JET Lag

 I had a week to recover from JET lag before starting my first day at work

 The JET Handbook has a small chapter dedicated to reverse culture shock, but I'll sum it in one sentence: no one cares about your JET experience. That sounds pretty harsh but the reality is that most people will not be able to relate to the experience despite finding it interesting.

I was back to where I started, physically, but I was a different woman than the one who boarded a plane over two years ago. If I could visit my past self, I'd give her a big hug. And then a small shove to toward the plane because we'd create some sort of disaster when seeing each other...what was I talking about?

Oh yea! As you learned from this post,  I secured a good job before my return and I focused all of my energy in setting up my life in Miami. Unfortunately, that was more expensive than what I previously imagined; no thanks to my cat, Tiger, and his visit to the veterinarian the day after my arrival. Oh Tiger. But I managed.

My first real moment of reverse culture shock occurred on my first day of work. I was so overwhelmed with the newness of everything that I looked at my Taketomi star sand and said, "Was I really there?" I  realized that I was no longer an English teacher in Japan and, weirdly, my experience felt like a dream. Another moment of reverse culture shock occurred at the grocery store. I idiotically made the mistake entering a Super Walmart. I felt completely overwhelmed and left without buying any food because there were too many unhealthy choices.

I've previously stated that I hate change. Now, I know that I can handle any unknown situation as long as I focus on the benefits. I can also cope with change by creating a routine, one that ultimately benefits me. That right! Your girl as gone all philosophical! So if you're wondering, I can handle the supermarket now.

I wasn't too worried about my social life when I returned because my birthday fell on the weekend that I returned. I was use to "chill" nights every weekend with my OkiLocos, but it was great to go out with my ladies and have THE WORST BIRTHDAY EVER! My all-time-favorite restaurant really let me down in more ways that one. And the following day of snorkeling was 5% LESS OF A DISASTER! When did Jellyfish season start in Florida? It was great seeing my friends and catching up with people I haven't seen in forNEVER! They've really helped smooth my transition back home and I can't thank them enough. Thanks you guys!

Right now, I am focused on growth - both professionally and personally. I told my friend the other day about an event that I want to attend and she said, "Lmao, you're into that?" I replied, "The point is to try something new...I'm not trying to be that stubborn, crazy girl I use to be." Ok, I'll always be crazy and a bit stubborn and, although you'll never see me waste my money on a Miami Dolphins' game (DefinitelyNOTSorry), I want to be exposed to different things. Listen, I use to hate swimming and after Okinawa, I'm a mermaid. 

So my advice to JETs returning home:

• Start your job search early
• Meet with friends
• Be a tourist in your own hometown
• Focus on growth
• Do you

Sayonara.

Saying Goodbye

“Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.” - Charles M. Schulz

I was uncomfortable informing the Kinderbabies at my Monday school that I would not return after summer vacation. They were confused because they cannot yet comprehend time or space. They believed I returned home to the U.S. every night and then flew back to Japan every morning. It took them a few minutes, but they eventually understood - Gabi-sensei would not return to play with them anymore. Some cried while others hugged me and said,「また遊びに来て下さい」or "Please come back to play [with us] again [sometime]."

My three schools and board of education put in the effort to say a proper goodbye with assemblies for the students and farewell parties for the staff. I was presented with cards and expensive gifts but more importantly, I listened to touching speeches from those who thanked me for my two years of service in Ginoza. I was moved and ultimately heartbroken to say goodbye to my students and the people who were my second family. 

Speaking of second family, I didn't realize how difficult it would be saying goodbye to the OkiJETs until I was ugly crying in the club with my besties. Okinawa hosted a diverse group of JETs who came together during my final year to form a great community and support system. Luckily, I now have new places to visit on my travel bucket list!

