More late night blogging

It's a little odd, laying here in my room for the last time.  These past couple of days I've been hit with odd fits of nervousness.  While it is not ideal, this has also led me to refrain from eating in fear I might throw it up.  I honestly wasn't expecting to feel this way until after I arrived in Japan (the same thing happened when I went study abroad for a couple of weeks one summer).  I think part of it comes from the fact that I will be living on my own and very far away from home for a significant amount of time for the first time in my life.  And then, almost as suddenly, it goes away leaving behind a slight rumble in my stomach from the lack of food.

I know that I'm going to have a blast, and adjust to my new life soon enough though.  I've wanted this kind of experience for a very long time already.  It's just slightly annoying to feel this way when in my mind I'm all ready for this adventure.  Lol I guess it's a classic case of the heart going against the brain.

Sorry that I don't have much to write about this time.  Gonna keep this one on the short side so I can try to get some sleep before my early day tomorrow.

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!

Late-night Blogging

So I really should be in bed right now.... but I'm still running on my newest JET info high!

A couple of days ago I got an email with details of my assignment!  FINALLY!

Now it is a countdown clock until August 19th when I make my way to Japan.  I have been assigned the prefecture of Shimane, in a little town called Okuizumo.  It is still the main island of Japan (Honshu), on the Western side of the island.  A probably more well known landmark is that I will be a couple of hours north of Hiroshima.

I was apprehensive at first, I'll admit.  When I first did my google search to find out exactly where this place was, I was a little sad that I would be out in the country (the closest major city to me is about an hour away, and it is still nothing compared to the bigger cities).  But when I first filled out my application I was actually hoping that I would get placed in a small city.  The idea of the big hustle and bustle that comes with a major city like Tokyo and Kyoto sound more appealing to me as a visit, not a permanent living place.  And from where I am, it's actually not that far from Kyoto if I wanted to drive out there for a weekend.  I stayed for a few days during study abroad, and I love all the temples that you can visit there!

The other advantage I realized to my placement comes two-fold.  Firstly, the cost of living should be far less expensive since I will not be in a big city.  This means that I should have plenty of money to save a little nest egg for my return, and still afford to go on some fun vacations during my stay.  Secondly, being out in the country means that I get to use a car!  It's going to be different for sure, and something to get use to, but I think I'm going to love the mobility!

The last minor worry is that my apartment is going to be really small.  I only say this because I already have family making reservations to come visit me, and this means that either we will all be trying to cramp into my little apartment, or I will have to help find them a hotel to use.

Fun side note:  lol I had started this post late at night, but then forgot to publish it before I went to bed....   oh well!

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.

My Adventures Begin!

Here we go!

The following blog will hopefully be a chronicle of my adventures as I navigate through my time in the JET Program!  To be honest, it still feels a little like a dream.

For what felt like an eternity I sat on the dreaded alternate list.  Each day my phone would make an alert of a new email, and with disappointment I would find yet another piece of either junk mail or some newsletter promotion.  You can then imagine the emotions I went through when I discovered that first call...

First off, I had missed a phone call from a number I didn't recognize.  It wasn't my area code, so I had no idea where it had come from.  Thinking it might be some annoying telemarketer, and wishing to add my name to the "Do Not Call" list, I called the number back to see what company wanted my attention.  To my extreme surprise I found that it was the voicemail for the Consulate-General of Japan!  There, that first spark of hope was lit.  Was I getting an upgrade?  Or did they just need to verify something on my application?  Either way the call was placed after regular office hours, so the best I could do was leave a message with my contact information and hope for the best the following morning.

As if by fate, the exact moment I was planning to pick up the phone and try again my phone rang again.  The office was calling me again since they didn't get a hold of me the day before!  At first it was verifying information on my application.  The hope was starting to fade, believing this to be nothing but routine data updates.  Then my world was thrown for a loop when I was offered to be upgraded to the short-list!  Announcements were made, and phone calls placed to let friends and family know the good news.  And after a while I got my first set of emails with info on upcoming events and forms that I need to fill and return to finalize my upgrade.

Once done I will have nothing to do but wait to find out when and where they will be sending me.  All I know as of right now is that I could be shipping out some time between the end of July and September!  It seems so fast approaching, and I have a feeling the next few weeks are going to feel like a whirlwind!