of something much bigger. And during college years, everything was just so impermanent. In my four years, I moved 5 times.

I'm not sure what the point is, but I guess I've finally established my home sweet home.. and just as I'm about to finish this entry, I realize that I'll be moving on and moving out in about 10.5 months. *Sigh.*

Footwear

In a fashion conscious country, I should not be surprised that I get stares when I wear something out-of-the-ordinary. Today, was a lovely, sunny day after weeks of unrelenting rain. Being the California girl that I am, I went to work in flip flops (hehehe…). Ok, ordinarily, I see that as a no-no as well, but I should remind everyone that we have to change into indoor shoes once we get to school. So, the flip flop wearing was not a form of rebellion towards the implied dress code, but it was simply for comfort.

However, on my short 30 minute to work, I noticed a string of adults and children staring at my feet. I'm not sure exactly what it was that shocked them so, but their eyes literally followed my feet as I flopped happily towards school. Perhaps it was the fact that I was wearing a skirt with a simple striped top without stockings (gasp!) when it's about 80 degrees outside, but something bothered people.

I think I mentioned this before, but it seems as though wearing rain boots when it rains is also an unacceptable form of footwear. I've gotten stares (again! whoopee doop!) from numerous people and have even gotten a comment that came with a hint of sarcasm from a colleague at school. I've only seen rain boots on three other types of people, and that would be: elementary school students, senior citizens and construction workers. I really don't get it…do people just like to get their feet wet? (* No pun intended.)

Whatever it is, I feel like the footwear choices in this country will forever puzzle me.