Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Ah, Neil
So AuthorTracker was kind enough to send me an email today to say that Neil Gaiman has two new books out as of today. InterWorld and M is for Magic. I have a coupon at Borders that is good starting Thursday. I have InterWorld on hold at Borders with the knowledge that I will be picking it up on Thursday. I have another wonderful book to bring with me to Japan from an author that I love. I'm thinking that I'm going to make myself a care package this week and send myself feminine items, shampoo and the like and maybe a few books. Some I want to take with me for the plane flights, but a few I was thinking about just shipping early and getting after I've been there about 2 months. A nice surprise from me, I think.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
What to do when avoiding sleep
Apparently, I tool around on the internet and just refuse to go to sleep. Which means that my life is going to be very not happy tomorrow, probably sometime 10:45 when the dentist is drilling that stupid cavity. But anyway.
My birthday was fun. Very fun. I had people over and everybody who came I liked and we played lots of games including Pirates of the Carribean Life, Munchkin, Family Buisness, Guitar Hero, Wii Sports, Chez Geek, and others. At one point people were in three different parts of the house playing different games. And there were lots of drinks. It was fun times. Even so, it wasn't so big that there was ever too many people, you know? I'm glad we didn't do an open invite party. Smallish, more than a gathering, but not a police violation. It was really nice. And I got a little more to go into my Miyako fund.
The day after started about 3p. I really didn't want to go out to dinner with my parents, and the house was still mostly clean so they brought take out to me. We played Apples to Apples after Figo's takeout. It was a really nice game. Word association, and it was really fun. I want to take a look at the Apples to Apples Jr. to see if it would be good to take with me to Japan, but I worry that the vocabulary would be just too hard. Seems like they don't learn much complicated stuff in elementary school, but who knows. I might just take the idea and make vocabulary appropriate cards.
In emailing Nick I found out that three of my schools have English rooms for me to use. And he hadn't really decorated them. So about thirty minutes after reading the email I have a wish list at School Box for about $463. I don't actually want all of it, but there's about $100 worth of stuff I really think would be good for an elementary ESL classroom.
Changing subjects, so I say to Chris that my new apt might not have a whole lot of room in the living room for guests to come crash. I could probably fit one, but two might be tight. And I mention maybe I'll get a tent so that people could camp out on the roof. And I get home tonight and check my email and a JET names Isla is selling a tent for 2000 yen. I emailed her back only an hour after she sent out the call. I hope I get it.
I also was reading another JETs blog, turns out she's staying on with a different job after finishing JET this year (good for her) and her birthday is about a week after mine. To the year. She didn't say specifically, but I think it might be the same day as Rosie's (June 30, 1981'). I love connections like that. Even if they don't actually mean anything.
Shadow Cat is climbing up the back of the TV. She's just amazing. And to think I just clipped her claws. She's a strong little bugger.
mmmm. Maybe if I take a shower I'll feel more like sleeping.
Good night everybody.
My birthday was fun. Very fun. I had people over and everybody who came I liked and we played lots of games including Pirates of the Carribean Life, Munchkin, Family Buisness, Guitar Hero, Wii Sports, Chez Geek, and others. At one point people were in three different parts of the house playing different games. And there were lots of drinks. It was fun times. Even so, it wasn't so big that there was ever too many people, you know? I'm glad we didn't do an open invite party. Smallish, more than a gathering, but not a police violation. It was really nice. And I got a little more to go into my Miyako fund.
The day after started about 3p. I really didn't want to go out to dinner with my parents, and the house was still mostly clean so they brought take out to me. We played Apples to Apples after Figo's takeout. It was a really nice game. Word association, and it was really fun. I want to take a look at the Apples to Apples Jr. to see if it would be good to take with me to Japan, but I worry that the vocabulary would be just too hard. Seems like they don't learn much complicated stuff in elementary school, but who knows. I might just take the idea and make vocabulary appropriate cards.
In emailing Nick I found out that three of my schools have English rooms for me to use. And he hadn't really decorated them. So about thirty minutes after reading the email I have a wish list at School Box for about $463. I don't actually want all of it, but there's about $100 worth of stuff I really think would be good for an elementary ESL classroom.
Changing subjects, so I say to Chris that my new apt might not have a whole lot of room in the living room for guests to come crash. I could probably fit one, but two might be tight. And I mention maybe I'll get a tent so that people could camp out on the roof. And I get home tonight and check my email and a JET names Isla is selling a tent for 2000 yen. I emailed her back only an hour after she sent out the call. I hope I get it.
