City and country

I know I don't write every week. Mostly because its the almost the same thing each week. I go to work teach English to my amazing students who learn so quickly and try hard. Come home, eat, watch some t.v. go to bed and do it again. Sometimes on the weekends I got shopping at the mall. Every Friday night I have dinner with other English teachers around the area and that is when we enjoy talking and using "Normal English speak" compared to our slower teaching English speak.

The holidays have passed. They were super hard for me. I had 3 weeks off, mainly due to my herniated disc issue. With Christmas I was able to go to a beautiful dinner with friends and had a great time. We went to a city by train named Nagoya. Where we ate at the Marriott restaurant. Wonderful food that was cooked beautifully. I was even given a treat by Santa Clause! We went and saw some Christmas lights and had some Apple Cider and Dean and Deluca. It was a very pleasant night.

I struggle a lot when it is just me and my house for days in a row. Sometimes it is nice but sometimes I wish for the company from friends and family at home. It has almost been one year since I left. I love Japan, I can honestly say you do not know Japan until you have been in the country side of it. Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo... They are more of what is known by the tourists, they are also aimed for tourism I feel. Out in the country though, people are just living like they always have. Being here you can see the many traditions and ways of Japanese life that has been around for hundreds and some thousands of years. It is a blessing to see and be a part of.

On New Years at 1 A.M. I went with friends to Tanagumi Temple about a 15 min drive from my house, this is where many of the towns folk go on New Years to pray. I went and threw in my coin and prayed for a good year. I am trying to start fresh and new. This is going to be a happy year full of joy. Some part of me wonders if I should go home after this school year? Can I do another year? There is a void in my chest since leaving home that I cannot fill or ignore. It hurts all the time. I get up, go to work, and smile through it though. I know this is an amazing thing I am doing, part of me wishes I wasn't doing it alone. By alone I mean I wish there was someone here with me who was going through this, brand new, like me. My friends that I am with have been here a while and have done many of the things I wish to do. I am also losing a good friend soon as she goes back to the states.

Sigh... let us move on from such thoughts for they do no good. I went to Tokyo this last weekend. It is HUGE! Can't get much sun while you are there because the buildings are so high and everywhere, the sidewalks are mostly shade. During the summer this would be nice, but winter the bitter wind and shade made it chilly to walk in. When you go to Tokyo you must go to the Sky Tree. Even if you fear heights it is something worth doing just once. Also walk through the Emperors East Gardens. It is beautiful. Take a look around and see all you can see, there is so much! However, as stunning as Tokyo is, my favorite place to visit so far is still Kyoto. I also would not trade anything for where I get to live while in Japan. I love my countryside house. Well I really don't know what to say at this moment and I need to start getting ready for sleep. Night and be safe out there!

8 months and holidays

Well I have been here 8 months now... time has gone by, I don't know whether to say it was fast or slow. Some days seemed to zip on by, while others lasted what seemed like forever. Its now the holidays. Made it through Thanksgiving, of course it helped going to Italy. Yup that is right, I went to Italy. Italy was good to visit and was described to me like this, "Italy is like a woman with a beautiful face, but ugly feet." I laughed when I first heard this. However the 2 weeks I spent there, I understood what it meant. As long as you look up around you, Italy is beautiful and full of art and brilliance, but as you glance down, you see the garbage surrounding the beauty. The graffiti that marks almost everything in sight. It is sad how many historical things there are in Italy that have been unkempt and or destroyed.

So yes I did enjoy my trip to Italy and I saw so many amazing and beautiful things. I was able to go see the Colosseum, Trevino fountain, eat pizza Margarita, heard Pope Francesco speak at St. Pietro's Square, saw Micheal Angelo's artwork at the Sistine Chapel. Which for the longest time I thought was called sixteen chapel. I saw the Spanish Steps, Castle Nuovo, Went and visited Mt. Vesuvius. Rode a gondola in Venice, and saw some beautiful and creative masks of art. I took at least 1,000 pictures. As the time came to an end though, I was glad to be coming back to Japan, my home.

I say Japan is my home because the home I knew when I left the U.S.A. is now gone and everything is changed, I don't know where I would go, or what I would do if I were to come back home at this point. That scares me. I like knowing my future or at least having a sense of what I want and where I am going. At this moment I don't and for me it is unsettling. Of course for the last 6-7 years I thought I was getting married and moving to Colorado which then would have been my home. Funny how fast things change. There are times where I wish someone would call or message me saying. I need you, please come home. When I first said I wanted to do this people were hesitant about it but still supportive. No one came right out and said I couldn't leave them. No one said I don't want you to go. Most told me I should go. While I know it was all coming from a supportive and good place, I can't help but feel a little hurt. Part of me wonders was it even hard for anyone having me leave? I know for me it was and is still difficult to be away.

