Month: May 2013

K-waffles

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wpid-IMAG0431.jpgLast Saturday some friends and I went to check out this waffle fad that’s cropped up locally in one Korea-town area here in Big D. Basically three of these waffle cafes popped up in the same area all at once, something I noticed one weekend a while ago, so naturally I got really curious.

This one was Caffe Bene in Carrollton. I ordered the Banana Caramel signature waffle and tea sangria, which was pomegranate tea with fruity juice and fruit slices in it.  Mainly berry and lime, with mint leaves. And though it was called sangria there was no alcohol in it! But it would have probably been awesome that way as well.

Though I’m not really a sweets-oriented person, I really have to say the overall experience was a good one. I enjoyed it and I wouldn’t say no to partaking of some of these type waffles again! A reliable source tells me that this is not waffles as we see them here in the states (where we just slather syrup and butter on), but more of a waffle done in the proper Belgian style. So that part was intriguing to me. Overall a tasty snack. I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty more of these type shops in Japan – I’ve been told they’re pretty popular right now. My tastebuds are looking forward to it! :)

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Placement Received!

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So I received my placement yesterday afternoon! HOORAY!! Drumroll please!

Amakusa-shi, Kumamoto-ken (天草市、熊本県)　！！

I am so excited to be returning to Kyuushu. I was previously placed in Kyuushu in 2006 for an intensive language homestay over the summer. Because I know you’ll ask, it wasn’t one of my preferences, but honestly, I only filled those out because previous JETs seem to recommend it.

That aside, I’ve experienced some great feedback from Kumamoto area JETs and a few Amakusa JETs currently working in the area. It has only made me more excited to be embarking to this island in the inaka!  Also got a little info from a contact: Group A arrivals to the area are going to fly from Haneda to Kumamoto on the 31st after orientation. So I’ll get to spend a little more time in the air! ;)

I am a little phased by the idea of getting a car (and Japanese Driving License) but hopefully my predecessor will have one to hand down to me via transfer. Either way I’m determined!

Now to begin buying Texas souvenirs for my new acquaintances, coworkers, and Texas-themed rewards for the students!!  This part actually makes me glad that Texas is such a well-recognized (and stereotyped) state, lololol!

It’s getting pretty exciting ^___^ Now the items on the waiting list are to hear from my CO (contracting organization) and pred (predecessor). Whee!! Now I’m weirdly excited for acronyms & highly anticipated emails!

テンションアップ！！

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Hey everyone, how’s it going? Great Friday! There was ボーリング at work, then I came home to my cat child and watched The Office finale episode, and I’m about to head out to see the new Star Trek movie! :) :) Can’t wait. 

First things first though. My FBI report got to the consulate this week and all my paperwork is in for them! Now all I’m waiting on are my residency certificates from the IRS, which is something I’ll hand over to someone at my CO in Japan. Been reading up a bit on bringing medication to Japan as well, and hearing about the やっかん証明, basically for bringing any meds that last for a duration longer than two months. I think I’m going to do it, just so I can have enough of what I need (which isn’t much) until I can find a replacement or something. 

But here’s what is really on my agenda to write about. A week or so I was cool with waiting for placement and stuff. Yeah, of course I wanted to know, but I was at a point of ‘It’ll get here when it gets here.’ 

Well, throw that out the window! Someone asked about plane tickets/placement in our Google group and the coordinator said ‘June. If you’re lucky.’ D: So I was a little distraught that it would be a bit further in the distance. (Was still okay at this point, though a little shocked by the timeline.) And then someone referred us to this little gem, which appeared in the JET forums:

Placement release history:
2006 – 2007 JETs: May 16th ~
2007 – 2008 JETs: May 16th ~
2008 – 2009 JETs: May 22nd ~
2009 – 2010 JETs: May 24th ~
2010 – 2011 JETs: May 15th ~
2011 – 2012 JETs: June 15th (US) ~
2012 – 2013 JETs: May 22nd~

Of course, it’s pretty unofficial, but dates were collected from the forums where previous JET’s around the world started posting their placements.  The key factor here, the thing that has my テンション at a super high level right now, is the fact that info has been pretty consistently released in the latter end of May.

……. IT’S MAY 17TH. 

Whoa town. My head was spinning when I put it together.

Since then, I’ve relaunched myself into research mode for the third time since being told I was to be interviewed and again when I was shortlisted. People might ask why we get so worked up about it, but for me personally, being able to look at the map and see where you’re going makes it that much more real! I’m sure it’s the same for quite a few new incoming JET’s. 

So now I’ve got one eye on the forums and another eye on my email. I’ve even got a finger  constantly poking F5 on my email window. So for those of you who think you might be crazy or too excited because you’re doing the same thing, I know that feel bro. 

And I think it’s okay to be a little bit manic. On this occasion. ;)