Back to Work! (late upload)

So this is kind of a late post.  I had written it a while back, but never got around to uploading it.  So maybe think of it as a reflection back to when I went home instead of an immediate reaction post?

It really does feel like my two weeks back home passed by in a blur (and if I was perfectly honest there were maybe one or two small things that I could have done without too).  It also felt a little weird to be honest.  It was kind of strange being in my room left almost the same way I left it, but at the same time being there as a guest.  I did miss being home, and it was really nice seeing everyone again.  LOL I even missed my shadow following me around (my cat Tygra was in my lap at almost every opportunity, which I think was like her way of saying she missed me).  A small part of me feels like time was wasted while we stayed at my uncle’s house.  Whenever we go visit family for an extended period of time it kinda feels like that though.  I think it’s since I don’t have the freedom to go and come when I please, and am usually bound by what my parents have planned to spend time with my family.  Then add to that probably the worst case of jet-lag ever!  I felt so sleepy during the day at around 3, and then I was up and ready to go in the middle of the night.  I think I would have liked more time to just hang out with my sisters and friends, or just go to the movies or something with my mom and dad, but sadly time was limited.  I’m committed to staying for another year (I feel almost like I must, I feel like there is still things I want to do here while I’m in Japan), but at the same time another small part of me wondered if I want to stay longer than that.  I felt myself questioning a little if I wanted to return after my 2 years right away or if I wanted to stay in Japan a little more…

The rest of the week at work after I got back was pretty easy.  LOL we had a lot of running around with elementary kids the first two days, and then a fairly easy day on Friday.  Now I’m at the beginning of my second week back in Japan (though I wasn’t actually in my apartment I was actually in Japan starting last Monday).  We had a holiday on Monday, so today is my first day going back to the schools.  As if to point out just how different a place I’m living in right now compared to where I come from, it was actually snowing this morning!  As I drove to school I got to see beautiful big white snowflakes lazily drift to the ground (and for whatever reason it wasn’t cold enough to stick or something so it melted on contact), and it continued that way for about an hour or two.  I think it’ll be nice to get back into the swing of things though.  Going to classes and sitting at my desk figuring out what I’m going to do for the rest of the week.   If there was one thing I’d change…. I’d love to have a little more free time during holidays.  I can easily save up money, but at times I feel like I really don’t have much opportunity to go vacation around Japan like I’d want to.  I want to be able to plan a trip out to Osaka, maybe re-visit Nara, or find some random spot in Japan to go visit.  The next long break I can think of that I MIGHT have would be at the end of the school year.  For Japan it is soon, the middle to end of March (can you believe it is just a few months away??), but what I’m unsure of at the moment is how much of that will I actually get off?  I have a feeling I’ll be headed back to the BOE between years, though it would be awesome if we got a little bit of time in there somewhere for vacation.  I kind of find it unlikely though, so I have a funny feeling that my next extended vacation will be Golden Week when my parents come to visit me. 

Sorry, but I think I’m going to get a little deep here…  I feel like there are 2 sides of me against one another at the moment.

On the one hand, I love living here!  Getting to be my own person, and going on adventures through Japan!  It’s easy to do since I’m single, and while I miss my family, I don’t have a boyfriend or husband to consider.  (lol speaking of being on my own, I really should buckle down and just get my housework done.  I’ve gotten really lazy about letting the apartment go crazy and just living in it…)  I also love the work I’m doing!  I love getting to go from one school to the next, and teaching these kids about English and my life in America. The only downside being that I don’t really get the same vacation time I would if I was teaching back home, since I’m actually an employee of the Board of Education for the town if school is not in session then I report to the base office that day.  That’s not to say that it’s hard work either though.  To be honest I don’t really have anything to do there, so unless something gets put on my schedule I’m usually just sitting at my desk studying Japanese or just kinda killing time. 

