HIIIII~~~! (^___________^)v

Some entries will be placed under friends only and others won't. It sort of depends on what's written in each entry. ^^;;

If you want to be added to see the other entries, please comment to be added back. If not, feel free to browse through what's not locked. (^_^)

Comments are love! ^^

Mwahs!
x (=^ｴ^=) x

PS
All comments in all entries are automatically screened. Just to let you know. Lol.
Why? Just because. ^^;;

PPS
And as a random note, I just wanted to say that the current layout header is a photo I took myself from my kitchen flat in University (06 April 2008). Who woulda thought? Lol. ^^

Ello all... I'm back in Osaka. Hahaha.

Actually, I took a day off to come here so I could spend the day wandering before my friend arrived. I arrived in Osaka at 940am and chilled at the hotel for a bit (the TV was busted though so I went to sleep instead). After that, I did some research and wanted to go to HEP FIVE but it seems like it's closed on the third Thursday of every month - go figure, it's today. I dunno if it's actually accurate though because the employees at the hotel seemed surprised when I told them haha. I went to Shinsaibashi instead and wandered the entire street of shops. It was awesome but I came back with 5 pairs of shoes, a jacket and two tops because the shoes were SO CHEAP! So many shoe sales it's crazy. They were on sale for between ￥1000 to ￥2000! I'M SO HAPPY! But really, I wanted to shop for CLOTHES. So I dunno if I can be bothered to head out again and look around but we'll see after I finish this entry. Oh and I had late lunch at McDonalds haha.

Then, I headed back, and told the staff that my TV isn't working. After they checked it, they moved me to another room so I'm now not next to Han but at least we're still on the same floor.

Han should be arriving after work today so maybe I'll head to HEP FIVE with her since it doesn't close til 9 and she should be here around 7. Yay.

Then tomorrow, Ting and her boyfriend are arriving and we're gonna head to USJ. Woohoo! Saturday and Sunday will be Kyoto.

I was supposed to meet my friend in Osaka today who came from England but he made some last minute changes so I guess I won't be meeting him. Oh wells.

I haven't taken any pictures yet today which is probably because I was too busy shopping haha. But I'll probably go upstairs, take pics of my shoes, watch some TV and wait til Han gets here. Probably work out how much money I have left too lol.

Oh and coming off the train when I first arrived in Osaka today, I almost ran into this guy who was pretty darn cute except I was so flustered and he was getting on the train so that was the end of that. That was the only eye candy I've seen so far. Shocking. Where are all the sexy Osakan men?! Honestly! lol

Yesterday was pretty productive at my visiting school because I was busy organizing things for the first half of the day. Then after lunch, the teachers had a staff meeting in another room so that left me and the secretary there alone which we spent just talking. After work, I went to my base school secretary's house after she picked me up at 4.30 because we were gonna go to dinner with SUPANAISU-sensei from my base school. I still need to give my base school secretary a nickname... Let's go with Pigtails-san because she always has her hair like that. Totally unoriginal, I know. But anyway... So I was at her house (which is SOOOOOOOOOOO nice by the way zomg) and met her youngest who was practicing her English with me and we spent a lot of time just talking. They're so cute. Then we headed back to my base school to pick up SUPANAISU-sensei at around 5.30. We went to dinner at a French restaurant called "Casserole" and met their friend there. It was SUPER fun because they were all very nice and we chatted a lot. We stayed til 9 haha. It's so funny because there were a lot of interesting topics - about students and teachers too.

Haha, just now Hanko-sensei came over and asked what I was doing. Funny guy.

Anyway, then I went straight home and slept.

Oh yesterday was the results day for high schools. The students came to my schools to check if they passed or not - just like it is in the dramas, numbers written on boards. I was at my visiting school that day but I heard it was the same at my base school - the entry was blocked off by ropes and teachers and at a certain time they let the students in. They were so nervous looking and so were their parents. They headed up to check and you could hear the screams even up in the second floor where we were watching. Haha. Parents were crying and there was just a whole lotta emotion.

