In Isumi

So it`s been awhile since I posted because I`ve been busy and haven`t had close internet connection...but I`m at an internet cafe now and can update! I guess I`ll start where I left off.


So on Monday we had orientation stuff. Nothing earth shattering...but that`s what I had been hearing from previous JETs and such anyway, so I wasn`t expecting too much. The day ended and we had a reception. Soon after, we had none other than a Karaoke night! We teamed up with other Nagasaki-bound JETs for a night of fun. We were at a place called Big Echo for nearly 2.5-3 hours...lots of singing and lots of fun.

The next day was full of more orientation events, but geared more toward our specific prefectures. We also got more information about our cities and what to expect when our BOE actually picks us up! At this point on Tuesday, the reality of everything was sinking in...this whole time inTokyo was blanketed with other JETs, friends, English-speaking staff which was going to soon be removed and hit us like a brick wall. We could hang out with our newly made friends and not worry about the start of our new lives all by ourselves in our new cities.

Well, Wednesday morning came and it was judgment day!! Haha, well, not really but it felt like it. well, not really but it felt like it. All 800 some lives of the JETS at group A were going to change that day. I know mine did. In the morning when we arrived at the place where we meet our BOE, it was nerveracking and hot. Humidity in Japan is just horrible...But anyway, we were in a small building where we put our luggage and then went up to a small room on the 4th floor. There, us 9 new Chiba JETs sat on one side while our COs (Contracting Organizations) sat on the other. One by one they called out our names, we went up to the front, and then were introduced and taken away. I was the 3rd to last called, so it was nerverack front, and then were introduced and taken away. I was the 3rd to last called, so it was nerveracking to see everyone else go and see our group slowly dwindle away. In a way it seemed like the end, but it`s really the beginning of like the end, but it`s really the beginning of something completely new! After getting called, I met with my supervisor who was accompanied by a member of the BOE who used to be a math teacher. They were both really nice and both knew some English, so we could speak a mix of the Japanese that I know and the English, so we could speak a mix of the Japanese that I know and the English that they know. We had to drive back down to my town, which would be about 2-2.5 hours, so town, which would be about 2-2.5 hours, so we stopped for lunch along the way. We went to a simple place where they serve hambaagu (yes, that`s a Japanese style hamburger with different sauce and flavor) and steak. I got a hambaagu and was full. Soon we continued our way and eventually to my town. I was expecting my place to be in the middle of nowhere, but actually when we passed I have lots of neighbors and am close to some civilization...THANK GOD! First, we went to the BOE office to pick up my 2 went to the BOE office to pick up my 2 large suitcases. Yay! They were both there! I was worried some or all my luggage would get lost but they arrived safe and sound...well mostly safe. One of my suitcases is a little older and I guess it`s on it`s last struggle. The case doesn`t stay closed...it`s a snap shut large hardcase, so I think it`s had snap shut large hardcase, so I think it`s had the last it could handle hardcase, so I think it`s had the last it could handle and was a little busted open, but good think I had a luggage strap which kept it closed. I met various people in the BOE including the head hancho...kind of was not expecting to meet so many people on my first day but good thing I was dressed appropriately for the occasion. After getting my luggage, we dropped it off quickly at my luggage, we dropped it off quickly at my house and hurried over to the middle school where I met the school staff and Vice Principal. After spending some time there, we went to the city hall for me to begin the application process for various other things....Alien Registration Card, bank account, passport stuff...etc. Then, I went back to the school because there`s a speech contest coming up and they wanted to meet to start talking and planning for that! Can you believe it? On my first day and they already wanted to rack my brain! haha, oh well, I`m fine with it and am happy that they think I will be helpful.

The Principal was there briefly too but insisted that I go home to change and get into more relaxing clothes so that we could chat and get to know each other. Thank goodness...I wanted to get out of my suit ASAP! So I went back to the school and chatted with the boss and another teacher for about an hour. Soon after, we went on a hunt for dinner with the above mentioned and my predecessor and the local dentist, who speaks great English.

We finally found a place and all ate there. Being very tired at this point, I was glad to have some food and be ready to get home. After geting back, my predecessor showed me around some of where the major points that I`d need to know and by the time I got back, it was around 11pm! I completely crashed, but when a new person moves in to a house in Japan, apparently they cut major things for the house such as the gas heater...so I had to take a cold shower!! Unbelievable! Granted it`s hot in Japan, cold showers as an only option are not that fun! So the next day my supervisor and I went to go take care of that , so now I have warm showers! Thanks!!

Thursday, I went in to the school a little bit to get to know the teachers and such and to start looking at the speech contest materials. They haven`t selected all the participants yet but I guess they`re getting there. They`re worried this year because they haven`t selected all participants yet and the contest is coming up Sep. 28th...Seems far away, but it`s summer vacay for the students right now so they do not want to practice, school willl start for them and it`s busy then, and they also have to memorize it...so that equation put together creates panic for the vice principal....

Welll Thursday evening I did some laundry and tried to figure some stuff out in my apt. I also went shopping with my supervisor to get some stuff such as food, sheets, materials, and other house stuff to start off with. That evening, 3 young kids also knocked on my door. I was surprised at first because I have no idea who they were...just curious to see who the new English teacher in town is!! LOL, they were talking to me and asked me how I knew Japanese and why I could speak so well...haha, they didn`t even realize that I`m actually Japanese American! That`s a good thing I guess so then the students at school will talk to me in English and think of me as their English teacher.

Friday, I ran some other errands with my supervisor and went to school later. I met with the English teacher and we created recordings of some of the Speech Contest materials. Basically my voice as an emcee so the student practicing could hear the correct pronunciation and such. Hopefully the student will practice and I`ll have time to practice with them next week.

In the evening, there was an enkai (Company party) with the BOE. Typically, they serve tons of food, drink, and fun times at these parties. Also, it is customary for the top people to either be sitting at the head spot and going down or starting from the middle out....Being a guest of honor, they had me sit next and by the head people!! I was surprised as they thought of me as an honored guest! Very nice people! haha, it was a fun night though...I told them I don`t drink alcohol and they were all happy and understood regardless. In Japan, people get really drunk and drink a lot at the enkais. And yes, people last night did the same. There was beer flowing from the glasses and cups of sake being poured left and right. Everybody was nice and we busted out the karaoke machine, of course! I sang the 1st song...no pressure! haha, Bon Jovi It`s My Life was a hit and people loved it. We did karaoke for the next few hours and it was a blast. Afterward, my supervisor had told me that no party had ever lasted so long. We started at 6pm and it went til about 10 or 10:30pm. Sounds early, but she said it usually lasts til about 8pm....guess I just bring the party to life!! haha, jk.

But now I come to today, Saturday, where I wanted to get out and explore....and get some internet! So I decided to drive up to Mobara, which is about 40-45 mins. away from my house. It`s a larger city and there`s an internet cafe here. I found out about the internet cafe because I asked the mail delivery person...lol....I guess as a foreigner you just have to ask anyone. She delivered some bank stuff to me this morning and then I asked for some help from her about locations of things. She went away and came back with a map of where to find this internet cafe, and even offered to show me and come with me so I would find it after she got off work! Again, such a nice culture of people. But I politely refused, telling her I couldn`t make her do such a thing...besides, I have to explore this country myself and get lost in order to learn...plus that`s half the fun, right?

Well, if you`re still reading, I`m shocked...I think I`ve written a novel by now and am glad to have this updated. I`ll post more about my house with photos/videos later on. Until then, sayonara!