The Internet Finally Arrived

So it took freakin forever but I finally have internet in Japan. I'm kind of weirded out that I didn't do a pre-departure blog because it seems like no matter how much I forget to blog, thats one I always hit. But this JET thing just really had me too busy down to the last second. It was bittersweet as I kinda thought, but I was honestly really too busy most of the time leading up to get too sad. Although no matter if I'm flying to or from Japan it seems like I cry.

So anyway I sat next to Lexi on the plane and we arrived in Tokyo, a little worse for the wear but excited. Tokyo orientation just took it out of me though. I've never noticed being as jetlagged before because activity keeps me focused, but sitting in seminars all day....man. The worst was after lunch when I was so full, and the rooms where so nice and cool. But we had pretty good fun.

Then it was down to my prefecture, Shimane. I gotta say when the clouds parted and we were flying over the prefecture I was thinking 'oh god what have I gotten myself into.' But I got here and we were swarmed by people and taken to lunch, where I discovered that a lot of them spoke pretty good english. And honestly after that I was kept too busy for a long time to think too much on that initial feeling of misgiving. And now that I've seen what REALLY rural looks like, before that too but anyway, I've actually been content so far. I mean the little things that bug me about it location wise are really true and they aren't going to go away, it is difficult to get other places where things I am interested in are happening. But Izumo is a decent place, and its positively hopping in Shimane terms. YouMe Town is actually a pretty badass mall and cinema, and its got most of the usual things and Lawsons coming out of every orifice (I'm not kidding I've never seen so many Lawsons in one place before). And everyone here is SO nice. So I think the more I'm settled the more I'll be happy with this placement.

In the first week we were busy with things like getting gaijin cards, getting phones, looking at cars, setting up bank accounts and it was all over pretty crazy. But when it wasn't crazy we got to sit in the BOE and chill. And it is brand spanking new, and the air conditioning is quite good. After that the final member of our merry little JHS JET group joined us and we did all those things again with him. A little beach going here, a large chunk of cash vanishing without a trace there, before I knew it it was time for the week long language course I'd signed up for. I got there, and after a little trouble with our board, I quickly discovered the course was in all reality too easy for me. But the week was still worth it with lots of hanging out with the other new JETs and adventures in Matsue to have. I got to go see the castle, and ride the river boat, and see the glorious sunset over lake Shinji among other things. But during this time I did get paid for the first time and THAT was exciting.

Then we came back and just as promptly went back again for Shimane orientation. Which was hit and miss useful. We came back and I got my car and joined the JE fanclub at long last. Freedom from the train schedule is beautiful! And after a few more days at the BOE I'm finally at my schools. I taught a class for the first time today. And it was a little awkward, they were first years and while completely adorable they can hardly speak any english, but I think with repetition I'll be less nervous and it'll go better.

Have I mentioned my supervisor at the BOE is freakin amazing. K-san is the BEST. She seems like she genuinely enjoys being with us, her english is superb, and she likes Arashi so much she wants to go to a concert with me and Kim (who is a big fan, and I'll be tagging along for the ride). We've been drinking and karaoke with her a few times, and shes really helpful and is willing to take a look at whatever we need explained legit work related concern or frivolous concern. She is very much the bomb.

My Japanese is even improving a but I think. I seem to notice myself using complete sentences a little more often and I'm coming up with the more advanced grammer on my own in conversation a bit more. Its still very hit or miss, but everyone at my main school is very impressed (probably because my predessecor had next to no ability) and I'm actually the one looked too for help from some of my compatriots. Its a bit surreal.

I'm getting more comfortable with my surroundings and my next project is buying a sofa. Also my plot to move into the larger unit next to me in my building will proceed as soon as I can get ahold of my landlord for more than five minutes. Thats all for now.

Summertime Musing

I'm back in Boone after a month of being with my mom in Raleigh on and off, a week at the beach and a week sewing for con filled my month. During my beach trip I got my placement, which is in Izumo city in Shimane-ken. In all honestly its taken a little getting used to, because initially Izumo seems like nothing at all like what I requested/wanted. I feel a little weird about not being initially thrilled about my placement, but as time goes by I anticipate more and more pleasant things about the place. I guess everyone can't be deliriously happy about their placement. I will admit to being a very modernly minded person, and most of my academic interests in Japan lie in the effect of globalization in Japan, which will have much less relevance in Izumo. But a good thing about Shimane-ken is that perhaps I'll have a better understanding of my interests having spent time living in a more traditional culture. But it does seem like a nice enough place, and I'm sure that there will be good things about it that I just can't predict.

So now I'm getting things together and trying to find out more about where I'll be going, the kids I'll be teaching, and what my living situation will be like. I got an Amazon Kindle for my birthday, early, from my mom. That'll eliminate one whole category of things from my packing list leaving me free to bring more of other things. And it'll be very convenient for when I am traveling in Japan. Once again it is striking me how difficult it is to think of the things that I'll need for moving to a different country. And whats immediately important and what can be sent. I guess I really need to hear from my predecessor.