I will return to Okinawa someday as a tourist but for now, I bid my OkiJET experience adieu. I'll miss the mad dash out of my apartment to make it to work on time; the rolling hills with the most beautiful sunsets; my kei car and its missing door handle; Hey boy heeeyyyyy; gossiping with my coworkers; all of my past and present kinderbabies; the incredible view from Matsuda Elementary; traveling to nearby countries; "Chill" nights; Thursdays a.k.a. beach days; Joshikai in the bathroom; pushing my students to do their best; Shommi, "I see you;" Spa nights with Yaya (surely); giving everyone the side-eye; Kanna Beach, my thinking spot; the talkative principal who held the longest staff meetings; Snapchatting during those meetings; walking down the hall and hearing "Gabi-sensei;" delicious onigiri, the love of my life; my sweetheart student neighbor; weird Japanese holidays; school lunches; arguing with Ian; scaring students by yelling "No Japanese!" during an interview exercise; eating three bowls of tofu cereal and immediately regretting it; doing eyebrows; obsessing over Nutella; 何人, 美人; having Genki Time with Hayley; my students singing the alphabet backwards; secret changing; Indian food; serious discussion with Nic and Matt; Aly's Line messages of truth; that student who told me my makeup was too dark; Tka's Line calls, discussing fecal matter with everyone; telling Mark he can't get to second base; my sassy dance teacher and the dancing grandmas; the way my students would say "What" or "oh my God;" kissing that cute Hawaiian JET (figure it out haha); popcorn; Bad Bitch nights; talking to my Japanese-American students; the call to assemble the ladies; Tka's dancing during a dancehall song; Japanese chocolate; Ashley's dancing and insight; the male teacher who told me to focus on myself; the teachers who cried with me when it all went down; my frenemy who was actually a friend; the person I thought was a friend, but turned out to be a frenemy; Eisa; not functioning the next morning; and salsa dancing with my instructor.

I'll miss it all! 

As for this blog, I'll add my experience with reverse culture shock and include a few retroactive posts.  But to my readers: whether you stubbled upon my blog, kept up with me for years, or creeped, thank you.  Seriously, thank you and good luck with your adventures.

P.S. can I now say the word "bully?" ;)

Finding a Job After JET

I've got to keep it real! I've heard horror stories about JETs failing to find good jobs after returning from Japan. 

The JET Program (and teaching in Japan) is an amazing experience for personal and professional growth. However, this experience may be disconnected to your home country and/or your career path. Therefore, if you've signed the papers stating that you will not continue on the JET Program, immediately restructure your resume and begin your job search. 

In February (yes, February), I began restructuring, well, my life. I took down old photos from Facebook, updated my Linkedin, put my Instagram on private, and worked on the content and overall look of my resume.  I researched typography and learned about contrasting fonts and styles in order to make my resume pop. I also asked a friend, who studies design, to suggest any changes. You'd be surprised at the difference!

Speaking of friends, my two best friends handled my resume and cover letter. It was important to have another person proofread the content, correct mistakes, and suggest changes. To this day, I can't thank them enough! Love you both!

In late April, I began to actively search and apply for jobs. I signed up for alerts on indeed.com and notified my references that they may receive calls in the near future. During my free time I would apply for jobs. This was the most difficult part of the processes but I knew that if I wanted to be anything other than an executive/administrative assistant, I needed to work and find a career or a career-building job. 

I received an email for an interview in late July. It was my first time participating in a Skype interview and, due to the time difference, I would interview at 10pm. On the day of the interview, a typhoon directly hit Okinawa and caused my internet to disconnect. I panicked but since I still had electricity, I used iPhone as a hotspot and Skyped from my laptop. The interview went well and I was asked to interview again the following week. Long story extremely short, I was offered the position and I had a good job secured before returning home.

Finding a job prior to returning home is a possibility if you put in the work. But more importantly, do not give up! The more jobs you apply to, the better your chances are at finding a job!

Heading Home

Moving out of Japan was a process

I felt like a hoarder as sifted through two years of acquired, yet pointless possessions. 

Why do I have a hot sandwich maker? Have I ever used it? No? I'll just leave it behind. Geez, when was the last time I wore these pants? Whoa! They are way too big now! Bye Felicia (#IceCube)! 

