Blog Entry # 4 – August 2, 2010
Jet lag is definitely kicking in. While I was able to get some pretty great sleep last night (with the help of some Tylenol PM), my roommates and I all woke up at around 5 am.
I don’t think I explained the rooming situation and everything here. Because there are about 6-700 JETs who come in with each orientation, there are about 3 people to a room. So, I have two other roommates. We all flew out of the same airport (Detroit) and so are from around the area.
Dragana! Guess who I had breakfast with this morning, Neil A.! For those of you who don’t know, Dragana has a friend that she went to school with who’s on JET. We chatted once about it. And, by chance, I sat down and ate breakfast at the same table as him. Even crazier, his room is right next door. Small world! I told him about you teaching English in China and now we’re thinking of visiting together.
Anyways, here is the picture of my roommates hanging out before we head down to Orientation today.
Today, Monday, is the first day of our Orientation. It’s a packed schedule and I’m still trying to decide which presentations to go to. Once I go to all the presentations I’ll updated, either later tonight or tomorrow morning (because I’ll probably be up at 5 am again )
Also, here are some pictures of the view from my room in the daylight. You can see tons more. Do you see the red and white tower in the distance on the right hand side of the picture, that’s Tokyo Tower (I think).
Heading down to Orientation Part 1, Day 1. Tell you all about it later.
Check out pictures HERE!
Love you,
Steph
Sunday, August 1, 2010
First Night in Tokyo
Hey All!
So, finally arrived in Japan safe and sound. It was a bumpy ride here, so it was hard to sleep on the plane. So, I'm very thankful for comfortable beds at our hotel.
We (JETs) are staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. My flight arrived in Tokyo around 5 -- the JET Programme actually had a pretty efficient system set up (which suprised me, especially since Detroit's JET Programme Pre-Departure orientation was pretty hectic). There were tons of JETs, volunteering with Tokyo Orientation, placed around the airport. They told us where to go, so I never felt disoriented.
Once we arrived and went through customs, I sent off two pieces of luggage through a courier so I currently have one peice of luggage, my backpack, and my camera bag. I should get the luggage I shipped in a while (hopefully its not too long of a wait!)
It is very hot and humid here. Everyone kept telling me how humid it would be in the summer, but you don't really realize it until you're here. I'm really hoping it won't be too bad on the island with the ocean providing a nice breeze.
I have pictures uploaded on my account on Photobucket, so click HERE to check them out. Just pictures of the room and the view from the room.
Well, going to grab some dinner and go to bed. I'm so tired after that crazy long and bumpy flight.
Love you all!
Steph
So, finally arrived in Japan safe and sound. It was a bumpy ride here, so it was hard to sleep on the plane. So, I'm very thankful for comfortable beds at our hotel.
We (JETs) are staying at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. My flight arrived in Tokyo around 5 -- the JET Programme actually had a pretty efficient system set up (which suprised me, especially since Detroit's JET Programme Pre-Departure orientation was pretty hectic). There were tons of JETs, volunteering with Tokyo Orientation, placed around the airport. They told us where to go, so I never felt disoriented.
Once we arrived and went through customs, I sent off two pieces of luggage through a courier so I currently have one peice of luggage, my backpack, and my camera bag. I should get the luggage I shipped in a while (hopefully its not too long of a wait!)
It is very hot and humid here. Everyone kept telling me how humid it would be in the summer, but you don't really realize it until you're here. I'm really hoping it won't be too bad on the island with the ocean providing a nice breeze.
I have pictures uploaded on my account on Photobucket, so click HERE to check them out. Just pictures of the room and the view from the room.
Well, going to grab some dinner and go to bed. I'm so tired after that crazy long and bumpy flight.
Love you all!
Steph
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Schedule for Orientation
Hello All!
So, just a little over a week until I arrive for Orientation in Tokyo to start my year on the JET Program. Doing some snooping on the internet, I found the schedule for my Orientation. Check it out, here.
I thought I'd post the schedule for all of those interested.
As well, talked with my predecessor, Sarah, and we've agreed on a compromise so that I will have internet as soon as I arrive. I'll be able to update you as soon as I get there ((and hopefully post some pictures, too))!
Steph
So, just a little over a week until I arrive for Orientation in Tokyo to start my year on the JET Program. Doing some snooping on the internet, I found the schedule for my Orientation. Check it out, here.
I thought I'd post the schedule for all of those interested.
As well, talked with my predecessor, Sarah, and we've agreed on a compromise so that I will have internet as soon as I arrive. I'll be able to update you as soon as I get there ((and hopefully post some pictures, too))!
Steph
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Address
Hey All!
So, I chatted with the JET currently on the island. I don't know if I said this in the last post, but I'll be teaching at six different schools across the city: 1 Kindergarten, 2 Elementary schools, and 2 middle schools. She said that most of the kids enjoy English classes, but they don't feel like they'll need it in their lives. Not sure how I can change their opinion of that, but I'll just have to make classes fun.
She also sent me the address to the apartment:
4-2-1, 393-1 Wadomari
Wadomari-cho, Oshima-gun
Kagoshima-Ken, 891-9112
Japan
I know, lots of numbers. Basically "cho" = City, "gun" = county, and "Ken"=state. It's the best translation into our terms of identifying addresses that I can figure out.
Love,
Steph
So, I chatted with the JET currently on the island. I don't know if I said this in the last post, but I'll be teaching at six different schools across the city: 1 Kindergarten, 2 Elementary schools, and 2 middle schools. She said that most of the kids enjoy English classes, but they don't feel like they'll need it in their lives. Not sure how I can change their opinion of that, but I'll just have to make classes fun.
She also sent me the address to the apartment:
4-2-1, 393-1 Wadomari
Wadomari-cho, Oshima-gun
Kagoshima-Ken, 891-9112
Japan
I know, lots of numbers. Basically "cho" = City, "gun" = county, and "Ken"=state. It's the best translation into our terms of identifying addresses that I can figure out.
Love,
Steph
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