Then there’s the other side.  The part of me that realizes I have a job, but that it’s also only a temporary one.  This part of me is eager to settle down and start a family, and find a more permanent job.  As much as I love being here, it’s the side of me that wants to plan vacations with friends and family during the summer or other holidays.  The part of me that feels I should already be in a relationship at least and headed toward maybe marriage and a family of my own.  And it’s not because I feel like some sort of society pressure to be in the “norm” for my age, but rather it feels like something inside me that I want.  I guess it’s that maternal instinct to want to have kids of my own, and care for them with my husband.  Since I helped raised two of my little cousins I’ve felt that kind of motherly bond with them, and it’s almost like it kickstarted a desire to have it for my own.  And it’s not just kids, but at times there is also the feeling of wanting to share my life with someone else (and hopefully they don’t mind a couple of cats too since I can’t imagine leaving Tygra alone while I’m at work).  To have that partner and friend to come home to and share our day with each other.  LOL dare I say it, but I feel a little like a kid sometimes when what I want to be is an adult!  Sure there is jobs, bills, and taxes to pay; along with other various responsibilities, but I feel like I’m ready to start doing it!  Sometimes I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like in my own home.  Talking with my mom and sisters to figure out whose house we will be celebrating the holiday, or planning get togethers at my house just for the fun of it.  It’s nice to imagine at times coming home to Tygra missing me while I was at work, getting comfortable, making something for dinner (or at times just re-heating leftovers), and just watching a movie or some TV with that special someone.  I can even add at times playing with children and getting them ready for the next day.  Now, I’m not completely naïve, and I know it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows, with the picture perfect home, but even that little bit of crazy will be welcome I think.  Because at the end of the day I’ll get to sit there and look at where life has brought me, and give thanks for it.

Again, sorry for the kind of off topic, deep internal meditating, but I think I knew I just needed to type it out for a bit.

To Re-contract or Not To Re-contract

That’s the big question everyone here has been faced with here.  Some were asked earlier, but around the end of the calendar year is the time when all JETs are approached by their CO (contracting organization), and asked if they would like to renew their contract for the next year.  Seems really early right (for most of us we have been here for only a few months)?  Here’s the breakdown though.

On the Japan side of things, they’re going to start filling out budgets for the next year, and part of that would be fitting in the salary for the JET.  So, the earlier they know the better for them.  It gives them the opportunity to get a head start on the paperwork they would need to fill out.  It also lets them know if they are going to need a salary for a new JET or for a renewing JET (you get a slight raise for each year you renew).

The US (home country) side of things is a completely different matter.  It is around the same time that they will be opening the application process for the next wave of JETs.  It seems really early, but when you think about it, you’re filling out a job application that won’t actually start until the following summer.  So, here is what happens on our side that applying JETs don’t know about.  We have 2 options, “No, I’m done and would like to go home” or “Yes!  I want to stay for another year!”  If you want to stay you get another bonus question.  Do you want to stay in the same place, or would you like to put in for a transfer.  Yes, you don’t have to stay in the same place they sent you if you don’t want to.  So after CLAIR gets the list of how many openings they will have for the next school year, we JETs that are staying and would like to move would get the chance to see where is open to move to (this is my guess at least, as I am planning to stay where I am, I don’t know what would have happened if I asked to move).  Once the tallies of who is returning, who is staying, and who is moving is finished, CLAIR will have a final list of where they have openings to send new JETs to.  I would also assume this would include any openings for locations that may have gained an ALT or CIR position as well.  I think this is why so many people make it to the interview process, but so few would get hired.  They won’t know until that time how many positions they will have to fill, so they will interview more than they need.  Harsh, but makes sense right?

 

So how do you know if you want to stay or not?

For me the answer was quite simple.  I went into this job knowing right off the bat that I wanted to stay for more than a year.  I was also fortunate that I lucked out with such friendly co-workers here.  I’ve heard stories at our Prefecture conference about JETs that get frustrated that their JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) don’t get along with them well when it comes to teaching.  There are many teachers that get stuck in the traditional teaching mindset, and are set to teach only what is written in the book.  I lucked out in that most of my JTEs here see me as the English expert, and often ask for my opinion on what is being taught.  They will tell the students that the textbook teaches one thing, but according to Veronica-sensei it is more common to say something else instead.

Being in a bad situation shouldn’t be the reason you say no though.  Keep in mind that unless you feel completely miserable in your work situation, Japanese teachers will often change schools after so many years teaching there, and you can also request to move and hope for a better situation too.  You do have to also keep in mind though, that this wouldn’t be a guarantee for a better situation.  There are also some other things to consider along with this that affect your decision to stay or not.

