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...)

Welcome to Japan!

Two hours of sleep! The alarm goes off around 4 am, as me and my mom cringe and crawl out of bed. Groggily finish placing luggage in a bag and wash our face and teeth, then grab a quick bite to eat. I go into my grandmothers room and gently wake her. She is not feeling well and won't be joining me for the car ride to the airport. I tell her we are leaving and I say my goodbye. She tells me "Just keep moving forward all will work out." I wipe a few tears away and walk to the car.

Entering the airport my mom and I both try to use our tired minds to locate the terminal that I will be departing on. 15 minutes later I am dropped off and my mom has parked the car and joined me. I get myself all checked in nervous and out of my comfort. My mind still not grasping what it is I am doing. I have spent months trying to prepare to be away from everyone although I know it won't become reality until I am there. I get checked in and meet my mom. We walk as far as we can together. I hug her tightly knowing I am going to miss her so much! She snaps a picture of me holding my passport tells me she is proud and that she loves me. I am a lone as I walk through the first security.

Security is really easy in the airport. Have your ID out, Passport, and ticket. Get to the trays place your luggage down, remove shoes, and take out any computers, phones or any electronics and place them each in a seperate tray....well at least the computers phone can go with purse. If you have any jewelry ( I would say just don't wear any that day) take it off and set it in the tray. Same with belts. Then wait to go through the scanner. It takes maybe 2 minutes to do. Then I'm off to head to my flight terminal and wait. OK text mom telling her I made it. Text Jay also telling him I made it to my first flight and that I miss him. We talk for a while and I cry a little bit then. I have not seen Jay or Shane or Lisa the kids my dogs Stephanie anyone from St. George for a month and I miss them fiercely. We talk on Skype and the phone but its not the same. On my first flight from Phoenix to Cali where i then wake for a few hours for the next plane. I get off my first plane and instantly feel lost. LA airport is a mess! I walk back and forth for 20 min then walk to security who had been sitting smiling and watching me all that time. He asks "Lost are you?" I told him where I needed to go and he told me I had to walk out of one building to go into the international flight building because they are not connected. So as I make my way in that direction I am now feeling disoriented which worries me since I am not even out of the country.  I take a deep breath and remind myself I can do this! 

Finally in the international building! I walk in and there are tons of people lined up at all the different country flights. I find the Japanese Airlines (JA) and find that they speak a little English. WHAT already?! We get me all sorted out as I look very unprepared trying to find everything they need... turned out the just needed my passport and name and a ticket number which I already had out. (Face-palm) Then they handed me my ticket and that was it. I look around me....where on earth do I go?! The ticket doesn't help much, as I'm looking around starting to get annoyed I take another breath. Then a man approaches me and asks if this was my first time flying internationally. I laugh and say pretty obvious isn't it? He helps guide me to where I need to be. As it turned out we were both on the same flight! I sit down and pull out my phone. Knowing this will be the last time I get to use it for the next two years because my phone is a dinosaur and is not able to work in Japan. I message my mom and everyone updating them on what was going on. Still unsure about how I was going to tell them when I made it to Japan since when I get there I will have no phone, no internet for at least a couple days. I start to feel anxious and scared. But distract myself with a game on my tablet and charge my phone. I talk with Stephanie and see how everyone is. Jay is traveling on the road and is tired but well. We joke around about different things then I tell him I love him and I tell everyone else I love them that I am getting ready to board. I get on the plane find my seat feeling relieved, anxious, nervous and tired, The only words I know are Konichiwa, Sayonara, ogenki desu ka?, and Toiwre wa doko desu ka? But I was not really sure if I was even saying them right. (Hello, Goodbye, how are you, where is the toilette?) Of course I already felt like the foreign minority but I was lucky another woman across the aisle sat next to me and was also part of the minority. I struck up a conversation and she was very kind. She had been to Japan a couple of times for business and said everyone is very polite and I should not worry. 

