Day 18, March 31 (Sun)

Happy Easter!

I woke up early in hopes of a skype tkd class, but it didn’t work out so I practiced on my own for a couple hours. 

I walked for a bit to warm up and note the progress of the sakura. 

For breakfast I ate homemade miso soup — I forgot to take a picture, oh well, next time, I still have tofu — and a strawberry bread. Meaning I had tea with bread and jam.

At 11 I met up with the other teachers and UFO staff for a going-away lunch for Brad. Brad’s been working at UFO for like 13 years and is leaving to teach at a university (but he lives like 2 blocks away anyway). 

All-you-can-eat — with cook-your-own-meat!! Super fun, and pretty tasty. In general, I really don’t like buffets, but I liked this one. The dessert selection was yummy too.

I felt just a little bad cooking my meat, ‘cause I was sitting next to Kaori, who is vegetarian (though she said it was ok!). 

When we got back, Chris and Tomoe invited the rest of us teachers (and Kaori) to go play darts.

500¥ per hour spent at the location, or 3 hours for 1200¥. Upstairs was karaoke rooms, pool tables, and dartboards. Downstairs was internet stations, massage chairs, shelves and shelves of manga, and drinks (included). Not bad!

For my first time playing darts, I did pretty well. I told them it was just luck because I rarely hit where I aimed (though once I grouped all 3 of my darts within a square inch right were I wanted them. What can I say.). 

We chatted, drank coffee, and ate ‘soft serve’ (ice cream). I like this location. And it’s close. 

It was nice spending time around people and playing games and drinking lots of coffee :p. (I... love... coffee.)

Day 17, March 30 (Sat)

Today was quite tiring. I taught the little kids’ class in the morning, and the two classes in the afternoon (one, a parent came to watch... and the other was handwriting practice, bleh), talked with Randy about teaching and the lesson plans, trying to get all my stuff together.... I gain more respect for teachers. 

Today I ate some anpan. See the rest of the some of the anpan. (This kind has the whole beans instead of the paste, I like the paste better.)

I also ate some chocolate.

Note how it says ‘bitter chocolate’. hah. It was delicious and not bitter at all.

I had a quiet evening and went early to bed.

Day 16, March 29 (Fri)

Today (though not being still today) was a fun day. I slept in because I hadn’t slept too well, ate fried eggs with fried tomatoes and green onion :) then went on a walk. The sakura are starting to bloom! 

(My phone refused to focus on the blossoms. Sorry.)

Then Randy caught me on my way back, and we went to the city office to get some paperwork for him, then to the car place to get the winter tires changed back to normal tires on the car. After that, I ran through some Irish dance, and at 1 o’clock was our teacher meeting. I met Nathan, who is Casey’s friend and another new teacher. Well, new here. He’s been teaching English in Japan for a couple years already. 

So I got my schedule! And find out that I won’t teach April 1st because it’s a Monday and I don’t have Monday classes (so April Fools), but I teach on the 2nd. However, elementary schools actually don’t start until like next week, or the week after, and some not until May. Woa. Ok. So that gives me some time to get used to teaching the afternoon and kids’ classes. 

Later we went to the last of Randy’s classes. It’s not one I’ll be taking over, but Randy had me teach it anyway, for practice, and that’s always good. After the class we chatted for a bit with the older brother of one of the students, who’s English is actually really good.

Then we went to meet Miki and friend (bassist) Sasaki for dinner and karaoke. For dinner we went to Coco’s, a particular favorite of Randy. It was pretty tasty, and not actually that expensive for the amount of food (I think) — but Sasaki treated. Very nice of him. He said this evening was my welcome party and Randy’s going-away farewell. I learned my Japanese needs a whole lot more practice. Like a lot. A lot a lot. But hey, that’s why I’m here.

Then we went to karaoke!! I love karaoke. Because I like to sing :p and I had especially wanted to hear Miki sing. Yappari (as I thought) sugoi (she’s really good). We were there for like 3 hours, until the wee hours of the — well, until 1am. 

So you may wonder why I’m writing the blog at this point. The answer is because I had coffee at dinner and because I’m at that stage where I haven’t yet realized how tired I am. It’s ok. It will come. Soon.

I didn’t get any pictures! But Miki did:

So uh, it’s very late. I’m going to bed. G’night.