What is my opinion for reasons not to re-contract?

First and foremost, you feel like you just don’t belong at ALL.  If the culture is just completely weird, or something you feel you will just never get used to then don’t try to force yourself to!  It’s completely OK!  There is nothing wrong in admitting that the situation is something you can’t handle, in fact I would consider it healthy!  Living in another country is an awesome opportunity, and you’ve had your experience with it, but it is by no means easy.  Now, on the other hand, don’t go home just because you miss being able to drive down the road to grab your favorite fast food joint.  Part of living in a new country is realizing that it’s going to be different from what you are used to back home.  If the thought of being away from that, and getting to know life in a new culture is just not for you, then that’s perfectly ok!

You don’t like the work.  Plain and simple.  Now, this doesn’t mean in regards to your co-workers.  I mean, “I really don’t like being around all these little kids and having to go over the same kind of stuff every day.”  There can be quite a bit of repetition in this job.  Especially in Elementary school, where the schools you visit will be at different levels and places in the text book.  If you find that the work you are doing is not appealing then, again, don’t force yourself to do it.  Going back to the teacher situation.  What if you love being here, love learning the culture, still feel like you have things you haven’t accomplished yet, but the work environment is horrible?  Then that will take some serious consideration.  But remember too, you’re not alone!  There is a whole bunch of support groups for you to turn to.  Your PA (Prefecture Advisor) is always there to give you advice on this kind of thing, there is a Peer Support hotline you can call just to vent, and of course your fellow JETs as well!  There are many people you can turn to for advice on your situation.  After getting feedback, thinking it over, and feeling like the work situation still just isn’t worth it then you’ll have found your answer.

You feel like you didn’t earn enough money yet to justify the job.  This should not be a factor at all.  Yes, the money starts off on the small side, and will get slightly bigger the longer you stay, but this should not be the only reason you want to.  Especially if you don’t like the situation you are in at work or in general.

The only one that wants you to stay is everyone else.  If your friends, family, and co-workers are all telling you that you should stay, but you really just don’t feel like you fit in then don’t!  No matter how sad your co-workers will be to see you go, or how much your friends and family get on your case about wishing they had this opportunity, that shouldn’t be the reason you stay.  Like with any other job, if you don’t feel you can give it your best, if this really just isn’t for you, then don’t force yourself!  Remember, it’s not your friends, family, or co-workers that are doing this job, it’s you.  Your own health and sense of mind should come first.  The only person you should be staying for is yourself.  If you feel like your work here has reached its end then by all means, it is ok to say you are done.

 

The long and short of it all is simply that it is a decision that you should spend time considering.  I may sound like a broken record, but that is how important this point is: Don’t force yourself to stay if you don’t feel like you should!  Take some time to consider the situation from various angles.  Don’t be afraid to ask others for advice, but don’t let their opinion be the only one that counts.  Be sure that this is something you want to do, and that will make you happy!

Surprise!

So I know that there might be a few family members who follow this, so I’ll write all about my excitement leading up to Christmas early, and just save the post for after I have left!

That’s right!

It is being kept from my extended family that I will be coming home for Christmas and New Year!  I leave back home in less than 2 weeks now, and will return shortly after New Year. :D  I’m so excited about it!  I can hardly wait to see the look on my little cousins’ faces when they see me there!  I know they miss me, and I miss all my family too!  It will be really nice to be able to see everyone again.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do the same next year, and if I was being 100% honest I’d kind of be interested in spending a Christmas in Japan.  I think, of course, it would be best if it was also with my family here.  I’d love to be able to take a trip though and spend Christmas here somewhere.  I say this now though, I might actually be more down than I imagine spending Christmas without my family.  I’m sure that I’d probably plan something with A-san if she were free, and some of my co-workers/friends here would most likely invite me to join them as well.  Not to mention gatherings that the other JETs here would plan.

