I believe in kindness and freedom and kittens.

Let's get one thing straight: it's fucking hot here. I thought it was going to be nice and chilly, but it's like being back in Florida EXCEPT there is no AC in the majority of people's homes and public buildings to escape to when you're seeping bodily fluid.

On Sunday, August 8th, when I was finished baking at 425 degrees and turned mid-cook to be browned on both sides, I decided to go for a walk to scope out the neighborhood. The second I walked outside, a cool gust of wind from the ocean wrapped me in its embrace as if to say: "Let's go on a refreshing adventure." As I was down for refreshment, I happily accepted the wind's request and began walking toward the junior high school. In a matter of moments, I began to hear laughter. After questioning my sanity, I decided there were actually people outside the JHS, summoned up all my courage, and headed toward the fun.

Apparently, I had unknowingly stumbled upon the 3rd grader's barbecue. (JHS 3rd graders, not like American 3rd grader age. They're all around 14 and 15.) As soon as I was seen, there was a huge commotion. The girl students lost their heads when they saw me and immediately started giggling and pushing their friends toward me. The boys stared at me suspiciously. The teachers ran up to me to introduce themselves and offer me food. The parents talked about me in Japanese and were surprised when I knew they were talking about me. Every time I answered them in Japanese, they laughed uproariously. It doesn't matter what you say here if you're a gaijin. You're always funny.

All of the 3rd grade girls came up to me to introduce themselves, and some shook my hand and giggled like I'd just told the most hilarious joke. It was pretty amusing, though at times I felt like I needed to check if there was actually something about me to laugh about. After I met all of the girls, the music teacher went and grabbed the obvious leader of the 3rd grade boys (he was the tallest and looked the coolest; it's really easy to pick these guys out) and made him introduce himself to me. All of his little minions circled around him as he tried to keep a tough face and shake my hand. He was completely embarrassed. It was awesome. I don't even remember his name, but I totally ate up his embarrassment.

Two 3rd grade girls took the initiative to stick with me throughout the barbecue and talk to me, half in English, half in Japanese. (I am SO relieved that I can partially speak Japanese. It has saved me so many times in conversations where the Japanese person I'm talking to is at a loss for words.) I then convinced the students and music teacher that, yes, we do have shaved ice with syrup on it in America. They are generally referred to as snow cones. It was like I pulled a rabbit out of my ass. Yet again, I amazed them. Sorry, Japan. We figured out how to chip ice and eat it, too. However, we don't pour condensed milk on ours, so I guess you kinda got your own thing goin' on there.

After the kids beat the crap out of two watermelons blindfolded, the watermelons were whisked away to be properly cut while the students prepared to light a giant box of fireworks. At this point, my fight or flight sequence initiated. One foot pivoted on the ball, one foot stepping backward, I nervously weighed the consequences of staying and leaving. If I were to leave, I would miss out on more bonding time with the students, their parents, AND the teachers, BUT I wouldn't have to suffer through the fireworks. If I were to stay, everyone would find out about my incredible fear of fireworks and sudden, loud noises and probably think I was strange for the entire duration of my time in Sai.

I decided to stay, and I'm glad I did. It turned out that the fireworks were really tame ones, mostly sparklers that kids ran around with. This dental technician I met at the BBQ, Dr. Spock, was really grabby and stood super close to me when he spoke. I'm pretty sure he had indulged a bit too much that night. At some point, Dr. Spock grabbed my wrist and led me to the students with the sparklers. It was a lot of fun. I taught a girl that she could write her name in the sparkler smoke, and all of the students came up to me saying "Fire please!" when they needed me to light their sparklers with my own. I think it was a great way to get to know all of them. =)

After the fireworks, it was time to eat the watermelon. Did I mention I hate watermelon? I decided I would just get a tiny, mangled piece and nibble on it a bit to blend in. My plan was promptly ruined by one of my new students, who happily handed me the largest slice of watermelon I have ever seen. I accepted the dripping piece of fruit and took a bite, doing my best to bite back the disgusted snarl behind my smiling facade. As I choked down the watery fruit, I realized this would be only one of many times I would just have to go with the flow. After a few bites, I quietly threw the rest away. Hey, I tried.

To make up for the watermelon experience, I saw a shooting star. My first ever! It was really beautiful. ^_^

Even more amazing, I was invited to an enkai! An enkai is a teachers' party where you get to watch all your coworkers get wasted and hear what's really on their mind. Unlucky for me, I hate beer, so I got this terrible tasting wine, and this guy next to me was smoking a lot. PLUS, I had to sit on the floor, which made my legs fall asleep immediately. After about an hour, I asked the music teacher who had brought me there, Lady Deathstrike, if she could take me back because I was getting pretty tired. Between hearing only Japanese, speaking only Japanese, drinking terrible, strong wine, and inhaling second-hand smoke, I was feeling a little ill. As soon as I stepped into my little oven of an apartment, I felt really content with my adventure. All I had to do was take the initiative to walk outside and go next door to the junior high school. My first visit to the school wasn't supposed to be until almost two weeks later, but I dove in head first and surprised myself by having a great time. (And also surprised my students, teachers, and the parents that I showed up without being told!)

The language barrier here can be extremely overwhelming. The best things to do are stay positive, keep calm, and laugh... a lot! Also, carry around a dictionary. Damn, that's good advice.

Flowers for a Hundred Yen

I've now been in Japan for almost 3 weeks, 2 of them in my actual placement in Sai-mura. I must say... wow wow wow. These past few weeks have been... what have they been? Let's let the events speak for themselves. Luckily the journal I've been keeping is right next to me. Otherwise, this blog may never be written. So, here we go!

