Last minute prep
I remember years ago, around the time I started studying Japanese at Sac State, just only hearing about the JET Program. The way it was made out to me made it seem to be something of legend. Something unreachable for me.
Now, in a few hours, I'm going to board a plane that will take me to Japan, as part of this program that I thought was once unreachable for me. I will be going as a JET!
A few hours ago, our Pre-Departure Orientation ended. Afterwards, I met up with Emil and he treated me out to some good mexican food, something I won't be able to eat for a long time. (Thanks Emil!)
But you know what? This "long time" hasn't sunk in yet. For some reason, I'm still in the mode that I'm going to wake up in the same bed after the weekend has ended. It still hasn't sunk in that I will not see my bed for a long time. I'm pretty sure it won't sink in until I'm situated in my new home, in Emukae-cho in Nagasaki-ken. For those who don't know where that is, it's located on Kyushu, the most South-West main island in Japan.
As far as how long I plan on staying...right now it's up in the air. I could stay for 1 and come home to my family who's dropping me off at the airport. However, after giving it some thought, it's a job. When I come back to the States, chances are there won't be a job for me. So I might as well ride this job for as long as I can. After all, I have loans and hospital bills to pay.
I'm excited. My predecessor is hyping it up for me. Friends are hyping it up for me.
I'm stoked. I'm nervous. I'm scared. I'm anxious. I'm sad. I'm happy. I'm exhausted. I'm awake. I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to jump. I want to sleep.
Now matter what I feel, I'll keep smiling.
Behind this smile is a storm of anxiety that is calmed by motivation that I will give these Japanese folks their money's worth.
And the other way to calm myself I hope to do my first day in Japan. And that's KARAOKE!
Wish me luck everyone.
I'll see everyone in a year...or 3.
"I got a call...a telephone call today.
Somebody's offering a job, a thousand miles away..."
Now, in a few hours, I'm going to board a plane that will take me to Japan, as part of this program that I thought was once unreachable for me. I will be going as a JET!
A few hours ago, our Pre-Departure Orientation ended. Afterwards, I met up with Emil and he treated me out to some good mexican food, something I won't be able to eat for a long time. (Thanks Emil!)
But you know what? This "long time" hasn't sunk in yet. For some reason, I'm still in the mode that I'm going to wake up in the same bed after the weekend has ended. It still hasn't sunk in that I will not see my bed for a long time. I'm pretty sure it won't sink in until I'm situated in my new home, in Emukae-cho in Nagasaki-ken. For those who don't know where that is, it's located on Kyushu, the most South-West main island in Japan.
As far as how long I plan on staying...right now it's up in the air. I could stay for 1 and come home to my family who's dropping me off at the airport. However, after giving it some thought, it's a job. When I come back to the States, chances are there won't be a job for me. So I might as well ride this job for as long as I can. After all, I have loans and hospital bills to pay.
I'm excited. My predecessor is hyping it up for me. Friends are hyping it up for me.
I'm stoked. I'm nervous. I'm scared. I'm anxious. I'm sad. I'm happy. I'm exhausted. I'm awake. I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to jump. I want to sleep.
Now matter what I feel, I'll keep smiling.
Behind this smile is a storm of anxiety that is calmed by motivation that I will give these Japanese folks their money's worth.
And the other way to calm myself I hope to do my first day in Japan. And that's KARAOKE!
Wish me luck everyone.
I'll see everyone in a year...or 3.
"I got a call...a telephone call today.
Somebody's offering a job, a thousand miles away..."