Sabishii in Japan
It's been busy in Japan lately. My fellow blogger Sarah has returned to US and two new roommates have appeared. And just yesterday I decided to extend my contract and stay in Japan for at least another three monthsThe Japanese language is filled with words that have no translation. Just yesterday, a student asked me for a translation of friter - a term that applies here to young people that graduate from high school or university but continue to live off their parents while unemployed. All I could manage was bum, but this is obviously not an exact equation.
Another such word is sabishii. Lately all of my Japanese friends have said this to me while making a sad face when told about my lost roommate. They usually translate it as sad, but after a quick search through my dictionary, I found the word is more closely linked to lonely or desolate. Perhaps it is a bit dramatic, but yesterday, after moving into Sarah's empty room and realizing my phone card was empty, thus preventing me from calling my family back home, and after being hit by the enormity of three or four more months on the other side of the world, I did indeed feel a bit sabishii.
However, the things I am looking forward to with my extended stay are many. These include:
1. Improving my Japanese - I am finally able to have a short conversation and look forward to being able to lengthen my conversations and using them more widely.
2. Learning how to cook more Japanese food. With my new roommates moved in, we are starting group cooking sessions soon. Hopefully their skills will be easily picked up.
3. Talking to (maybe someday going out with) my ridiculously good-looking gym instructor.
4. Losing weight and thus finally being able to again enjoy Mister Donuts - the world's best donuts. (Apparently these really come from Boston, but I've never seen one there).
5. Traveling around Japan more. There are so many places yet to be seen. I recently learned about a desert not to far where one can go for camel rides.
6. Saving money to fund a tour through southeast Asia.
7. The Unknown - you never know what to expect in Japan - I always learn new things.
posted by Marina at
4:09 AM
5 Comments:
Hi Em, I get so frustrated on this site. Every time I write up a comment I have to go back and re-enter my existing password as if it's new. I usually need to do it multiple times. Anyhow, your article is good - so open and frank and a sensible plan. How are the Dragons doing? I haven't looked at iton-line in a while. You probably have seen that Hideki Okajima made the All-Star team, He's been unbelievable for our Sox. Dice-K won his 11th game last night even tho his pitching was not up to his high standards. Gotta go...by the way, Mugsy has begun asking me about those frequent flyer miles. Spike seems to be putting her up to it.
I stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to leave you a note to tell you that you have a new blog fan! Your blog was what I wanted my blog (also about Japan) to be like- although mine has deviated somewhat. Please keep writing- gambatte!
Are you talking about the Tottori desert? If so it's kind of fun but don't expect a whole desert, it's really just one big dune. A compact desert, Japanese style!!
Yukikun!!! Ganbatte watashi no ichiban tomodachi!!!!!
hello. i just wanted to say that a フリーター (fu-ree-tah) isn't actually jobless... they have part-time jobs or work temp jobs but they do have work. just not full-time at any corporations.
i think the bums that you are referring to are ニート (a translation of NEET, ie Not in Education, Employment or Training according to wiki!! haha) or called プー太郎 (pu-tarou, which is basically like a pig). those are the ones that have no jobs at all and really live off their parents.
sorry if i sounded bossy! just had to clear that. :)
Post a Comment
<< Home