Aaah summer in Boone is making me nostalgic.

A Year Later

So the last time I wrote here I was getting ready to leave Japan after an amazing year studying abroad. After another year at ASU, here I am again. I spent the year finishing the odds and ends I still needed for my degree, and doing one other thing. And that was spending a lot of time worrying about, and gathering materials for my JET application. About two weeks ago I got an acceptance letter informing me that I had made the cut, and I was going back to Japan! I tried to keep it on the inside, but I was so worried because this is all I've been aiming for, for at least 3 years now. And I just wanted to go back to Japan so badly ever since I left. I love everyone here but I'm just not done yet you know? Extra excitement because my friend Lexi, who applied with me is going too! I don't know where I'm going yet but I sent in the paperwork yesterday and I'm so excited! Its finally happening.

So this time I am going to make a more concerted effort to blog. Because I really do think documenting this amazing adventure is important. I will try and keep details to the minimum since I know privacy is important for the schools I'll be teaching at. But I wanna keep records of my off the clock adventures as well as my feelings about this, its my first real job after all! I might do a vlog too. Who knows? If I do I'll post some links here. Look forward to more posts about this process I'm going through and watch out Japan, here I come! .....again

okay, so I am fail at blogging. I have been writing, just not here.

A lot has happened since the beginning of March. Mom's visit, a spectacular and rather bizzare breakdown of a friendship, a great beginning of a new one, cherry blossoms like crazy, another visit to see Adryn, my very first stageplay on my own (including some kabuki elements), a short but fun Golden Week excursion to Tokyo, and a fun filled sunny weekend in Hiroshima. Just to name a few. I have also learned to speak about the energy crisis and environmental concerns in Japanese. I know, cause I'm gonna use that a lot right? And now its almost over. Photobucket has been evil for a while now abot letting me upload pictures. But I'll give it another go. Exams are upon me. But my oral exam is out of the way so as long as I can get through the written Japanese exam I should be fine. After that its graduation ceremony, and then I've got some free time I hope to utilize to see the kanto people again. Then back to Osaka to move out, catch that last concert we bought tickets to AGES ago, and then back to Tokyo for that show Anna's friend has extra seats for, and my flight home. I'll be touching down in the good old USofA in the evening on June 2nd. Slightly crazy from the tme difference, but no worse for the wear.

I've honestly loved the whole time here. Not to say its been all easy, it most certainly hasn't. But I love Japan, from the slightly unnerving gaijin stares to the incredibly convient convience stores (you can seriously buy anything at Lawson). I think I've surprised myself at how much I've been able to do on my own. I have traveled, a lot, and several times completely on my lonesome. Despite nearly missing a few buses, and a few other near misses with disaster, its been pretty okay. Not bad for someone who has really never been anywhere seriously long-distance alone in her life. Within the state and trips with friends don't count. I am now amazingly familiar with the route between Tokyo and Osaka, by a few different means, and can navigate a train system with minimal flailing. The real test was when mom came, and with just the two of us I had to get us from place to place all on my own. Before that I had almost always had another person who could speak a little Japanese with me. But I really surprised myself.

And I really liked Hiroshima, its a pretty peaceful place (a no I'm not making a peace park pun here), it really was a relaxing sort of trip. I think I'm gonna miss Japan, more specificaly Kansai and even more specifically Hirakata a lot. Going back to Boone will be way different, we're pretty far from the city there. Being close to both Osaka and Kyoto has been a real blessing. Its been fun, and I've learned a lot. A lot about myself and my own culture surprisingly. I've never really had a chance to speak to other native english speakers, not from America, for a long period of time. And its amazing how much the same and how different we are.

I know everyone back home will be waiting to hear about how different Japan and the other exchange students were, but the fact is, what surprised me most was how much we did have in common (although can you imagine someone not knowing what a biscuit is? blasphemy).

Okay enough waxing poetic for now. I'll try to write again soon and talk about Hiroshima since it was the most recent.

So have I mentioned how fantastic Anna is? I'm SO jazzed about being able to go to Osaka concerts with someone. I mean, how much better are concerts when you have someone to sit with and make stupid commentary about it. Not to mention someone who understands my rampant fangirl. Not that any bands are being obliging and HAVING concerts in Osaka. But you know, we'll do the best we can with what we have. Uchi and Tsubasa are both coming so we'll see them. And I may still go to Tokyo to see Takki and visit Scribie if I can.

But its the simple things that make me happy really. And this is one of them.

