The little things...

If there's anything this experience has taught me so far, it's that the littlest things can make the biggest difference. There's so many things I used to take for granted back home: being able to make small talk (even though I hated doing it), understanding written instructions, not being confused for a "slow" person, etc. It's amazing how much of an impact these things can have on your daily life.

Today was another struggle, but two little things cheered me up:

1. I managed to do my laundry. On this side of the world, I consider that a huge accomplishment. It took me half an hour of pushing random buttons and crying to my mom over messenger before I could get the stupid machine working. But eventually I managed to find the magic button and it started spinning.

2. I met one of my neighbours. The encounter only lasted about 2 minutes, but it felt so good to actually SPEAK to somebody. She started saying something to me in Japanese but I managed to say "Wakarimasen. Canada-jin desu", which translates to "I don't understand. I am Canadian". I told her I was an ALT, which she seemed to understand, and she told me she was a "children's nurse". I don't know if I'll ever run into her again, but I really hope I do.

Other than that, the day has been pretty slow. I went to the dollar store (or 100 yen store) and picked up some stuff. The dollar stores here have tons of stuff and everything is actually decent quality. Tomorrow it's back to work. There's not really much for me to do, but at least I'll be around people again. In a few hours I'll be able to say that I survived my first weekend in Japan on my own. It's still tough, but hopefully things will start to get easier soon...

Long weekend...

Today is going by soooooo slowly. The people who showed me around last night have gone out of town, so now I'm on my own again. At least I have the Internet to keep me company.

I spent most of today just unpacking. Thank God for Skype--I finally got to have a decent conversation with Adam and my family. My brother and sister put Scruffy on the webcam and it really broke my heart. He looked so cute, and I really wish I could just pick him and give him a big hug.

In the late afternoon I decided to explore the town a little bit. Shibukawa is cute, but pretty dead. I've put up some more pictures on my Yahoo Photos link. I stopped by the grocery store and didn't recognize most of the produce. And the biggest disappointment: they didn't have breakfast cereal :( Oh yeah, and their milk is no less than 3.6%.

On the way home, some old man started talking to me. There's one phrase I really have to learn ASAP: "I'm not Japanese." I just told him in English and walked away. He looked at me, laughed, and scratched his head...

I miss my baby so much :( I saw him on the webcam today and it made me cry...he heard my voice and started looking for me...

Surviving...

So it's come to the end of my first work week in Japan. I arrived in Shibukawa a couple of days ago and moved into my apartment yesterday. The first night was terrifying and lonely, but I survived. It's amazing how isolated you can feel when you have no phone or Internet, and no one around you speaks your language.

Today I managed to get myself online in my apartment. I have to say, that was probably my happiest moment in Japan so far. At least now I have a means of communication and I don't feel so cut off from home.

The teachers at my school have been incredibly welcoming so far. On my first day, my supervisor asked everyone if they could donate household items to me since I don't have anything at my place yet. The next day, I had stacks of plates, towels, blankets, and even homegrown vegetables, sitting at my desk. At least I know I'll be well taken care of.

Tonight I managed to get in touch with a couple of other JETs in the area and they took me out for dinner and showed me around the town. It was really nice to hang out with people who understand exactly what I'm going through. It was interesting to hear about what their first weeks here were like. One girl spent her first five days without Internet and didn't come across a single foreigner during that time. Finally, she decided to just stake out at City Hall and harass the first foreigners she saw. And eventually, she did manage to make friends that way.

I guess I should consider myself pretty lucky. I haven't been here a week yet, and I've managed to get Internet, furniture, and everything else I need. I've also managed to get in touch with other foreigners, and hopefully I'll start meeting more people soon. Now all I need is one of those funky Japanese cell phones...

P.S. In case anyone is curious, I've put up pictures of my apartment here: http://photos.yahoo.com/thelilone17 (just click on the folder called "Japan Apartment").

Hurray for technology!

I love wireless Internet!! Too bad none of you are ever online while I'm here :( The time difference really sucks...I'm still jetlagged. I didn't get any sleep last night because my roommate is a terrible snorer.

I had my first moment of awe with Japanese technology today. I came out of the shower and noticed there was a distinct square in the mirror that wasn't steamy. I touched it and it was hot. They actually heat part of the bathroom mirror so it doesn't steam while you shower. That way when you come out you can see your reflection instantly. I was amazed. Maybe they do this in other parts of the world and I'm just an ignoramus? Who knows...

First day...

It's been overwhelming, to say the least...

Yikes!

I'm leaving tomorrow morning!!! Panic is starting to set in. What the heck was I thinking?? I'm gonna LIVE in a foreign country for a YEAR, where I'll be completely ILLITERATE and unable to communicate?? Damn it, I should've spent more time with my "Japanese for Busy People" workbook. I just hope the people there don't think I'm a "slow" Japanese person.

Anyway, here are my goals for the upcoming year:

-be able to converse in Japanese by the time I come back
-make new friends
-become more opinionated on world events (i.e. force myself to become interested in the news--I am a journalism major, after all)
-start writing again

...I think that's about it. I wonder what I'll be thinking a year from now when I look back at all this...

My present came!! Please excuse the dorky picture...I was quite excited at the time...

Look who's riding a bike!!!

I can turn! I can turn! But only on flat land. I'm still working on the uphill/downhill thing. Riding a bike is a true testament to how out of shape I am. I can't even make it up a small slope without feeling like my thighs are gonna fall off.

On a completely different note, Scruffy is no longer wheezing. Benadryl worked! I'm such a good mom--except for the fact that I accidentally left him outside today and forgot about him for an hour :(

Less than two weeks before I leave for Japan! Yikes! At least my accommodations have been settled. I haven't seen pictures, but it sounds like a pretty good deal. It's fully furnished and Internet's included...woot woot!

Sigh...

I don't remember the last time I cried so hard in public :( It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. The past year has been amazing, and I'm glad we've had so many memories together. I can't wait to see you again baby...

The saddest goodbye...