Today, I was and am still bored out of my mind. BLEHHHH!!! I studied Japanese, did more organizing and even took a nap. There's absolutely nothing to do. I even ASKED for work from Basket-sensei and he said there's nothing to do. Fun. I already spent some time mailing and surfing but there's only so much of that I can do, especially with just one contact because yesterday my left eye was hurting again so I left my contact out today in fear that it'll be shitty this weekend.

I can't wait! I'm going to USJ and Kyoto with my friends. I'm leaving early tomorrow though so I can do some shopping in Osaka because I need new work clothes badly!

Anyway... I'll some pics when I get home...
Okay... I'm off to figure out how not to fall asleep again (but I don't know why I stop myself... lol)

Edit: Here are the pics!

( Random Pics under the cut )

Also, after, Hanko-sensei came back and we chatted for awhile. Thank GAWD. I became less bored. Haha. It was fun talking to him!

SOOOOOOOOOO TIRED!

No pictures today because I left my USB stick for my memory card upstairs in the room but I'm too lazy to go and get it now haha.

Anyway, after writing my entry this morning, I headed to work and had a TOOOOOOON of things to mark. Since I was up SO early though I was going cross-eyed pretty quickly. My second years' essays were awesome and entertaining but I have yet to see my first years'. Sam, yoroshiku!

Now, it's 23.21 and I'm in Osaka, in the same hotel Wid and I stayed at. Lindsay's next to me checking Facebook. Fun times. I am SO exhausted!

I took my work with me because I want to try to finish marking my second years' by Tuesday. I also have to figure out what to do as a grad present for my third years. Gonna miss them LOAAAADS!!! I took all this work with me here in Osaka (wonder if I'll get round to it lol).

Straight after work, I headed for the station to catch my train. I had one transfer which was like a 30 minute wait. I marked some work on the train until I hit the last three which I could NOT figure out and decided to nap. When I woke up, I was going to arrive in Osaka in 30 minutes and my make up had melted off my face. Urgh. Haha. But never mind. I tried to fix my face quickly before arriving.

Once I arrived, Lindsay and I kinda missed each other so we had to call to find each other lol. Straight after we went to eat (katsudon, which I DO have a pic of). We chatted tons then headed back to the station to check in and chill at the hotel. We have yet to plan what we're doing this weekend haha.

Oh yeah, I was bugging Lindsay to help me get an ICOCA card (the Kansai version of the Kanto's SuiCa card which is the one I want but I'll get it next time). She helped me and we both got one each. It was so awesome because it's less hassle! I gotta figure out how to top up but it should be the same as a SuiCa card which I saw my friend top up before.

Since then we've just been chatting. She's now updating herself on Perez Hilton's site haha.

Okay, I want to add pictures. I took random ones on the train too. If I can't do it now then I'll do it next time.

Gotta go though. Gonna plan our weekend!
Toodles!!!

Today was hectic and tiring. Today was the first day of exams at my base school. I spent the entire day marking the first year's work to finish by 12 noon before they all went home. I managed to finish all of the marking for 11, 12 and 13 but then... there was class 14... who gave me ALL, and I mean ALL their homework for the last term ON MONDAY. IN ONE GO. Yes, ALL. So their stack was EFFIN HIGH. I managed to finish most but had 2 more stacks left to mark and I ran out of time. Even if I managed to finish over half, I was still so pissed off at myself and embarassed too. *sigh* Shockingly though some came to find me for their sheet which I was happy about so I marked theirs first. I'll have to give the rest tomorrow to those that didn't wait for it today. That's what my supervisor said - "If they were eager enough, they'd come look for you" - but I still hate it.

On the plus side, today the second years had their exam and the listening went down well though some students asked me what the answers were after haha. And an even better point of the day was when Sakkusu-chan came to look for me sometime after the exams, couldn't find me, mailed me then met me outside the staffroom, all to give me a piece of chocolate. Haha. She's so cute. We talked for awhile and many teachers passed by giving us weird looks (which I wasn't too happy about because I don't like that weird feeling).

