So here are some photos of snow in North Western Canada and Alaska:
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Flight Over
The Flight to Japan was a long one. Just over 14 hours. For most of the flight I tried to sleep. I remember being over Alaska for a very longtime and being insanely impatient.
So here are some photos of snow in North Western Canada and Alaska:
So here are some photos of snow in North Western Canada and Alaska:
Friday, March 14, 2008
Nan desu ka?
Things are finally starting to come together.
Passport
International Driving Permit
Visa
Plane Ticket
My TEFL course is coming along.
It is requiring more work than I would have thought given the material.
I will complete the assignment tomorrow (or by Sunday...I need to have time to proofread).
My concern is that I have developed many bad habits and I don't want those habits to hinder my getting the certificate.
My Japanese self-learning lessons are coming along too, although I am still very slow. I need to do more listening exercises.
Passport
International Driving Permit
Visa
Plane Ticket
My TEFL course is coming along.
It is requiring more work than I would have thought given the material.
I will complete the assignment tomorrow (or by Sunday...I need to have time to proofread).
My concern is that I have developed many bad habits and I don't want those habits to hinder my getting the certificate.
My Japanese self-learning lessons are coming along too, although I am still very slow. I need to do more listening exercises.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
International Driving Permit
I went to AAA and got my International Driving Permit.
The day before my Certificate of Eligibility arrived. I will be getting my photos done for the visa tomorrow and I won't go to the Embassy of Japan until Wednesday or Thursday.
I still can't grasp that I am still going.
I am concerned about luggage and weight constraints. On the one hand, Company A tells you take only what you can carry but on the other hand they tell you to bring everything you may need. This is especially true in terms of reference books and learning materials. I know I can't take everything and I will have my family ship some items to me once I am settled.
Time is coming up short...I hope Company A clears me to buy my plane ticket soon.
The day before my Certificate of Eligibility arrived. I will be getting my photos done for the visa tomorrow and I won't go to the Embassy of Japan until Wednesday or Thursday.
I still can't grasp that I am still going.
I am concerned about luggage and weight constraints. On the one hand, Company A tells you take only what you can carry but on the other hand they tell you to bring everything you may need. This is especially true in terms of reference books and learning materials. I know I can't take everything and I will have my family ship some items to me once I am settled.
Time is coming up short...I hope Company A clears me to buy my plane ticket soon.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
This best not be a problem...
So, I have been in contact with Company A off and on. They send an email saying that they will send something or giving me additional info and such.
Well, I get a call from Company A wanting to know when I plan on filling out this online form. I thought I had overlooked something and stated I thought I had already sent that item in. When I checked my email, I discovered I never received the link to the online form Company A was talking about. The fact that they sent me an email on January 25th talking about this email and it has almost been a month before they sent it to me..and then to make me feel like it was something I overlooked...not cool, not cool at all.
I filled out the form and sent in the information. I hope this doesn't mean something happened to my original assignment...that would suck
Well, I get a call from Company A wanting to know when I plan on filling out this online form. I thought I had overlooked something and stated I thought I had already sent that item in. When I checked my email, I discovered I never received the link to the online form Company A was talking about. The fact that they sent me an email on January 25th talking about this email and it has almost been a month before they sent it to me..and then to make me feel like it was something I overlooked...not cool, not cool at all.
I filled out the form and sent in the information. I hope this doesn't mean something happened to my original assignment...that would suck
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Long time, no post...
Sorry for the lack of updates.
Things are moving along nicely.
Company A sent me my orientation kit.
I need to get my International Driving Permit.
I will have the photos done tomorrow. Walgreens has the best prices for passport photos.
I've started looking into flights and I am trying to sell my car.
I hope someone buys it soon so I can start relaxing more. I need to tell Company A that I may need a loan.
.
..
...
I am taking an online TEFL course. I hope I can finish it before I arrive in Japan.
Things are moving along nicely.
Company A sent me my orientation kit.
I need to get my International Driving Permit.
I will have the photos done tomorrow. Walgreens has the best prices for passport photos.
I've started looking into flights and I am trying to sell my car.
I hope someone buys it soon so I can start relaxing more. I need to tell Company A that I may need a loan.
.
..
...
I am taking an online TEFL course. I hope I can finish it before I arrive in Japan.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Survey Says...
I heard back from Company A.
They had a placement for me. It wasn't anywhere near any of my preferred areas so I had to think about it. The great thing is that is changes my departure date. The person from Company A that I spoke with said that the Japanese government in that area had already accepted and the job was mine if I wanted it.
Ideally, I wanted to be placed anywhere south of Tokyo (but not in the mountains..don't like cold weather). I definitely did not want to be placed in Hokkaido. I was so wishing, hoping, praying for Fukuoka or Hiroshima or anywhere in Kyushu..Hamamatsu even..I had studied and planned and just knew there would be school for me there...
They placed me in Kurihara (Miyagi Prefecture).
I looked up Kurihara on Wiki and pulled images of the area. It seems rather subrural. That is a word I made up for an area that is suburban in it's shape but is far from the bustling city (therefore making it rural). It seemed very similar to where I live now.