I filled up three suitcases, shipped two boxes, and threw away countless bags of trash. It was a process, but I was prepared because the JET Program offers an After JET Program Guide that outlines and discusses the procedure of your return home.

Read it!

The most stressful aspect of this was contacting my successor and discussing items I had for sell. In comparison to other JETs, I didn't have much to sell but despite offering my things at a more-than-reasonable price, my successor only bought the bare minimum: curtains, a low table, fridge, microwave, washer, wifi router and iron (with board). I could understand passing up my Nitori furniture, but my two-year old gas stove? Luckily, other OkiJETs bought the rest of my things and my successor finally agreed to purchase the most expensive item on the list, my car. 

Why u no buy my stove?

My contracting organization, my town's Board of Education, made sure I disconnected all of my utilities. However, they were confused about the pension refund, something not usually done in Japan unless retired. I couldn't be more grateful for the General Information Handbook and Justin, the middle school ALT, who explained some of the more confusing parts of the pension refund to my tax representative. 

Here is some advice:

In regards to moving back home, be organized, plan, and think "Snoop Dogg" - keep your mind on your money and your money on your mind. Packages sent home were inexpensive (via boat), but canceling my cellphone plan and paying for overweight and extra luggage fees was pricey ($200+). Moreover, depending on your apartment contract, you may be required to pay an exorbitant cleaning fee; double if you have tatami.

Working with Special Needs Students

It may come as a surprise to you but working with special needs students or teaching at a special needs school is not a rare occurrence on the JET Program. All three of my elementary schools provide assistant teachers for students with learning disabilities or a seperate classroom for students with special needs.

For students with learning disabilties, continue to teach class and play games like normal but keep in mind that they may have a hard time learning and remembering English. Therefore, competitions where they have to quickly say words may end with the student crying from embarassment. Instead, have group games or pair them with a friendly student who can assist.

For special needs students, English class is more like English playtime. Nevertheless, catering to different disabilities for varing ages can be a challenge. I recommend asking the teacher about the students disabilities and planning lessons around their needs. Pinterest is my go-to for lesson plans. Cooking and crafts are ideal with special needs students, but don't be afraid to get creative. One of my students' favorite lessons was Twister! They didn't sell the game until the new Rycom Aeon opened this spring, but I printed and laminated dots that I taped to the floor. They had the best time speaking in Japanglish while twisting themselves into a knot. 

Mind you, you may have students that are bound to a wheelchair, but that doesn't mean that they can't have fun - just research! There are also great ideas online for students with severe mental disabilities, such as Down's Syndrom. The goal is for the students to have fun with you and use a bit of English. Teach them fruits while you make a parfait together or colors while you paint - the ideas are endless! Most importantly, enjoy your time with them; it's precious!

This is Jua. 

She's a special needs student who evaded her handlers.

I found her in the English room and played with her for a bit.

Jus enjoys English but this day she was testing my Japanese.

She saying "sekai" which means "correct" in Japanese. 

Dentist in Japan: They'll Rip Your Teeth Out

Yea, I'm one of those people that floss daily

 I shouldn't have to remind any adult that dental checkups are necessary, but, I'm going to do it anyway - if you work in Japan (or don't), please, please, please do not skip out on the dentist. It's covered by medical insurance and therefore, it is cheap. Speak to other ALTs in your area and ask where they go for their cleanings. If they don't have a recommendation and they are an ALT veteran, feel free to judge them and never ask them for anything ever again. Not Just kidding.

Once you find a dentist, there is no need to make an appointment - just walk in, sign in, hand them your insurance card and tell them why you are there.

However, be ready for multiple visits because Japanese dentist complete one procedure at a time. For example, if you need your teeth cleaned, the the dentist will clean the bottom row one visit and the top row the next. Moreover, if you have multiple cavities, they will fill one cavity (maybe two if they are tiny) each session. It can be exasperating, but remember it's cheap.