The younger teachers also set a date for when we'd all meet up and asked me to bring some friends so that should be... well... I dunno what. But anyway. Oh and lunch with the new secretary was fun as always. ^^ Hockey-sensei actually came up to me and nosed around at what I was doing haha. Funny. Got to speak more to the teachers today too so that was good. ^^

After work, I actually left at 4.15 on the dot (SOOOOO HAPPY!) but went to the photoshop to try and sort out some things and then went to the station to buy my train tickets to Osaka for this weekend. I felt like I got so much done today that I rewarded myself with the root beer and ice cream (ROOT BEER FLOAT IS AWESOME and totally PWNS CREAM SODA!!) I've been saving in the fridge. I also ate that thing the nice man in the shop gave me yesterday. It was interesting too haha.

Anyway, off to mark the rest of that work for my first years and am hoping for the best with their exam tomorrow. I'll have all day to mark it tomorrow so we'll see *fingers crossed*.

Retrying the daily update thing. Lol.

I just got back home and it's 7.25 now. This time it's not late because I had to practice with students but because I had to finish making the finals. One for Wednesday and one for Thursday - first and second years. Staying late to finish my work wasn't so bad actually because it's more productive than me taking me work home (though I don't know if I'll want to stay late that often). All that's left is grading all the late homework they gave me (and good grief there's A LOT @_@) before they do their exams and I have to mark those too. Lol. I still have to record the listening part of the test but I'll do that tomorrow and I'll use Sam for it (sorry Sam! Hope you don't mind!).

Today wasn't all that interesting because not much happened. Everyone's in test mode. The highlight of the day was getting to hear the second half of the speeches. I practiced with Sakkusu-chan in the morning and towards the end of lunch to help. I love her dedication to it!

The speeches were fun to hear though some didn't do as well as I'd hoped and some did better than we'd expected. Basket-sensei and I talked about the students a little afterwards which was fun because I got to know a little more about them. Raion-kun did super well, Usagi-kun not as good as I'd hoped (because he got nervous!!) and Pride-kun really would be awesome at it if he put time and effort into it but we know he's not interested. *sigh* CA-chan did awesomely too course. ^^

Oh, in 14HR today, five girls handed in 3 pieces of homework all at the same time and ALL EXACTLY THE SAME. I think they all hate me now because I made them rewrite it all. It's ridiculous though if I let them get away with that.

Genkii-chan mailed me at the end of the day to tell me they have a practice hockey game soon so I really want to go to that!! That should be fun! <3

I think that's about it for today. Sorry it's not as exciting, haha. But be happy it's short. ... shorter. Lol.

I told myself I'd reward myself with chocolate for all my hard work today and started eating it when I started writing this but am on my last piece now so I'd best end this. Gonna go find something else to snack on after a shower.

Oh and finally, I got my receipt for sending money through GoLloyds which I did on the 19th of Feb. It arrived on the same day too so that's awesome. The charges were flat as they said. It's a pretty good deal I think! Gonna go save up some to send more home again. It took ages to do it on the 19th because even my supervisor didn't know how to use it lol. But we got it sorted in the end. Pretty useful for balloing for tickets now that I know how to do it... though I might do it through the post office because of the furikomi... we'll see.

ANYWAY zomg this is getting longer so I should stop ranting! Okay, I'm off! BAIII!

JET 101
Everything you wanted to know about the JET Programme...
More like everything that I've learned so far as a JET Programme High School ALT - The Summarized Version of all my posts

Last Updated: 2009 February 11
What's New:
- updated Interview Process part very slightly
- added stuff in Girl Talk about pantyhose and deodorant (under Pre-Departure Stuff #6)
- Ladies Clothes and Shoe Sizes (under Pre-Departure Stuff #11)
- Being Vegetarian (under Pre-Departure Stuff #12)
- Shopping/Online Shopping and Cash on Delivery (under Etc #13)
- Your Students (School Life #19)

I wrote this all in one go and updated and added bits and pieces as I went along but please comment/correct/ask away! (^^)

Anyway, I suppose I should put a disclaimer to say that these are probably subjective because they're from my experience and every experience is different but I'll try to keep it objective not TOO subjective.
Like I said, the stuff here is just a summary but if you want the long-winded, rant-filled version, please check my LJ, though most of it is probably locked so add me if you want. (^^)

Most importantly, please don't feel like this is a definite guideline. These are just some things I thought would be helpful. They obviously are not set in stone and the common "every situation is different" applies. Just remember to always be aware of things around you and you'll basically pick things up as you go along. However, if you're a worrywart like me and want to try to know as much as possible, read on!

