I have something new to blog about!
I stopped blogging a while back for two reasons: (1)I had fallen into the mistake of using the blog like a personal diary (sharing more details than I should have) (2)and none of my friends seemed to be using livejournal anymore.
Well, in theory, all of that is soon to change.
In february of '09 when I was still reeling from a nasty breakup and scared by my impending graduation and continued inability to find a job, a friend suggested I look into something called the JET program.
The JET program is where native English speakers with a college degree (4-year) can apply to be an assistant language teacher (ALT) in Japan. I googled JET, read through the website. It sounded cool but I wasn't sure. I googled it again looking for blogs and found a vlog (youtube, myargonauts). Jason shared stories from his years with JET, which convinced me that JET was right for me. The catch, applications are accepted in November... I found some other work and graduated in the meantime, then was unemployed and out of school for a while. I applied, and was granted an interview. I decided to go to DC instead of NY for the interview (according to google earth, there was a 3 minute difference between travel to each site)
I interviewed in February and left with an uncertain feeling. I spent the rest of the day micro-analyzing and screaming at myself. Why did I talk about Pocky when they asked me about Japanese food!? I should have said that I know 3 ways to make Dashi!!! granted I wouldn't eat one of them (no katsuoboshi for me!), but I know how to do it...
A little bit after the interview I get an e-mail telling me that they will decide in April. April rolls around, I find out I am an Alternate (the waiting list). They do not tell you how high you are on the list. A week after the due date for accepting alternate status, I start checking my e-mail frequently and answering every single phone call. Nothing. I find a forum hosted by JET and see that other US and UK applicants are being upgraded. May rolls around, still nothing. I get really bummed and start sending out more job applications.
May 11th I go for an interview. It goes perfectly and lasts about 2 hours! I am offered a position. TWO HOURS later my cell phone rings. It is a number I don't recognize, I assume it is my new boss, I answer the phone, it's a voice very similar to my new boss... then the caller identifies herself and all I process is that it is a Japanese name. The catch is I am literally on my way out the door to pick up my friend's kids. Their mother doesn't drive. I pick them up once in a while. I have to cut the person off and explain I am heading to pick up my friend's kids after school and ask if I can call back.
I pick up the kids, get them home, go into their playroom (while they are in the dining room eating lunch)and call JET back. They tell me I have been upgraded to the shortlist. I just need to do some paperwork, get a physical, send them the results, and once they decide I am not about to keel over, I'm going to JAPAN!
I plan to blog and experiment with vlogging about prep, departure, and my new exciting job in Japan.
Well, in theory, all of that is soon to change.
In february of '09 when I was still reeling from a nasty breakup and scared by my impending graduation and continued inability to find a job, a friend suggested I look into something called the JET program.
The JET program is where native English speakers with a college degree (4-year) can apply to be an assistant language teacher (ALT) in Japan. I googled JET, read through the website. It sounded cool but I wasn't sure. I googled it again looking for blogs and found a vlog (youtube, myargonauts). Jason shared stories from his years with JET, which convinced me that JET was right for me. The catch, applications are accepted in November... I found some other work and graduated in the meantime, then was unemployed and out of school for a while. I applied, and was granted an interview. I decided to go to DC instead of NY for the interview (according to google earth, there was a 3 minute difference between travel to each site)
I interviewed in February and left with an uncertain feeling. I spent the rest of the day micro-analyzing and screaming at myself. Why did I talk about Pocky when they asked me about Japanese food!? I should have said that I know 3 ways to make Dashi!!! granted I wouldn't eat one of them (no katsuoboshi for me!), but I know how to do it...
A little bit after the interview I get an e-mail telling me that they will decide in April. April rolls around, I find out I am an Alternate (the waiting list). They do not tell you how high you are on the list. A week after the due date for accepting alternate status, I start checking my e-mail frequently and answering every single phone call. Nothing. I find a forum hosted by JET and see that other US and UK applicants are being upgraded. May rolls around, still nothing. I get really bummed and start sending out more job applications.
May 11th I go for an interview. It goes perfectly and lasts about 2 hours! I am offered a position. TWO HOURS later my cell phone rings. It is a number I don't recognize, I assume it is my new boss, I answer the phone, it's a voice very similar to my new boss... then the caller identifies herself and all I process is that it is a Japanese name. The catch is I am literally on my way out the door to pick up my friend's kids. Their mother doesn't drive. I pick them up once in a while. I have to cut the person off and explain I am heading to pick up my friend's kids after school and ask if I can call back.
I pick up the kids, get them home, go into their playroom (while they are in the dining room eating lunch)and call JET back. They tell me I have been upgraded to the shortlist. I just need to do some paperwork, get a physical, send them the results, and once they decide I am not about to keel over, I'm going to JAPAN!
I plan to blog and experiment with vlogging about prep, departure, and my new exciting job in Japan.