I’ve also been trying to find small gifts to take with me for my various family members.  I think I have pretty much everyone, although at this point there are a few people that I’d like to find some small extra gifts for as well.  One of these days I may make another trip back to Izumo, (maybe even leave super early to purchase the items before my first flight) and get one or two more last minute items.  It’s not much, one of the things I was considering was replacing a phone strap I bought that is starting to get dirty and fall apart.  It still looks pretty right now, but I may save it for later.  I may also get one final set of chopsticks personalized for someone.  The difficult part of it all was actually finding the time to go and buy the gifts themselves.  One of the problems I found myself running into was the fact that the only time I really had to go would be on the weekends if they were open.  With Saturday English school, and other appointments it made it a little difficult.  But something I realized, maybe a bit late, was that when I do get out of school I actually still have time to go into town if I wanted too.  The malls don’t close until about 9 or 10, but what I risk is the hour drive home making me pretty late when I get back.  Then I have to get ready for school the next day.  I think if I really needed to I could, but I’d still rather save my trips for the weekend.

I still have the last few Christmas cards finish and mail home, and I also wanted to prepare/set up the presents I did buy already.  I thought of the idea of making little gift bags of stuff for all the many little ones we have in the family now.  I found a nice shop that sells little candies pretty cheap, so I bought a bunch and am going to give them to the kids.  Thinking about it know, there is one that I should have gotten something for, but I didn’t think about it until now.  I’ll have to go see if I can find something small before I leave.  I know that it should be fairly easy to find something, and maybe that day that I got back to Izumo.

These next few evenings are going to be pretty busy for me.  One thing I want to do before I leave is give the apartment a nice once over!  LOL I’ve got papers and various things littering all over the place.  I can’t even remember the last time my table in my room was cleared off.  It’s been filled with papers and flyers from various thing for weeks, and even after I bought some bins to sort them into, I still haven’t gotten around to it.  I also have some boxes from things I’ve bought that I need to break down as well.  I’m happy at least that the day I leave is plastic trash day (which I realize now is a kinda funny thing to be happy about…)!  That way when I come back I won’t have a super full bag of plastic trash to throw away.

It's that time of year!

It’s getting colder outside, and here in Japan we’ve already had a day of snow!  Sadly (or maybe not so much) it came and went in the same day…  I woke up that morning (thankfully a day off for me), and the ground was covered in beautiful white!  It even flurried a bit!  So with this colder weather, and the beginning of the last month of the year, comes many things.

First is to add furnishing to the apartment that will make it more winter friendly.  I’d already been using my heating blanket (a wonderful gift that makes sleeping at night pure heaven!), but I’d only wanted to use the little electric heater so much (it can be so expensive!).  One of the first things that I did recently to help make it warmer in the evenings is to purchase kerosene for my space heater (I also gave one to A-san as I had discovered on my first arrival that there was actually 2 in my apartment).  It was soooo nice that first evening that I added kerosene and turned on my heater for the first time!  I still need to figure out what some of the functions of it do (there are various lights and buttons on it, and of course like everything else it is all in kanji).  I’ll tell you this though, it sure makes my little room nice and warm!

Something that I’d found was happening though, as you learn in science heat rises.  This means that a lot of the time, my feet would be left cold.  There are a couple of remedies for this.  One would be to buy this kind of foot cushion that some stores sell that are supposed to keep your feet warm.  However, I don’t fancy keeping my feet in place like that though.  Lap blankets are nice, but as the name suggests they are usually on the small side so they don’t do much for your feet.  The other option was one that I had been toying with for a while, but was still very much on the fence about it.  As it happened (and kind of spur of the moment too), while I was in town the other day to buy a new thicker futon for winter, I found that at the same time they had some of their kotatsu items on sale as well!   The table was the lowest price I had ever seen it (even compared to Amazon!), and some of the basic and simple covers and mats were on sale for a really good price as well!  I was able to get all the items for it I wanted for under 10,000 yen! (a little under $100 at the current exchange rate)  As wonderful luck would have it, there was enough space for it in my living room, so now I keep nice and snug with my feet under the kotatsu, and the space heater warming the rest of me up!  I’m also considering buying a little hot water bottle as well.  The kind of cool thing about it, is that you can use it both to pour hot water in to keep you warm, or ice water in the winter to cool you off.  They also have some cute decorative covers for them too.  I might stop at Juntendo later to see about getting one.