( Table of Contents )

( Before Reading On - Important Terms You Should Know )

( The Application Process )

( The Interview Process )

( After the Interview, Before the Orientation )

( Other Pre-Departure Information )

( The Pre-Departure Orientation(s) )

( The Journey Over and The Tokyo Orientation )

( On Arrival In Your Prefecture )

( About School Life )

( About Home Life )

( Et Cetera )

( Prefectural Meetings and Mid-Year Seminar )

( Re-Contracting )

Okay.... any questions? (^^)v
If anyone wants me to edit or add something in this please let me know! ^^

Oh and finally, this is my first year so I can't tell you much about recontracting or leaving yet. Haha.

OMG Last post was over a month ago! CRAZY!!! ALmost 2 months! That's how crazy busy I've been!!! *sigh* I won't have a proper weekend until Christmas break hits but I'll put up an update ASAP. Now lemme try to remember what I did...

Yeesh, will I even have time to put up Christmas decor? @_@

Hope everyone's well!

WARNING: This is an EXTREMELY long entry! Haha. Some pics are also included. ^^

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I’m starting this entry at 1.34pm (Japan time) and 5.34am (UK time). At the moment, I am sitting in front of my laptop (I took mine from the UK and YAY it works without any converters and so on because of the whole 100-V-240V thing on the plug) in my living room. I could only start writing this now for two reasons:

1 – I’ve been extremely busy and tired with the move and settling in that I just haven’t had the time.
2 – The new keyboard just arrived today, with me in pyjamas, surprised to hear the doorbell ring because my predecessor told me mail does not arrive on weekends. But why complain? I’m extremely happy! The only thing is it's got Japanese keys on it and so it's not all in the same positions as either the UK or US keyboards that I'm used to. Good thing I've got the positions memorized. Haha.

( Keyboard Pics )

Additionally, I don’t actually have my internet set up yet because my predecessor cancelled hers and I only got around to calling to connect it on the 31st of July. The information about it should arrive sometime this coming week so I should be able to get connected and get this posted around that time too.
Before I talk about my current state (sweaty, tired but feeling at home), let’s go through my last week in the UK and my first week in Japan. I suppose it’s safe to say I’ve been here a week as I’m counting the day I left for Japan (26th)…

( July 19 to 25 - Pre-Departure Preparation )
( July 26 - Flight to Japan )
( July 27 - Arrival at Narita, Keio Plaza Hotel and first night in Shinjuku )
( July 28 - Orientation, Food and Views )
( July 29 - Drunken roommate and hotel yukatas )
( July 30 - First Day at my Placement, Food and more Views )
( July 31 - New Cell Phone, Amazing Things About Cell Phones in Japan, and being a Foreigner )
( August 1 - First Full Day At Work and the English Club )
( August 2 - Etc and Air Conditioners )

ANA to be exact. =P

July 5 to 24...
I've been spending the ENTIRE time preparing. Mostly figuring out the best way to cram a whole load of stuff into a suitcase that's limited to 20kg.
I went shopping for omiyage (souvenirs/presents for co-workers, superiors and extra), new work clothes, indoor shoes (a pair for both schools), make-up and toiletries. I also got a new UK phone because my old one is still 2G and only 3G works in Japan. All that's left to do is get video calling and video messaging working. For some strange reason, it's not working. =.=
I dealt with the insurance, taxes and payment of student loans, plus other finances. I'll be getting my Yen on Friday. Woohoo!

So now, all that's left is to pack and spend time with my family.

My flight is this Saturday (I can't believe time's gone by so quickly!), so I'll have more interesting things to write about now that the move is finally happening.

Next update will be from Japan. (^_______^)

Japan, here I come!! xx

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other pre-departure/pre-Japan parts:

JET001 // JET002 // JET003 // JET004