In my small apartment I have put up some decorations for the Christmas holidays. Here in Japan the holidays, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, are not fully celebrated. Thanksgiving is a very weird idea to them. Understandable because they did not have the same history as us. Christmas is known and things are sold and kids talk of presents, however work does not stop people will continue to work on the 24th and 25th like any other day. I too, shall go to work and teach my students. Better than sitting at home alone on that day. I much rather be with my students laughing and playing.

The big celebrated holiday here is New Years. This coming year for Japan is year of the horse. I know a little girl back at home who would find that exciting. :) I am the year of the snake so dang not my turn. I am also amazed that it is now the 2nd week of December and there is no snow. All over Facebook there are pictures of peoples houses and streets filled with snow. Including beautiful brag about warm no snow St. George!!! It can no longer claim no snow because it has from what I can see several inches and even had the highway closed for a while!!!

I am nervous about the crazy weather and being so far away from home. I think of my family and others I love and pray that they stay safe and out of harm. It would hurt me more than I dare express should I lose anyone while I am over here.

Other than my trip to Italy and working away the only other thing I can think to write about is the St. George/ Ibigawa Marathon that happened!! Students from St. George were able to come here and meet some of my coworkers students as well as mine. They were able to travel and see some of Japan and we participated a little in the marathon by doing a mayors walk. Unfortunately it was a little cold and rainy that day but we made good memories. During this time I was interviewed and had my picture taken for the Ibigawa newspaper. I made front page! I luckily was given a copy and many people read it and approached me to talk about some of the things I said in it.

The mayor has also enjoyed hearing my BIG TEACHER VOICE as I would use it to get the large group to quiet down and listen. Many people laughed as it soon became routine to listen up when you heard my voice ring through the group. I felt a little bad for the Japanese people who are not use to hearing such a loud voice. Some would give a little jump or cover their ears. Gomenashi (Sorry) to those few.

I do enjoy my days here as long as I can stay busy. It is when I have too much alone and down time that I begin to really miss what I left behind. Well that is all the update for now. Tootles.

I miss home!

So I came here in April and by June I am ready to come home! I am feeling so forgotten and homesick! I miss my dogs and children running around chaos being created through the house. I miss the smells of St. George the red mountains of dirt. The Hot hot weather. I want to go swimming, talk to my friends there be with my family. Most of all I want to feel that need of being needed. Of being the one people I loved counted on for almost everything. I want to hear the kids say my name and run to me after being gone for a little while. The dogs barking and whining glad that their mom is home. Laughing with Lisa over something silly stupid that happened. Calling Stephanie to see how everything is going and if I needed to get anything for her. Hearing from Jay where he is when he was coming home and what he wants to do. I loved it all and being on my own was becoming very lonely.

The other part was the countdown for my sisters wedding. It was so close and I was going to miss one of the biggest parts of my baby sisters life! It hurt me to the core that I wasn't going to be there for it! After crying almost every night and sometimes during the day from this lonely ache I decided I had enough! I went to Dan's home where I told him I wanted to go home immediately. That I needed to be with my family and center myself once more, but I promised him I would come back. I just needed a week with my family, my heart and soul needed to be with them. Whats not better or happier then a beautiful wedding to see all of your family? I called my mom. She understood why I wanted to come home, but was afraid that if I came back I would not return to Japan. I told her I was only packing a carry on bag and leaving all of the rest behind so I had to return. Plus I had a contract and I was not going to break it. I am not a person who breaks promises if I can help it. I know that the schools are going to panic because of past ALT's disappearing with no word, but I couldn't think about that now. I would face the consequences after I came back. I would come back. Dan was kind and comforted me as I sat bawling on his couch for the 3rd night he was again at my side helping me through my crazy ache. He helped me get a plane ticket and formed a plan for me the next day so that I could be on the next flight asap.

The next morning I woke with a small headache like the past week. I shrugged it off got dressed and met Dan at the door. We were going to the B.O.E so I could explain and get the time off. When we got there I was quiet and kept my head down. I was trying hard not to cry and cause them to panic. They want nothing more than to keep me happy so I stay. This unexpected trip back home would be a shock to them. But I need it!!! Finally we meet with the man who gave me a contract. Dan explains the situation, shock then concern crosses his face. He asks, will you come back. I answer as confident as I could. "Yes I will come back. I just need to go home for a little bit." He nods, I explain part of it was for my sisters wedding. I was going to surprise her by being there. This brings a smile to his face and he tells me to congratulate her on her new happiness.  We leave there I feel a slow calm set in. I AM GOING HOME!

Then I refocus, I need to pack, clean the house, make sure Dan has the key. When I get to my hometown I must be happy and focus on Rachelle. It is her day! I will spend sometime with a friend who always makes me laugh search for a dress and then travel with my mom down to St. George to pack more of my things from my old home then fly back to Japan. I CAN DO THIS!

Everything set Dan takes me to the airport gives me a hug and says "Please come back!" I tell him I will and say "See you in a week!" Then go to board the first flight of my trip home. That week flew by with tears of joy and some of pain but it was what I needed and I felt whole again. I also missed being in Japan and by the end of the week, I was ready to go back.