This doesn’t help me much at school though…  Some of my schools are ok (seems like maybe only the smaller ones), they’ve already started using the heaters.  But the one I am typing in right now for example… not so much…  I think since it is just me and one other person (and this is one of the bigger staff rooms), it isn’t very cost affective to have the heater going.  So, I’m sitting here with my little lap blanket trying to keep warm.  I think it also doesn’t help that my desk is by the window side, so the cold radiates through it really easily.  It’s especially noticeable because the side of me facing the window is much colder than the other side…

 

The other adventure I’m in the middle of is getting Christmas preparations under way.  I’ve already bought, signed, and mailed the important Christmas cards; but I’m considering going to get a few more and possibly send them out this week.  I’ve also been looking for little Christmas presents that would be easy to send back home.  I’ve gotten quite a few done, but I’m probably still about halfway there…  I’ve only got 2 weekends left, and both of them have some events that may make going to town to shop a bit difficult.  I may have to do some late afternoon shopping this weekend to try and get most of it done.  If it wasn’t such a far drive, I’d consider going more often during the week, but by the time I’d get there, I’d have maybe an hour or so before the shops would close.  Part of the problem is trying to figure out what I’m going to be getting people.  I know that if I can decide that beforehand then it should make shopping faster.  The Daiso has been a big saver here!  One of the advantages to the 100 yen shop (Dollar Store) here is that a good portion of the items are in very good quality (way better than back home), and it allows me to get some nice trinkets for family back home.  As shipping can be a tad pricey, the other trick is to find items that won’t be that heavy or delicate to send.  There are a few cute and interesting items at the Daiso though that I think will make for some interesting gifts!

First Time at a Japanese Movie Theater!

Sorry this is from November, but I didn’t get to post it yet.  Here’s what I wrote without changes:

So, yesterday was my first time going to a movie theater here in Japan!  I invited A-san to join me, and we made a whole day of it!

The bigger movie theater is in Izumo’s mall YouMe Town ゆめタウン.  While Matsue also has one in Aeon mall, their showings of films don’t seem to be as wide of a selection as in Izumo.  The other advantage is that this bigger selection also often means that the more popular American films are offered in both dubbed Japanese, and English with Japanese subtitles. J  For our selection, we went to go see the final Hunger Games film Mockingjay Part 2!  As it is popular enough, it merited a world wide release which means we didn’t have to wait for it to come to Japan.  Now, ticket prices are much more expensive here, (unless you use a coupon or go on a special event day) you are looking at spending about ¥1800 per person!  But on the other hand, I don’t think it will be a common thing for me to go to since it is an hour drive from where I live.  It will most likely be for special occasions or a movie that I really want to go see.

When you go to buy your tickets you have to use this kiosk that is thankfully also translated into English on most of the buttons.  I did still run into one problem though…. I accidentally bought the wrong showing!  I had though the movie was going to be at 12:25, but actually the first English showing was at 3:20.  A mistake that I am sure I will not make again in the future!  If you ever go to buy tickets at a movie theater, be sure that you look at the showtimes with 字幕（じまく）which means subtitled, and NOT 吹替（ふきかえ）which means dubbed.  Thankfully an attendant was kind enough to help me change my ticket (something that might not be possible normally, but I think he has helping out a poor foreigner), and I was the only one that made the mistake, so A-san was able to purchase the right ticket from the start.  The change in time also meant that we had plenty of time before to go shopping!

We found a Starbucks in the mall (something I was grateful for in that I hadn’t had one in months!) and grabbed a coffee before we made our way around the mall.  I don’t even think we really got to see everything, but we did get to go to a good portion of the main places we wanted to go to.  I got a couple of nice sweaters and some warm shoes for winter.  I also may want to go back later and get some knee high sized socks for winter as well.  I also need to make it a point to check my waist and hip measurements for when I hope to find bottoms.  For the most part I know my measurements for the top (I’m more well-endowed on the top, which makes buying tops for me a bit difficult, but I’ve found some stores online that sell a bigger size), but I think there should be some skirts and such that I would be able to fit into.  It’s just a matter of finding the right size!  One of the things I’m looking into getting is a set of Uniqlo brand Heat Tech shirts.  I want to get a few that I can switch between in different colors, but they’re supposed to be one of the best for keeping you warm.  Hopefully there will be another good sale on them soon!  I want to get at least one or two for now, but they sometimes go down to almost half off!

