Orientation Day 1 Part 2

Orientation Day 1 – Part 2

So, orientation has been pretty informational so far. I was able to make it until about 3 pm before I crashed. I was listening to a presentation for JETs in multiple schools when I just couldn’t focus on anything but how tired I was. I think Jetlag hit all of us at the same time. I’m pretty sure the informational session after that one was empty.
All the sessions I went to were pretty interesting, but after a while it seemed like they couldn’t really go into detail about anything specific and it was all generalizations like “try to try anything once”. But, I’ve really enjoyed it so far. BUT, I think I was smart to go get a cat nap so I could focus for later sessions. Now, I’m about to go to our Welcome Reception tonight.

OH! We met with our prefecture today – Good news! One of my prefectural advisors (basically like someone who watches over people in their prefecture) is on the island right next to me. As soon as I introduced myself to her she exclaimed: “You’re the other islander!” Apparently only two new JETs are being appointed to this island region… there are a lot of other JETs there but they’ve been recontracting. She told me my luggage will most likely be there when I get to the island. She said I am in for the best next year (or few) of my life. She is actually going onto her third year and she said we will become best friends, like it or not, because we only have each other to really hang out with. She’s from the UK and really nice (super energetic… or, as the other Program Coordinators keep telling us to be… very genki (genki is Japanese for energitic/healthy)).

She told me that I will want to have a car because I may want to transport materials to and fro, around the island since I am the only JET there. So, tomorrow I’ll be attending the sessions: Thriving as a rural JET, Driving in Japan, and Managing Expectations with your Contracting Organisation.

Also the girls I am rooming with both flew out of Detroit too and one of the girls is flying to Kagoshima as well. Very exciting.

And, Mom and Dad, you will be relieved to know that I have met plenty of perfectly normal and nice people here. ((we were a little worried over a few of the people we saw at the airport going on JET)).

We had a really nice Opening Ceremony, I can’t get over how formal this place is. All of our dishware is china and the silverware looks like silver. The maids have uniforms and the men wear butler uniforms with bowties and white gloves.

…

Just got back from a night out with my prefecture. Tons of fun, to say the least. My prefecture (Kagoshima-Ken) is full of Brits (us Americans, the four of us, are definitely a minority here). We went out karaoking and had a blast. Who knew singing Justin Beiber at a Japanese Karaoke Bar in Tokyo could be so fun. My friend took video, so once she uploads it I’ll post some.

Love you all!