Some days I still get homesick. Especially when I don't hear from my family and friends. Sometimes I still feel forgotten. But I know we are all busy and there is a huge time zone difference. I love you all! Thank you for being my rock when I feel weak. Without you I could not imagine doing this!

Schools...

I love my schools and the students. Although one school is a little frustrating and stressful, thanks to a brilliant and amazing mentor there Catherine who has become a good friend, I have been able to adjust smoothly with the teachers and they know that I will do whatever I can do help the students in whatever they need. The hardest part is trying to communicate and talk about the lessons that are needing planning since not all of my teachers can speak or understand English very well. This sometimes has proven a challenge but as most challenges it has big rewards. The schools here are stunning! They have air conditioners but do not run them while school is in session, not entirely sure of the reasoning behind it but they don`t use it. They use electric fans and open windows. So some days I feel very sticky with sweat. My students too feel the heat. As summer approaches it continues to get hotter and no amount of water I drink keeps the thirst away for long. The grade levels are divided by floors in the building with the older students being at the top. Most schools have 4 floors. Let me tell you I feel like instead of going down to meet Hades I am going up to meet him. Cause as science has told us heat rises and I teach in the upper parts of the schools a lot more then the lower half. Again no air conditioner....

Teaching is a BLAST! The students are what we call energetic, fun, and excited (Most days) to learn English and play games with me. In Japan they refer to it as genky. I love that word Genky. It is just a happy word. But whenever I enter a classroom I am greeted by "HELLO AIMEE SENSEI!!!!" Some students look for my green color on me, others ask for stickers, and all of them quickly sit so we can start. While they do have a higher and deeper respect for the teachers and they do listen and follow instructions without question (As long as they understand). They are still children, and just like all children in school you have good and bad days, when I storm is approaching they are more energetic and talkative so teaching becomes difficult. Some students will fall asleep some play in the desks. The typical things we find in the classrooms back in good ol` USA.
The other part I love about Japanese schools is the faculty room. While teachers have a desk in the classroom the faculty room is set up as we would with students. Each teacher has a desk and all the desks are set up in groups so that the teachers can talk and share with each other. I love this open flow of sharing lessons and even when they have a problem with a student. Many schools in the US are starting this "Open door policy" but to have it so open in the staff room is wonderful.
Eating is done in the classroom with the teacher. There is no school lunch room. The lunch is prepared then put onto rolling carts and set outside the classroom. It is then set up and served by the students. No one starts eating until everyone has food. They also eat everything given to them, no left overs no being picky. You eat what is given and are grateful for it. This is the hardest part for me as I do not like tomatoes, mushrooms and some fish. But I have learned that if I see something right away before I start eating that I do not want I can try to give it to another student. Most of the time the students see this as a reward and are happy to accept it. However, if you leave any food on the plate and do not eat it you are considered rude. I have only done this once. I will not eat mushroom! Well I won`t eat most mushrooms....there is one called enekeida or something like that. It is a long white mushroom that is chopped into small thin slices and placed in soup. That I can handle.

After lunch the students have a period where they clean the school. This includes vacuuming hand and knee scrubbing/ buffing floors, dusting, cleaning windows, watering plants, etc. Amazingly is you see them all smiling and happy to be taking care of their school. It really is very nice and provides teachers time to do some paperwork or meet with each other or the principal (Kocho sensei) Students don`t get out of school until 4. Then they have study clubs, or sports clubs, or other school things to do. At about 6 is when you may finally see them out playing with friends, sometimes earlier but most of the time you see the students heading home from a school activity still in their uniform. When they get home they do more homework and studies and family things whatever that may be. If there is one thing I have learned is that the Japanese people are very hard working and all about community and helping one another. It is refreshing and eye opening.

I usually head home at 4 where I shower, watch shows, eat, and prepare for the next day. I feel lazy compared to my students but then again, I have been lucky in my life and how I was able to play after school, did not have hours of studying, and was not required to be part of a club. If I was part of a club it was a choice. We are a spoiled and lucky bunch living in the US.

The first drive

Being in Japan has had its challenges and its blessings. I love it here but some days I despise it. I know those who are reading this are thinking, "Wait! What is she doing? Are we not continuing the story?" The answer yes we will. For a little while I had to take a break when I did not want to because of recent medical events which I will tell soon. The problem with telling this story is that I have to get you up to date but with each week that passes I am getting farther behind. So I need to do what is done in t.v. series and make it spread out a bit. Which is possible because we have hit the week when I start working so now I can tell you the big stand out points and little events that stood out. I don`t need to give a play by play like I first did getting off the plane. As you read my blogs please feel free to comment. I want feedback so I can make my writing stronger. As many know one day I hope to publish a story so this I am hoping will help my creativity flow and "get the juices pumping." Now to continue...

