Some thoughts

I just wrote a personal journal entry, and I'd like to share some of it here. Just some thoughts I have about this upcoming year. It was a nice exercise in thinking clearly and concisely about what I am about to experience-- in organized, bullet format. I am forever a neat-freak.

I expect this experience to be:
-Challenging.
-Exciting.
-Stimulating.
-Exhausting, at least at first.
-Scary at times.
-Exhilarating.
-A confidence-builder.
-Worthwhile.
-Memorable.
-Fun.
-Humorous at times.

I am excited about:
-Improving my Japanese.
-Eating lots of Japanese food.
-Taking beautiful pictures.
-Exploring new places.
-Meeting my students.
-Meeting other JETs from around the world.
-Working as a teacher.
-Befriending Japanese locals.
-Living on my own.
-Getting better at cooking.
-Seeing the seasons change.
-My first snowfall.
-Becoming more independent.
-Coming home in a year and feeling like I’ve accomplished something/done something really special.

I am scared about:
-Living on my own.
-Not being able to talk to Seth and my family and friends as frequently as I’m used to.
-Being very, very cold.
-Having to kill cockroaches myself.
-Not being able to read signs when I go out.
-Not being able to understand much of what people/the radio/the TV says.
-Feeling lonely sometimes.

My goals for the year are to:
-Improve my Japanese skills, or at least to get them back to the level I had achieved 3 years ago.
-Become proficient at riding a bike.
-Become a versatile, confident cook.
-Build friendships with local Japanese as well as other JETs.
-Explore Takaoka city, the greater Toyama prefecture, and other parts of Japan.
-Study at least one Japanese art form.
-Regularly update my blog.
-Talk to Seth and my parents at least once a week. (Yay Skype!)
-Take many pictures.
-Say “yes” to as many invitations to social events as I can.
-Learn how to use public transportation.
-Stay safe by thinking ahead, being aware of my surroundings, and always being precautious.

So far, so good for the seventh goal I listed, eh?

Getting Closer

I'm a few days closer to my magic date of departure, and I've managed to cross a few items off my to-do list. I did some shopping yesterday and today and stocked up on some things that apparently are pretty hard to come by in Japan. For instance:

1) Deodorant. Apparently the lucky Japanese don't sweat much, and it's near impossible to find antiperspirants in Japan.

2) Toothpaste. Although I've heard toothpaste with fluoride has become more commonplace over the last few years, it's still hard to find, and doesn't taste very good.

3) Over-the-counter drugs. Got some Excedrin Migraine, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, Echinacea, Vitamin C, and Women's One-a-Day, and Lactaid. It may seem like a lot, but I figure a year's a long time, and it's better to be prepared. I've been told the medicines in Japan are usually weaker than those here in the states, and often come in powder form that you dissolve in water. (Eww.)

Of course, I can't afford to overpack either. So it's going to be a fine balance: Black I-look-so-good-right-now stilettos, or Costco-size value pack of tampons? Both have their benefits... but it's hard to say. I'll keep you posted. (Thrilling, this process of packing, isn't it?)

I also bought a bunch of Hawaii souvenirs, as it is customary in Japan to give small tokens of appreciation to those who have helped you. I've also been told by current JET teachers that giving out little prizes is an excellent way to get otherwise uninterested students very very excited about learning English. I figure postcards, stickers, keychains, and pencils ought to do the trick. (And no, this is not bribery; merely positive reinforcement.)

Lastly, I discovered the most exciting thing the other day: FREE Hawaii travel brochures and magazines-- written in Japanese!! How perfect is that? I must have looked like a crazy person, taking dozens and dozens of pamphlets from the tourist-central rack outside the grocery store. They're really great though, they have pictures of all the different sites and activities here on the Big Island. I think it'll be a fun way for my students and colleagues to learn more about where I'm from. Of course, the best part of all is that they're freeeeee!

Alright. You're probably as tired of reading this as I am sitting here typing it, so I'll say goodnight.

Until next time,
Mandy

Preparations, preparations...

Ok, so I’m not *actually* in Japan yet. (I will be as of August 5th.) In the meantime, however, I still have quite a bit of business/Japanese reviewing/relaxing/enjoying of food/goodbye-ing to attend to. I just spent 3 awesome weeks with Seth and his family, and I have a few more weeks at home in Hawaii with my own family before I take off. I’ll spare everyone the boring details of my massive to-do lists, which seem all too lengthy for the amount of time I have to complete them. Let’s just say that between now and August 5th, I’ll take care of business and get my butt over to Japan, at which point the real fun will begin, and I’ll do my best to keep you updated.

Once I am in Japan, I will have to set up my internet in my apartment ("apato" in Japanese), which will probably take 2-3ish weeks. I will be able to use the internet sparingly at work (Takaoka Minami High School) to check email and whatnot, but probably not much more than that. I can be reached at both of the following email addresses, although the first is preferred:

amanda.woodwell@gmail.com
ajw02003@mymail.pomona.edu (beginning August 1st)

Once I have the internet set up in my apartment, I will be relying primarily on Skype for international calling. Look me up! Full name: Amanda Woodwell. I also use AIM, screen name mandyjeanne07.

And of course, there’s always facebook.

Lastly, if anyone wants an awesome postcard from Japan, send me your address and I'll send you a little love. (You're welcome to send me some love the old-fashioned way, too-- just let me know if you feel so inclined and I'll email you my address.)

Oh, and if anybody wants to look me up on a map or Google Earth, I’m in Toyama prefecture, Takaoka city. That’s central Honshu (the main and largest island in Japan), on the Japan Sea Coast (right near where that huge earthquake happened yesterday... Cool, huh?).

That’s about it for now. I’m off to dinner (good ol’ spaghetti; got to enjoy it while it lasts).
Jaa, mata ne (Until next time),
Mandy