This flight was long and I did not really sleep cause every time I was about to someone would wake me with food, or bumping my chair as the tried to get out from behind me, or drinks, or the cart. So I settled down to watch a movie. At one point one of the flight attendants came around with immigration paperwork that we had to feel out in order to get past immigration. They had questions like how much money did you bring. Do you have any drugs or other dangerous items? If so please list them... Some of the questions I was not sure about how to answer like did I really need to write my prescribed medicine? I asked the woman next to me and finished feeling out the paperwork. several hours later I arrived in Tokyo, one more flight to go and I was feeling exhausted! At least I wasn't hungry because at this point I had no money. I found my last flight terminal and sat down I really only had to wait 5 minutes or so I thought. Next thing I know I hear my name over the speaker, "Aimee Peterson please come to front of terminal____" I go up to the terminal and find out I have to take a bus out to my plane. Few glad I didn't miss it! On this plane I was given a nice buisness economy seat next to a window and fell right to sleep. Unfortunately it was only a short 1 hour flight. By now I was emotional, I was excited nervous anxious scared worried and tired. I still had no money for Japan only USD. I got off the flight picked up my luggage which was the last one and met my boss and Dan (my other Boss and mentor) at the front. They showed me where I could exchange my money I only had $200 in cash.... I was supposed to have at least $1,000 on my cards I had at least $600 but I soon learned that I may have problems getting it. (A whole different story) Then we hopped in my bosses car ( I could not remember his name!!!) By now it was late in the night of Japan and all around me everything was dark and it was quiet. I felt numb. I was at a point where I could not feel anymore because I was feeling so much. I was trying to focus on what Dan was saying as he was giving me a basic small tour of where we were. What road we were on and where we were headed. He also went on to explain what may happen tomorrow. Depending on how I felt. I knew I needed to make a good impression that I was there to work for mine and Jays future. Pay bills and get a house for our small family to live. So I told him "Whatever we need to do I will be ready to go for it tomorrow." The boss that was driving spoke very little English and mostly spoke to Dan in Japanese. Dan also mentioned that I would need to learn some important key phrases the next morning. They asked me as we neared where what I would soon call home, if I was hungry? I told them no I just needed sleep. Next I knew we were stopped at a place called Circle K. Dan turns to me and says lets get you some breakfast for the morning. We head in and I see a building that looks like a gas station store. there are a variety of random things. drinks. chips, candy, and food i just don't recognize. I see pancakes and grab them with a drink. Then its time to pay. I pull out my wallet and just kind of stare. They lady at the counter is speaking really really fast Japanese (well OK it is fast to me one I am tired. Two I had no clue what she was saying) Dan shows me where the total was and together we work out the money....that part was pretty easy to figure out. It also gave me some good change for later on. Then we finished to the house. Dan hands me my "Key" which looks like the electronic hotel key.

I unlock my door and step in. Its dark, I am told that the lights are up a step, I step up and Dan gasps and touches my shoulder. Then I realize this is wear I must take off my shoes!!! I hurry and step back down and take my shoes off. But I did turn on the light. Then Dan rushes in and begins looking at everything. I smile he is like a kid checking out all the presents. I find the bed and notice the blankets and pillow on it. Dan is listing all the things I have. I am cold the house is cold, I am tired and all I want to do is have them leave so I can curl up in the bed and fall asleep. Eventually Dan looks at me and asks if I have everything I need. He and the boss head to the door and before the leave ask if I would like to take the day off or when I would like to start. I think about it, "I came here to work so let's start tomorrow. What time do you need me awake by?" This seems to impress them. They talk for a minute then Dan replies "8 o'clock OK? You will be coming to work with me then to meet the mayor and BOE office." I nod the door closes and I breathe a sigh of relief. 

I look around me, walk into the bedroom make the bed, use the toilet. Thank God its a western toilet! Change into my pajamas warm ones since I am very cold and have no clue how to warm things up. I cover myself with the blankets and lay my head on the rice pillow given to me. I shake my head, "Oh what have I done?!" Then I think, "I am trying to provide for my family and myself. I will not cry." I check to see if there is any internet. What luck there is an unsecured WiFi available and I log onto Facebook world and let everyone know that I had made it to Japan and that I no longer had a phone. Then I fall asleep. To be continued....