I also was reading another JETs blog, turns out she's staying on with a different job after finishing JET this year (good for her) and her birthday is about a week after mine. To the year. She didn't say specifically, but I think it might be the same day as Rosie's (June 30, 1981'). I love connections like that. Even if they don't actually mean anything.
Shadow Cat is climbing up the back of the TV. She's just amazing. And to think I just clipped her claws. She's a strong little bugger.
mmmm. Maybe if I take a shower I'll feel more like sleeping.
Good night everybody.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Update
I've been avoiding posting. I've been going through the websites and everybody else's blogs, but not posting on my own. I guess I just felt that I didn't have much of my own to say. It's weird, this new concept of posting not only when I'm upset at something, but just to cronicle the events in the sequents of my life. Hmmm.
Last weekend Jeanelle, Ryam, and I went to R Ranch. We had the funs. We played untold hours of board games and card games, things I will miss doing in Japan only because I can't afford to ship them with me, although I might take one or two games with and then buy new ones from Amazon, provided that the Miyako community doesn't mind getting together and playing sometimes. I hope, I hope.
We also went horseback riding. I requested Scout again, and that was fun. He doesn't like walking on the middle of the path, and tries to brush me off with low hanging trees and brush. But he's a good horse. Jeanelle was on Micca, who wanted to go very slow that day. Patrick was on . . . I don't remember, but he liked to go faster. It's amusing. I like going up to the mountains whenever I want. I'll miss that. After this year I can no longer go up on my parents' membership, which means I'll have to buy my own membership if I want to continue to go up. Moot point until after I get back, but still. It's very expensive (not too bad if you break up the payments into 12 months, but as a lump sum, it's scary).
The other choice would be to help Leo's mom to upgrade the cabin that they have out in Alabama. But they don't have horses. Or maids that come and clean the cabin afterwards. Or toilets. I'm mostly okay with everything except the lack of toilets, and that would be the helping to upgrade part. But that also gets expensive.
Getting ready for JET. I have all of the paperwork I need to submit (I think) laying on my bed right behind me. I just need to get a picture of my for my visa app and then send it off to the consulate. Weeee.
I also have gone so shopping it hurts. I have new insoles for my stupidly-high arches. I have two pairs of shoes that they fit into nicely, one for work, one for not. I still have the dress shoes, so I don't need to worry about those. I have to find some bathing suits (they are out of season in June?!?!?), and I was thinking about getting some berkinstock sandals. I have all of the clothing I'm gonna take with me, except one black tank top (to go under some shirts and make them bow appropriet).
My birthday party is this weekend, so I've spent the morning cleaning. So far I have done the dining room and 2 loads of laundry. I've also tackled my room, which is harder than normal because I'm using the opportunity to pull out stuff that I want to sell before I leave. Which is piling up in the dining room and making it not so clean. Grrrrrr, I need a bigger house. Or less roommates. If I could just take over Nick's room, then I think this house would be big enough. But then I would need to be making the more moneys. Which (if'n you saw the last post), I should be able to do once I get back. It would be really nice to have an office that was not also the bedroom. And a guest bedroom that was not also Leo's room. I think we could hit two birds and one stone there. But that is in the future and should not use the brain power to think of now.
*Sigh* I really wish the A/C worked at the same time as the washer/dryer. It would mean I could do more than one load at a time without the house getting HOT and wasting all of that power in cooling it back down.
Mmmmm. Back to cleaning.
Last weekend Jeanelle, Ryam, and I went to R Ranch. We had the funs. We played untold hours of board games and card games, things I will miss doing in Japan only because I can't afford to ship them with me, although I might take one or two games with and then buy new ones from Amazon, provided that the Miyako community doesn't mind getting together and playing sometimes. I hope, I hope.
We also went horseback riding. I requested Scout again, and that was fun. He doesn't like walking on the middle of the path, and tries to brush me off with low hanging trees and brush. But he's a good horse. Jeanelle was on Micca, who wanted to go very slow that day. Patrick was on . . . I don't remember, but he liked to go faster. It's amusing. I like going up to the mountains whenever I want. I'll miss that. After this year I can no longer go up on my parents' membership, which means I'll have to buy my own membership if I want to continue to go up. Moot point until after I get back, but still. It's very expensive (not too bad if you break up the payments into 12 months, but as a lump sum, it's scary).
