wow.... its March!!

I can`t believe its March. Its been a crazy February. Actually maybe the worst month I can remember. Its been busy and the economy has got me down. I can`t think of harder times. People I know left and right a getting cut from their companies. In a sense I am glad I am in Japan right now but to be honest I am completely burned out. The salaryman lifestyle in Japan has got to be the worst life style there is. I mean no time to pursue your own interests or hobbies. Its just company and customer time. Its amazing that I am in the same company. The US and European offices are so much different. Japan is unique thats for sure. There are some good things and generally I think the Japanese business culture is very good. But not if work is only part of your life. In the states we often say we work to life. Meaning we work to get the money to life the kind of life we want to live. In Japan its completely different in a lot of industries and just the general working culture. Its really you live to work I feel. Meaning your place of employment becomes the center part of your life. Its hard to explain in words. But I feel it and as an American Salaryman in Japan I can tell you its a lot of pressue. Doing things that are completely against your own beliefs or values. But doing them because its expected. I don`t think anyone could really understand unless you are in that position. I talk to a lot of guys from the states who are in similar positions. We all feel the same. This is different than just teaching English in Japan or being here to play or party. This is a culture that you really need to work in to understand. I do now and I know I could never do it for my life. In fact being here has got me thinking of maybe some other things I would like to do. I love Japan. I could life here the rest of my life. But I could never do what I am doing for the rest of my life. If I wanted to stay in Japan I would change. I would go into education. Not English conversation!! Real eduction. Thats my interest and thats what I have been thinking lately. So who knows. This economy makes you think of other careers and maybe time for a change. So I am thinking. I do know I don`t want to be an American Salaryman anymore. Its just not for me. When I get back to the states every day is going to feel like a vacation. I know this.... But I really respect the guys I work with here. Wow such hard workers and while their approach is different that that of America or Europe, they do well and you can only respect them. But I don`t want to be them....

So thats my month... as you can tell its been crazy and my rant on this subject is over. I should write a book...