its been a while

well hello all. It has been a while since i posted. I have been extremely busy this past month. We were told this would be our busiest month and they were not kidding. Man I don't even know where to begin to catch you all up. Well, the weather is getting warmer now. it's in the 70s. We are at the end of what is called Cherry Blossom season. It was so beautiful! Unfortunatly I only took one photo at the hanami party i went to. i should have taken more. Thankfully one of the students I spoke to at the party took lots of photos and is giving me some. Sorry let me explain. The party I went to was my friend's School Hanami party. I had a chance to speak with many of her students it was great. This past saturday I spoke with some of my own students at my very delayed welcome party. It was a welcome for Yuka and myself and a farwell party for a coworker we are glad to see leave. It was nice to see my students outside of the classroom. They were able to relax a little bit. Man I'm soooo tired. I apologize for the short sentences. Anyway some excellent news. My mom is coming to visit me this month on the 23rd. I am beyond excited! I've started to clean my apartment to get ready for her visit. Last month was a train wreck. I didn't have time to clean because I only had one day weekends. I have a ton of catching up to do. Its at least livable now, i just have some organizing to do. Oh yeah, and i have to clean the loft. I don't know how i'm going to get up there. HAHA. oh well. i'll let you know how that goes. sorry this wasn't a very detailed blog but i'm tired. so thats all you get. good night. oh yeah and i did my nails for the first time... japanese style with cute little gems. yall should see the nail art over here.

Takoyaki party

I went to a takoyaki party today! Takoyaki are little balls of a pancake like batter but hearty tasting. They have tako (octopus) and lettuce, mochi, cheese, ginger, konyaku, and a bunch of other things in them. They were soooooo good. Anyway the best part was when one of the ladies decided to put a big chunk of wasabi in one ball. They made 10 and whoever got the wasabi ball had to hide it. They were not allowed to show how hot it was. After everyone ate their ball we had to all guess who had the wasabi ball. I was cracking up the whole time. the one who thought of the game and put the HUGE helping of wasabi was the one who picked the ball. I was impressed she kept her cool but her watery eyes gave her away. She didn't cough... but she did try to reach for her drink a little too smoothly. Everyone pointed her out at the one who got the ball. I haven't laughed that hard in ages. so as a batsu game (which was her idea...) we all got to ask her one question about anything!

Japan Dealbreaker

Ok people, so the other day I went to the grocery store determined to find some garlic. Well, I found some for 200yen ($2) and i was like ok thats a little pricey. I picked it up expecting to have 3 or 4 in a baggy and what do I get. One little head of garlic! In my slightly louder then speaking voice I said "what?!?" it was a litle embarassing because people turned to look at me. one old lady had a huge smile on her face because she knew i was sticker shocked. I hate that look of knowing! Anyway I couldn't believe it! I'll use nearly a whole head of garlic in one dish! I asked my mom to send me minced garlic in a jar. otherwise i'm coming home. i'll miss fresh garlic. it will only be for special occasions, like my birthday. Bet when you saw the title you didn't think garlic would cause me to reconsider did you?

Mondays seem to be a day for reflection

Yesterday I had one of my training buddies, Ellen come over. We went grocery shopping and she spent the night. It was nice to have a girls night out. We went to my favorite Izakaya (watamin chi's). Today we went to get her a cell phone because we have been here for a month and she still didn't have one. Then Ralph came and joined us for lunch/dinner. Ralph is also a training buddy. Wow I just realized how short my sentenes are. My brain is fried from translating cell phone stuff. Anywhoo, I made curry rice for the first time and was shocked that it turned out ok. I didn't have any garlic though. I haven't seen that over here... it doesn't seem as readily available. That's a shame because you know I love my garlic. OH I also bought a new rice cooker. I made rice twice with the cooker that came with the apartment and it was so nasty I had to throw it away. that's 3 cups of rice people. there was no saving it. I'm tight for cash but its cheaper for me to buy a cooker and make my own food. My curry rice was perfect. I should have taken a picture. It was the first meal I cooked since I got here. And by meal I mean cutting veggies and using the stove. I used the stove to heat water and make instant ramen before and thats it. I have officially broken in my new apartment. How nice. Anywoo I need to do my hair and we all now how long that takes.