Day 15, March 28 (Thurs)

I’ve been in Japan for 2 weeks!!!!!

This morning I woke early, had a nice chat with Mia, then went with Masayuki and Hugh to see a couple elementary schools where we’ll be teaching. I met some of the staff, but I think most of them are changing schools... but oh well. At least I know what the schools look like.

In fact after that, I hopped in my car and made my way back to both schools to make sure I could get there without trouble. I made it to both just fine.

I stopped for some shopping at a Genky pharmacy. It’s a pharmacy but it has like everything (except tissues!). I got some little containers for food, and for want of anything else that fit the description of a soap dish, I got another set of little containers for soap. I also picked up some cheap food, some more snacks to try, scissors, microfiber towels (they’re the only things that dry), and a notebook. 

Then I got gas. It was pretty easy. (They do it for you, like Oregon.) Gas runs from 143¥ a liter (lowest I saw) to 158¥ a liter (from what I’ve seen). So that’s something like $5.70 a gallon for gas? Higher than Utah, sure. Lower than Europe I think.

Back at my apartment, for want of sandwich meat (and anticipating no time later for dinner), I made yakisoba for lunch, and read my book.

Later I went to a kid class with Randy then a business class, though I won’t be teaching the business class, Randy needed a ride. He’s passed his driver exam but forgot his license. 

Now I’m reading email and posting the blog. I will write some stuff then go to bed... once my sheets dry. I washed them this morning.

Day 14, March 27 (Wed)

I kept both heaters on until I went to bed, and sometime during the night I turned the heating unit back on, so for the first time here, I woke up warm and cozy. It made it much easier to get out of bed, let me tell you.

After a leisurely breakfast, I went for a walk, then came back, froze myself again checking email, and exercised a bit to get warmed back up. 

I went over to the office in the afternoon to make my jikoshoukai (self-introduction) cards and to talk to people. Hugh made coffee :) and I went over lesson plans with Yukka. 

Randy’s class today was ... well... they are 5 boys, about 11 years old. I have no idea how I’m going to handle them because they were impossible for Randy. AHHHH. (And as a model American and representative of UFO Academy, and of the USTF, I cannot yell at them or kick them into submission. Drat.)

Then I ate a quick dinner of gyouza (potstickers), but I cooked them kind of wrong (I forgot what I was doing) but oh well. 

I watched one of Brad’s classes, kind of, it’s more as he says warming up the class for Yukka’s lesson, going over vocabulary and stuff.

Last for the day was a private lesson with Miki, the one in the band. That seems pretty fun, as her English is good enough for actual conversation, but it gets out at 10:30 and I have to drive back from Fukui. So it’s late. Past my bedtime.

Goodnight!!!

Day 13, March 26 (Tues)

Today is a day like any other day. The sun rose. I rose. The sun moved across the sky. I moved across the ground. The sun set. I settled into bed. Goodnight.

Day 12, March 25 (Mon)

こんにちは。

今日のポストを全部日本語で書きます。なぜなら、練習したいんですよ！

今日の天気はちょっと曇りでちょっと寒いです。（それと雨が降った．）今朝はソーセージを食べました。その後、Casey先生がクラスに連れて行って、最後のクラスをちょっと私にお教えさせてもらった。

(日本語でしゃべるのが難しいです。)

ほかのは、昼ご飯にサンドイッチを食べて、今お茶を飲みながらEメールをチェックしています。

このアパートのヒーターの使い方を分かったばっかりです。（エーコンもヒーターだと分かった．私の所為じゃないよ，誰にも言わなかったもうう。）もっと早くすればよかったね、まあしょうがない。

Oh all right, I’ll translate.

Hello. I will write today’s post all in Japanese, because I want to practice. (< So I lied.)

Today’s weather is kind of cloudy and kind of cold. (And it rained.) This morning I ate sausages. After that, Casey took me took his classes, and he let me teach the last class.

(It’s hard to talk in Japanese.)  

Well, other than that, I ate a sandwich for lunch, and am now drinking tea while I check my email.

I just now learned how to use the apartment’s heater. (I learned the AC unit is also a heater. In my defense, no one told me.) It would have been nice if I had done this earlier, oh well.

Day 11, March 24 (Sun)

Today was a day of rest. Lots of rest. I hate being sick so please let this be the shortest sick-time ever. 

