Dear Mr. FedEx Man,
You had a busy day, didn't you? I wonder if you realize what you brought me today. When I got home from school, I went to the front porch to get my mail as I always do, and I saw the FedEx envelope propped in between the door and the screen door. I knew what it was. I had been told to expect it, and there you put it.
Today you brought me my flight itineraries for the Japan trip. You also brought me my luggage tags, and my name tage. You brought me the schedule for the orientation day in San Franciso. You brought me news of my dinner with the Consul General, and you brought me directions on what to do when I get to San Francisco (pink shirt, sign, check...).
The best thing you brought me? Reality. For so long the trip has been just hanging there, not quite 100% certain. But holding that flight itinerary in my hand, I finally knew that this trip was for real, and that in mere days I will be on my way to this exciting adventure.
Mr. FedEx Man? You rock. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Me
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
21 more days!!!
I can't believe it...three more weeks! Now that the trip is just around the corner, I am starting to get a little nervous...not in a bad way though! I am afraid I won't be able to do all of the things that I want to do, and that I will try to squeeze too much into the trip and not truly enjoy what I am doing and experiencing.
People on the Ning site keep coming up with fantastic ideas! I worry though that we will end up in these huge groups and be conspicuous as we move around Tokyo. I guess just play it by ear, right?? Someone this week brought up the idea of visiting the sumo stables (seriously, that's actually what they are called!) early one morning. The wrestlers practice in the morning, so that would be interesting! Not sure how badly I want to watch that, but it would be interesting!!!
Still trying to work on a time to get my geisha portraits done...I think that may have to wait for the last week in Tokyo. The last appointment that they take is at 4:00, so I need to find a day when we get out earlier in order to get that accomplished. I think that would be a hilarious thing to do! Hopefully, it will work out!
I am trying to get all of my lesson plans done for when I am gone, and was thrown a serious curve ball when we missed three days because of Ike (still unbelievable). I think I was able to get everything figured out, and now just need to start making copies and getting class notes written out.
I've packed my backpack, so I am ready to go as far as that is concerned. I need to contact the bank about purchasing some yen before I leave. I also need to do a few practice packing runs, and I need to make sure that my suitcase doesn't go over that very crucial 50-pound limit! The only thing that I really need to find at this point is a sweater...still searching for one! I also need to get a sleeve for my laptop...afraid of it getting banged around in transit. I also need to make sure that I have all of my gifts for my host family in line, and get things to wrap them. I suppose I could pick that kind of stuff up in Japan, but I would rather not worry about that when I am there!
Also, fantastic news! The internet connection at my hotel in Sanyo-Onoda and at the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn...we're talking sliding screens, tatami mats, and futons) is free...as long as you are in a room that has been equipped with it! Corss your fingers!
People on the Ning site keep coming up with fantastic ideas! I worry though that we will end up in these huge groups and be conspicuous as we move around Tokyo. I guess just play it by ear, right?? Someone this week brought up the idea of visiting the sumo stables (seriously, that's actually what they are called!) early one morning. The wrestlers practice in the morning, so that would be interesting! Not sure how badly I want to watch that, but it would be interesting!!!
Still trying to work on a time to get my geisha portraits done...I think that may have to wait for the last week in Tokyo. The last appointment that they take is at 4:00, so I need to find a day when we get out earlier in order to get that accomplished. I think that would be a hilarious thing to do! Hopefully, it will work out!
I am trying to get all of my lesson plans done for when I am gone, and was thrown a serious curve ball when we missed three days because of Ike (still unbelievable). I think I was able to get everything figured out, and now just need to start making copies and getting class notes written out.
I've packed my backpack, so I am ready to go as far as that is concerned. I need to contact the bank about purchasing some yen before I leave. I also need to do a few practice packing runs, and I need to make sure that my suitcase doesn't go over that very crucial 50-pound limit! The only thing that I really need to find at this point is a sweater...still searching for one! I also need to get a sleeve for my laptop...afraid of it getting banged around in transit. I also need to make sure that I have all of my gifts for my host family in line, and get things to wrap them. I suppose I could pick that kind of stuff up in Japan, but I would rather not worry about that when I am there!