First Blog in Japan

Hello Everyone! I apologize for the gap in posts… especially since the purpose of this blog is to write about Japan, and I have not done that since arriving! Anywhoo… I have been internet deprived until just now. I have been trying to check things on my phone internet but when it comes to typing anything its useless. So what have I been doing since I’ve been here…
My mom, dad and brother dropped me off at the airport at the butt crack of dawn. We were a little early so we were able to sit in the food court and chat for a bit. When it came time to go I went through the security check and turned around to look at my family one more time. I waved really big and turned around and went to find my gate. Once I sat down by my gate I realized what I was doing. I realized that it was going to be a while before I would get to see them all again. I started to cry because I’m used to seeing them whenever I feel like. We all live independent lives but at least I saw them. I had to call them on the phone so I could hear their voices clearly before I left. I haven’t cried like that since my dad left for the airport and I was getting ready to start my college program at Disney. It was made for a movie I was in the timeshare waving goodbye with tears spilling over and he turned around and waved goodbye as the cab took him away. It hit me harder this time because I was saying goodbye to my whole family. Right when I was having my mental breakdown American Airlines calls and tells me that my flight from Chicago to Japan has been delayed. Perfect… so instead of a 4 hour layover I was going to have a 6+ hour layover. At least Marisa was going to be there with me. So I decided this is happening whether or not was ready. I got on the plane.
On the way to Chicago my plane was delayed in landing because there weren’t any open gates. I was relieved that I decided to buy a ticket with a 4-hour layover instead of the 2 hour one I was originally looking at. When I got off the plane I turned my phone on and texted Marisa that I had arrived in Chicago. She met me right outside my gate and I finally got to meet her face to face after months of instant messages. She is sooo sweet… she saw my post it note obsession and list making obsession and got me this adorable set of post it notes as a Christmas present. We walked toward our gate and I bought us some alarm clocks. I needed one because I didn’t have one for training week. We went to a bakery and got some breakfast and then went to our gate and waited….
It was the longest wait EVER! I have never had a delay to Japan so of course the one time I go for work and not vacation is when it happens. I called our recruiter and let her know that our flight was delayed. She said something like someone will either be there or we would have to stay the night at the hotel and they will get us the following day. Trains stop around midnight in Japan. Marisa and I were worried about not being picked up when we arrived. So anyway we finally get on the plane and get settled in, I sleep most of the way, I didn’t sleep the night before I was working on that dumb scrapbook. We arrive in Japan, get our bags and a trainer meets us and helps us forward our bags… phew! I’m so glad we didn’t have to stay the night in a hotel. So we travel to Omiya, because that is where the training center is. We arrive at about 11pm at night. We get a quick tour and we go to our rooms. We each have 2 other roommates. I walk in to my room only to see my roommates are already sleeping. I tried to make as little noise as possible. I took a shower because I felt gross from traveling all day then went to work on setting my alarm clock. That thing pissed me off I almost through it off the second floor. I finally figure it out and snuck in to the room. The poor girls were out like a light. I snuck in to my bed and thought for a minute how awkward it would be in the morning to see a stranger in the bed next to you. Then I went to sleep. The girls and I woke up at the same time… We met eachother looking our best. Training started that Saturday so we started to get dressed. I was happy because they seem like cool girls. We went downstairs and grabbed a bite to eat. The trainers provided us with toast, milk, butter, peanut butter and orange juice.
I think there were about 22 people in my training group, not all of us fit in the seminar house, 4 boys stayed in the weekend mansion. After the first day of training we all became close. We decided to go to a karaoke bar. Some of us went to an Internet café then the other half went to an izakaya.


I went to eat dinner at the izakaya and those of us who wanted to go to karaoke met in front of the train station with the other group. We found this great place where you pay 3,000 yen and you get all you can drink (including beer and sake). We had a great time it was insane! Every time this one staff member came in to deliver drinks we cheered. He even took a picture with us!

At some point in the weekend us group of gals went to the Tokyo area and walked around. We went to a kaiten sushi (sushi on a belt). Then we walked to Harujuku and saw some girls dressed babydoll style.