The knock at my door comes again... I recognize it! I get up from my bed out my now empty bowl in the sink and answer the door. " Hey Dan, what`s up?" Dan comes in and takes off his shoes at the door, "Well I think its time you start driving since you start work on your own tomorrow and will need a way to get there." I smile, "Ya that would be a good idea since my first day is Kuze which is up in the mountains. It would be a long walk." We talk about the days events and how much I remember (Not very much just general directions) Dan tells me that I just need to watch the signs and I will be able to get to my first school. However, my brain is more focused on having to drive a car on the opposite side of the road. A road that is super small and sometimes only possible for one car to pass through at a time. Dan and I sit at the table and he tells me he has made a phone call to the insurance man and the Shaakan (registration and licensing) guy. The insurance guy will be there in about 20 minutes. The other will come by tomorrow and trade cars to get my car all set for the road. (Inspections). When the licensing guys arrives we talk about what kind of coverage I want and I sign some papers. Then he gives me his card with his number on it. I place this with the rest of my car paperwork and go out and place all of the paperwork inside the glove box. Then I come back in and say goodbye to him.

Then knowing all things would be taken care of Dan handed me the keys, "Let`s go for a drive." I warily grab the keys. A little excited but scared as well. I take a deep breath as I walk out to my black subaru. I climb in, so far so good. I didn`t get in on the wrong side. It takes me a minute to adjust to where the key goes in, blinkers, wipers, and how to put the car into drive is all opposite from what I am traditionally use to driving. I also have to get use to the cars length and width. I am use to a jeep so this is a little different. ;) We start driving on out to the main road. Route 303 is the big road I will be using. With no cars around me I feel a little more comfortable about getting use tho the car and how it handles. The gas, breaks, blinkers, wipers, lights... I am even driving on the correct side of the road and turning the correct way! Starting to feel confident now I trek out. Dan is also please with how well I am doing. We both were getting too confident too soon. The road starts getting crowded with cars and people. Then all the sudden I gasp, Dan cries, "UH Aimee.." then BAM! Clunk clunk clunk.... I smacked a mirror with my mirror of a parked car. I swear, and ask the question I already know the answer to. "Should I pull over?" Dan looks back, "I don`t think they noticed, but yes pull over and lets make sure all is alright." I stop the car turn on my hazards and slowly take a breath then get out of the car. Shaking in my knees we approach the car I hit. The plastic of the mirror had come clean off but the ladies car was already having problems and was currently being looked at. Dan checked to make sure all was OK. The man fixing her car said that the mirror should be fine and he could put the plastic back on no problem. (Phew close call!) We walk back to the car. I am holding back tears of disappointment and shock. That could have been a lot worse. I HATE THESE SMALL ROADS! I am mad at myself and embarrassed having been driving for 5 minutes and having an accident!

Dan asks if I am OK to drive. I tell him I am and I need to or I won`t want to. This seems to give him confidence in me. I ask for one minute as I gather my thoughts away from what happened and focus back on the road. Then I drive. The roads may be small but the drive is truly beautiful. I begin to fall in love with the area around me all over again. I just wish I could have my family and loved ones here with me to enjoy this! Everywhere I turn I act like a child soaking in as much information as I can. By the time we get home,( I had driven the route of my school for the next day) I am exhausted and ready for sleep. Dan wishes me luck and I close my door turn off the lights and climb into bed. Lights out.

Meeting the schools.

Oh early mornings. I wake up feeling refreshed and look at the clock. WHAT 4 am?! Not again. I lay back down and close my eyes. I don't need to be up for at least 4 more hours. Jet lag is catching up, or my brain is refusing to change to Japanese time. Either way it is so very annoying. I get out my tablet and check Facebook to see how all my American friends and family are doing. Not much is being posted by them and I start to feel the little pangs of missing out on the daily life of the ones I am so use to being connected with. Do they even miss me? I put the tablet away, and try not to dwell on life back in the states. I chose to be here, this is something I have wanted to do for years, so why am I feeling so unsupported and a lone? Why do I feel a darkness and dread in my gut? I close my eyes and catch a few more hours of sleep.

I wake and get ready to be picked up by my boss whose name starts with a "S".  Only to hear a knock at my door. I open it and am surprised to see Dan. "Hey little change I am taking you to Mr. Somiya." Oh right that's his name! Dan is still talking, "I am going to drop you off at the Yakuba, and he will take you around from there. Your going to be meeting the principals of your schools, then sounds like maybe some touring and shopping for food and things you need so write a list." I smile, "I already have my list ready. During my time off I took a deeper look around my apartment, whoever was last here left some good stuff and looks like all I really need is food and to learn how to use some of the devices." Dan laughs, "Lucky, I will try to come over and help you with what I can. Your lucky, when I was here I had to figure this all out on my own. I was one of the first here." I just smile and nod, knowing that I am very lucky to have Dan here and appreciate all the help he has given me so far. I just hope I do not get on his nerves. The last I want to be is a burden and a pain to him. 