Here is the fun part: dentist in Japan do not use anesthetics when filling a cavity. Thankfully I was forewarned, but I was frightened nonetheless. The dentist actually made fun of me for stiffening at the sight of the drill, but he assured me that it won't hurt. The only felt  uncomfortable when he blew air into my freshly drilled cavity. It was a strange cold sensation that was suppose to register as pain. I know, I'm weird.  I have nothing but wonderful things to say about dentist in Japan so practice some dental TLC and visit your local dentist!

Also, be sure to ask for white fillings! They are inexpensive and look better than metal fillings.

Good Luck!

Living in Japan Makes You a Weirdo

There is a wonderful post floating about the Internet called, "10 Ways Living in Japan Makes You Talk Like a Weirdo," and it's one hundred percent true! If you've never lived or studied abroad in Japan, you won't understand. Sorry!  However, if you are about to embark on this JET journey, get ready for Japan to change you in ways you never thought imaginable!

My favorites from this post are:

"Nani kore?" means "what's this?" I use this when I am utterly confused, which is often.

Omiyage is souvenir-like food from wherever you just visited

Sometimes, I get creative and use Espanihonglish! For example, in Ishigaki, I said, "Donde esta the beach desu ka?" It came out so naturally, it freaked me out for a second.

For more laughs, there is an awesome Tumblr blog with hilarious ALT-ism: Inner Thoughts of a JET

Enjoy!

The Ryukyu Star and My Bungee Jumping Shenanigans

Okinawa JETs have their own online magazine called the Ryukyu Star, where you can read awesome articles by your fellow OkiJETs. 

Click on the photo for the Ryukyu Star's Summer Issue

This past issue, I contributed an article and a video on my bungee jumping experience at Macau Tower, the worlds highest commercial bungee jump. 

To read the story and watch the video, click on the picture below!

Enjoy!

Self-Introduction Lesson: All About Your Gaijin Weirdness

This posts is photo heavy

 

New JETs are due to arrive in a couple months, so here is an example of my self-introduction lesson (for elementary) with a corresponding game. Good Luck!

 

Nice big picture of yourself!

If you're from the U.S., point out which state.

As you can imagine, this slide was a hit with the kiddos.

The teachers enjoyed this one, as there are no casinos in Japan

The kids had no idea what a panther was! On the other hand, do you know what a tanuki is?

305 til I die!

Kids love Iron Man!

They freaked when I talked about alligator tail. Many students expressed that they wanted to try it as well!

This slide was also a hit for obvious reasons.

The only photo of my dad smiling. No lie!

Police officers are cool in Japan

My cat's name is actually Chin-Chin, but it's not a good word in Japanese.

I regularly dye Panda's hair. At first she had a pink Mohawk but since it's too close to her eyes, she now sports a pink tail.

They really liked Mrs. Pricklepants

This was also a popular slide

 

Throughout my presentation I had the students repeat vocabular words, like "alligator," in order to prepare them for my self introduction game.

 

A pair of students share a paper and the students place their hands on their head. When I say a vocabulary words, the students must quickly circle the corresponding picture. The fastest student receives one point. A variant (for younger students) is to have the students point to the picture instead.



 

 

 

English Lesson Plan - Use it or Lose it!

I often receive complements for my fun and interactive English lessons. Therefore, I am here to share some lessons plans with you. Remember, English in elementary is meant to be fun and a way to spark interest. Nevertheless, I like to challenge my students by making the material a bit harder. Take a look and feel free to use any activity for your own lessons! If you have any questions, let me know by commenting below!

Kindergarten

• ごれい：これから英語で遊ぼうを始めます。よろしくおねがいします
• （Let's start English Playtime. Regard us favorably)
• あいさつ (Greeting): Good morning or good afternoon
• If You're Happy and You Know It (regular tempo and fast)
• Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (regular tempo but speed up until ridiculously fast)
• Days of the week practice
• Days of the week marching game: Have the kids line up behind you and march while reviewing the days of the week. When you yell out "Stop!", they have to freeze. If they move, they are out. It's similar to Daruma-san Ga Koronda or our Red Light, Green Light.
• Today's Lesson: Colors
• Practice the name of the colors
• Play "Hot Potato" with colors.
• The students pass a ball around while music is playing. Whoever is holding the ball when the music stops is out. However, in order to pass the ball you need to say a color in English. You are also out if you say the word in Japanese, repeat a color over and over, or repeat the color of the previous person.
• Review colors once more
• ごれい：これから英語で遊ぼうを終わります。ありがとうございました。
• Rock, Paper, Scissors with them and quickly leave before they get touchy.

