just a really short one

for this morning. it's weird not talking to john... :/ hope his plane ride is going okay.

Last couple days were all right. The elementary kids are great fun and i feel less nervous to talk to them, although teaching was pretty scary- can't imagine pretending not to be nervous in front of the older kids, since they'll sense it easier..

Although there was one incident that i wasn't quite sure what to make of...or why the kids did it...i can't tell if they like me or not...

pulling weeds wasn't exactly my idea of school time..but i guess u gotta do what u gotta do...

took a lot of pics, altho my stupid camera ran out of battery before the end of the sports festival. hopefully i can take more pics of the city and have them posted soon.

strange dreams last night. like a twisted version of reality, this time though. i guess i don't know my true feelings anymore...

anyways, bettah finish my miso soup, and finish getting ready. quiet morning.

brief one...as i'm tired and it's late

tonight was fun. really. i laughed a lot and saw a side of the teachers that was very diff than their school selves. and everyone was super nice.

but for some reason it just wasn't fun in the way i'm used too. i guess it makes sense though...perhaps i wasn't drunk enough to keep my mind from wandering.

on an interesting note, u know that ur in japan, when u wash sake down with beer, and when u wash sashimi (raw fish) down with beer. too. I think I'll probably mention more than once, how much i hate slimy stuff...never thought i'd use beer as a chaser for ANYTHING.

I also hate the fact that i can never tell where i'm still in the drunk state, and when i've just hit exhaustion.

of course in what i think was the tipsy/drunk state, japanese goes back to being babble for me. yays. -_-

On a sad note, I lost my itty bitty notebook..which had T-san's phone number in it... :( i guess i hope the vice principle will find it...i really hope...i guess i can ask for her number wed, but (i hate losing stuff of mine, for some reason it makes me really sad...), i know she'll be really busy... T_T I kinda looked forward to hanging out with her more, but i really dont know how to go about asking...esp when she seems so busy. That has instantly put me in an uber depressed mood...not fun when possibly still buzzed...

gotta get up early, cook breakfast and lunch and bike thirty min to school. fun fun.

Anyways, as for the day, the competition was long but was exciting. didn't expect anything less. :)

And now i'm signing out. without doing dishes for once, without showering. my life can wait till tomorrow. i wish i had time to watch anime, but now i just hope i pass out ASAP.

I wonder how you're doing...

oyasumi...

As usual...

I've kinda started failing at updating daily- go figure. Anyways, here's a brief one.
Every day had been fairly the same at school. Watch the kids practice, fan myself furiously, drink cold tea. Fan myself some more.

Yesterday, I woke up early to find the school and after getting lost and actually writing down the directions it only took me about 30 minutes- which while riding, doesn't seem that long actually. Then, I came home did some chores, which made me a few min late for the practice, but later i found out i didn't have to be there at all....*twitch, twitch* Also means I really missed the meeting for nothing, and there goes another saturday, probably...speaking of which i should call that guy back today...although when i'll get a chance, i don't know...

Anyways, today's the big day they've all been practicing and waiting for. Should be exciting. I should also probably charge my camera...and hopefully it'll be okay if I take pics, although with the event, I duno if I'd have time to ask.

I guess it'll last fairly late today, as the drinking party is at 6:30, and the teacher said she'd walk over with me... o_o nice of her :)

I've also been eating fairly okay. Mostly bland stuff with rice, but i'd really rather not spend money on food till i run out...there's a few more things i realized i kinda want for my aprt and life, but they'll have to wait till next month.

Also started and finished 1 season of a new anime, or rather one i'd been wanting to see, and someone so kindly uploaded it with a "free speech" kind of declaration. Good to know some ppl read the copyright laws lol.

Anyways, i'd better get back to getting ready. :)

Hope this was a good update for the few who actually read :)

god damn that's some good water :P

And onigiri of course- i could totally live off that the rest of my life. so this entry will probably be only somewhat understandable since i'm about to pass out here.

anyways, today was really hot. i woke up at 5 so i'd have enough time to get to the school. I thought my first hurdle would be Getting there. But no, of course it would be unforseen- and that was the bike lock. So I walked to school only to find out it took about 15 minutes and I was there about an hour and a half early. Joys. And was only sure it was the school when I saw a boy wearing the school t-shirt ride his bicycle into the entrance. Bingo for me.