I get to the Yakuba and go up to the 3rd floor, proud of myself for remembering where to go. After all being in a new country its the little things you remember that are victories. As well as the bigger things. I am immediately greeted with smiling faces and people saying hello. Mr. Somi... shoot still can't pronounce it! Comes up and asks if I need anything, a drink? I tell him no thanks I am fine. He shows me a seat in front of a female who is very nice and pretty. She informs me that she speaks a little more English and will be coming with me and Mr. S today. Then she asks if I have had enough time to settle in, and if I am happy with everything. I tell her I have had time to unpack and I am happy with everything. I also tell her I have made a list of things that I would like to get while we are out, if there is time. She asks to see the list and translates to everyone what we had been talking about. Like I said before the office is like a school setting all the desks face each other as in a big group format with no dividers. Everyone hears everything. They look at my list and are a little confused by some of the items. They ask what a toaster is. When I described it they all went "OH OH OH! AHHH, OK" Of course they have different names so somethings must be described. I am grateful toaster was the biggest word issue on the list. 

We get into Mr. S car. I find out that it was Mr. S who cleaned my apartment before I came here. In America we would have hired a cleaning service. I feel very honored that my boss would take such close care that he would clean the apartment to make sure it was ready for me. One of the things Dan told me to pay attention to was the direction of the schools. I needed to know where the schools were and how to get there. This was a task I found difficult because Mr. S was a very fast driver, and I am a visual marker kind of person. I did try my best. I was also grateful to get the front seat. As I found out quickly the roads are very windy where my schools are in the mountains. The view is stunning, however, and I knew that when I make my own drive up I would try to stop and enjoy some of it. As we drove I laughed out loud, which was met with question marks in the others faces. The reason I started laughing was because we were approaching a tunnel. The tunnels remind me of my family and of Jay and I. Whenever I go through I tunnel I either hold my breath, or I yell,"TTTTUUUUUUNNNNNNNNEEEEEEELLLLLLLL" all the way through the tunnel. I explain this to the other members in the car. Then they inform me that there will be many tunnels while driving to my schools. This brings a big smile to my face. I love tunnels!

Ok so my first school, its called Kuze and it will be what they refer to as my "Home-school" this is where I will get most of my information from, or where I will spend most of my time. The principal is a very nice man and very funny. I think we will get along very well. I am also introduced to the head Japanese English teacher who I will be working with. He speaks very nice English and seems to understand a lot already. This eases my worry about not being able to communicate with the faculty at all. Kuze is 20 minutes from my house. The next school is about 20 more minutes deeper inside the mountain. We have to cross this amazing bridge and then go on a very narrow and windy road. Seeing these roads makes me more nervous for when I have to start driving. The school name I am visiting now is called Sakauchi (Sack a ooh chee). We do the same drill as the last school and again I am happy with the principal and the teacher. Only one more school to go, but I am told that we will not be seeing them until later that day. 

They take me to a Japanese restaurant, and yes, you guessed it. We sit on little pillow (tatami mats) and cross our legs. They do have western tables but they are already all taken. The server provides us a menu and the the woman who has been my translator helps me pick out some food. I go with a teriyaki dish that has soup and rice. When the food comes out I was shocked! The bowls were HUGE!!! I was told everything in Japan was small... oh no... not at this place. I take a bite and I am in heaven! The food is delicious! We eat and talk a little bit and I take some pictures (I will post later). Then they paid which I was again grateful for. Then I guess there was still time so they took me to do some touring. We traveled up the mountain some more to a big dam. It was amazing, compared to the dams I have seen in Utah, this one puts them all to laughing shame. Not only is it huge, but you are allowed to walk across it!!! I was enjoying myself. I took some pictures and they took some pictures of me. I made them laugh with my noodly, funny self.  We also went and saw my first castle. It was beautiful. Although smaller then I expected and I was mostly saddened we could not go inside. Still I enjoyed being able to see it.

We finally headed down to the last of my schools. This was my elementary school and it was really close to my apartment. Which meant I could walk there if I wanted to. This Principal seemed a little stand off-ish. But his assistant vice principal and faculty were all very friendly. When I walked in they were all very welcoming and even had written my name on a sticky name tag and pasted it to my chair. It made me smile to know that they were excited to have me there. I also knew that I would have a mentor to help me transition there since none of the teachers at this school were comfortable with speaking English. After that last school I was feeling a little tired. But I still needed to get the items on my list. So off to the last stop, or so I thought.