My flight to Tokyo was pretty sweet. My consulate (Miami) flew out on Continental. There were TVs on the back of every seat, and you could choose from over 100 movies to watch along with some popular TV shows. There were also a bunch of games. I was entranced for about an hour playing that BookWorm game that's basically just Boggle. I watched The Hangover, Date Night, Alice in Wonderland, about 1/4 of Ice Age 3, and about 15 minutes of Pocahontas in Japanese before my brain started to hurt. I wanted to sing the songs, but I didn't know the words. Sadface.

After 12.5 (napless) hours, we reached Narita Airport. You'll hear from your coordinator that you'll be greeted either incredibly cheerfully or eerily and silently by fellow JETs. About every ten feet on your way to the buses, you will be waved on by a JET. You'll probably feel like a rat in a maze.

Make sure you have your blue accident insurance book with you. You'll be giving that to the JET guide on your bus ride to Keio Plaza. The ride is about 2 hours long, give or take. The only thing that sucks about it is more sitting. Get ready for your ass to hurt every day until you get to your contracting organization. The sitting! The sitting! But hey, you'll get to see Tokyo Tower on your way. Yeah, I wasn't that impressed.

All of the instructions you get about orientation and what will happen on your way to your CO are completely confusing and usually convoluted. But, there's a flow to Tokyo Orientation. Know what time and where you need to be, and you're golden. Just follow the mama or papa duck. Seriously, I'm surprised they don't wipe your ass for you. And those workshops they say are incredibly important are useless. Now, I'm not saying you should skip them and spend the day touring Tokyo, but... >_>

Depending where your CO is, you'll be taking a car, bus, train, shinkansen, or plane. I had an hour flight to Aomori airport and was picked up by my supervisor and two of my coworkers from the Sai kyouikuiinkai (Board of Education). The drive to Sai-mura was about 3.5 hours of mountains, trees, farms, and sunflowers. We did stop at a nice little restaurant along the way where apparently whatever meal I chose was what everybody would order. I chose pork ramen.

It was really scary to all of a sudden be thrust into a van with three Japanese. I've studied Japanese for roughly three years, but I have never been to Japan before this. I tried my best to ask intelligible questions to one of my coworkers who was sitting next to me. We'll call her Phoenix. Phoenix speaks some English thanks to Black Cat, but apparently Black Cat stopped speaking English after her Japanese got better. Now Phoenix doesn't really get any practice. Maybe I should help out.

When we got to Ohma (where the grocery store is), I hesitantly picked out some food to last me for the next couple days. I hate when you're taken somewhere by someone else's generosity and you feel like you're wasting their time. Long story short, I ate bananas and bread for the next two days.

I was really happy to see that Black Cat left the house in immaculate condition. She even left me little notes on things like on a Jamaican flag colored tin with a joint-smoking monkey on it: "I thought this was hilarious for some reason. Feel free to throw it out!" Will do, Black Cat. I only wish you'd left helpful hints on how to operate the gas stove, microwave, clothes washer, shower, and boiler before you left.

The principal of the junior high school came over to my house unexpectedly my first night in Sai. I was expecting to just sit around alone and unpack my stuff, but I was treated to an amazing dinner (complete with shrimp head soup!) by kouchou-sensei and kyoutou-sensei who tagged along. I haven't seen either of them since. I think kouchou-sensei was away fighting crime or something. Duty calls.

The next day was all about being issued my hanko/inkan, applying for my gaijin card, and creating a bank account. Oh, and learning how to sort the trash. It's no big deal here. I only have 5 different trash categories. On the JET video, there's some girl with 22. Yikes.

On Saturday (my fourth day in Sai), I nearly cried at the car dealership. The car I'm getting is fairly expensive, I couldn't understand what the salesman was saying, he was asking me what kind of insurance I wanted and showed me some ridiculous prices, and then it happened that since I didn't have my gaijin card yet, I couldn't even get the car. Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated. BUT, I didn't cry. I told myself it wasn't a big deal. Who cries over buying a car? Not this lady!

I also went to SoftBank to get an iPhone but was told without the gaijin card, I basically can't do shit. Whatever. I went out to dinner and karaoke with a bunch of other Shimokita JETs, and we had an awesome time! Totally made up for my shitty day of not being able to get anything done. It was really a great way to get to know everyone. I sang "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals and "Somewhere Beyond the Sea," the Robbie Williams version. I had NEVER sung karaoke before, so I was quite pleased that I came out of my shell a little and had a fantastic time. The two closest ALTs to me, now known as Rogue and Shadowcat, are also new JETs. This made it really easy to bond. We've actually almost hung out every day since we got here. During karaoke, we sang GaGa, Aqua, and a whole bunch of other embarrassing songs. ;)

Rogue is the Kazamaura ALT, and Shadowcat, the Ohma ALT. Since meeting, we have done karaoke, had a sleepover, cooked dinner together, gotten lost in the mountains for four hours, roamed around the most famous place in Sai-mura (Hotokegaura), seen about 7 monkeys and a kamoshika, and been to two festivals together. This is a really crazy way to start friendships! After Rogue drops off Shadowcat when the three of us hang out (Rogue is the only one with a car right now), she and I listen to crazy songs on full blast in her car and sing obnoxiously loud all the way back to my place. Songs butchered have included: I Need a Hero, Just Dance, Mr. Sandman, the Pokemon theme song, I'll Make a Man Out of You, and the list goes on.

I’d like to point out that I have not cried or felt homesick since I’ve been here. I’m working really hard at staying positive and staying busy. I don’t see the point in lamenting my move here. I had plenty of time to drop from the program. This is what I want to do, and I’m not going to cry about it.

This blog takes us up to Sunday, August 8th. My next blog will be up shortly!

Sai-yonara! ;)

Holy Shit.

I am in Japan.