Leaving on a JET Plane

The morning of my departure was difficult. My parents, boyfriend, and I woke up at the ungodly hours in the morning to rendezvous with my fellow Miami JETs at Miami International Airport. I slowly walked around the house saying goodbye to small and eclectic band of pets. This was the first round of choking back tears as I hugged by 13-year-old cat and told my dog and other cat to behave.

Chin Chin, you aren't allowed to die!

Make good decisions!  

One piece of advise for anyone flying long distances is to dress comfortably. As women, we all have superficial tendencies to always look perfect. However, this is not one of those time. I donned sweatpants, and a sweatshirt that layered over a tank. I needed something flexible and something that wouldn't cut of any circulation to my legs. 

Trying not to cry with my family

We arrived at  MIA and met up with Mike, the JET coordinator, who had our passports. Once I received my passport, I examined my lovely Japanese visa and checked my bags. After that, my family and I walked to the the security point where we exchanged tearful goodbyes. This was the second time I had to choke back tears. Although I was extremely sad that I was leaving everyone I loved, I knew that if I started crying I would never stop. After passing the security, we waited to board the flight to Dallas, Texas. We all compared tickets to see if we sat next to one another but I was placed by myself. 

At the Dallas airport, Alexis and I ate some food and had some discussions with the fellow JET ladies. I bonded with my fellow Miami OkiJET over Korean music (Team T.O.P). We also met a fellow OkiJET from Nashville. Together, we boarded up the last flight to Tokyo, which was around 14 hours. Again, I was alone but OK since I wanted to sleep. However, I was placed one seat away from the isle and after drinking a liter of water, I felt that I would make frequent trips to the bathroom. I swore aloud as I placed my belongings into the seat. Around 3 hours into the flight, I needed to use the bathroom, but the person at the isle seat was completely knocked out. I shook him, but he was sleeping like the dead. Being tiny, I was able to stand up on my chair and step onto the armrest and over him. I received applause from a few spectators, but there was no way I was going to do this for the next 11 hours. Once the guy next to me woke up, I polity asked if I could switch seats. This was one of these moments when I wish I had looked more kempt, but he agreed and I was free to visit the restroom and stretch as often as I wanted. 

If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you can opt for meals that are suitable for your dietary needs.. However, get ready for disappointment because these meals taste like ass. I'm a pescatarian (I cook veggie though) and I received all vegan meals. I was secretly eyeing the milano cookies as I hate my random vegetable sandwich. I always say that I will just get the regular meals and pick out the meat, but then I forget. Shame on me.

The in-flight options were great! I remember watching Ironman 3 and Epic. I also watched all of the episodes of Big Bang Theory. With the in-flight movies and my knack of sleeping anywhere, the flight felt extremely quickly. Before I knew it, we were landing in Tokyo and it was official mcticial, I was on the other side of the planet.

Be Prepared!

I had my placement and as much I would love to say that I spent the four months until departure preparing for my time in Japan, I did not. Instead, I decided to laze around, shop, hang out with friends, watch all of my shows, and play an endless amount of video games.  I worked with my mother, who is a bookkeeper, to get my finances in order and she did the rest. Thank's mom!

One of the things that kept our minds at ease was that I had great communication with the Ginoza Board of Education. They worked with me to find an apartment and order my inkan (personal seal). They also booked a bed and breakfast until my apartment was ready, and they sent me a photo of the office staff. However, remember the JET motto: Every Situation is Different (ESSID). One of my friends just got one email, and it wasn't even sent to her. The email was sent to one of her professors. Either way, with the open communication and my mothers epic packing, I was ready to attend the Miami JET Orientation, which was scheduled the day before I left to Japan.

The Miami orientation was held at the Consul General official residence in a very posh location in Coral Gables, Miami.  At the orientation, they had a question and answer session for JET parents. My mother, being a loca, read the entire JET Information Handbook from cover to cover. Therefore, she did not feel compelled to go. If I can give anyone advise, have your parents read your information handbook. It's available via PDF on the Official JET website as well. After reading the handbook, and placing various post-its, she could quote the book verbatim. Go Mom!

Either way, the orientation continued with workshops on how to teach classes and a presentation on culture shock. The group was also divided between men and women so that we would ask any particular lady questions. Therefore, if you have any questions on gynos, blood testing, birth controls and Plan B, that would be the time to ask. Afterwards we had a reception (food and alcohol included) where I was able to catch up with my my FIU professors and met some of the other Miami JETs.

(Far Right) Posing like a boss