So things have been pretty settled and uneventful here. My classes are going well and I am pleased to report that I got all my first choices as far as they go (Yey for lottery number 87, it was karma for number 333 last semester). I had my first KGU field trip ever this weekend for Intro the Japanese History. We went to Asuka. Its in the Nara prefecture and has a lot of REALLY old sites to see. Still no camera charger so no photos, but I'll gank some from Leslie later. We spent the whole morning and afternoon biking from site to site, which despite the cold was really nice and invigorating. Today I had a test and am now sitting in the computer room as a means of wasting time till I am not the only one not in class.

btw there turned out to be issues with the homestay that I wont go into, in any case I have moved back to the dorms, but will keep in contact with the family. I am now in a single room in dorm 3, next door to Ann and her new roommate Anna (who is really nice). I'm thinking I wanna buy a denchi jisho (electronic dictionary) both for class and for practical casual purposes. I wanna make sure I make the most of the TEN (yes count them ten) chapters of intermediate Japanese I will be learning this semester. Hopefully by the time I am done with undergrad I will be ready to sit some level of the JPLT (they tell me students at my level can be studying for level 3 in the spring if we like but we'll see). Once I get up to that level I'll feel good about resuming Chinese or taking up a different language. I think it will be my goal to be semi-trilingual once I finish grad school. Back to a day in the life of a KGU student.

Okay so now that I've got some free time I will continue blogging about winter break so I can be all caught up. So after the hell involved in getting to Scribe's apartment the time in Tokyo was very fun. We stayed up till all hours of the night talking and catching up. All in all it turned very silly and we were laughing about things that seem completely less, and yet not less at all, funny now. And we slept in pretty late the next day so we were still loitering around in our pajamas and trying to get ready for the day when Erin arrived, already cute and ready to party that evening. We were able to have a really fun time that afternoon the three of us, and had delicious pasta for dinner. Its really great when we can all hang out like that. So basically we ended up at a coffee shop waiting for Adryn to get there (since she hadn't been able to get off work earlier) taking silly pictures. But then Adryn finally came and it was time for the party to begin!

So Scribe knows this person who works at a bar in Roppongi who wanted us to come and hang out there for Christmas Eve. And so after a pit stop at Starbucks, which we were cutely kicked out of as it closed, we went there and spent the next 6 hours singing karaoke and drinking. Her friend very kindly gave us a discount and much fun was had by all. We took the first train home, which I'd never done before. On Christmas day its safe to say we slept in pretty late. Erin and I were up first and since we were on the air matress in the hall we ventured out for lunch. Eventually everyone got up and we walked around town a little bit, watched Erin's Christmas present Wall-e in a pile on the floor, took about a hundred purikura, and then headed back to the apartment Christmas cake in hand. We had a fun time eating it and generally messing around.

The next day Adryn was off the airport to pick up Darrin and Erin and I went back to her town of Kamisu to spend the weekend. Shes got a nice apartment too and a car which we used to drive around town shopping. Its a cute town (NO Train!?!) and Erin showed me everything that was worth seeing as this time of year. We also went to a very cool little concert that was both classical and rock. That took about two days. After that it was back to the Tokyo, where Scribe's apartment was getting a little tight. But we all managed to have a good time and we all acted as Scribe's house-elves.We took even more purikura

By then it was pretty much New Years and time for the NewS concert. Tokyo Dome was ENORMOUS, and as I got there I discovered that despite my irritation at paying twice the list price for tickets, it was worth it because I had semi-decent seats. Tokyo Dome is so big there really aren't many GOOD seats, but out of the two enormous layers of the arena, I was about half-way down the first floor. Not on the floor with the stage walkways, but still pretty close. Other than being alone and next to the most unethusiastic fangirl ever, we had a fantastic time. After that since we hadn't been able to get tickets for Summery, we went to Shibuya to get dinner and ring in the new year, which we did while eating amazing Japanese food. All the Japanese people in the resteraunt greatly enjoyed us counting down the last seconds to the new year. I called home and wished people there a happy new year, every though it was still noon for them. Then we walked around some in Shibuya observing the festivities and then decided to call it a night. Because of how tight packed it was we had taken turns sleeping in a manga cafe, which is pretty cheap and do-able if yor in the right place. The next day we were all zombies again and Adryn and Darrin left for Tochigi. Erin, Scribe, and I dinked around the rest of that day and had convi-food and doughnuts for dinner.

And then it was time for me to catch my plane home, which I did without too much train trouble this time. And that began to next chapter of my whirlwind vacation. Needless to say I spent a few days at home recovering from my cold which really hit my on the plane home, then a few days in Winston with Corey, and then my family went for its long awaited cruise which was a blast and such a nice break (the warm weather was fantastic too) and then I spent most of the next week in Boone visiting and doing some job hunting/feeling out. And then a few more days at home and it was time to come back.

Wow, I did a LOT. But it was really fun and totally worth it, I just think I'll stick to Kansai for a while. Pictures will come later when my camera charger comes in the mail.