The other choice would be to help Leo's mom to upgrade the cabin that they have out in Alabama. But they don't have horses. Or maids that come and clean the cabin afterwards. Or toilets. I'm mostly okay with everything except the lack of toilets, and that would be the helping to upgrade part. But that also gets expensive.
Getting ready for JET. I have all of the paperwork I need to submit (I think) laying on my bed right behind me. I just need to get a picture of my for my visa app and then send it off to the consulate. Weeee.
I also have gone so shopping it hurts. I have new insoles for my stupidly-high arches. I have two pairs of shoes that they fit into nicely, one for work, one for not. I still have the dress shoes, so I don't need to worry about those. I have to find some bathing suits (they are out of season in June?!?!?), and I was thinking about getting some berkinstock sandals. I have all of the clothing I'm gonna take with me, except one black tank top (to go under some shirts and make them bow appropriet).
My birthday party is this weekend, so I've spent the morning cleaning. So far I have done the dining room and 2 loads of laundry. I've also tackled my room, which is harder than normal because I'm using the opportunity to pull out stuff that I want to sell before I leave. Which is piling up in the dining room and making it not so clean. Grrrrrr, I need a bigger house. Or less roommates. If I could just take over Nick's room, then I think this house would be big enough. But then I would need to be making the more moneys. Which (if'n you saw the last post), I should be able to do once I get back. It would be really nice to have an office that was not also the bedroom. And a guest bedroom that was not also Leo's room. I think we could hit two birds and one stone there. But that is in the future and should not use the brain power to think of now.
*Sigh* I really wish the A/C worked at the same time as the washer/dryer. It would mean I could do more than one load at a time without the house getting HOT and wasting all of that power in cooling it back down.
Mmmmm. Back to cleaning.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
GACE
I just got my unofficial scores for the GACE test. The GACE test is the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators test. I didn't take the standard test because my SAT scores are high enough that I've excempted it. I took the English I and English II tests which I need to be certified to teach English grades 6-12 in the state of Georgia.
I PASSED BOTH TESTS!!!!
When I come back from JET (whenever that may be), I can come back and teach. I am so very very happy you have no idea. That test was horrible. And I don't have to do it again.
I PASSED BOTH TESTS!!!!
When I come back from JET (whenever that may be), I can come back and teach. I am so very very happy you have no idea. That test was horrible. And I don't have to do it again.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Just a Friday, really
I spent the morning showing Natalie around GSU, getting her books, her Marta card, showing her the best places to eat, and her classrooms. We feel very accomplished. And it was good to eat at Ali Baba's again. Ah, how I will miss his donar kebab. The man had a way with a leg of lamb.
I spent the afternoon waiting out a thunderstorm (you'd think that would mean that it rained, but no. I don't count the three drops actually raining). Emailing Nick, my predecessor. And cleaning out my closet.
I currently have two garbage bags full of clothing for the garage sale. I really need to get over this packrat thing. I'm hoping this garage sale will help (and bring extra Japan funds :) ). I found shirts that I haven't worn since high school, and that was 8 years ago now, and that's just embarressing that I still have shirts that I use to wear in high school. Expecially since I haven't worn them in who knows how long. No reason to keep them, so out they go. I'm trying to figure out exactly how many articles of clothing will be alright for work in Japan. So far only 4 of my button up shirts have past the bow, or the raise your arms test. I have about 7 skirts/capris/slacks that will do, but all but one of them are . . . you guessed it, black. And that makes with the hot, as well as the not necessarily matching the 4 tops. *sigh* I need to go to a thrift store.
A/C still doesn't work right. So in order to do laundry we have to turn off the A/C. Until Bob can get over here and install a new breaker box for us. I officially say "ugh." But at least we'll get the electrical work done for the cost of parts. And perhaps a good dinner and a few beers :)
I guess that's all for now.
I spent the afternoon waiting out a thunderstorm (you'd think that would mean that it rained, but no. I don't count the three drops actually raining). Emailing Nick, my predecessor. And cleaning out my closet.