So, it's finally time and I wonder around, lost, like I do. Finally I'm able to get it across to a teacher who I am, and I make it to the teachers room, bypassing the principle's office without an "ohayo". Crappers. But I did do it about five minutes later, when I realized my mistake. Almost crashed into the very principle looking man walking out as I walked in.

Anyhoo, so I'm told there aren't actually any classes as the school is preparing for it's basically...show-off day. So I'm asked to correct one girl's essay- which was surprisingly profound, despite it's noteable English errors. Still, I was impressed. It's easy to forget how thoughtful and insightful the kiddies are.

In any case, basically all day I swealter, while flipping through the past ALT's stuff, and finding an interestingly (yet in some places confusing) touching letter left by him. I may just use some of his materials. We'll see. Use what's given to ya, after all.

Anyways, so I sweat like an effin pig, then go outside to watch them practice and seat some more. At least for the first half, there was a nice wind. I was also shown where the flavored water was (I swear it tasted like cold tea/coffee dregs..who knows. Still bearable enough to be almost tasty.

Oh yeah, also got the school lunch, which was a hella lot of food, way more than American school lunches. I'll hafta remember to ask where to pay for that, so i don't get that lovely huge bill at the end of the year. Anyways, it was fairly tasty, and tomorrow I should be able to eat with the students. Go nerves.

Sooo....the afternoon when slightly faster, and then finally, it was time to leave. I did remember to get my stamp from the teacher, and proceeded out the doors-correctly mind you. Anyways, so finally after getting lost on my way home, yes lost, i realized after walking in a huge circle, that the school is actually only five minutes from my apt. Didn't know whether to be happy or just really...ticked with myself.

My speech went okay, tho i said "middle school" instead of "junior high." Also stumbled too much...But I guess it was okay. A couple of the kids talked to me at least, even if it was just a short greeting. Maybe I can try again tomorrow during lunch, and hopefully it won't be a replay of my high school years.

But on a good note, I did manage to figure out how my bike lock worked. Yays. Coulda used it this evening...speaking of which..

I figured I should do the shopping without delay today. So I got my stuff, spent way more than I should've, but everything I really did need. The stuff I wanted for classes will have to wait, I guess. Can't keep burning through my yen like I am till my next paycheck...kah...really gotta work on that. Nothing but food and visa from now on.

Soooo...I wandered around Jusco getting my things, rice cooker among them( OMG! ^_^) And just when I thought my bags couldn't get any heavier, I made it to the outside...to find it dark. And raining. And i thought, what's a little rain.

So i tossed my purse (with my valuables) into the biggest bag and tied it. Then headed out into the night. Aaaand...got soaked almost instantly.

I'm not entirely sure, but I feel like at least it'd be more likely that Americans would stop and offer you a ride...but maybe that woulda been sketchy. Who knows. But all I can really remember is how I didn't get down.

Until it rained harder. And my arms and feet started to hurt. And of course, the cardboard box, which apparently hates rain :P decided to fall apart, luckily Not damaging the rice cooker inside. Apparently my contact lenses hate the rain too- which I'll be so happy to take out in a moment, as I'm almost done.

Finally I made the turn to the driveway to my apt...and god damn, 50 feet never felt so far in my life. Half blinded I was able to make out my door and nearly tossed my junk onto the porch, luckily which had a slight overhang. Tossed my stuff into the door and some on the kitchen counter. Showered. Cleaned a little, and my stuff is currently drying. Luckily nothing plastic wrapped got wet. Somehow...

So tomorrow, I'll put everything else away, when I don't feel half dead and I come home before the sun sets. :P

But now I'm here. Wondering why i'm still up, and feeling like the sun will rise in a few hours. Water never tasted so good. And neither has a rice ball.

Ja.

for once i feel lucky...

So! Another big day today! (I didn't write yesterday because I basically stayed in the hotel all day, it was so hot outside!) Apt pics here! (click the arrow above the first pic to see the rest)

Woke up at 6 AM this morning, and left the hotel at 8. Drove and drove and drove (or rather, was driven), with frequent stops. (Somehow that reminds me of how thirsty I am... o_o) Ahem. But moving on. Had a few nice, brief chats with S-san, and some longer ones in English. He said he wanted to read my blog, but I don't feel that this would be good enough...

FINALLY, we made it to Osaki city. Furukawa is nice enough. Somewhat rural, but there are some chain stores here. Jusco, a supermarket, a drugstore. It's all pretty good. I just have to hope I get super good at finding my way around.