I had correspondences with my states side recruiter to get her opinion. She pretty much told me to go hard or don't go at all. I had to re-evaluate my reasons for going to Japan. I had to look into why I was so interested in Southern Japan and not so much Northern Japan (those reasons I will keep to myself). I'm looking for an adventure and I will probably get one. I figure that they probably need people up there.
Also, I feared saying "no" because I was told that they (Japanese government) would frown upon it and possibly not accept me anywhere else in Japan. And if I declined this post, I may end up in Hokkaido after all. Those areas I wanted to be placed in probably have many people (more experienced people) wanting those positions. I should just take what is given to me and be grateful for the opportunity. I will have a chance to visit the south. And if I stay for more than a year, maybe I can transfer...right?!?!
I accepted the position in Kurihara.
I pray that I made a good decision and that this will lead to me to my final goal and destination. \(^o^)/
They had a placement for me. It wasn't anywhere near any of my preferred areas so I had to think about it. The great thing is that is changes my departure date. The person from Company A that I spoke with said that the Japanese government in that area had already accepted and the job was mine if I wanted it.
Ideally, I wanted to be placed anywhere south of Tokyo (but not in the mountains..don't like cold weather). I definitely did not want to be placed in Hokkaido. I was so wishing, hoping, praying for Fukuoka or Hiroshima or anywhere in Kyushu..Hamamatsu even..I had studied and planned and just knew there would be school for me there...
They placed me in Kurihara (Miyagi Prefecture).
I looked up Kurihara on Wiki and pulled images of the area. It seems rather subrural. That is a word I made up for an area that is suburban in it's shape but is far from the bustling city (therefore making it rural). It seemed very similar to where I live now.
I had correspondences with my states side recruiter to get her opinion. She pretty much told me to go hard or don't go at all. I had to re-evaluate my reasons for going to Japan. I had to look into why I was so interested in Southern Japan and not so much Northern Japan (those reasons I will keep to myself). I'm looking for an adventure and I will probably get one. I figure that they probably need people up there.
Also, I feared saying "no" because I was told that they (Japanese government) would frown upon it and possibly not accept me anywhere else in Japan. And if I declined this post, I may end up in Hokkaido after all. Those areas I wanted to be placed in probably have many people (more experienced people) wanting those positions. I should just take what is given to me and be grateful for the opportunity. I will have a chance to visit the south. And if I stay for more than a year, maybe I can transfer...right?!?!
I accepted the position in Kurihara.
I pray that I made a good decision and that this will lead to me to my final goal and destination. \(^o^)/
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Waiting for confirmation...
O'k.
So, I have signed the contract and now I waiting for my visa certificate and other such forms.
Once all that has been cleared, then I will sell my car...get my plane ticket and set about the task of cleaning up my life here. I want to settle all my credit card debt and put a sizable dent in my student loans.
I did finally tell my family.
My father wanted to know why I didn't discuss my plans with them first.
He should know by now that I normally don't seek advice and there was nothing to discuss.
My mom seems to be taking it well. She is almost excited for me.
My sister knew I would be going at some point. She made comment at a party a few months ago. "One day she will just tell us she is going to Japan and that her flight leaves the next day," that is what my sister said to friend. Not quite that dramatic.
I am pretty excited. I am anxious to know what date they want us there. We were told they want us in Japan in March instead of April. I am hoping they mean mid-March...that way we will be training in March and ready to start in April. In my case, it would have to be that way because the whole process itself takes about 4 - 6 weeks. They won't receive my signed contract and certificate form until Wednesday...oh well. I kinda want to sell my car now instead of waiting, but if something falls through I don't want to be without my car. We do have another car (a '97 Protege) and it runs fine.
So that is my update, I am waiting for more news before moving forward with the clean up process...
XOXO
So, I have signed the contract and now I waiting for my visa certificate and other such forms.
Once all that has been cleared, then I will sell my car...get my plane ticket and set about the task of cleaning up my life here. I want to settle all my credit card debt and put a sizable dent in my student loans.
I did finally tell my family.
My father wanted to know why I didn't discuss my plans with them first.
He should know by now that I normally don't seek advice and there was nothing to discuss.
My mom seems to be taking it well. She is almost excited for me.
My sister knew I would be going at some point. She made comment at a party a few months ago. "One day she will just tell us she is going to Japan and that her flight leaves the next day," that is what my sister said to friend. Not quite that dramatic.
I am pretty excited. I am anxious to know what date they want us there. We were told they want us in Japan in March instead of April. I am hoping they mean mid-March...that way we will be training in March and ready to start in April. In my case, it would have to be that way because the whole process itself takes about 4 - 6 weeks. They won't receive my signed contract and certificate form until Wednesday...oh well. I kinda want to sell my car now instead of waiting, but if something falls through I don't want to be without my car. We do have another car (a '97 Protege) and it runs fine.
So that is my update, I am waiting for more news before moving forward with the clean up process...
XOXO
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