So here we are, you and I.
In one week, 8 days, 192 hours... life will change.
Graduation.
I keep reminding myself that this is the last summer vacation. Because this isn't a summer vacation followed by a fall semester. This is a summer vacation followed by a year of life-changing, mind-boggling, and culture shock experiences.
I'm going to Japan to start a job that I wanted, a job that was my first choice. How often do people get their first pick of jobs? I feel very blessed, lucky, fortunate, and unworthy all rolled into one.
Let me say that again.
I'm going to Japan.
Random Cravings: Microwave Light Butter Popcorn and Nerds Candies
Cambodia 2011
Things that do not exist in Japan.
Wit - (noun) ingenious humor: the apt, clever, and often humorous association of words or ideas, or a capacity for it.
Hug - (verb) to embrace affectionately: to put your arms around somebody's body and hold the person tight to show affection or pleasure.
Garbage Disposal - (noun) grinding device: an electrical device, installed beneath a kitchen sink, that grinds up food so that it can go into the waste pipe.
Hug - (verb) to embrace affectionately: to put your arms around somebody's body and hold the person tight to show affection or pleasure.
Garbage Disposal - (noun) grinding device: an electrical device, installed beneath a kitchen sink, that grinds up food so that it can go into the waste pipe.
People and Places
The Sasahiras - The summer before my senior year of HS, I did a 6-week homestay in Tokyo with this family. We have kept a great relationship over the years and now that I am back in Japan, I have enjoyed going "home" on long weekends.
Kiyomi - Music Teacher at Nishiko. She comes to my place on Wednesday nights for Conversation Lessons.
The Hidakas - my Aunt Keiko's family: Uncle Nobi and cousins Hiro and Seiko. They live in Kamakura, Kanagawa-ken.
The Islands - Japan has 4 islands: Hokkaido, Honshu (main), Shikoku, and Kyushu. These are listed from north to south.
Shizuoka - the prefecture (state equivalent) where I live.
Shimizu - the town where I live (approximately 68,000 people)
Nishiko - West High School, where I work. WESTSIDE!
JUSCO - Think 2 floor Target with a bowling alley on the 3rd.
U-Mart - Supermarket near my apartment.
Pion - This is Japan's Pier One and just as expensive. It is a tempting 2 minute walk from my apartment.
100 yen shop - This is Japan's dollar store only the quality of the products are worthy of Wal-Mart. There is one even closer to my house than Pion.
Kiyomi - Music Teacher at Nishiko. She comes to my place on Wednesday nights for Conversation Lessons.
The Hidakas - my Aunt Keiko's family: Uncle Nobi and cousins Hiro and Seiko. They live in Kamakura, Kanagawa-ken.
The Islands - Japan has 4 islands: Hokkaido, Honshu (main), Shikoku, and Kyushu. These are listed from north to south.
Shizuoka - the prefecture (state equivalent) where I live.
Shimizu - the town where I live (approximately 68,000 people)
Nishiko - West High School, where I work. WESTSIDE!
JUSCO - Think 2 floor Target with a bowling alley on the 3rd.
U-Mart - Supermarket near my apartment.
Pion - This is Japan's Pier One and just as expensive. It is a tempting 2 minute walk from my apartment.
100 yen shop - This is Japan's dollar store only the quality of the products are worthy of Wal-Mart. There is one even closer to my house than Pion.
Helpful Acronyms and Abbreviations
JET Programme - Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. This is the organization through which I got my job in Japan.
CLAIR - Council of Local Authorities for International Relations. Another JET organization that publishes a lot of stuff that comes to my desk.
ALT - Assistant Language Teacher. This is my official job title but it is certainly a misnomer. I am not the assistant... I am THE teacher: I plan the lessons, I create the worksheets, I make the copies, I make the midterm and the final exam, and I do this for 17 classes which = 640 students a week.
OC - Oral Communication
JTE - Japanese Teacher of English.
CLAIR - Council of Local Authorities for International Relations. Another JET organization that publishes a lot of stuff that comes to my desk.
ALT - Assistant Language Teacher. This is my official job title but it is certainly a misnomer. I am not the assistant... I am THE teacher: I plan the lessons, I create the worksheets, I make the copies, I make the midterm and the final exam, and I do this for 17 classes which = 640 students a week.
OC - Oral Communication
JTE - Japanese Teacher of English.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
1 comment:
Yay!
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