Anyways, then we stopped by each of our apartments. I am incredibly impressed with mine especially. It's exactly what I've wanted ever since I could even fathom my own place. A small bathroom, a small kitchen, and one bedroom. Just a washer, but no dryer- I hope no-one steals my clothes when I put them out to dry...or I'll have to figure something else out...and no dish washer, but I can live with doing them by hand- I have before.

But, in any case, this is all I really need in terms of living quarters, not too cramped, yet perfectly cozy and modest enough for me. And with a few surprises! Like the walk-in closet beneath my bed (hold on that will be explained), just tickles my childhood to no end lolz. And, (drumroll please) a loft! Yes, a loft, a nest, a cozy place that also tickles my childhood fancy. Although there's no porch, like J-san has, i think i'll live.

Hm...also met another ALT, although he's kind of intimidating for me, though still nice enough as a person. To me, it seems, he's the kind of person who can get most everyone to like and respect him, yet is bold enough to do basically whatever he wants and get away with it. I could never be that kind of person...whether it's the lack of confidence or what. Duno.

Tomorrow we'll visit the schools. I'll have to dress nice, and hopefully have time to iron my shirts...although I'm not sure what I could do it on. I'll figure out what to do when it comes down to it though. I think I have yet more shopping to do >_< although I don't have to buy a bike now! :) Lucky me! As long as it doesn't get stolen or broken by anyone. But at least it means that's a little more money for the things I'll need, like a towel, hangers, a screwdriver (random, but my stupid clock won't, for whatever idiot though it'd be a good idea, open for battery insertion without it, i just have to hope my watch alarm will be enough to wake me up tomorrow) a trash can- maybe several, one for dry stuff and one for food...maybe. Yuck.

Anyways, oh yeah! We'll also go to register for my gaijin card, although I'm still not sure if I can get a phone or bank account yet. I'll also need to see if I can get my hanko as well. Time to whip out google maps...and hope I can figure out how to lower the seat on my bike.

Hm..I think that's it...I should probably shower, although I'm not sure what to do about keeping hair from going down the drain and not sure if the drain strainer would catch all of it. Probably not..so maybe I'll keep a look out for a drain strainer when I go shopping tomorrow. Ugh...just think, I'll get to do all this again when I move into an apartment in America, although finding one this nice for what I'm paying for it, would basically be impossible...

Anyways. Very sleepy...maybe I'll shower tomorrow morning instead. After all, I somehow end up getting greasier faster, when I shower at night.

In my thought world, I've been thinking a lot about my extremely personal relationships. I actually thought I didn't care. But who knows if that's true or not. On the better note, I wish John, you were on to talk to. I miss you. And that, at least, is a purer and less tainted feeling than the other one I've been feeling. A part of me has been hoping something wonderful and unexpected might happen in terms of relationships. But I'd have to leave in a year again anyways...

Japan is a wonderful country, but I'm not sure I could live here for the rest of my life. This, to me, is just another dream sequence in my life. And sooner or later, I have to wake up and face what I've been putting off. Sooner or later I won't be satisfied until it's resolved in person. That feeling has never gone away, no matter how apathetic I feel for however many moments at a time...

Random quote for those thoughts. But don't worry, I'll try and keep the down-comments and more non-Japan thoughts to a minimum.

"Why didn't they work out? What happened?"
"What always happens. Life."

5 hours walking the sun...

Good news: I got much of what I needed to. And a lot of it was even cheaper than I expected! The only downside is that I've been really tired after going out each day. But it's all right.

Even though I felt set back yesterday, I found enough of a spark to create my new introduction, in Japanese, for the school, and for elementary and Junior high classes. I hope it all works out. I think it looks better than when I first did it in training at least...there's gestures, objects, (hopefully) pictures, and plenty of drawing on the chalkboard. What fun...I hope. :)

Now what's left, is practicing making worksheets and explaining games. But I am quite tired now.

I've kind of given up trying to bring a camera around. After all, I need to keep a low profile...

I was thinking about the warm-up song and what would be good. For some reason, I really want to do "Out of my Heart"..because it's catchy and a good-feeling song, and fairly easy. And actions can be done with it, even though it's not a child's song, per se....But I guess I'll see what the others think...

I'd do more, but I'm really quite tired now...so perhaps I'll see about sleeping some, then see what energy I have later...

haaa...