We also found a really cool candy store that had all kinds of sweets for really cheap!  I might go back soon to get some more, but I managed to get a pretty good sized bag of candy for under ¥800!  My plan is to use them as my gift to the little ones, they can each grab a couple from the bag.  I might even use some of the bags mom gave me, or find some cute ones at Daiso or something, to make the little goodie bags.  A-san was able to check of some things from her list as well, one of the important ones being a new bag to use.  I’m thinking of doing something similar for my brown purse, as it is usually not big enough for weekend outings.  I will continue to be on the lookout though.

So the theater!  It was the 3^rd floor of the mall, which also had a giant sort of game area with crane games, and other video game machines.  The seats were nice, and the theater was very clean, so all in all it was a nice movie experience!  The movie itself was also pretty good, I’m a fan of the books so I was able to spot the big differences right away.  The only thing I was a little sad I didn’t experience was concessions, but there is always next time!

Before we went home we decided to make our way to the food court for dinner.  LOL of course we did get sidetracked by this cute store with stationary and other accessories, but it was hard to resist!  We made it to the food court (which had awesome food!  McDonalds for the non-Japanese food fans, and a good selection of Japanese dishes) right after.  At first I was dead set on getting an Omurice from one place, but after looking around more I found myself drawn to the Okunomiyaki one instead!  I got a green onion and mayo one that was absolutely delicious!  Perhaps I will visit the Omurice place next time!   After that it was pretty late already, so we made our way back to the car to make the hour trek back home!

LOL I Might Be in Trouble (and a few other thoughts)

So, I’ve been so busy (and sorta lazy I’ll admit) that I am nowhere near where I should be on that blanket!!  I just have this week left!!!  I’m really gonna have to buckle down and get to work this week.  It’s not that hard to connect the squares together, and I have just under 10 squares left to finish preparing to join.  I need to really work it tonight though.  Good thing I have some leftovers and instant ramen at home.  I think that’s going to be my dinner tonight!

I’ve found that I should probably be more careful with some of the things I buy at the market.  LOL I have a few items in my fridge that I haven’t used, but they’re kind of odds and ends too.  I should probably make a better attempt at planning out my meals for the week, and buying only what I need.  That and I want to find more recipes that I can use.

Right now I’m contemplating some purchases to add a few things to my apartment.  I know I need to go buy at least another set, maybe two, of bed linen.  They weren’t that expensive though so it shouldn’t be a problem.  I am also contemplating buying some new pillows for the bed as well.  The ones I have right now are kinda hard, and look very old.  I also need to buy a thicker futon for the bed (something that will hopefully help me get by in the colder months with my heating blanket on low).  If I have time this weekend, I might attempt to do so in town.  I do want to check the local Jutendo as well to see what they might have.  I know they have garden and outdoor stuff, but maybe they will also have a couple of the other things I’m looking for.  I found a sort of area rug in the closet, but the bottom is super slippery to use in my bedroom, and it’s actually a little too big for the area that I’m looking at buying it for.

Another big-ish purchase I’m looking into making is a single portable burner with all the extras!  I would need gas cans for it, an earthenware pot, serving ladle, and either a sukiyaki pot, or grill plate.  Aside from just being able to cook with it, here in the winter months it would be perfect to be able to enjoy nabe!  The first time I tried it was at one of the temples here after Saturday English class.  It was so good!  It was sooo good to eat the super-hot soup and veggies to fight of the cold of the night!  I’d imagine if I spent time cutting the extra vegetables as well, it would be a super quick dinner another night later in the week!  I’m not sure if it was just the way they served it to us, or what, but I don’t even think I’d want side dishes!  Just a nice big bowl of meatballs or salmon, vegetables, and either konyaku noodles or some other kind of noodle like udon.