The other two guiding me around thought it would be fun to take me to the mall to go shopping. The mall is huge! It has tons of stores with shoes, clothes, food, movies, books. If I had the money I was trying to save it would have been so much fun. Unfortunately I needed to keep I tight chain on my wallet. I was taken through store after store and shown so many things. I could tell they were trying to find what I liked so I did some window shopping saying I would come back later. Then they took me to what is called the 100 yen store. It is what we would know as the Dollar store. This I knew I could get a few items from. Such as razors and a couple of decorative items. As I was looking around I could tell what some things were. However I could not find razors. So I went to the woman with me and described that I needed razors. It took me gesturing saving my legs but eventually we were able to find them. It was then that I learned there are not only razors for saving the regular things such as arms, legs, pits....but they also have special razors for eyebrows!! I bought some just in case. ;)

Finally I convinced them I was really done with the mall and wanted cereal and milk. They took me to the first level of the mall into the international shopping zone...The only thing I recognized there were M&M's....and no I did not buy them. I looked around but in the end I told them that I needed to go somewhere else. They took me another grocery type store where I bought milk, eggs, cereal, spaghetti with sauce. And for some strange reason they thought I really loved pancakes so when they saw those they happily and excitedly grabbed them to show me. Being polite I smiled and took them. Mind you this was pancake mix, not actual pre-made pancakes... Now I needed to learn how in the world I was going to cook eggs, pancakes, and spaghetti... let the games begin. Finally at about 7:30 p.m. they dropped me back home. Where I took out a bowl poured me some tasty cereal and ate breakfast for dinner. Delicious! I settle in to relax and fall asleep in the comfy bed.... then I get a call at the door.......To be continued....

Day 2,3,4...

I awake the next morning at 7 am to the sunshine through a crack in the window curtain. I smile, "Let the games begin!" The night before I remember that the boss whose name I do not remember gave me a spare cell phone of his to borrow until I get one. It has Dan's number as well as Mr. Boss. I open the phone and just stare....uh.... I can't figure it out....this phone is older then my dinosaur phone. After a lot of playing with buttons I find the contacts. Oh good the names are in Japanese. All except for Dan's what I relief! I click on Dan's name and nothing happens....OK now I am just frustrated, how do I call or text on this thing?! I notice the time 30 min until 8. I forget about the pancakes in the fridge go to my unpacked suitcases and think, "Uh oh what should I wear today?...Oh wait a nice suit will be fantastic! After all I am meeting ALL my bosses plus the mayor!" I brush my hair take prescribed meds and leave my suitcases on the couch and bed. 7:55 I am out the door. OK where is Dan's apartment....and which car is his? Oh never mind I know he lives in these apartments and there is only 2 buildings I will just stay out in the open. I walk around the building and gasp and stand in awe! ITS SO GREEN!!! Everywhere I look the fabulous sunshine sparkles its brilliant light on the mountains and rice fields and it catches me in its beauty. I take out my tablet and snap a few pictures of what I am seeing. Japan is so beautiful!!! I look down and notice the roads. Are these really what they drive on?! Or is this a one way kind of street? I guess I will find out.

I don't feel at all tired if anything I am nervous and filled with excitement. Then I hear, "Good morning! Glad to see you up and looking fabulous! I am so glad you dressed in business clothing I forgot to mention that." I turn and see Dan coming down the stairs a big smile on his face that is easy to return. "Good morning. I was pretty sure it would not be wise to wear jeans to work. Its not in my education. I would be letting my professors and my own professional self down." He nods in approval. "OK lets head out for a busy day, shall we." He heads over towards a nice blue BMW convertible. I start bouncing in my head I'm thinking, "No way am I this lucky! Everyone is going to be so jealous!!!" I climb into the passenger seat, proud of remembering that it was on the opposite side then what I am use to." Dan asks if I have a paper and pencil. I look embarrassed, "Um no sorry I don't." He informs me that its OK but I will probably want one to make notes as he starts mentioning some important Japanese phrases that I am going to have to say immediately. "Plans have changed a little bit. We are going to see the mayor and BOE first thing this morning, then we will see what happens." First thing I was told was that we are going to the Ya Ku Ba which is the City Hall/Town Center. "Our department is on the 3rd floor." Normally it is easier to enter from the back, but since this was my first time Dan decided we would take the front so I could see everything. I am just nodding like a bobble head trying to soak all the new sights, smells and information in. When he parks his car he turns and looks at me, "OK when we go in there just follow me and try to do exactly what I do. The one important phrase you must try to say and remember right now is 'Yoroshikuonegaishimasu'. Please use this small note pad to write down any notes to remember or questions you may need to ask me later." I quickly write down, "Your row she koo own e guy she mass." and follow him out of the car. I will ask him what it means later.

We enter and he starts telling me how we will be back down to the first floor later to finish filling out my paperwork. I just bobble head. For it being 8 am there were already a lot of workers and they were already fast at work. We travel up 3 flights of stairs. As we entered the third level it was very quiet and everyone was standing at attention by their desks. I noticed that all the desks were facing each other and pushed together. It is like what teachers do in the classroom to form groups. Dan whispers in my ear, "They are about to have a morning meeting. They do this each morning so everyone knows everything that is going on." I nod and continue to follow him. They finish their meeting and sit back down, however all eyes are on Dan and especially me. I smile and look as confident as I can. Even though I was scared and nervous, "What if they don't like me? What if they don't approve? Will I have to return home and go back to searching for a job?" Dan shows me where to sit and quickly starts talking with a man I recognize!! This man came to St. George with my contract! Now I truly smile as he approaches me. He waves, "Hello Aimee, welcome to Japan. Please wait here for one moment." I smile say thank you and sit back down. 15 seconds later he was back motioning for us to follow him.

