My wife and I moved to London in Oct 2022 with our 2 kids (2yo girl and 5-month-old boy back then) as we wanna live aboard since we first met back in 2012. While living, working, and raising 2 little ones without the support from our parents are much harder than we expected. To "survive", we decided to move back home for at least the next few years and who knows what would happen in a few years when they get older. I don't know. there are so much lessons we have learned yet we don't have the time to reflect upon them as things move so quickly these days.
Nice! Instead of moving back to the US for our work, we decided to forego that and get more rooted in Asia where the grandparents are. We are similar in that sense 😊 But we do everything on our own with our two kids as grandparents are not in the same city. So you can imagine me without knowing the local language, it can rather isolating.
I know a bit of how it feels as we were in a similar situation while living in London. Yet you are in Japanese and the cultural differences for you must be quite hard. What was your experience like when you moved to Kyoto? when was that and how old were the kids, or were they born yet at that time?
We move around a lot. Kyoto is my 14th city, 7th country that I have lived in. So my kids weren’t born here. Language aside, we are really enjoying it here. And we are all trying our best to pick up more of the language! 😀
Long story short, my husband is a Japanese. Returned to his country after many years of living abroad. I love it here. Though still working on my nihongo. The first country I’ve ever lived in where I need to pick up a new language as an adult 😊
and you were born and grew up in Malaysia I suppose? may I also ask if you are Malaysian-Chinese? and from you name is Peck Gee your first name? So often I think of Japan as a foreign planet with such a different set of cultures and norms from the rest of Asia. What are some of the biggest things you have learned during your time living in Japan from a cultural point of view? and sure slowly you will pick up more japanese simply being and living in Japan!
Yes! So many reflections that I can share. Its culture with long standing influence from neighboring countries like China are weaved into daily lives and arts like tea.
I have also tried to weave in my writings here and there (eg I mentioned quite a fair bit on Confucianism Buddhism Taoism) so do keep an eye out for future posts 😊Let me know if you are ever in Kyoto.
oh yes, your profile pic:) strangely enough I grow up in a japanese buddhist community with its branch in Hong Kong as my grandma, mom, and aunts are a part of. I even went to a kindergarten started by this community. While I don't see myself devoted to it, I love the way of life buddhist philosophy has taught me a drop at a time over the years. it is a lifelong journey I suppose. Look forward to reading more of your work as living in Kyoto with such a rich history of buddhism, or a blend of multiple chinese philosophies with a unique mix of japanese culture.
Thanks, Franco! Interesting upbringing. Are your mom and extended families still practicing Japanese Buddhism? I wrote a piece awhile ago on the Pew research survey that East Asians tend not to regard religion as important even though they are practicing via rituals etc daily! Https://peckgee.substack.com/p/reading-the-tea-leaves
Appreciate for the feature!! How did you end up living in Kyoto? Curious about your story😊
Curious also how did you end up making a return to HK?
My wife and I moved to London in Oct 2022 with our 2 kids (2yo girl and 5-month-old boy back then) as we wanna live aboard since we first met back in 2012. While living, working, and raising 2 little ones without the support from our parents are much harder than we expected. To "survive", we decided to move back home for at least the next few years and who knows what would happen in a few years when they get older. I don't know. there are so much lessons we have learned yet we don't have the time to reflect upon them as things move so quickly these days.
Nice! Instead of moving back to the US for our work, we decided to forego that and get more rooted in Asia where the grandparents are. We are similar in that sense 😊 But we do everything on our own with our two kids as grandparents are not in the same city. So you can imagine me without knowing the local language, it can rather isolating.
I know a bit of how it feels as we were in a similar situation while living in London. Yet you are in Japanese and the cultural differences for you must be quite hard. What was your experience like when you moved to Kyoto? when was that and how old were the kids, or were they born yet at that time?
We move around a lot. Kyoto is my 14th city, 7th country that I have lived in. So my kids weren’t born here. Language aside, we are really enjoying it here. And we are all trying our best to pick up more of the language! 😀
Wait, you have lived in 7 different countries and 14 cities?! I don’t even know where to begin asking you some questions😆
Long story short, my husband is a Japanese. Returned to his country after many years of living abroad. I love it here. Though still working on my nihongo. The first country I’ve ever lived in where I need to pick up a new language as an adult 😊
and you were born and grew up in Malaysia I suppose? may I also ask if you are Malaysian-Chinese? and from you name is Peck Gee your first name? So often I think of Japan as a foreign planet with such a different set of cultures and norms from the rest of Asia. What are some of the biggest things you have learned during your time living in Japan from a cultural point of view? and sure slowly you will pick up more japanese simply being and living in Japan!
Yes! So many reflections that I can share. Its culture with long standing influence from neighboring countries like China are weaved into daily lives and arts like tea.
I have also tried to weave in my writings here and there (eg I mentioned quite a fair bit on Confucianism Buddhism Taoism) so do keep an eye out for future posts 😊Let me know if you are ever in Kyoto.
oh yes, your profile pic:) strangely enough I grow up in a japanese buddhist community with its branch in Hong Kong as my grandma, mom, and aunts are a part of. I even went to a kindergarten started by this community. While I don't see myself devoted to it, I love the way of life buddhist philosophy has taught me a drop at a time over the years. it is a lifelong journey I suppose. Look forward to reading more of your work as living in Kyoto with such a rich history of buddhism, or a blend of multiple chinese philosophies with a unique mix of japanese culture.
Thanks, Franco! Interesting upbringing. Are your mom and extended families still practicing Japanese Buddhism? I wrote a piece awhile ago on the Pew research survey that East Asians tend not to regard religion as important even though they are practicing via rituals etc daily! Https://peckgee.substack.com/p/reading-the-tea-leaves