I don't even wanna talk about how I forgot my camera again...not that it would matter much since I didn't get a chance to go out today really, due to more long lectures. I found out that there's a lot of fake emotion involved with teaching. Dunno if I can pull it off. And somehow, I just have to hope I'll do better when I'm in the classroom...

But that's it really. I have the weekend to relax/freak out...gonna have to buy a few things... >_<

So as I'm sitting here, eating cold noodles, not tasty, but edible, all I can really think about is how much I really want a shower and sleep. And how terrible I look in the mirror right now...

Oh. And some things I'd really like...a pot, maybe a pan, a rice cooker, and a microwave. That's besides the fact that I now need hair pins, an iron, and new sneakers.

And I really wish John were here....

ja.

sorry gaiz...

no new pics today either...was busy for most of it, and like the smart chick i am, forgot it anyhoo.

Went to Denny's this morning, and of course it was Nothing like the American Denny's. Nothing in common except the name. I know that being thrown into situations where you Have to learn the language is the best way, but damn it's confusing... :P Anyways. The one thing I learned from breakfast, was that the bean mixture they served was DISGUSTING. One of the worst things I've ever tasted. No offense to the Japanese, but at least I can add it to one more thing I hope never to taste again in my life.

Anyways, today's meeting went all right. Met with more of the staff of heart and the other ALT recruit going to Osaki City. Staff were reassuring, the other ALT was a lot like me, ironically haha. Should be interesting...all I can really remember was that there was way too much info haha. Still nervous about everything from the processes to the actual teaching...but, well...I guess it'll all work out.

Found the JUSCO haha, didn't know it was a real place either. Must be like the Japanese Walmart lolz. Bought some discount foods, although this eel sushi (i think) isn't all that great...I hope the rest is better, but at least it's all edible...and will get me through the weekend. Some of their fruit is HUGE. Oh and i finally tried some of that carbonated milk..which tasted more like a genetically modified version of orange soda.

Anyways that's about it. I enjoy walking, despite the heat, but it's good exercise at least and a good change from sitting on my ass all day.

Tomorrow I'll try and bring my camera. Really...

No new pics to show...

Since I forgot to take my camera around with me when I went a'wanderin yesterday.

And also, I can only seem to sleep at 8 hours at a time..and I get sleepy at really odd hours.. o_o

Also, cool thing, apparently in these hotel rooms, there aren't just switches to turn on lights and stuff. In Holiday Inn, there control for lights was on the room phone. Yes, on the PHONE. XD In this one, you stick the key into a slot and it turns on the power. COOL, right?!

Anyways, the real updates are...that I met with the recruiters, which went well. Both were very nice and helpful, so hopefully the next few processes will go relatively smoothly.

One other ALT will be in Oosaki city. I hope this person is nice... :) We'll be driven by car to our apartments, so I'm relieved to know I won't have to take a train or anything just yet.

In any case, I went explorin' yesterday, though not too far. It's far too hot in this weather. Also, the last thing I need is to get lost.

I'd still like to find two places though. One being the giant park, and the other being the discounted food shops...although at this point neither seems a possibility and I'm still a bit nervous about going up and asking random Japanese ppl...lol.

Anyways, where I DID go, was to the Mito South Tower and checked out their electronics store...crazy packed with stuff, although very organized, and with ridiculously clean mirrors. I also went walking down by the stream/river area.

There must be a school nearby, 'cause I've seen a lot of girls and boys in uniform.

For the most part, people seem to ignore me, which is fine. At least they don't give me ugly glares. Although at the time, I'm generally sweating too much to care if they are.

Oh! And I was happy to have made my first real purchase without any help at all! Yeah, sure, they're rice balls...but at least I gave the right amount of yen, and hey, that's a HUGE accomplishment for my tiny ego. (And those rice balls were tasty). I think she asked if I wanted it heated up (and I only know this from watching anime and movies, go figure) but since I couldn't exactly understand, I declined whatever offer she said. Anyways, it's funny to think, my first real feeling of being on my own is in a foreign country, haha.