I currently have two garbage bags full of clothing for the garage sale. I really need to get over this packrat thing. I'm hoping this garage sale will help (and bring extra Japan funds :) ). I found shirts that I haven't worn since high school, and that was 8 years ago now, and that's just embarressing that I still have shirts that I use to wear in high school. Expecially since I haven't worn them in who knows how long. No reason to keep them, so out they go. I'm trying to figure out exactly how many articles of clothing will be alright for work in Japan. So far only 4 of my button up shirts have past the bow, or the raise your arms test. I have about 7 skirts/capris/slacks that will do, but all but one of them are . . . you guessed it, black. And that makes with the hot, as well as the not necessarily matching the 4 tops. *sigh* I need to go to a thrift store.
A/C still doesn't work right. So in order to do laundry we have to turn off the A/C. Until Bob can get over here and install a new breaker box for us. I officially say "ugh." But at least we'll get the electrical work done for the cost of parts. And perhaps a good dinner and a few beers :)
I guess that's all for now.
Friday, June 8, 2007
I got my info today!!!
So I got my information from Okinawa today. My predecessor's name is Nick, his mom lives in Colorado, so maybe he’s from there. He seems really nice.
“How so?” you ask? I will explain in due time. First, about my placement.
I work from 8:15-4:00. I will forever after this read that as I work from 8:00-4:00. I hate being late :P I have all national holidays off, but on school holidays, like summer, winter, and spring break, I’m still expected to show up to work.
I will work at 5 elementary schools. That’s right, I’m an elementary school teacher, again. I am not upset about this by any means—from what I hear, this means I will be playing lots of games with kids and calling it work. I had hoped to have at least some older kids, but with my experience, I guess it was to be expected. My schools are:
Hirara Daiichi (Heiichi) Elementary School. About 8 visits/month. About 550 students at about 28/class. 1st through 6th grade. About 6-8 classes/week.
Shimoji Elementary School. 4 visits/month. About 230 students at about 20-25/class. 1st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Sunakawa Elementary School. 3 visits/month. About 140 students at about 15-20/class. 3st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Seijo Elementary School. 3 visits/month. About 100 students at about 15/class. 1st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Miyahara Elementary School. 2 visits/month. About 20 students at about 4/class. K through 6th grade. About 6-8 classes/month.
From Nick’s apartment:
The Post office is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking. A pharmacy is 7 or 12 minutes by car or walking. A bank is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking. A convenience store is 3 or 7 minutes by car or walking. A hospital is 7 or 12 minutes by car or walking. A supermarket is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking.
Nick’s apartment:
Has a bedroom and a separent living room at 7m x 3m each. A Kitchen/dining room at 7m x 7m. A shower/toilent. A private roof area. And a garage. There is no cost per month for the garage. Rent is 32,000 yen a month and the landlord is okay with grandfathering me in for no extra key money or deposit. I just have to pay Nick the deposit that I would have gotten. And I don’t get new tatami, but there is only tatami in the bedroom and living room. He’s also offering me all of his stuff at 40,000, which is a steal. And he’s giving me his car for a very reasonable price of free. I think he might be my new best friend.
Of course, I want to see pictures of everything before I commit to buying (as the JET handbook and various other JET sites have said over and over), but I’m not worried and this takes a huge load off of my mind.
Looking closer at the car page, it only comes with a cassette player and cup holders, not the pink fuzzy Hello Kitty steering wheel cover and matching accessory Hello Kitty hubcaps, which is an option on the form. Omg, I think I’m gonna love working in Okinawa! Also, his asking price (¥0), is negotiable, but I don’t think I’ll be able to wear him down any further :P
I’m so very excited. I’m gonna email him tomorrow. Not tonight, because most of this was just copying from the forms I got today, so is mindless. I’m tired. (Had a busy day), and I want to make a sane email to this amazing person I’ve never met. I need to remember to ask where I’m suppose to live while he’s still in Japan, though. I’m getting to Miyako on the 1st and he’s not leaving until the 12th . . . I’ll probably be in a hotel or somesuch (which would be fine), but it’s good to ask.
“How so?” you ask? I will explain in due time. First, about my placement.
I work from 8:15-4:00. I will forever after this read that as I work from 8:00-4:00. I hate being late :P I have all national holidays off, but on school holidays, like summer, winter, and spring break, I’m still expected to show up to work.
I will work at 5 elementary schools. That’s right, I’m an elementary school teacher, again. I am not upset about this by any means—from what I hear, this means I will be playing lots of games with kids and calling it work. I had hoped to have at least some older kids, but with my experience, I guess it was to be expected. My schools are:
Hirara Daiichi (Heiichi) Elementary School. About 8 visits/month. About 550 students at about 28/class. 1st through 6th grade. About 6-8 classes/week.