I follow behind Dan he looks back at me and mouths, "Mayors office." As we reach the door way I see every one who enters bows and says something. Dan does the same. When I enter I just bow, I feel a little foolish for not learning more Japanese before I came. I also learned that what I did learn I had been pronouncing it wrong. Ahhh focus AIMEE!!! I turn my attention back to the room of eyes that are all on me. I smile and the Mayor smiles back and motions me to sit down. I sit down and everyone follows. He starts talking in Japanese and I just smile and try to listen to how he is speaking. One day I will understand and be able to say some of this I tell myself, it will just take time. When the mayor stops, I turn to Dan who translates for me and says that the mayor is glad I am here and wishes my stay in Japan is enjoyable. He hopes that I like working in my schools and that I am happy with my place. I inform him that I am excited to be here and I cannot wait to meet my students. I also tell him I love my place it is very nice and will work well for me. He was very pleased by my response. Everyone in the room laughed and smiled which Dan said was a very good thing. Then Dan told me they were discussing when I should start working and what the plan was to get me ready to drive and get a phone. I just sat and continued to smile. I was at the mercy of their power.

After about 45 minutes or less I shook the mayors hand and bowed myself out of the door. Dan once again told me what the new plan would be. "It looks like you will be with me for the remainder of today, then you will have the next 2 days off to unpack and settle in. Thursday Mr. Somiya will pick you up and take you to be introduced to your schools." I nod. We are heading back down to the first floor. I thought we were going back out to the car but then Dan walked over to a desk, that was when I noticed the lady behind me was part of the BOE and was following us. I looked at Dan for an explanation. "Oh! We are going to fill out your registration paperwork so that you will have an address here and all that good fun government stuff." The lady next to Dan hands him a small circular package. "This is your ink on, I personally am curious to see if its in English or Japanese. It is bigger then mine." I open the package and see that my ink-on is a stamp that has my name written on it. "This is basically your official signature here in Japan. All important documents will need to be stamped with this." Then comes the paperwork. I remember having to pull out my immigration card or Gaiging card (guy jing) and Dan had to write my birthday, address, and some other things in Japanese. My birthday I learned in Japan is 1-1-17. Which is year 1 of the rein of the newest emperor, month 1, and day 17. I find this lucky since I only have to remember 1117....pretty easy.

After a lot of Japanese that I could not understand or remember, we head back upstairs to say goodbye and thank you to everyone. The head guy stands up and calls everyone to attention. This I learn is my BIG boss. I saw him while we were in the meeting with the Mayor he was also their. I could not remember anyone's name but Dan's. They all welcomed me, then Dan turned to me and says, "Say a little bit about yourself." I freeze. Nothing like being put on the spot in front of all the people who hold your fate. I take a breath and say my intro I was practicing for my students. "Hello, My name is Aimee Peterson, I am 24 from St. George. I like frogs, reading, and dancing. I am very excited to meet you and to get started working. Thank you." Everyone looks from me to Dan, who laughs then translates. They all smile and say something then bow. I can feel myself blushing as we leave. Did I do that right? When we get to the car, Dan exhales, "OK that went very well, good job you!" I smile. Then he grins, "Um one thing, when introducing yourself in a business you don't need that many details just your name and where your from will work just fine." I startle and nod. "OK off to my work we go. Looks like we will be in time for lunch. Ready to try some Japanese food?"

We get to his school and the first thing Dan does is head to the principals office. "Since its your first time coming to this school and your not going to be regularly here you must first always greet the principal. Just follow me again." Again we knock then bow at the door. Dan introduces my name and I shake hands with the principal he asks me what my impression is of Japan so far. I explain that I have not really made one since it is only day 1 for me here. He looks shocked and says something in Japanese. Dan looks back at me and asks, "Your not tired from the long flight and time change? He is impressed that you are up and coming to work." I smile and shake my head no I am not tired. Inside I think I am a bundle of nerves there is no way I can sleep with all of this emotional energy coursing through me! Next we step into the teachers office. The principal also joins us this time. Just like at the BOE everyone stands and bows to me saying what I am now sure is a greeting of welcome. This time I am not required to give a speech. Thank heavens of mercy!!! Dan shows me where I can sit and I mess around with the slipper shoes I am wearing. "Dan can I take a picture of these indoor shoes or will they get upset?" He grins, "Take all the pictures you want!" I snap a photo of the slippers making a memo to post it on Facebook. I then bring out the old old old phone and figure out the texting on it while Dan prepares for his class. I eventually get it figured out for the basics. Shrug it will have to do. By now my stomach is growling and I look at the clock to see what time it is. 12:25. WOW time has just flown so far, helps that I have so much to think about and learn. Dan has now handed me a book and is showing me that basics of Japanese.  I take out my little notebook and add the words, "Kocho sensei, Kyoto sensie, Ohio go zye masu." (Principal, Vice Principal, good morning.) These are words I will hear every morning and will also need to use in my schools. Dan likes how I am writing the words how I hear them so I can pronounce them correctly. I figured I can learn to spell them later when I am not so worried about trying to speak them.

