Countdown Continues!

It's crazy to think that it's getting closer and closer to my departure date!  I just received my passport back in the mail today with my visa for Japan.  I'm now 12 days away from my flight, and I keep running through my mind a list of the different things I need to make sure I pack.

Aside from thinking of what kind of lessons I can plan, I've been having fun dreaming up all kinds of information about my new life.  Most importantly I've been dreaming up what my daily life is going to be like, and what kind of furnishings I will be getting.  I'd like to find things to make my new little apartment ready to receive guests.  I'll have to look for some linen, at least one futon, and possibly a day bed/couch that would fit in my living room.  I'm also really looking forward to finding the little furnishings as well.  Things like dishware, and other home furnishings.  Oh!  I'm also looking forward to finding a quilt to use with my kotatsu table!

I've also been getting my wardrobe together, fitting in as much as I can for both warm and cold weather.  I think I'll find little in my size as I can be bigger than most Japanese people.  LOL!  One thing that I will most likely have to find when I get there will be things like winter jackets.  I can't wait til I can explore the area and do some shopping!

One wait after another...

If I were to give anyone thinking about applying for JET right now advice it would be this: have patience!

Throughout the whole process it is nothing but one waiting period after another.  It is impossible to predict when you will be contacted after each step of the way, and if you spend the whole time worrying about it you will be miserable for months!

I'm kind of having fun imagining where I might be sent while I wait to see what the final word is.  I know that either way I will have a blast, but a small part of me is really hoping that I will at least not be on some remote island.  At this point I just have to make do with my final waiting game to find out when and where I will be going.

Also, while it seems kind of common sense to say, don't put all your eggs in one basket!  Look into other jobs, the worst that could happen would be that you would need to let them know another opportunity has come up.  If anything this would probably be the one thing I would change about my experience.  I was so obsessed about this process that I didn't look much into other job opportunities.  At the very least I kind of wish I would have taken a part time job to help set aside some extra cash.