Worst Day!!

I am so jealous of those who have already arrived in Japan!! I would have been arriving there soon if I had actually gone on the flight I was meant to go on.

Things just didn't go right today at all. I was printing off things till the last minute. But time flew by when I was with friends saying my goodbyes.

I was really nervous anyway. But as soon as I entered the airport, my stomach start doing loops. Then when I saw the lines for the drop off points... OMG!! I have never stood around waiting so much in my life! First waiting in line to get a seat. Then being told that the flight was overbooked and they asked if I want to let someone have my seat and be put on stand by. Which I didn't, ended up being on stand by, was about to start going through security when it stopped me as it had just turned 7:45. So it wouldn't let me through and I missed my flight T_T

Then I was told to go over to a section and join the queue there. I ended up waiting for two hours on a fast track queue to see about changing my flight as not only did I miss my flight by a few seconds. But they actually gave me someone else's boarding ticket. So the very kind guy said he would put as a high priority for the next flight but there was a 50/50 chance that I would be able to get on it. Then after waiting for almost an hour, I yet again get told that I won't be on the flight.

So I had to go back to the same place and re-book my flight.

Yet again I waited for two hours!! However, this time the lady who served me was very helpful and offered me compensation and a hotel room with meals for tonight to save me from travelling to and from the Island again. Admittedly, I didn't really want to end up on the next day flight but even this lady couldn't understand why I wasn't on the flight I was meant to be on. 

At least now I have my boarding pass for my flight, my suitcases are still in the terminal but I hope they are on the right flight. Apparently they don't put the suitcases on until you board the plane so they should be held somewhere waiting. I just have to go through security as I have 60,000￥.

Lets just hope tomorrow goes better and that there isn't any snow on the runways >_<

Suitcases packed..

Well I've managed to pack my two suitcases. I honestly hope that I will be alright getting from Haneda Airport to Narita airport when I arrive in Tokyo on Sunday at 5am. I do have plenty of time to get to Narita from Haneda as I won't be able to enter my room till 4pm. It will strange to be arriving in Japan and as my friend says "In 48 hours, you will be in in Tokyo". Its so strange to thing how quickly time has gone by.

I have never been so worried about getting my lesson plan right till recently. I know that I should really have more confidence in myself as I have been able to get my dream job. But all the more reason to worry about messing up. I've gotten so worried about it that my stomach started to churn and I wanted to be sick. I can get upset while worrying so easily that I really hope I get through Saturday and Sunday okay.

Preporations almost finished.

This blog will be focusing on my life in Japan and hopefully give people an idea of what its like there and how it compares to back home in England. Its going to be strange to be a Gaijin ("non-Japanese" or "alien"). To be totally immersed in Japanese culture and hope to learn more Japanese than I do now.

Well I've managed to pack my two suitcases. I honestly hope that I will be alright getting from Haneda Airport to Narita airport when I arrive in Tokyo on Sunday at 5am. I do have plenty of time to get to Narita from Haneda as I won't be able to enter my room till 4pm. It will strange to be arriving in Japan and as my friend says "In 48 hours, you will be in in Tokyo". Its so strange to thing how quickly time has gone by.

Just a little sentimental

I honestly didn't think I would get sentimental but its slowly hitting me. It is only a week till my 27th Birthday. I know its meant to be a happy time and celebrate being a year older, but I almost feel the opposite. Instead its a reminder of how much things have and will change. I have 11 days left in the UK.

Please don't get me wrong! I really am excited to be going to Japan and living there. Its a dream come true. I cannot wait to move into my apartment and settle into my new life. I've always wanted a fresh start in a place where I don't get reminded of things that happened in the past. Or feel like I am stuck in a runt and can't escape. I can hopeful work in an environment where I won't get stressed most of the time or be given guilt trips into doing something I don't want to do.

2012 was the most difficult year I have ever had. Yet there was some people who told me to apply for a job I had always wanted to do. It had been a dream since I was young to be a teacher. I wasn't really sure on what subject I wanted my speciality to be. It was either a dance teacher or and English teacher. It wasn't until High School where I really felt inspired to be a teacher.

I had this amazing English teacher, Mrs Clarke. To me, she was a teacher who didn't treat me like some child they had to teach. She would push me to try my hardest and help me in any way I could. I even took extra classes after school so I could get more help with my assignments and get the highest grade I could. I passed my GCSE English with two Cs, which to me made me really happy, even my form tutor was really excited and praised me for my hard work. It might not seem like much to other people. But for me to have someone reach out and help meant a great deal than I could ever express.

I even more grateful to my friend Kaytee R. She has helped me through a lot over the past three years. Be it deciding on if a relationship is good for me or applying for work. She has always listened and given me honest advise. But I am going to miss her so much. She supported me through my counselling sessions and helped me out of my little shell that I cocooned myself in. I owe her so much and I will be totally lost without her. I won't have my drinking, dance and shopping partner with me any more. Plus I am going to miss her adorable little baby girl. She is just as beautiful as her mother, whom I am so proud of. Love you my one and only <3

If it wasn't for Nessa, I don't think I would have understood what it was like to have a friend from the very start. We've known each other since we were four years old. We used to live across the road from each other and play everyday. We may have lived apart from each other for a long time. But we have always kept in contact and kept each other up-to-date with how things are going. She moved back to the Island well over a year ago and she helped through counselling too. She knew how troubled I was and how it was making me really depressed. Plus she knows me better than anyone, well she has put up with for the past 23 years.