I slept like 10 hours, and when I woke, it wasn’t freezing. Fancy that. Maybe because it was later in the morning. 

I felt lazy and had a sweet-bread for breakfast, with lots of tea. Then I went out for a walk to warm up and get some sunshine, ran through some tkd stuff for a bit, showered, then went out again for a longer walk, with my camera. I wore no jacket! No scarf! No gloves! Only 1 layer of pants! It was lovely. I walked down, down the river, past the koi-nobori,..

past the birds and the ducks...

then back on the other side of the river. I said hello to everyone I passed, and one ojiisan (old man) spoke to me a little bit in English. Today is fine, he said; yes, ii tenki desu ne, I replied. Of course he said my Japanese was jouzu (skilled) and I said oh no, but his English was very good, and he said oh no, my English is poor, and I smiled and shook my head. 

(Perfectly everyone here says my Japanese is jouzu even if I say hardly anything at all, even if I mess up. They’re just being polite, but it’s a little tiring to keep saying ‘oh no, not at all’ or ‘mada mada desu’ when I’m thinking on the inside ‘well sure! And I’ve worked for it too!!’)

About 5 min. after returning to my apartment I was cold again. Puffalot. 

For lunch I had a nice healthy sandwich (well, who knows what’s really in the mayonnaise), and like 10 cups of tea as I read Graceling, a fine example of a well-written character-based fantasy novel. Then I ate a strange pastry that I guess is green-tea and azuki. I like azuki (red-bean), and I like eating azuki while drinking green tea... but green-tea pastry? Really?

I practiced dulcimer, I can now play 6 songs from the lesson book and about 6 (to 50) that I’ve played around with by ear. I’m building the strength in my left hand and the callouses on my fingers. It’s therapeutic.

I turned on my hot-water device for some more tea in hopes it will keep me from coughing, and I will read some more Graceling. For dinner I will make yakisoba again, then who knows what I’ll do. Life’s a bit aimless right now, but I enjoy the relaxing times amidst much activity. 

Day 10, March 23 (Sat)

In the morning after breakfast I walked to the Post Office, (here are the sakura sprouts)

on my return I practiced a little taekwon-do, until (finally) I was warm and could shower. Oh, my heater ran out of gas the day before. Luckily for me it got a little warmer out, but I think I have caught a cold. I need WARMTH.

I watched Randy’s first class of the day, then drove to the next set of classes (I remembered the way, all by myself). This time I taught, both classes, with Randy as backup (and the final authority). I think it went pretty well. I had fun anyway.

On the way home we stopped by the gas station so I could fill a jug up with kerosine. I thought Japan was supposed to be all Green This and Green That? Whatever. I want my heater. But it was a pain ‘cause the jug leaked (eewww), now the car smells of smoke AND gasoline, and I don’t have a tube or pump or anything to get the stuff from the jug to the heaters’ containers so I had to pour it.... But. I hope. Warmth now. Maybe.

I walked to the supermarket and stocked up on stuff and emergency rations, and bought ingredients for yakisoba. Let’s see if Myra can cook!!

Of course I can.

Today the mysterious They put up koi-nobori (carp flags) along the river to accompany the lanterns and the soon-to-be-blossoms. 

Before I left people kept asking me about festivals and telling me I should go to festivals and I’m like ‘what festivals are there going to be in Sabae???’ Well, I was wrong. They have festivals. And I will see one sometime soon! (Exactly when? Yeah, I dunno. But there’s also a mountain-climbing festival next month and I told Hugh I’m up for climbing some mountains! Or hills. Whatever.)

Day 9, March 22 (Fri)

I spent the morning cleaning and trying to get my phone to work. (All it needed was a restart. Duhh.)

I met with Masayuki so he could show me some teaching materials and talk about teaching, then we had our teachers’ meeting and got schedules for the next week. (I’m just watching Randy’s classes again.) 

I chatted with Hugh about some teaching methods, then Masayuki took me to the nursery school where I’ll be teaching. After that he stopped by a car place (mechanic?) to show me where I’d go if my car needed anything (*sigh*), and to introduce me to another UFO teacher, Kaori. (In hopes we could be friends.) She spent years in the States so speaks English, she was nice.