So far, I'm burning through my yen, although I hope that slows down once I get into my apt. And well, at least, so far I haven't spent it on anything I didn't need, except the one small item so that I could break my bill so I could buy my ticket and call heart. Anyhoo...it also seems like I'll be eating Denny's and rice balls for the next few days, unless I can find the discount shops...x_x Only two meals a day...being frugal makes me hungry, haha. Maybe once I meet some other recruits, who have got to be staying around here, I can ask if they know or have found any places. And hopefully I won't fall into a nervous wreck, remembering my years of being the loner girl in the corner, 'cause i didn't know how to make friends, and 'cause i guess i just didn't seem interesting enough to other ppl...haha. Unfortunately I wasn't born with such approachably good looks like my lovely little sister. :P

I was considering a shower, mostly 'cause I'm starting to feel the nasty greasy feeling of having sweated all day :P Tho I'm also getting a bit sleepy, so perhaps just crashing back on the bed isn't a bad idea either...hopefully I'll remember to bring my camera when I go a'wanderin the next time. :)

Of course...

Having not slept for 26 hours, I still can't sleep more than 8, thanks to my wonderful internal programming... :P

And now I know why it's called the land of the rising sun. The sun does indeed rise around 4 AM o_o So it gets really dark really early..and really light really early here...o_o that'll do wonders for my sleep pattern :P

A couple things I forgot to mention. One, the real difference of Japan and America to me, is that the small towns, seemed kinda run-down and oddly deserted- I hardly saw anyone walking around. Although an interesting analogy ran through my head as I saw ppl flash by on my bus ride. That most of us, are really just a blink of an eye of an existence in others' lives, and vice versa.


Also, I saw some weird things when I got to Japan, though the weirdest was probably watching a baby crawl through a rice field. Or at least i think it was a rice field. and i think it was a baby. but i've been wrong before...

So enough rambling, here are my pics!!

One of the longest days of my life...

But it's surprising what adrenaline and traveling can do.

In any case, I'll try and post a blog here, though I don't know how long it'll last, especially without the guarantee of internet.

But here's what I remember of today. I got to Newark, safe and sound, checked my bags and met John who saw me off. The plane ride was fairly uneventful although I watched more movies/TV shows in a row than I have in a really long time. Also, thanks to my thimble-sized bladder, I at least managed to get up every hour to pee. Despite that though, I still felt like my knees would drop off... o_o

Anyways, after a really long flight, I arrived at Narita. I remember thinking the landing was quieter than I thought it would be. After about half an hour wandering the airport, feeling incredibly lost, I managed to get my Yen, make my phone call, and buy a bus ticket. So here's what I learned on that portion of my trip.

I suck at Japanese. Sure, I can read a Kanji here or there, but today's somewhat minor incident made me realize just how bad I am at it. And without the English-speaking and friendly Japanese guides, I would've been lost out of my mind. Probably one of the most embarrassing moments of my life and so of course I felt downright miserable and ashamed.

Also, Japan is a lot like America. Only instead of cornfields they have rice fields. and the signs aren't in English (mostly). The roads are a bit different, the lanes are thinner- which would spell death for a driver like me. Thank god I might not have to. And of course the vast majority population of Japanese. But that's really about it.

An up and downside, the bus ride was quiet. And I mean QUIET. The scenery was nice, but I had to try not to fall asleep, for fear of missing my bus stop.

Anyways, so clearly I made it and after I got off the bus, finally at Mito Station, I wandered yet again, aimlessly around the station trying to figure out which way I had to go to get the hotel. Finally, I found it, not too far off from where I was, once I calmed down and started walking. Though I was a little scared, seeing as the last thing I wanted was to be mugged 'cause I'm clearly a foreigner, and so I don't hide the "I'm a lost tourist" well.

Anyways, so here I am, and apparently Holiday Inn is fully equipped with internet, of course. And a shower. Happy. And toilet paper. Double happy. Haven't checked out the flat screen TV..tho again, I'm not really much into that...

I already spent a bit of yen on my ticket, phone call and getting change. So for dinner, I'm going with the bakery roll I got from Newark. Good thing they served like 2 snacks and 3 full course meals on the plane.

Gonna get up early for breakfast, then visit heart. Got a call from Ms. Takahashi, so it should be interesting. Was surprised and a bit frustrated at them telling me to call and then getting an answering machine that said "we're closed." But it's all taken care of now.

I hope the rest of my settling down into my apt and school will be less full of struggles and momentary despair, but I'm sure that'd be asking for too much. For now, I'll enjoy a single, spacious room, privacy, the rest of my water and my bakery dinner. Yum. And hope I get up in time for breakfast/have the energy.

Here's to being awake for 26 hours straight. Booya.