The rest of training was an overload of information. We had to teach actual students twice. The weekend after training and before going off on our own ways Kirsty (roommate), Arlene, Ralph and I went to Shibuya. We had a nice relaxing time. The next day Kirsty, Arlene and I went to get their hair cut. I bought a new pair of heels because my feet weren’t going to make it through the day on 3 inch heels. At least not until I build some calluses.
Monday morning we all gathered at Omiya station and said our goodbyes as we went off in groups. Mike, Peta, Ellen, Ralph, Kennedy, Anthony and I were on the same train but got off at different stops. Ralph rode with me til Fujisawa. I met my manager and my new life at Fujisawa school. I met the other people at school, and we went to get my alien registration card, open a bank account and get a cell phone. We didn’t get to get my cell phone because the girl had no idea what she was talking about. She said because I’m a foreigner I had to use a credit card. I had cash and a Japanese bank account… I almost smacked her. I walked out without a cellphone and went to have lunch with all the foreign teachers and the assistant manager.
After lunch Josh (the teacher I replaced) and Adam (another foreign teacher {FT}) helped me catch a taxi to my new apartment. It turned out to be larger then I expected. They gave me a moment to change and we went to OK grocery store to buy some food and stuff. After that I came home and started to unpack.
Notes on my apartment: It is huge! I have 2 rooms and a loft. 2 burners in my kitchen! I have a desk but I turned it into my vanity stand. The closet is ginormous! Oh and finally my apartment is at the top of an accurately described murder horn of a hill. I’ve already worked muscles I didn’t know existed. I will have monster thighs upon my return. They will be Hulked out!
The next morning was my first day meeting students. I observed Josh teaching and took many notes. I had an office hour and lunch soon after so I asked if I could get a cellphone. I decided to try it on my own and if I was unsuccessful I would come back and get help. SUCCESS! I got one all on my own! I was shocked! The woman who helped me this time was very nice and actually knew what she was talking about. The next day I gave her some buckeye chocolates as a thank you. She really took the time to explain things to me, so I didn’t feel like I was getting ripped off. Anyway that night Josh, Adam and Sinead took me to an izakaya and we had umeshu soda (really tasty alcoholic beverage). It was nice to unwind after a hectic day of taking notes and trying to remember the students.
The next day… Wednesday, I observed Josh and Sinead’s classes. I was suppose to teach Josh’s last class while he observed me but one of our Japanese teachers lost his voice so Josh had to teach his class and I was on my own. I think my eyes bugged out when I got the news. The class went alright I was familiar with the structure of this one having practiced it in training. I went to bed early that night. I had been sick every night since I got here. Don’t laugh but I think I got food poisoning again. IDK I was sick for 3 days every night.
Anywhoo, Thursday Josh was on a flight back to America and I was left to teach a full day by myself. All my classes went ok except my kids lesson. They glanced over the structure in training. We practiced kids lessons for 2 hours, the rest of the time was about adult lessons. I made up the structure for the kids lesson but I was happy that they learned the key phrases we were studying but mad at myself for not knowing the structure. That really dampened my day. Friday I asked if I can observe a kids lesson again and this time I wrote down everything that Shiori said (she is the kids head teacher). Saturday when I taught my kids class it went really well. I was happy I remembered something.
So right now its Sunday night. It was my day off and I have a day off tomorrow as well. I unpacked the rest of my stuff, and went shopping for a few things. I needed shampoo and conditioner, and things to cook with like soy sauce, oil, and other things. Tomorrow I’m going to try to find OK grocery store. I heard there is a hundred yen shop on the top floor and I need tons of stuff.
Believe it or not that is actually the short story of what has happened so far. Hopefully I will get internet soon. Miss everyone!
So it has been a week. It is Monday my day off… last week went pretty well. I’m finally starting to learn the structure of each lesson, and remember my student’s names. I’m glad I had practice remembering names at Starbucks! The students are all very sweet, and are excited to learn. Today has been a good and bad day for me. My aunt and uncle were so sweet, they brought a kotatsu table to my apartment so I don’t freeze. A kotatsu table is a table with a heater up underneath it. Then you put blankets over it so it traps the heat. Lifesaver is what it is.
Another week later, its monday today and I finallly got the internet! Let me tell you about life without internet! It sucks! I felt so disconnected and alone! I feel a little better now... I'll be perfect when people are actually online and its not the middle of the night for America! So I will do what I need to do around my apartment and wait...