Elle's Adventures

Today I tried to get to the hospital to have my mandatory medical check done, but I had no luck.  It was supposed to be opposite Starbucks, which took me a long time to find (no one said I was to exit the station through the south side...).  A museum was opposite.  Silly me didn't think to look across the road, where I realised it was after re-checking the map at the hotel.  It must've been the humidity, I can't think properly!  Anyway, it's now 11.30am, so there isn't enough time to go back.  The hospital is only open from 9:00am - 12:00pm, and then 5:00pm - 7:00pm, so this is the last chance I have! In the meantime, I read this great article about sweating in Japan.  It is certainly something that is really embarrassing for me.  Not only that, I turn bright red as soon as I start to feel warm *sigh* http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100724cz.html

It's 1:43pm and I'm just hanging out in my hotel room.  I have the air conditioning blasting because it is almost unbearable without it; I haven't been in Japan in the middle of Summer before, and it is a bit icky...mostly because I seem to be constantly sweating and drinking water.  I don't want to wear nice clothes outside, so I'm constantly surprised by all the girls dressed up and wearing their high heels; aren't their feet sliding around? Anyway, back to the flight and everything.  I left two days ago, on Monday.  At the airport I was quite sad.  Leaving my boyfriend and home behind was really hard.  To make matter worse when I was crying this woman whispered (but I still heard her) 'look at the girl, she's crying!'  I was already embarrassed enough, she didn't have to point it out to everyone within earshot.  As I left the building I was too upset to look back, but I wish I had now.  I miss you chuu! On the plane to Melbourne, the o...

Tomorrow I am leaving for Japan, and it really hasn't sunk in yet.  I wish it would because I just don't want to arrive at the airport, be about to leave and then have the full wight of it hit me! It is really exciting, and I look forward to seeing Suzuka, Manami, Fumi and Mai again, but it is going to be so strange living on my own.  For the last two years I have been living with my boyfriend so this change is going to be difficult. In regards to packing, I'd say I am halfway there, although my bag is pretty much full and I haven't put any shoes or underwear in.  I've probably put too many winter clothes in as well.  I'm terrified of going over the 20kg limit, apparently Qantas are really strict on bag weight now.  I have very few clothes which I can wear to work; mostly skirts which I don't think are very practical for running around after young children!  I have around two and a half free days in Nagoya before Orientation starts so I hope to do a lit...

Well it's not quite here!  My 'official' last week in Tasmania will be from next Monday.  In preparation I have made plans to make the most of my time in Hobart and the surrounding areas, and of course to spend time with Dede.  We're going to be doing more sight-seeing than we've done since living here! 13th Saturday: Get up early (preferably before 12; this is a struggle for us!  My body clock is still following our night-fill hours) and go to Salamanca Market.  From 8pm, 13 of us will be heading to The Quarry for dinner, then from 10pm we'll be joined by 20 - 30 others! 14th Sunday: Free day.  Most likely recovering from the previous night. 15th Monday: Zoodoo (Ridiculous name, but apparently there are tigers!  I doubt it is a proper, big zoo, but it's the best Tasmania has, I guess).  Apparently there are some mazes in the area, but it's a good place for Dede to practice his new found love.  Photography. 16th Tuesday:  Port Arthu...

http://www.eltnews.com/features/interviews/ I found this wonderful interview with Kumiko Torikai on the subject if teaching English in Japan.  I for one was constantly stunned by some Japanese English language schools only employing Americans.  Instantly, I felt as if my version of English was not interesting, or in some ways, incorrect.  Last year, while I was still searching for 'couple jobs' online, I found the perfect school.  Upon contact, they refused to even give me an interview on the basis that I wasn't from America.  Apparently the students they had were only interested in American culture and American English.  Honestly, I was hurt. In reality, English is English.  If I were to speak with an American, an Englishman, a Singaporean, I can understand them.  Occasionally there is a cultural word or two thrown in there that confuses us, some words are spelt differently, but all in all, it is the same. However, I did not like this quot...

I am finally an official ALT.  I signed my contract yesterday, and everything is going so fast!  It is exactly one month until I leave and I don't know if I'm ready or not. I've been in contact with my supervisor, and found out that there are actually two positions in Kiso-machi; my contract is a newly acquired one.  For a while I was hoping that I would be the 'only foreigner in the village'.  Oh well, it'll be nice to have another native speaker in my vicinity. EDIT: Just found out that the other position is also starting in September.  Well hopefully it will be someone I can talk to, make friends with, a shoulder to lean on, etc.

The last time I went to Japan, I was really home-sick.  Recently I realised that I never really comprehended that I would actually have to leave .  It was quite silly really, now that I think about it.  However it's easy to do. The original plan this time around was for me to get a job, go over, and D would follow in about a month.  Things changed, and now he's decided to go over three months later.  Initally it was no problem, but now that the time for me to depart is getting closer and closer, once again I'm in the same situation.  Only this time, I'm going to be really alone.  No other exchange students who are in the same situation.  Everyday I think about how awesome and hard this is going to be.  But I know I'm going to a really lovely place, I'm going to be making new friends and my Japanese is going to be awesome...eventually! Plus there's Skype.  And until he gets there I'll keep myself busy and in contact, and time will fl...