The last really big item that is going to take some consideration is… a kotatsu table.  I think I have enough space for one in my living room, but there are so many things to consider as well.  The table will cost me close to ¥8000 by itself, and then there is the cover and floor mat to consider as well (almost the same price as the table together).  While I can use the table itself without the cover and such after, I only have one chair for it so a second for guests would be mismatched (although I think I have some floor cushions in the top of the closet), and then there is guest sleeping space to consider.  I think I’d still have room for it, but I’d have to move it out of the way to make room for my guest air mattress (something else I need to buy linen for).  For a lot of this stuff, I’ve been considering getting a Japanese Amazon Prime account.  It is waaaay cheaper than back home (approx. $30 instead of the near $100 it is in America), and a lot of what I’m considering buying would be able to be delivered to my door without me wasting the gas to drive all the way to Matsue or Izumo.  I know winter is fast approaching, so I’ll have to make these purchases soon.  Not to mention I’d probably want to bring my kotatsu table home if I could!  The problem would be that American outlets send out waaay more power than here in Japan.  I’d have to find some way to either get an adaptor or something that would be able to help me manage the power flow out of the outlet.  Could you imagine though?  A kotatsu in my house!  I’d get a little apartment, and instead of a coffee table, I’d have the kotatsu at the center.  Of course, I’d also want to find a way to bring the little burner too, that or I’d have to look into finding one that I could buy back home and use.

What do I do with free time?

As I mentioned before, there really isn’t all that much to do in this little town I live in.  So how to I fill my free time?

If I am home from work early enough, then I will most likely walk to the supermarket close to my apartment and pick up something to make for dinner, though one of these nights I might stop in at PicoPico (a local hamburger/pizza/pasta restaurant that is on my way to the supermarket) for dinner instead of cooking it myself.  As long as the weather stays nice (I dunno how well I’d be able to stand walking in the snow to the market lol) it’s a nice little break at the end of the day.  Again, if I get out early, and I might also take the opportunity to stop by the bank to withdraw money for the weekend.  I may not need much, but my bank’s ATM is not open on the weekend, and if I go after hours I could be charged as well even though it is my own bank’s ATM.  Not sure why, but that’s just how it goes here…

From time to time, I will also clean up the apartment.  Not a hardcore break out the sponge, bucket, gloves, and cleaner type of cleaning!  To be honest, sometimes when I get home I just kind of toss things to the floor and let them be, so every now and then I’ll pick them up and put things where they belong.  It will all just depend sometimes on how I feel when I get home.

Once dinner and dishes are done there are a few things that I consider doing.  First and foremost would be a call from family via Skype.  If someone is up (it is usually pretty early in the morning back home by this time), I might call and chat about what my day was like, how things are going, etc.  While I am eating dinner I will usually watch something on my PC Tablet (either the limited Netflix selection, or perhaps a movie from my small collection on my iTunes account), and this might carry on into the night.  In the future I might invest in a tiny TV (there is a satellite set up on the balcony left by a previous JET), but depending on how much it costs, I may or may not use it…  I also have my Nintendo 3DS that I brought with me.  I might turn on some music, and play for a bit.

More recently, I bought some yarn online and had it shipped to my apartment so that I could start work on a blanket.  It’s not really for myself for warmth, it’s for a festival that will be coming up in November.  They have this sort of craft festival, and the blanket will be my contribution.  I’m not sure exactly what the procedure for it will be (is it just going to be on display? will I be trying to sell it?) but I guess I will find out as the day gets closer.  For now I’m working on it little by little and hoping that I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew with the pattern I selected. LOL!

One thing that I have noticed, is that the chairs in my apartment can be pretty tough to sit in for an extended period of time.  I may invest in some chair cushions soon!

The last thing to consider depends on what kind of free time I have, and that is sightseeing/trips!  If it is the weekend, I may venture into town (either Matsue or Izumo) and either do some shopping for the apartment, or if I feel like it, just make the trip out to unwind and spend time with my fellow JET.  It’s nice to familiarize myself with what is close to me, and I want to be able to navigate my way around a little bit and only using the GPS as little as possible.  I know it’s going to probably take time though.  The other option here is if it is an extended holiday.  In that case, I might plan a trip to go sightsee somewhere.  There are a couple of places that I’d like to go, and I know that the other JET in town would most likely be interested in going.  A small part of me though is also a little excited at the idea of possibly going on a trip by myself.  It would certainly cost more money, but if possible I’d like to give it a shot!  I’d like to go and see what Osaka is like, and re-visit Kyoto as well.  I think there is also the Universal Studios in Japan at Osaka as well.  I know that Disneyland is in Tokyo, but I don’t know if I’d be able to ever afford to visit either.  It’d be something interesting to look into I think.