14 hour layovers and meeting the new crew

It's hour three at the Shanghai airport and I have already decided that I miss Japan. I know, I know, I hadn't even gone yet. BUT I truly felt like someone was playing a rude joke on me. Like they introduced me to this amazing Asian culture, then sent me to Shanghai. Not saying the culture wasn't cool. Just not for me and they made me stay for 14 hours.

And made me eat blue chicken.

Yes, the chicken stands alone. I did laugh when the waitress took my chopsticks out of my hands and brought me a fork. No, I didn't ask for one; apparently, I disgraced her restaurant and country. But, it was okay, I wasn't too happy with China anyway... Shanghai airport for 14 hours that is.

I got through it by sleeping on a bench in my Snuggie. The hours drove by. Saying they flew would be exaggerating. Needless to say, I sucked it up (as if I had a choice) and awoke in Japan!!!!!!

I started out by not having enough in cash (sorry I was NOT going to carry around 2500USD as recommended) and my passport photos which I think I accidentally threw away. I think it may have been on purpose.

That day, I met my roommate and the 100yen shop with great produce and other items (like my pillow). And as I so desperately wanted to sleep, I was pleasantly surprised with a Charlie,a Sarah and an Iva. We chatted a bit, then passed out.

The next day was filled with temples, two weddings, a shrine, lots of dollar snacks, a huge mall (that made me smile), train day-passes, more snacks, the biggest bestest most amazing convenient store (imagine a great whole foods or trader joes and multiply it by 100, then add vendors that made healthy food and snacks and a couple restaurants as well) and "snack bar" and of course Uniqlo and some kicks n giggles.

And we came home, passed out like lil' infants for an hour then headed to Charlie's house where we discussed everything from Avatar to oil spills, politics, religion, travel and food.

Sunday, today, we went for a group run, hiked through gorgeous terrain, found an archery place, vowed to visit each other upon departures and Karaoked to our hearts content. I got to practice my Japanese style and hanging of the laundry. It's rainy season.

If you remember anything from my blog, remember this: Japanese washing machines will eat you alive.
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Shanghai-Nihon-2 days

I have said goodbye to all my loved ones. Hugs and kisses, misty eyes but no tears. I have a feeling of peace and am so calm about moving away. I think it's all of the prayers family and friends have said for me.

So, onto the plane I go. I have changed over my money and my cell phone. I will have all the internet access in the world, but may not hear anyone's voice for a while :( and by a while I mean two weeks.

It wasn't until I looked up from my phone call that I realized: ASIANS. I had my first bout of culture shock. And two: Ohhh, that's where you plug things in (at the airport).

So far, everything in my life is coming together :) I am very excited to head out to Shanghai and even more excited to use my snuggie on the plane!!!

Sayonara...
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Remember who you are...

Kidding. So, we went to see the Lion King musical at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and it was a fun-filled time. Since then, I have all the songs and quotes in my mind. Especially Hakuna Matata: it means no worries.
So, today was a very busy day and I seriously didn't worry! Didn't stress out and kept walking when I strained my foot again.
So, here's to the Lion King and to everyone who is worrying: a list of things to do at least a month in advance before heading to Japan:
1.If you can, start sorting through your stuff. This will help when you pack as you'll sort through it again and probably dispose of things you don't really need.
2. Slowly stock up on your personal items (I have special things to use for my hair and skin and tummy-food).
3. Go to the doctor and get your physical! And don't forget to do this! Lol...
4. Exchange your money: Banks will order it for you
5. Have fun with family and friends and enjoy those little annoyances you dislike about home.
6. Remember to keep your passport photos ;)
7. Look into travel insurance. I found some under 30 online.
8. Hakuna Matata: You'll get your placement, your COE and visa will be on-time. Trust that the recruiter does this as a living and probably wouldn't push the boundaries on time.
9. Get excited!!!
10. Ask for the info of other teachers in your area or for the one you're replacing; this helps with asking questions about your placement.

Gambatte

P.S. Study Japanese
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The Real Test...

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My nephew was born six weeks ago! I, love love love babies, but I love my nephew more than anything I have ever loved (even food!). And with that, comes a greater respect for my wee sister. She's young, new, worn out and she has at least 18 years left.
So, it's almost 3 am and baby Jeyshaun has screamed the tears to my eyes and out his diaper. I have always respected potty time but it's such a joy when a child makes peepee or a baby pushes out their poo...

Thank goodness for feeding and pooping and a little cooing because he is happily snoring away on mama's chest. I can't sleep right now because A: I'm traumatized and B: I'm scared I'll miss a world cup match. But really, I am stressed lol.

I've been trying to help wee mama since I have come to visit a week ago and have over-stepped my boundaries. (Bad auntie! This is real life, not the classroom...) It's so easy for me to say: here, I'll take him, you go play outside. And it's easy for her to say: SURE! Being on bedrest for 10 mos, she'd be crazy not to want to socialize. But our priorities have been off and though I spent some good quality time with little baby, I needed to be doing more.

So, after a nice "discussion" with my wonderful role models I decided I needed to be more of a help and not a manager. And she and I sat down and wrote a schedule for papichulo. We also wrote ways to play with him (developmentally) and ways to soothe him. It was a nice bonding moment for us :) and there are now references on the wall.

Then of course baby beluga (thank you Trevis) put us to the test. He woke up so upset! He screamed! But, my wee sis did it. She didn't get wide-eyed and all crybabyish (like crazy aunt over here), she fed him, changed him and soothed him.