Then there is my family. We seem perhaps a little dysfunctional and we aren't that close. But there is one person who I am going to miss so much that I really hope they will be fine while I'm away. Since I came home from Uni, I think I've become more close to my Mother. We spend a lot of time together and I don't just mean at home. We go shopping, out for meals and go watch movies. We have never been this close and she is definitely my best friend. Although it did take a lot of time to convince her that 3/4 length trousers didn't suit her, but I go there with determination!! The past couple of years have been so difficult for her as she has struggled looking after her Mum who now has dementia. Yet she has become strong in dealing with it all that I hope she doesn't crumble while I am away. Mum has always put others first and then later herself. She can get angry at times but that is because she been strong for far too long. She may not like my decisions in life or the boyfriends I've dated. But she has always done anything she can to help. She may be overprotective at times, but it only means she cares. I really do love my Mum and I hope that Dad and younger Brother are going to look after her while I'm gone. But its going to be hard to get used to her not being around.

Of course I am grateful to everyone else who said I should go for this job and do something more with my life. Especially friends I have made at my old job. Their support and kind words really mean a lot. Even more so I felt a little out of place at times because some didn't understand me. But thank you all so much!!

At the end of the day I am only going to Japan, its only a long plane ride away. I will be coming home when ever I can. And it may only be that I will be away for a year. If its more than I will be sure to come back and surprise you all.

Sorry for being sentimental but I wanted to say something now.

 

 

Moving to Iwate Prefecture, Japan

[caption id="attachment_391" align="alignleft" width="630"] Map of Japan[/caption]

I received a phone call from Japan yesterday morning from Interac Recruitment and Placement Department. I was offered a placement, which I could accept in the next 24 hours. I will be moving to Iwate Prefecture, Japan. I will be working within two High Schools and will need to drive. It will be an exciting new challenge to be teaching in a High School. I am completely new to teaching though. But I am still very excited to be given this opportunity to work in such an environment.

Luckily, yesterday was a day off work so I was able to look for all the information I could find on Iwate Prefecture|岩手県. Its very interesting to see what the climate is like. It was closer to the Hokkaido than I thought it was. But that means that I get to enjoy Snow 6 months of the year.

From what I've read on-line, Iwate is the second biggest prefecture in Japan after Hokkaido. So it comes to no surprise that so far I will one of six ALTs of Interac will be placed there. I am looking forward to working with so many people and meet the current ALTs who are already working in Japan. It will be interesting to see where the intense training is going to be held. But I am sure once its over, the group of us will be able to travel to Iwate together and have orientation at the Morioka Branch (well I think that is what is going happen, nothing has been confirmed yet).

Moving to Iwate Pref. is probably one of the biggest steps I've ever taken. I know it took me a while to get here, but somehow I managed it. I was sure that with the troubles of collecting paperwork and references that I wouldn't seem eager enough to want a job with Interac. Yet I guess I was proven wrong. People have told me to have more confidence in myself. For me to get this placement must prove something. I am clearly able to do more than I think. Hopefully teaching will help me build up my confidence and faith in myself. I will definitely be building up courage to speak in front of students ageing 15-18 years old. But at the same time, I can relate to the age group more. Although I might feel really old compared to them, I will just have to get used to that though.

I really cannot wait to move. I will be looking forward to be able to explore what Iwate has to offer.

A Trip to Iwate - Iwate Prefecture Tourism Portal Site
Excursion in Zipangu, the Land of Gold Explore the modern-day Zipangu around Hiraizumi where Golden Culture still thrives

Looking through this website, I am looking forward to learning how to Ski during the long winder. As well as being able to go to the Onsen's and temples which are in such beautiful surroundings. I am really glad to have bought my Nikon D3100 now as I can really put it to go use.

As I've yet to have from the Morioka Branch for further info, I am sure to update this blog very soon ヽ(＾Д＾)ﾉ

Hate it!

I starting to really hate things at the moment. I thought I was unsure where I belonged before I got a job in Japan. Now its even worse, I Hate it!

Most people are telling me "Do what you think is right" or "Do whatever makes you happy"... Getting a job in Japan is a dream. To be able to help children learn more about English culture is something I never thought I would be able to do. But what about my home in the UK? Can I really call it the place I call "home"? I am feeling a little lost and confused about it all.

My father asked me when I thought it was best to put my car up on a local e-bay type site. Now to me, my car is a precious thing that I don't want to loose. I bought it will all my own money and worked hard to get it. If there was a way to import it back to Japan, then I would definitely do it. But selling it just doesn't seem right. I know I plan to stay in Japan for a year or more but does that really mean I have to sell it?

I've also had my Brother tell me that I should sell everything I own to get the money to use in Japan. But wouldn't that mean loosing every reason I have to come back? Do people really not want me to come back after a year?? Am I really that loved??? I know it might seem that I am really twisting people's words, but its what I am feeling at the moment.

Maybe I should really sell everything I have here in England. My computer, my car, my personal belongings, and maybe even my house, which I probably won't ever get to live in. I thought having things here would make me feel like I will always a place to come back to. A place that is familiar. Was I really just imagining it all?

Its probably for the best. I have always thought that going to Japan would mean a new start and a new life. Where I can meet new people and other people who love Anime, Manga, J-Rock, J-Pop and even K-Pop like I do. I get to go to Karaoke bars and have a laugh with my new co-workers while still trying to keep up with social hierarchy.

Its Karma Bitch!

Looking through my fb history and I've got to admit. Damn have I been through a lot of shit! A failed longterm relationship and broken friendships, becoming an outcast, being rejected and struggling with personal problems.

But look at where this biatch is now! I got through all that and ended up making my dreams come true. If that isn't a slap in face to all those bastards who ruined my life.. then I hope karma comes and bites you in the ass!! Its karma Bitch!