Tag: Amakusa

Settle Down and Say Hello

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Hello everyone!

Apologies for my long hiatus. It’s been an interesting summer indeed. A lot has happened and now I’m back, here to write and post more blogs than ever before!

So for the latter half of July I visited the States, heading back home for a bit of cultural reprieve. While I was gone, Amakusa welcomed 5 new JET’s to the area, and once I was back in-country we welcomed 6 more! So we encountered a huge turnover this year, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Two of us helped Group A get settled, while myself and another ALT (a good friend) helped Group B get themselves settled in the area. That in itself was a whirlwind two days. Then I planned a mass dinner with our previous PA (prefectural advisor), current PA, tantousha, and the newbs so we could just bond and have a good time.

After said harried week, I rushed to prep things for Connect in addition to my materials for the next week’s orientation for new ALT’s. The day before which was the best concert of my life (which I’ll comment on in detail later, in a separate post)!!!!

I think this year I’ve been infinitely more busy than when I first arrived. One of my favorite things I did when I got here was work on my introduction English board, which I have pictured below. Whatcha think? I think it’s fun! It really got me through the initial downtime at school.

welcome board

Still have some things to do for Connect and the area, like plan the official welcome party, but other than that it seems it’s calming down a bit on my end. That is, before class begins! ‘Til next time, everyone.

Recontracting Time

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So, about the middle of last month came time for recontracting. At that time I was thankfully given the papers which extended me the offer of staying for another year, which I am really excited about, so I signed the recontracting paper immediately and returned it to my Board of Education.

Although I’m very excited about all that may come to pass in the next year, I am sad to see some people go. This year, out of the 17 JETs placed in the greater Amakusa area, 11 will be replaced, which means only 6 of the current ALTs in the area are staying! But don’t misinterpret the situation. All is good here in Amakusa, but many situations have led to older JETs moving on to the next tasks in their life. Amakusa is very unique; because we are somewhat displaced from mainland JETs and/or limited by access, we enjoy a close-knit community here. So a lot will change come July/August, but I am really interested to know, meet, and subsequently welcome those who will be joining us this year.

About this time last year I was preparing for my interview, which was somewhat stressful but just remember it involves a certain degree of common sense. I rehearsed very much only to be assigned a comparatively laid-back interview committee (for which I am incredibly grateful). We shared some laughs, addressed the questions, and though I couldn’t be sure I left feeling great, and definitely relieved. That being said, be diligent as well; I heard of other serious interview committees who questioned very pointedly on points of reuniting with Japanese girlfriends and such. (For those of you wondering, I interviewed in Houston.) Best advice: don’t panic or stress to much, and be prepared for either situation. Also – a suit! Absolutely necessary. I was very surprised to see someone turn up without one on my interview day. Everyone will be wearing one so just grin and bear it (the expense and discomfort).

Regardless, come May or June, if you find yourself accepted and your placement to be Amakusa, I will be looking for you! Even if you’re not the incoming JET who will be placed at my school (unique situation – two ALTs in one school), I look forward to setting your mind at ease on some points. I will be prowling the JET forums as well. Though they deleted the entire Aspiring JETs section, the Kumamoto prefecture thread still exists, so I will mainly be looking there.

That’s all for now folks!

So Much to Do, So Little Time

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Whoa guys! Hey! It’s three weeks until I’m leaving for Japan!!

How did that happen so quickly…. LOL. Never has this crappy saying been so apt.

The other day I suddenly had the thought.. WTF am I doing?! But not a second later I was like… Nah, this is totally necessary.

What’s really been the challenge lately, and what’s been making me fall behind on blogging and everything else, is the preparation required to get all your banking/finance, medical, and pre-emptive shopping out of the way. I’ve still got a TON of stuff to do and about two weeks to do it in (because I’m visiting some extended family and friends this week before leaving and I will likely get nothing done during that time).

Anyhow, been hanging out with my parents and the cats as much as possible, and I’ve taken to bicycling a bit because I know I’ll be doing quite a bit of that in Hondo. I’m still not 100% sure of my car situation, just because a lot of my Japanese friends have warned me off of getting a car that is 10+ years old because of the required (expensive) inspections every other year, and this is mostly what I’ve been seeing people advertise on the Facebook groups for the area. So maybe I’ll be looking for a scooter? And navigating the bus schedule would really require my Japanese to improve so… hell, I’m gonna wing it and just wait until I get there!

Also had a really fun and productive Skype chat with my pred!! We shall call him… L-san.  He gave me the scoop on what it’ll be like working in our schools, which is incredibly helpful. I’m excited I’ll actually get to meet my pred IN REAL LIFE once I get there. I don’t think many people get to do this so hooray! He can show me the ropes.

He also approves of my omiyage ideas. Basically, food-type items go over well, so I thought: candy, pecans, bbq? And this was based off of research! So I hope to bring pecans and make Pecan Sandies – southern cookies. (But mostly southern just because of the pecans.) Heh heh. I may also bring some knick knacks and candy of course, but over time I think my big thing will be making southern food of just about any kind. I think there’s another Texan headed in the Amakusa direction, so we could have a legitimate Texan-style BBQ/cookout thing. (Non-normative Texan here – I know absolutely nothing about preparing barbecued foods.)

So other than worrying about being a poo Texan, and worrying about getting my nuts through customs, and making sure I get my medication, all is well. I think I’ll go do some dusk-time biking now. :)

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!