Later I watched two of Chris’ classes, which were pretty fun, then Chris was nice enough to take me around the block to show me two locations where I could take my garbage (‘cause that’s kinda important). 

I ate instant ramen for dinner, cooked with some carrot, topped with some ham, and followed by half an apple (dessert). 

Day 8, March 21 (Thurs)

I knew I had something in the morning... but my memory just isn’t that good. So around 9am I realized... I was supposed to talk to my sisters on Skype! So I was late. But we talked.

Then I walked to the post office to try and warm up, but my plan failed because it was freeeeezing outside and by the time I returned my hands were as purple as my sweater. So I turned on the heater in my room and left it on for a while. I practiced the dulcimer, worked on my computer, and downloaded the new iOS update THREE TIMESSSSSSS... once for each of my devices. Arg. And none of my lil’ devices will connect to the internet. Bleh.

Here is a picture of UFO Academy and fields (to the right of the big building):

And this is the dinosaur mountain (see the spines):

After lunch I practiced kanji, worked, and stayed in my heated room for as long as possible. Then I went over to the office and waited a grand 5 minutes for Randy. We drove to class #1, which was with one little girl who had endless energy, then to class #2, which was with 4 employees at a textile-machine company (I think). That was pretty interesting, as Randy could do different things, since the adults pay more attention, and they were more advanced. Randy asked some questions (to make them speak), explained some idioms, then went through a psychology game thing. It was most entertaining. 

By the time we left it was way past dinner time, so we stopped at a sushi place — a revolving sushi place!!! I’ve always wanted to try one. 

It was like 100¥ per plate, which is pretty good, ‘cause I only need like 4-5 to fill me up. Available at the table was powdered tea and hot water, soy sauce and other sauces, spices, and ginger, and the wasabi packets came around on the conveyer belt. So I tried like 5 different kinds of sushi. Randy showed me how to work the machine, where you place orders or call an employee. 

I like being able to try a bunch of flavors :) but I always like putting the sweet sauce on them. I don’t know what the sweet sauce is. And wasabi— though with my first bite, like I did on the airplane, I forgot how strong wasabi is and ended up like burning my head off.... must... remember... very... little... wasabi......

We stopped by the apartments, then I drove Randy to the train station. He’s taking his driving test tomorrow for a Japanese driver’s license. Ganbatte. 

Time for bed!!

Day 7, March 20 (Wed)

Today was like... Christmas.

(Kind of.)

First, it’s SPRING! That’s a happy thing.

I spent the morning with some of my family (on Skype), then since it was freezing, I took a walk to warm up, and successfully navigated to the post office (though it’s closed since today is a holiday). 

I ate a delicious lunch of an oven-roasted open-face sandwich — I must stop to explain. Here, the bread is sweet. I don’t know why. But it’s sweet. The mayonnaise is definitely sweet. And — the water is sweet. Do they put sugar in everything? I don’t know. (The water is kinda milky white sometimes.)
And for anything that takes less-than-5 minutes to make, the tastiness is multiplied by at least 2.

During lunch I finished a book called Everwinter, which I enjoyed. I keep my Kindle at the table and read during every meal.

Then... it was time to go out. On my own. In the car.

This is my car.

See the car.

It’s not that impressive, but it works, and I know how to signal and do the wipers and even open the trunk! I’m not sure about the back seat though.

Anyway, so I set off south on Route 8 (hachi-ban-sen), the main road around here (besides the expressway, which costs to use). I passed the ‘Recycle Shop’ (2nd-hand store) on my right, which meant there was no way to get in, oh well. I drove for a few minutes looking for landmarks and places of interest. There is a strange large turtle-like building, I wonder what it is. Eventually I turned back and stopped at the 2nd-hand store. It’s not very big, but they had some furniture. I purchased a small TV table for 700¥, and a little floor-chair for 700¥. The store person carried it to my car for me! Very nice of him. I felt bad tho because it took me a few tries to get the trunk open (but now I know how). 

— Remember, roughly 100¥ to $1. — (Right now it’s about 94¥ actually, but that’s harder to calculate.)