So, my biggest fear, I now realize, when moving to Kyushu is not the language barrier, not missing friends and an oven, not even Vivian's roaches finding me... My biggest fear is my nephew screaming and my sister giving up.

But, I have hope! Tonight was a bittersweet hope :) papichulo and wee sis have a crazy journey ahead of them, but they will be okay. At least that's what other mama's have told me. ;)

Thanks everyone for answering my frantic FB messages and emails and texts while I freak out and my little sis tries her best. Lol. Papichulo is in good hands. And he is surrounded by loving people. And he is so loving (see how he holds his mama... She is his).

So... Kyushu here I come. Sheesh balls I'm not good with goodbyes or saying sayonara...
So I'll drink my water and turn ESPN on. Beluga will be awake again to watch it with me while we try to let mama sleep longer in a few anyway.
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Nagasaki in the daytime

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Pictures (from Google) of Nagasaki

So, I am ready to head to Nagasaki. Here is my favorite picture.
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Not in Karatsu

So, I got an email this morning saying my placement was moved from Karatsu City to Nagasaki City. It's two different preferctures but same island.
It turns out, Nagasaki suits me pretty well. It's still city-esque but with a wonderful mountainous backdrop and it's by the sea.
I also already "met" the other teacher who works there. He is really nice :)
It turns out that the girl I will be replacing is leaving her big items behind. So, I virtually won't have to worry about a bed, microwave ovens, rugs (? Dunno what type of rugs just yet) and a plethora of other things. What a blessing!
I am excited to start this new journey. My city is also a huge hub for history (atomic bombs, christian crucifixions, islands that are now ships)...
Good times shall be had by all.
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Gas and other disparing diseases

Tonight, after laying watching Chelsea Lately with my fantastic nephew breathing away, asleep on my chest, I began wondering about Japan. It's almost a familiar feeling as I have read so many blogs thus far about how wonderful it is. I can almost feel the warm, tropical air, see the beautiful caves and all that jazz... Then it hit me...Gas
My stomach bubbled up and well... you know the rest.
What if I get gas in Japan? Will there be tums to help come to the rescue (though I don't use tums here, but what if I feel the need to use them there?)? Do they have that icky pink stuff that I hold my breath while drinking and then almost throw up while chugging water (I just do NOT like liquid medicine...became a pro at swallowing pills in the third grade). And what if...what if my gas turns into...well, what if?
So, my friend (I'd call her my friend even if we haven't met), Vivian (whose blog is amazing) told me not to worry about the little things before I leave. And I swear, since she said that, I haven't worried about much.
Except gas. I'm sure the Japanese have tummy problems, but they are probably too shy to say anything about it?
It's little things like that, that I worry about. The accommodations that I am used to here in the United States. Like ovens for instance.
That's the whole point of the journey, though isn't it?
To suck it up and embrace the culture. Even if my gas lingers...
Website for medicines: http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-medimport.html
I also have allergies... lol

Not there yet

It started out with me being able to write my name in Japanese. KiKi. Simple enough, it is one letter, repeated twice. I was sitting down studying Hiragana when I came about the sound: Ki! In all my excitement I began finding other sounds and creating words. Chi and ro= Ciro. Ki+sha= Quichia and love was a whole different ball game. Isn't it always.
My heart racing, mind spinning, excitement rising and... babies crying. I had to stop studying for the day. I was at work, in Texas, exhausted and ready to go home. Except after my first job, I had another job to go to. But in as little as one week, I would be closing my Texas chapter and opening my Japan life.
An ode to Japan.
It started by accident. I was frustrated with my school and their planning, or lack thereof, and decided to do my own research. I wanted to teach overseas and they weren't making it happen, so I took matters into my own hands. A TEFL certificate was my first choice. I excitedly did research for hours on end, only to find the same six (give or take 10) sources that I found the week before. I finally attended a meeting where I fell in love with the instructor and even more so with teaching overseas. She was a flamboyant little lady with wide hips, wide smile, small dreads and mocha skin. She had a knack for cultures and spoke Portugese. She was definitely my type of teacher. And, I was excited to take her course a couple weeks later.
However...
"You are getting your degree in teaching," she said. "Why don't you just try to apply to places and see if they hire you without the certificate."
Being the good little student I am (or was...when is my paper due?) I applied. To everywhere in Italy. Yes, I was determined to get to Italy. Italy was not determined to have me. But, as I reached out to Japan, it reached out to me.
If countries could have a gender, Japan would be a woman. A beautiful woman with long legs, a robust figure, warm personality and radiant skin. She'd be popular but shy, intelligent and loving. And boy could she cook. She'd clean and take care of everyone. Of course, she's so perfect that she'd be intimidating. Of course.
Of course I'd go for the norm...Italy. My first love. No one EVER forgets their first love. But just like that, I had to let it go.
Japan.
I applied and got an interview. Then another one. And another. And... you get the point.
And I researched. And researched. And flew to Canada. Then researched some more and fell in love again.
I am on my way to Japan in less than two weeks to do what I love: teach.
Things I need to work on in the next week:
Travel Insurance
Packing
See-you-laters
holding my nephew as long as I can

Things I will be doing in Japan:
I have no clue lol
For two weeks I will be going through intense training (which, I can honestly say I am excited about. I like intense challenges...)
And moving to Karatsu City.

It took me a week to remember that my city is called Karatsu and not Katsura.

I can't wait...