4th Grade

Saturday and Sunday as well
 

• ごれい： (Class leader chants and everyone repeats): Pay attention! ::clap,clap clap::  Lets start English class!
• あいさつ (Greeting): Good morning or good afternoon
• Days of the week Review, regular, fast, super fast, and slow motion
• Months of the year - regular, fast, super fast, and slow motion
• Let's count: 1-50
• How's the weather? It's ~
• How are you? I'm ~
• Today's lesson: ABCs
• Pronunciation
• Caution: B and V; G, J, and Z; R, L, and O
• ABC Song practice
• ZYX Song practice (yes, we sing it backwards too)
• ABC Song Mini Game
• Split the class into two teams and have them form a choir at diffent ends of the class room. See who can sing the loudest. The losing team has to sing the song again.
• A-Z line up game
• You can split the class into teams or just have the entire class participate. Time to see how long it takes them to arrange a set of mixed alphebet cards on the board.
• Right now, I have the whole class participate and they are competing with other grades.
• ごれい： (Class leader chants and everyone repeats): Pay attention! ::clap,clap clap::  Lets finish English class!
• Together: Thank you! See you soon! Goodbye: Rock, Paper Scissors, 1, 2, 3!

6th Grade

Hi Friends! Textbook

• ごれい： (Class leader chants and everyone repeats): Pay attention! ::clap,clap clap::  Lets start English class!
• あいさつ (Greeting): Good morning or good afternoon
• Days of the week - regular speed, fast, super fast and slow motion
• Months of the year - regular speed, fast, super fast and slow motion
• Let's count: 1-100
• How's the weather? It's ~
• How are you? I'm ~
• Today's Lesson: Alphabet (lowercase)
• ABC Writing Drill: They have three minutes to practice writing the alphabet. Then, they have two minutes to do it by memory on a seperate page.
• Ex: Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee...etc.
• A-Z Line Up Game (timed competition between 3rd - 6th grade)
• Z-A Line Up Game
• Hi Friends! p. 4 Activity: 見たことあるアルファベットの表示を書き写そう。(Copy English signs that you have seen)
• Ex: Stop, Koban/Police, open, etc.
• Students then need to tell you what they found, spell it and give you the meaning in Japanese.
• I always get a funny reaction when I have them give me the meaning of "taxi." Because in Japanese, it's "taxi."
• ごれい： (Class leader chants and everyone repeats): Pay attention! ::clap,clap clap::  Lets finish English class!
• Together: Thank you! See you soon! Goodbye: Rock, Paper Scissors, 1, 2, 3!

I advise anyone to set some time aside in order to make a successful lesson plan. Elementary is fun, but children who are bored are not. Have the students say the flashcards, quiz them individually, or have them quiz eachother. Have they sung the ABC song until their throats bleed? Now, have them sing it while facing the back of the room. Also, set rules to every game! You'll be surprised that the children will call each other out when someone has broken a rule - ruthless!

 

Since it's summer time, give the kids a two minute water break if you are doing any physical English activities. This is especially true for the kindergarteners, so take into account the heat and/or lack of A.C.

 

Last, ask your B.O.E or school for a planner so that you know what lessons were taught the previous class. You can also purchase a regular day planner as well. The idea is to be organized.

 

My planner! Isn't it cute?

 

 

Good luck!

 

Bangkok without a Wolfpack

How did I get to Bangkok? I think it was a rental car, or was it a bus? Wait, that's right! It was an 8-hour train ride!