Heading north now, I was going to drive to no particular location, but then I saw the big blue sign for Book-Off... and decided to investigate. I’d been inside one Book-Off back then in Osaka, and it only had books ‘cause it was tiny, but this one had used DVDs and... CDs. I’m sure I was like a kid in a candy store on the inside, but I maintained my composure as I scanned the labels for romaji or familiar kanji. First I browsed anime CDs, and picked up a Yoko Kanno CD for 500¥ (used $20 on Amazon). I also grabbed a YuYu Hakusho soundtrack CD, but decided to come back for it later since I found....

the 250¥ section.

I went through 1 case (of like 10) and picked out 6 CDs of artists I recognize (Orange Range, Every Little Thing, Aikawa Nanase, Utada Hikaru; and Kat-tun is a band that someone in Japan recommended last time I was here.) 

It was so much fun!! Esp. since ¥250 is less than shipping alone.

But... I restrained myself, since I’m running low on cash. Once I have money again... I’ll try resisting going back :p For a little while.

After this, I drove back a different route (and made it), and set up my goodies.

When I come home I’m going to need a separate suitcase for souvenirs and CDs :)

Day 6, March 19 (Tues)

It was a quiet morning, which I liked. I played dulcimer for a while (I can play like 5 songs now), took care of more email stuff, and cleaned the kitchen window, then I walked again to the shrine and down the river. Since it rained, the river was actually flowing, which was pretty, but there were less birds hanging about and I couldn’t see the fish. Oh well. Nice weather anyway.

In the afternoon I hung out at the office for a bit, then went with Brad to see one of his classes. This class atmosphere was a bit more serious than others I’d seen. Then Brad dropped me back at UFO and I watched Randy’s class. He had me do introductions and help out with the class a bit, which I’m grateful for. I need the practice.
Afterwards, Masayuki had a high-school-student class, and I met a couple of the students. They practiced their English :)

Day 5, March 18 (Mon)

This is the warmest day, it was the warmest night, but also the windiest. All night the warm wind swept through the nicks and crannies of the building and made everything creak and slam about (but it didn’t really bother me). The crows were in the rice fields in the morning, and their frequent cries almost make me feel at home (all I need is some crashing waves, and maybe a jet or two). 

Masayuki took me to pick up my inkan (stamp), then I went with Casey to observe 3 of his classes of 3-5 year-olds. He was really good at handling all the kids (he had some help from the nursery school workers) and I really enjoyed watching. The kids were super happy and super cute. Casey introduced me and asked me a few questions (or had them ask questions), and at the end about half or more of the kids would run over and say ‘Myra-sensei bye-bye’ or ask me questions or play jan-ken (rock-paper-scissors). 

Then I got Casey’s internet password and set up my internet for a minute, ate lunch, then Masayuki took me to Fukui Bank to open an account. It took some time, and I forgot the katakana for my last name (it’s ok, I figured it out), but success — I have a bank.

Then he dropped me off at Brad’s house, and Brad took me to the SoftBank to get a cell phone. I went the way of least resistance and got an iPhone. It’s weird having a new iPhone that I picked out. (I got a white iPhone 5, 16gb). The contract is for 2 years, but oh well. I’ll pay the penalty if I must. So I have a cell phone!

All the essentials.

Brad had some errands, which worked out for me, we went to the hyaku-en store (dollar store) where I picked up a dish brush and kitchen knife, then we went to Mitsuwa, which is kind of like a general store? He needed a fuse for his car, and I picked up shampoo that works, garbage bags, laundry detergent, a new fry pan, and salt and pepper. Finally! I’m set.

I spent the rest of the evening going through email.

Day 4, March 17 (Sun)

Woke at 8:30 — so late! Hoping today will be a quiet day, ‘cause my brain is close to exploding. What with the language, the driving and directions, the culture, and all I’m trying to remember about teaching. 

And... it’s cooold here. With no central heating, I’ve just got the electric heater, which of course I can’t leave running while I’m gone. It heats up my bedroom pretty fast (I keep the door closed), but once I turn it off, the heat is sucked out fast. 

It was a nice quiet day. I went for a walk. Met Casey — good thing, because the next day I needed to tag along to one of his classes. I walked to a shrine up at the base of the dinosaur mountain, a really pretty spot, 

then walked down the river a ways watching the ducks, crows, fish, and a single white crane. I’ve seen hawks about, too, but I don’t know what kind.

The rest of the day I spent playing my dulcimer and studying Japanese.

