Week 4

May 30 – June 2, 2006 First week of Work
This week has been infinitely more interesting and helpful in my efforts to be better in Japanese. I have been translating and revising translations of their catalogs. It takes a while to look up all the words I don’t know on the internet, since I have to wait until I get paid next week to buy an electronic dictionary, but I feel better about my ability to translate complicated Japanese sentences into clear and concise phrases; especially when I look at the kinds of sentences a Japanese mind comes up with in English. For the success of their business, I’m glad they try to at least run things by a Native speaker. Some of the things they come up with could rival the funniest on Engrish.com. I’ve been making a vocabulary list. If any of you want it I can make it available, though it might be easier to just use a dictionary. Translating words like Transverse Elastic Modulus, or Nitrohydrochloric Acid, or (Pozidriv, Frearson, or Phillips) Crossed Recess Pan Head Machine Screw has been some of my favorite memories of working here. Though it may not bring a tear to your eyes, the pure joy of freedom from sweatshops makes me appreciate the smaller joys of white collar tasks. Mono no aware means a little more to me than it ever has. (Though, I wear short sleeve shirts so my wrists are drenched.)
I was also able to expand my working base this week by translating technical/legal documents which specify the type of relationship our company has with another company. It took most of the week, but it was pretty cool. The other thing I was able to do was get my foot into their English advertising department by volunteering myself to help name a product line for Flat Panel Displays. It’s been a hectic week, and I feel myself falling behind in translating the catalogs, which is supposed to be my first priority.
I skipped Church this week for something I may never get to do again in my lifetime. I hope I don’t get kicked out of BYU for it. I went to Ise to help in the rebuilding festival for the Shinto Inner Shrine, called the Shikinen Sengu. Those of you, who know of what I speak, know that it only happens once in 20 years. Which is only partly true; it takes 7 years to build and this year and the next are the only ones that involve the general public until it’s finished. At least that’s what they told me. A friend from work invited me out of the blue to go to his home town in Ise to help. His family is one of the biggest supporters for the continuation of this tradition. So, I got to see a ton. I also got to share a ton of gospel principles especially with my friend. So, for those of you who may be thinking it was a waste of time…Hey, at least I got to share a bit o’ gospel with them, including basic beliefs about God and Christ. Anyway, like I said, this week was infinitely better than the last three. Next week should be sweet, Payday at last.