Lunch time! Since I was an unexpected guest some of the teachers run around and gather me a tray of food. I told Dan not to tell me anything about what I was eating just let me eat it and then if I ask tell me. With how much my brain already had stuffed in it I don't think I could remember the name of the food if I wanted to anyway. This is where I learned that before eating any meal everyone says a type of grace before eating. "Eetadakemasu" (eat a dock A mass) it means thank you for the food that has been placed before me. You are expected to eat whatever is given. Since everyone now knew it was my first day I was not fully required but I figured I should try since later I was going to have to do it anyway. I noticed soup and some other mixtures of food. Dan exclaimed, "Lucky we came on a good day!" I took a breath and using my chopstick began to eat one thing at a time. It was pretty good and I knew I could handle the food. As long as it didn't have mushrooms or chunks of tomatoes. This time I was lucky it did not. The one sensei (teacher) who bravely sat next to me was impressed with my use of the chopsticks. She also took time to ask me a few questions and when we were finished eating, Dan explained, "At the end of the meal we say another grace thanking the earth and everything for the meal." They taught me how to say the phrase and the sensei was impressed with how close I came to sounding like a Japanese speaker. Within minutes I forgot the phrase.  (Face-palm) Guess I will have to try to learn that one again. The rest of the afternoon I was with Dan and watched how he taught his classes and how traditionally the schools in Japan worked (Another story for another day). By the time we arrived home I was tired. "I usually take a 20 minute nap at this time. Why don't we meet back here at my car at 6:30 and then go out to get some dinner?" I smiled, "Sounds great thank you."

I went inside and took a short nap. Then I changed my clothes and started unpacking my things. At 6:30 I had everything unpacked and was just starting to hook up my t.v. and surround sound. I went out and met Dan by his car. I love his car! It is so much fun to ride in. I learned that HER name is Blue and he washes and takes care of her because she is his baby. And boy oh boy it shows! We traveled down the roads and Dan quizzed me about what direction we were going in and on what road. I remembered the road was 303 which is the big main road but I could not figure out what direction we were headed!!! Ahh I felt all turned around. "That's alright it takes time and you are soaking up a lot of information, and this is just your first day. So no worries."

I had no doubt that I could easily be friends with Dan, all throughout the drive to dinner and then at dinner we talked and talked and laughed and joked it was a lot of fun. During dinner I brought up one person I met at his school who gave me an angry and bad vibe. I did not mention the vibe to Dan but I did describe and ask who she was. "Oh you met Buzz? I didn't know that I must have been gone for a bit. No worries she is usually a very pleasant person with a laughter that can feel the room! She is just having a rough time." I smiled relieved that I would get to see a more happier side. I knew she was an ALT because when she came into the teachers office she introduced herself to me and we talked for a few minutes.

After dinner it was 8 p.m. when we got home. I once again was feeling very tired from the long day and climbed into pajamas and passed out in bed. This time looking forward to having 2 days off which meant sleeping in....oh little did I know. Jet lag had started and 4 am I was awake and decided to see if the WiFi was still available and check in with everyone. That is when I started to cry. I missed everyone very much and was not use to a quiet home. I missed my dogs in bed curled up with me or the kids running up and down the stairs. The t.v. on with a show playing,  dishwasher running and voices of adults downstairs. I missed not having a phone to call anyone. I laid down in my bed and let all the stress and roller coaster of emotions I had been feeling pour out of me. Eventually I was able to fall back asleep for a little longer. When I woke it was around 9 am. I finished the surround sound and t.v. then took a closer look around my house.

Next I decided to try Skyping my mom. We were able to talk for a little bit but the connection was not very good because it was a borrowed connection and through my tablet. My tablet was my main source for a computer. I missed having a good laptop to use. The rest of the day and the next day I spent exploring the area. I spent over 5 hours total walking around and took many photos with my tablet of the beautiful scenery. I feel good about my decision to be here but it was hard leaving so many people I love behind. I hate the time difference which leaves me with only a few hours each day to try and talk to everyone. Usually it is either right before bed or when one of us is working! I figured then that I may just have to try to talk during the weekends with my family. I so wanted a phone!!! At the end of my day as 8 pm came around I crawled into bed. I received a message from Mr. Boss (still can't remember his name!!!) saying that he would be there at 8 am to take me around the area and show me my schools. I set my alarm and fell asleep.
(To Be Continued...)