Day 3, March 16 (Sat)

...And woke at 5:30am. Eh, that gave me plenty of time to shower (with towels!!!!), clean every single dish in the place, and try to make breakfast (stupid fry pan....).

Then I hung out on my computer for a while writing some of this stuff, until Randy came by to ask if I wanted to watch him prepare for his first class of the day. I watched him prepare, asked some questions, then watched the class. This was a class of tiny little kids, very cute (but attention spans are like 0).

After that Randy showed me a bunch of the teaching materials available, then it was time to head out to the next set of classes. Randy’s international driver’s license is expiring, so I’m his designated driver, which works out because I want to watch as many classes as I can (and I guess I’ll be taking over some of them once he leaves?).
These kids were 9-12 years old, with some more advanced English than the others I’d seen, and they were pretty well behaved. Again, Randy was filming for the end-of-year video, and the kids were nervous, but did pretty well. (Also it probably doesn’t help that I’m there, a new person, watching.)

That evening Randy showed me the walk to the train station (30-40 min.), and we took the train to Fukui to see a performance of the band ‘hiroshima’ since Randy’s student Miki is the drummer. Miki was nice, Randy found a wig, and Hugh was there to hang out for a bit, so it was fun, but I don’t think the punk-rocker scene is really my thing. That’s ok though.
I’m getting a little more comfortable with Japanese (not like comfortable, just not totally uncomfortable), my ears are still training to listen, but I’ve actually spoken a bit in Japanese. That’s good. I successfully answered ‘futska mae’ (two days ago) when asked when I arrived in Japan. Goodie.

The band didn't actually perform until like 9:00. They only did 3 or 4 songs, they were pretty good and I’ve never seen someone playing bass (or guitar or drums for that batter) that close. (There were like 10 people in the room, and that was probably half-capacity).
Then, from the Fukui train station, I successfully navigated my way back to Sabae and back to UFO alone! In the dark! I’m rather proud of myself for this accomplishment.

Mall with 7-stories of escalators I rode to the top and back down while waiting for my train:

Day 2, March 15 (Fri)

Up at 6:30 am. After eating breakfast, reading, unpacking a bit, and dawdling about, I set off to time the walk to the nearest supermarket (under 10 minutes), and learned that it doesn’t open until 10. I got there at 9:20, and the door was party open, and a worker said ‘irasshaimase’, so I went in. But no other shoppers arrived until after 10, the lights were out, and the employees were alternately setting up things and going through welcome drills (‘irrasshaimase:’ ‘irasshaimase!’ ‘oyahou gozaimasu:’ ‘oyahou gozaimasu!’ ‘shosho omachi kudasai:’ ‘shosho omachi kudasai!’ etc.).
I delayed my checkout until, like, 10:05, when someone else was already leaving. I purchased some essentials like kitchen towels, a sponge, all-purpose cleaner (maybe), dish soap (I think), hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo (I’m not sure, though it says shampoo), and instant ramen.

I began to clean, but was thwarted by my kind downstairs neighbor, Randy, who offered to take me out for my first drive-on-the-left-side-of-the-road lesson. Count me in. It’s strange getting used to being on the right of the car and the left of the road, I still have a little bit of trouble measuring the size of the car (cause golly, it’s TINY!), but the worst is that the blinker is on the right side of the wheel, the windshield wipers on the left.
Randy showed me around a bit, we went to lunch (I had donburi for the first time), to a mall with a hyaku-en store (dollar store - best store ever), then returned to UFO.

At 1pm, since it was Friday, there was a meeting for the teachers, where they/we get the schedule for the next week and discuss pressing issues like a barbecue? anyway. I’ve been assigned to accompany some teachers for their classes, they’ve been assigned to take me along (I hope.).
There I met almost all the other teachers: Brad (who has been here 14 years), Hugh (from South Africa), and Chris (he and Brad seem to be fluent in Japanese). I also met Tomoe, one of the Japanese employees at UFO.

Then Randy took me for another round of driving lessons, we went to Eiheiji to see the temple there. It was huge! Very cool. There are automatic doors at the entrance... so an interesting blend of modern upkeep on a 13th century (?) temple. And lots of monks about, cleaning or gardening or whatnot. (Pictures of them prohibited.)

