Down the Rabbit Hole

On the final day of the JET Orientation, my friends and I met up for our last breakfast together before we were shipped off to our future homes. As an Okinawa JET, we had to rendezvous early to catch a plane from Haneda Airport to Naha International Airport. This was my first time at Haneda Airport. We formed a line to check-in as we were given our boarding passes. During security, I started to feel a little uneasy because security had to scan my bag twice. I think it was because of my knitting needles, but they didn't ask to open my bag and after five minutes of waiting, I was told I could go ahead.

I promise, I'm just trying to make scarves!

Our Japan Airlines (JAL) plane was small, but Disney themed in honor of Tokyo Disney's 30th anniversary. Therefore, the plane was decorated with the whole Disney cast. The flight was ridiculously short, but I spent the time chatting with fellow JETs and a flight attendant who spoke perfect English. Once we landed, I immediately noticed the lack of air conditioning as I was slapped in the face with intense heat. This isn't your typical beach heat. This was hot and stagnant air. Luckily, I decided on a dapper business smart attire of khakis and a button-up shirt, but I felt really bad for the Oki JETs in suits.

The guy in the suit totally regretting his decision to wear that

After baggage claim, I walked into the greeting area where I was greeted by two Ginoza JETs and my Ginoza Board of Education supervisor holding a large welcome sign.  It was nice and slightly overwhelming to greet them, hop into the car and make small talk while feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

 Afterwards, we drove to the BOE for a welcoming ceremony where I gave my welcome speech.  I also signed my apartment papers and set up gas, water and electricity in my new apartment. However, I was told before hand that I would be staying at a local bed and breakfast until I purchased basic living needs for my apartment (see website here). I was at the BOE for about 3 hours until they drove me to the bed and breakfast where I met Nakama-san (a.k.a. obasan; "grandma") and her daughter.

The bed and breakfast was a traditional Ryūkyū style house with wooden floors, a veranda, paper doors, and hurricane-proof everything. I was greeted by the daughter who was an English teacher on maternity leave. She helped me with my things and set up in one of the rooms. This was the first time complete alone. I thought I was going to cry as I lied on the tatami floor in front of the air conditioning unit.  My moment of reflection was cut short when obasan came by and opened the doors to my room, plopped down, and struck up a conversation. She brought some Okinawan donuts, known as aandagi, that she made for me. I instantly felt better. I had originally thought that that I was just staying in one of the rooms, but it turned out that I had the entire house to myself. Obasan came back again during the night to take me to watch Eisa practice. Eisa is Okinawa's traditional dance using drums and a sanshin (similar to the shamisen).

A Traditional Ryūkyū home to myself

The next days were a complete whirlwind of errands with different people from the board of education:

1. Stamp (inkan) Registration
2. Completing my Residency Card
3. Opening a bank account to Ryūkyū Bank (RyūKin)
4. Buying a cellphone (au IPhone)
5. Aeon (a.k.a. Jusco; like a Japanese Walmart) and recycle shops for appliances
1. Fridge
2. Microwave
3. Rice Cooker
4. Washer
5. Stove top
6. Nitori (think Japanese Ikea)

Because I didn't have the car, I was only expect to go to the board of education instead of my schools and, of course, I got to leave early. So far Okinawa has proved to be very laid back! They even have a concept like "Cuban Time" known as 「沖縄 タイム」or  "Okinawa Time," where people always run late. I think I'm going to love it here!

The JET Orientation: Three Days of Workshops

The three days of orientation should be reworded as the "Three Days of Discussing Culture Shock and How Every Situation is Different Orientation." The workshops that were beneficial were "Driving in Japan" and the teaching workshops that focused on your specific school grades (ex, middle school). I can't say that I remember much, because I mostly just stared into outer space. However, I had one defining moment. My friend Alexis and I attended a "Self Study for Intermediate Japanese." Aside from the handout, the workshop was useless.  However, what made the workshop amusing was the presenters. 

This graph shows how much you'll be hating life in Japan

There were two presenters, but I was only focused on the British girl. In the beginning of the presentation she expressed how difficult it was to learn Japanese (true). However, it wasn't just what she said. It was her body language. If I could paint a mental picture, she was slightly hunched over looking sadly at the powerpoint. This is where I turned to my friend and said, " I think she hides under a table at home and cries (over learning Japanese)." Too bad, I should have kept my damn opinion to myself. Why? Because everything the presenter said after totally supported my "you hide and cry" assumption. She talked about how everyone is better than her at Japanese, how she sets really low goals and, most importantly, how her school won't let her speak Japanese to her kids. 

Every time she brought up another point, I would start to laugh which would only set Alexis into a fit a laughter. At one point, I had held it together up until the "my school doesn't let me speak Japanese" and that's where we both lost it. I had to bend over to pretend I was messing with my bag, while my whole body shook with controlled laughter. I attracted some attention some fellow British JETs behind me, who also thought the workshop was horrendous.

I can't go into more detail about what happened after, but let's just say when you are retelling stories, but sure to look around. Ha!

The JET Orientation: Arrival

After that ridiculous flight, you can imagine that I was jump off of the plane and teleport to the hotel. If you think that'll happen, then I'm sorry (but not sorry) to burst your bubble. After leaving the plane, we were escorted to customs. Prior to landing, the flight attendants give customs forms and a second forms for my residency card

Residency cards are issued at Narita Airport during customs. Don't worry about the long times at customs because they opened a separate (and large section) just for JETs. Also, don't worry about your appearance during customs. Your picture for your residency card is exactly the same picture used for your visa (with some slight difference in saturation).  I wasted time and make up on the plane. Don't judge me!

After I received my residency card, I went to baggage check to receive my bags. 

Grab that big ass cart because you are going to need that bad boy to take all of your belonging to transportation.

After passing through baggage security, there was endless checkpoints of JETs in green T-shirts for me to follow so that I could ship off my largest bag to my board of education.

You'll receive an envelope with baggage tags and all sorts of other goodies prior to your flight. Don't lose that ish!

Afterwards, we boarded a bus to the hotel. The bus ride can take around two hours to four hours depending on the traffic. My bus ride was around two hours, so I used that time to casually chat with friends and unwind. The hotel for the Tokyo orientation is the lavish Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The hotel is frickin' immense. There, I followed signs to another room where where I received orientation materials, and my room key. My roommates were fellow OkiJETs. Tka, who also flew in from Miami, and Lora, who came from Nashville. They seem to place us by destination, both original and future. I took a shower to wash of the travel stentch and got ready for dinner. Dinner, on the arrival night, is not provided, but since this wasn't my first time to Tokyo or Japan, I didn't feel intimidated. Lora opted for combini food while Tka and I went with my friend Alexis to a nearby Indian restaurant for some curry and nan. Afterwards, we went back to the room and I knocked out. 

If you think that partying it up in Tokyo that first night is a great idea, remember that you are expected to be at the Orientation at 9 in the morning and breakfast is only available the hours before. You'll be surprised how fatigued you are just from the flight.

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