I arrived at the train station, located the border to Cambodia and Thailand, way earlier than expected. The ticket booths were closed until an hour before the train's departure, so I found a seat on the platform and and took in my surroundings. At first glance, the gaudy portrait of Thailand's king reminded me of  the Avatar: Legend of Korra. Geekdom aside, it seemed a lot different than Vietnam and more modern than Cambodia. When the train arrived, a long line formed at the ticket booth, but I made eye contact with another foreigner - an Austrian, maybe - who asked me from afar, how many tickets I needed. What a sweetheart! He bought my ticket and I reimbursed him the money afterwards.

I boarded the train, along with another foreigner from the states, and endured the slow, hot train ride into Bangkok. My glamorous hotel was located in the Chinatown, an upscale district of Bangkok. I couldn't enjoy the hotel for long because I suffered an emotion breakdown over my lost prescription glasses. It sounds silly, but I was mentally and emotionally exhausted and losing my glasses was just another expense/worry that I could not afford at the moment. What's worse is that I felt horrible for stressing over a pair of glasses when I just witness immense poverty in Cambodia! My phone would not connect to the WiFi and had no way to reach my mom or best friends for comfort, so I threw my cellphone across the room, which thankfully didn't break, and escaped to the shower to calm down.

 

The next day, I did some retail therapy at Chatucak Market to buy souvenirs and clothes. The market was large and hectic but the small stores were beautifully operated. I had a really nice time checking out all the trinkets and buying meaningful items for my friends and family. There were also small booth for massages where I received the best foot massage of my life. Thank  you Thailand for perfecting retail therapy! Seriously, thanks!

The next few days I explored every major temple in Bangkok. I also scheduled a tour that included a visit to the Bridge of the River Kwai and the famed Tiger Temple. The tour also included a visit to a nearby waterfall, a short raft cruise, and elephant riding! The tour was amazing but stressful. Everyone was given stickers that indicated their tour and we would switch vans constantly and end up with different people, but I guess that method worked for them.

The one thing that drove me insane were the shady tuk tuk drivers. Bless them, but you would ask them to take to you one place, but they would try to reroute to you visit another place that was "on the way" so that they can receive gas vouchers. You didn't have to buy anything, but you were pressured since you walked into a store with everyone staring at you. The only time it worked out is when I was taken to a jewelry store. Know your customer. There, I bought a tiny elephant necklace. My advice: unless that place is beneficial to you, like you actually want a tailored suit or outfit, get out and find another tuk tuk.

 The last night of the trip, I had a soup that caused a terrible bout of food sickness. It took all my strength to make it to the airport the following morning. I sat in the terminal texting my mom about everything that occurred on the trip. I couldn't tell her beforehand because I knew she would die. I put on a brave face until I reached Naha Airport (Okinawa). There, the customs security opened all of my bags while ask rude and personal questions. I guess a girl can't travel alone? I got extremely miffed when they began searching every pocket of my folded pants for drugs. My underwear was also out in the open for everyone to see, but I was paralyzed with the sensation to vomit. They went so far as to open all of my over-the-counter medicines and finger through the pills. Luckily, they didn't get too far with the ibuprofen because I had prescription Xanax pills hidden in the bottom.

Once I was cleared, I met with my friend who drove me back to Ginoza. Once home, I walked straight to the bathroom and vomited. めんそーれ！

 ***

This trip's blog post has taken me too long to write for obvious reasons. Who wants to remember a trip that was overshadowed with heartbreak? I did my best to make the most of the three counties but let's get real, I could not enjoy this trip. I traveled with my ex-boyfriend for the remainder of this trip because I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to visit these beautiful countries. My only other option was to return to Okinawa and that was not going to fly with the future me. There were too many moments that I thought "wow, (insert place/temple) is beautiful" only to have that thought ruined by his presence. I destroyed my self worth by relying on his pity direction, which is why I had later prove that I was a boss-ass bitch by planning a trip to Hong Kong and (bungee) jumping off of Macau Tower.

On the flip side, so much good came out of this: I realized that I am strong person; I received so many praises on how well I handled the situation; and, this is a loaded statement, but I am no longer held back.