Shimoji Elementary School. 4 visits/month. About 230 students at about 20-25/class. 1st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Sunakawa Elementary School. 3 visits/month. About 140 students at about 15-20/class. 3st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Seijo Elementary School. 3 visits/month. About 100 students at about 15/class. 1st through 6th grade. 4 classes/week.
Miyahara Elementary School. 2 visits/month. About 20 students at about 4/class. K through 6th grade. About 6-8 classes/month.
From Nick’s apartment:
The Post office is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking. A pharmacy is 7 or 12 minutes by car or walking. A bank is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking. A convenience store is 3 or 7 minutes by car or walking. A hospital is 7 or 12 minutes by car or walking. A supermarket is 5 or 10 minutes by car or walking.
Nick’s apartment:
Has a bedroom and a separent living room at 7m x 3m each. A Kitchen/dining room at 7m x 7m. A shower/toilent. A private roof area. And a garage. There is no cost per month for the garage. Rent is 32,000 yen a month and the landlord is okay with grandfathering me in for no extra key money or deposit. I just have to pay Nick the deposit that I would have gotten. And I don’t get new tatami, but there is only tatami in the bedroom and living room. He’s also offering me all of his stuff at 40,000, which is a steal. And he’s giving me his car for a very reasonable price of free. I think he might be my new best friend.
Of course, I want to see pictures of everything before I commit to buying (as the JET handbook and various other JET sites have said over and over), but I’m not worried and this takes a huge load off of my mind.
Looking closer at the car page, it only comes with a cassette player and cup holders, not the pink fuzzy Hello Kitty steering wheel cover and matching accessory Hello Kitty hubcaps, which is an option on the form. Omg, I think I’m gonna love working in Okinawa! Also, his asking price (¥0), is negotiable, but I don’t think I’ll be able to wear him down any further :P
I’m so very excited. I’m gonna email him tomorrow. Not tonight, because most of this was just copying from the forms I got today, so is mindless. I’m tired. (Had a busy day), and I want to make a sane email to this amazing person I’ve never met. I need to remember to ask where I’m suppose to live while he’s still in Japan, though. I’m getting to Miyako on the 1st and he’s not leaving until the 12th . . . I’ll probably be in a hotel or somesuch (which would be fine), but it’s good to ask.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
I'm gonna miss running away to the mountains
So the past two days while my aunt ran away to see Grandmotts and Grandpa Don, my mom, my sister, and I took our two younger cousins up to R Ranch to "get away." We were in one of the nice cabins, with the bathroom on the inside, but the beds always hurt. We had fun though. The girls went swimming, and we watched a movie in the "theature," and Jen and I went horse back riding. While we were out on the trail, the guide radioed back to the barn to ask if anyone had signed up for the next trail ride. They said no, so he asked if we could stay out longer. We got to ride for 2 hours :), in woods that I had never seen before (new trail, we'd been going up to R Ranch since about 1983). We even got to trot for a bit. Most of the trails are too narrow and have too many branches or rocks to go above a walk. I will say, although it was really fun at the time, my bum is really sore. We would have gotten to stay out even longer, but there were these three kids at the back of the line (I say kids, I mean they were 15-17) that were cutting up, and pulling branches off of the trees, and running when they weren't suppose to. Grrrr. But you can only be in charge of yourself. Or so they taught me in Kindergarten.
As I said, I'm gonna miss running away to the mountains any time I feel a little stressed out. It's so easy to just throw a sleeping bag in the trunk and drive 2 hours and be away. But I'm sure I'll find some sort of substitute in Miyako. I usually only need to do it about once ever three months anyway. Maybe I'll just get used to running away to the beach instead. Or start going for really long walks. I can walk pretty far on flat land, and from what I hear, Miyako is rather flat. (I believe I read that the tallest point is 150m above sea level).
As I said, I'm gonna miss running away to the mountains any time I feel a little stressed out. It's so easy to just throw a sleeping bag in the trunk and drive 2 hours and be away. But I'm sure I'll find some sort of substitute in Miyako. I usually only need to do it about once ever three months anyway. Maybe I'll just get used to running away to the beach instead. Or start going for really long walks. I can walk pretty far on flat land, and from what I hear, Miyako is rather flat. (I believe I read that the tallest point is 150m above sea level).
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