Also, fantastic news! The internet connection at my hotel in Sanyo-Onoda and at the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn...we're talking sliding screens, tatami mats, and futons) is free...as long as you are in a room that has been equipped with it! Corss your fingers!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Seriously, Ike
So, after a long absence (okay, it was only 3.5 days), the electric is finally back on, and it is back to school tomorrow, albeit with a 2-hour delay. In the meantime, I have fallen behind on my beloved Ning site. Sigh. I guess I will just have to chain myself to the computer and surf until I get caught back up. Hurricanes in Indiana...bizarre. I knew that Ohio River had it in her!
The cool news is that one of the ladies on the trip has a friend who lives in Japan, and he has volunteered to be our tour guide on our free day in Kamakura. Yes! How cool is that? What's even better? He has offered to guide 30 (30!!!) of us around. Very cool. A guided tour might take some of the spontaneity out of everything, but at the same time, I know I will see the big stuff. I'm excited!
At this point, though, not as excited as I am about the electric being back on. Being pseudo-Amish is not cool. Not cool at all.
The cool news is that one of the ladies on the trip has a friend who lives in Japan, and he has volunteered to be our tour guide on our free day in Kamakura. Yes! How cool is that? What's even better? He has offered to guide 30 (30!!!) of us around. Very cool. A guided tour might take some of the spontaneity out of everything, but at the same time, I know I will see the big stuff. I'm excited!
At this point, though, not as excited as I am about the electric being back on. Being pseudo-Amish is not cool. Not cool at all.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Pocky Pocky Pocky
And now, for a completely non-educational bit of fun...what kind of Pocky are you? Click on the image and take a test to figure out your flavor.
Gosh, I love ANYTHING strawberry!
That's right, it says "sweet personality." As if you needed me to tell you that!
Gosh, I love ANYTHING strawberry!
what flavor pocky are you?
[c] sugardew
That's right, it says "sweet personality." As if you needed me to tell you that!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Website
Okay, so one of the things I included in my Follow On Plan is that I would create a website that would incorporate several major elements, including this blog. I have been stressing about it, because I didn't want to learn HTML or a new program when school is in session and when my brain is completely foggy because of the RAPIDLY approaching trip. One of the participants on the June trip used School World to design her page, and I figured, what the heck...I might as well use that. It is going to cost me $39 per year for hosting fees, but in the long run, I think it is going to be worth it. So far it is easy to use, and takes hardly any time to set up. It is in its early infancy stages right now, but if you want to take a look at it, here it is!
Ms. Emily in Japan
In other news...
This trip is right around the corner! It is less than five weeks away. That may seem like a considerable amount of time, but as I have been blogging about this since, oh, MARCH, the fact that there are only five weeks that separate me from this fantastic trip is very exciting. I definitely need to practice some Japanese though. Since I do well with cramming, I am hoping that the 10-hour plane ride will provide ample amounts of study time. I should really get cracking on that...it's just that my commute doesn't lend itself easily to study Japanese in my car!
I think I have most of what I need for the trip. I need to find a good comfortable pair of black dress shoes. So far, those have been pretty elusive (read: I am cheap and trying my best to combine comfort with cheap...it's not working). I need to get a sweater and if I can find one, a black blazer. Other than that, it's sit and wait!
Check out the website if you have the time, and don't be afraid to leave comments!
Ms. Emily in Japan
In other news...
This trip is right around the corner! It is less than five weeks away. That may seem like a considerable amount of time, but as I have been blogging about this since, oh, MARCH, the fact that there are only five weeks that separate me from this fantastic trip is very exciting. I definitely need to practice some Japanese though. Since I do well with cramming, I am hoping that the 10-hour plane ride will provide ample amounts of study time. I should really get cracking on that...it's just that my commute doesn't lend itself easily to study Japanese in my car!
I think I have most of what I need for the trip. I need to find a good comfortable pair of black dress shoes. So far, those have been pretty elusive (read: I am cheap and trying my best to combine comfort with cheap...it's not working). I need to get a sweater and if I can find one, a black blazer. Other than that, it's sit and wait!
Check out the website if you have the time, and don't be afraid to leave comments!
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