Kiki IN Nagasaki City...

Literally...

I arrive and find John standing there with a huge smile and something in his hand. Ah, an umbrella. He offers to take one of my three bags (this is after me even sending two big suitcases to be delivered) and I politely oblige. We walk, through rain into what I originally see as: what is this, so many lights, so many people. It turns out that literally three...no four maybe, trolley stops from my house is a HUGE mall. And somewhat behind that is another HUGE mall and then somewhere else in my city is a third HUGE mall. Needless to say...

So, we make it and wait two hours for the gas man to come and install gas. My apartment is small. Imagine a dorm with a kitchen. That, is a Japanese style apartment. However, everything is new. Thankfully I am replacing a girl, Ana, who decided that she wanted to get a new apartment in the downtown area. And she got one. Everything in my apartment is new, pink, and green. It smells like fresh paint, the floors are nicely polished and I have a real bed. AND a real view. I can see gorgeous mountains outside my balcony and a shrine (can't remember the name). It's absolutely wonderful and I've taken to decorating it. I'll post pictures on a later date.

So... The first week began and John and I walked around, in the rain, to get my information. Thankfully, John was here to help me get regisitered. He, however, was not available to help with my getting a bank account and cell phone. But, with a lot of gesturing and saying a million yeses (hmmm?) and drawing pictures, I was successful and now have both a bank account and a lovely (of course) iPhone. No iPhone 4 :( the guy at the softbank place made wide arms to indidcate that it's a looooooong wait. To be honest, I'm content with my black berry and iPhone. And feel slightly spoiled. I guess my mom's, sister's, family, friend's many prayers really paid off.

I am in Japan where down the street is a street market. It's closed off (no cars may enter) and people line the streets to buy produce, fresh meat, fresh fish, clothing, enter the 100yen shop (woo hoo) and I found a pair of cute white and black polka dotted rain boots.

I have also signed up for Japanese lessons with a private tutor and start those today at 7 pm (2 hours from now). I now realize that I am one of those people who jet away to a far off land and fall in love.

On my way to my classroom (I have an office week, which means I don't teach any classes, but I head to my empty classroom and prepare lessons for the rest of the month)... was the best ride ever. The scenery is absolutely breath taking and it literally took my breath away over and over and over again. I seriously wish I could knock on heaven's door and thank God personally for allowing me to be in such a miraculous place.

So... I've met many different people so far, in my training.
They are all deeply missed already and such wonderful, accepting people. We, honestly, were all as different as black and white, but almost identical in a way. I guess, you'd have to be there to understand. I truly miss you guys and wish I could share the excitement that Nagasaki City brings to me...we had some good times exploring Nagoya together. AND I expect visits! Capicc??

So, my life consists of waking up, reading Joyce Meyer, praying for family, friends, myself, this city... and whining about being tired. Then finding strength to do my hair (which is growing out of the cute cut it was in...) and getting dressed and heading outside. I live literally on the outskirts of downtown. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to China town, five more minutes to walk to the big outside mall and add five minutes here or there and I've circled all of downtown. I have learned to get around (yaaay and am learning kanji..slooooowwwwllly, but surely). I also, don't turn my AC on much because the rain has cooled everything down a bit.

I enjoy my apartment (which John says is a steal considering my location) and that my clothes were almost crazy enough to fit-in with Japan style. Granted... I haven't been able to wear any of my heels :( On another note, I bought these beautiful shockingly blue Ns! Yaaay shoes.

Some advice for those reading who are just heading to Japan:
1. Bring cash; but finding a 7-11 is pretty much easy and you can use a debit card to get money out.
2. Have fun!
3. It's not as hard as it seems.

I can't think of anything else lol. I've asked a million questions to the same people over and over and am learning a lot about Japan. I also learned that there is a nice American bar down the street from my house which I will go to tomorrow night for Happy Friday! And there's another bar that frequents the English speakers and some Japanese locals that I will visit on Saturday. Japan has treated me well... even having four (or five) different bags for different types of trash! lol.

Hopefully this weekend, I'll be able to play as I have about 3 days off :)

First two weeks in Japan...

So far, Japan has proven to be nothing but awesome. I mean I miss my family and friends but have absolutely NO regrets about coming.
I am on an hour train bound for teaching! So far, we've been training A LOT but also playing and eating A LOT! The balance has been great.
In Japan, I have found that (besides deodorant and toothpaste and maybe some shoes) everything is readily available and everyone is readily available to help you.
Let's talk about that...
So, I ended up getting lost on my first day of classes (where I taught two different levels of classes back to back; both of which I had never done before in training)... Long story short: I am half hour late and am crying in the rain. Just little tears :( But everyone I asked for directions was nice and felt really bad when they had NO idea where I was going. Lol. It turns out the map was outdated. Tsk tsk... But now I have a sob story to tell...
Everything went well and the kids enjoyed my games and were pretty good kids.

So far, I've seen castles, shrines, raccoon-dogs, been eaten by mosquitoes AND done fireworks in the park. We've eaten everything from ramen to tofu-burgers and laughed until we've cried.

I feel really blessed to be here in Japan and with a set of peeps I can call family already.

And a shout out to C-Dog aka charred leaves aka Mistah Charlie: You betta don't!
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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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