Monthly Archives: July 2010

Alex and I rustled Gavin out of bed for breakfast, and oh what a breakfast it was.  Homemade eggs, with perfectly-seasoned potatoes.  Mmmmmmm, I’ve never eaten so well!  Eventually a Japanese style pumpkin bread also made an appearance.  Umai (delicious)!

So, remember that list of things we were supposed to get done?  Bank account, cell phone, electricity and water bill changes?  We got it all done, but only just thanks to a perfect storm of small-town banking and Japanese culture. … Continue reading →

Following the wonderful welcome party on Wednesday, there was a farewell party for Jen McClure, the departing Scottish JET, on Thursday evening.  Of course, before that, the day was filled with more Ishikawa-sensei errands, as he graciously ferried us from … Continue reading →

On Wednesday, orientation (finally?) came to a close, and everyone had to gather with their prefectures at various times of the morning to head off to their new homes.  Still a bit jet lagged, I woke up well before my … Continue reading →

Gavin directed us to the train station, where there is a sweet little izakaya pub, and already I could see some other JETs milling about.  These guys are based all around Shonai; some are staying, some are our predecessors, and … Continue reading →

Of course, you can’t be put up in a swanky hotel in Tokyo and not have a little free time to wander.  Keio Plaza is located in the Shinjuku neighborhood of the foreign bubble in Japan known as Tokyo, and … Continue reading →

The plane ride wasn’t as bad as it could have been.  I was seated one seat in from the aisle, next to Greg, a fellow JET on my right, and a mother and her small child on my left (yay?). … Continue reading →

When you embark on a potentially multi-year journey to teach English in Japan, you have a lot of expectations.  You expect to be tired, you expect to be nervous, and you expect tearful goodbyes from family and friends. What you … Continue reading →