Me at the front of the cool hall:

Cool hall ceiling:

Randy outside with rain barrel:

Next we drove to a teaching location where I go to watch my first class. It’s nearing the end of the school year, so Randy has the kids doing end-of-year videos to show their parents. (Normally in Japan, I think, there are some parent-teacher days where parents come watch the class to see how the student is doing — and how the teacher is doing.) Hugh was also there to help Randy with the filming, but the students needed more practice, and one was missing, so they decided to wait to film until next class. We stayed for a bit of Hugh’s class which followed, then I drove home (in the dark!). 

This time I got to bed by about 10pm (thanks to coffee)....

Arrived in Japan (March 14, Thurs)

I didn't get lost! Not even in LAX!! Or Tokyo-Haneda!!!!!

Having left home Tuesday March 12, I arrived in Tokyo early Thursday March 14. Time flies. While being reminded once again of how much I like Japanese restrooms (like food, restrooms say a lot about the culture and desirability of travel), I also tried to remember things like how to speak and think. It was a bit hard, especially because I was trying to do some of that in Japanese. Good news: I can say ‘good morning’. Bad news: once when greeted with ‘irasshaimashita’ I started to respond with the same phrase. Oops. Jetlag. Yeah. 

Also to be blamed on jetlag (...) is how, after landing from a slightly delayed flight from Tokyo (do they not usually have rain?), I walked straight past the luggage claim and only realized it when I went through those doors, you know, the ones with big red ‘do not enter’ markings. However, having some wits (though I often doubt it) I had my luggage tags, so the poor attendant had to locate both 40lb bags and bring them to me. I felt bad.

I was met at the Komatsu airport by Ishimoto Masayuki, the founder of UFO Academy. He drove me home and we talked about Japan, myself, and the program. He explained to about the name for his organization: United Friendship Organization works to not only have English teachers, but to create an exchange whereby the teachers learn about Japanese culture and the Japanese learn their culture, and all parties benefit from cross-culture education. Of course, teaching English is a part of it, and there has to be money so people can live while enjoying the experience, but the main goal is for a healthy, open-minded environment. 

“Knowledge begins by doubting. By doubting, we come to the question. By questioning we may come upon the answer.” - Peter Abelard

(or something. It's on my wall.)

So on my first day I was shown my apartment, and introduced to a few people: another English teacher Randy, who will be leaving next month; the official UFO English teacher (?) Yuka; the math teacher (?) Takeyuki; and Kasumi, or Okusan (the wife of Masayuki). Masayuki took me to a supermarket, to the city office (to officiate my residency card), and to a shop to get my inkan (stamp, which is used for signatures). 

For the next year I will be living in this two-room apartment equipped with a futon, desk, vacuum, fan, two heaters, an air-conditioning unit, fridge, gas stovetop, microwave, microwave oven, rice-cooker, hot-water device, a table, chair, mirror sink, bathroom separate from the shower/bath, laundry machine, and a set of drawers in the extra bedroom. My room overlooks brown rice-fields and a string of bare cherry trees that may begin to blossom in a couple weeks (my view will be quite excellent at that point). 

Pictures: (take 2 after my camera memory stick died. For no reason. At all.)

Extra bedroom and magic internet window (by which and only by which there is always internet):

Shower/bath. (Looks familiar, eh Mia?)

Bathroom! (I like the faucet filling up the tank. Convenient. But. Nowhere to set anything. Space efficient? Not so sure.)

Genkan -- entryway:

Mirror/sink thing and kitchen table:

Kitchen. Big. But not many places to set stuff.

Bedroom closets. (and pillow)

Bedroom window and fouton.

Bedroom desk. Balcony, but can't open for fear of bugs.

View out my bedroom window 1.

View out my bedroom window 2. The trees are cherry trees. Rice fields below. Lanterns strung between trees in preparation for festival.

I managed to eat something (croquets from the supermarket) and clean up a bit before being overcome by sleep around 6pm. 

(will post more stuff when it's not bedtime.)

I leave for Japan in a few days.

I've got most of my packing done. Just have to fit a year's supply of stuff into my luggage.

My workplace threw me a bon voyage party (or was it a wake?) with cake. It was nice talking to everyone, and I received many farewell wishes.

See this post for more details on my trip.

I'll try to post again soon after my arrival, with some pictures of my surroundings.

Thanks all!
~Myra