So, I've really wanted to do a food post, however most of my food pictures are on my phone. That means that I can't slide show them. Oh well. I think you'll still enjoy the pictures. And now I'm hungry... better go find some dinner!
Wow. It's hard to believe I've been in the Land of the Rising Sun for 4 weeks already. Time sure does fly by... whether you're having fun or not. Luckily I've had a lot of fun (and of course worked my tail off). Yesterday I bought a bike, I got paid for the first time on Friday, I *may* have found a place to live - I'm checking another place out on Friday - I'm making friends... all I need to do is buy a car. That can wait now, as long as it doesn't rain. :-) So, I've really wanted to do a food post, however most of my food pictures are on my phone. That means that I can't slide show them. Oh well. I think you'll still enjoy the pictures. And now I'm hungry... better go find some dinner!
2 Comments
So today I bought a bike. A colleague took me to Joyful Honda for the first time (think Walmart + Lowe's + giant pet store + bike store + food court + etc.). I found a Japanese bike (PSU navy blue of course), and then we went to the BX for a helmet. Can't wait to ride around base singing the Wicked Witch song from The Wizard of Oz! Well, a lot has happened since I stopped writing my first post. I got a little discouraged since everything had been placed on hold. However, I ended up working two weeks stateside before receiving my orders. I thought it would be quick once I received my orders, but I had to wait another two weeks before I received my official passport. BUT! I am here now (just under 3 weeks), and it sure has been a whirlwind! Here are a few pictures from the first few days: Since I first found out about the job, I started writing about my experience. Here's the first bit: Okay, so many of you know that I’ve always wanted to travel; to see the world and experience different cultures, to eat amazing food, and of course take awesome pictures. Well, I have been given that opportunity! I will be teaching middle school band and chorus in Japan in just a few short weeks! I’m so excited! BUT… before I get on with everything that’s happening now, I want to go back and write my story down from the beginning. That way I’ll have a recollection of it, and you may read it if you so desire. I have been a member of the CONUS (continental United States) teaching portion since October of 2010, but knew that my ultimate goal was overseas. Life happened in Tennessee - 4 years of it - and I hadn’t applied yet. However, on 7 October 2015, life changed, and I wasn’t sure what was in store. So, I applied online for overseas: England, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iceland, and a few schools stateside. Once a few friends found out that I applied, they encouraged me to add Japan to my list; they said it was amazing & that “that was where all the young people are.” So, after some deliberation, I added Japan to my list. Although I knew it would be culture shock, I figured, “Why not?” After a failed attempt at another position earlier in the year, I wasn’t prepared to have another interview; I know of folks who have had their application for overseas in for years and have never been contacted. I think it’s probably because I’m a music teacher - we’re fewer in numbers I guess - but I don’t know. Either that or it’s a God thing. I’m going with God. Towards the end of June I headed to my parents’ place outside of Pittsburgh: I would spend a few days there and then head to the beach with my father’s side of the family. I joked with my parents that something would probably happen at the beach, and that I would have to fly home to drive back to Tennessee. Well, I was half right. Monday, 6 July, I received an e-mail that I had been placed on a referral list. The last night at the beach, 10 July, I received an e-mail asking if I would like to interview. Gmail had the e-mail show up weird, so I was a little hesitant to reply, but I did a Google search of the name and it was legit so I replied affirmatively. The kicker: the interview had to be either Saturday or Sunday evening (11 or 12 July) at 1900 or 2000 CST. Saturday night I would be in a motor home heading back to PA with 6 other family members who did not know I would be interviewing, and Sunday night would find me 500+ miles from Pittsburgh in Lake George, NY with my parents. I chose Sunday night. We arrived back in Pittsburgh from the beach at about 0100 Sunday morning. I went home and slept, only to rise at 0730 and leave at 0830 for Lake George with my parents. Needless to say I slept a few hours in the car. Now my parents - definitely some of the best people I know - supported me 100%, and helped out by not being in the hotel room while I interviewed (Fort William Henry Hotel & Conference Center): they headed down to the lobby. So I interviewed and thought it went well. But I usually don’t have a good read on a phone interview: it’s hard to read people when I don’t see their faces. The principal told me that she would be making her decision over the next few days and that I would hear something within a few weeks. (I thought to myself, “Right. I’ve heard that one before.”) I was excited: it would be a middle school band and chorus job! I have missed band! So Mom, Dad, and I continued our quick New England jaunt and ended up in Maine Wednesday night/Thursday. I had never been to Maine - now I’m down to 5 states - and was excited to take pictures of some of the famous lighthouses and coastline. However, life took a 180. That morning (and for most of the week) I drove to the lighthouse; mom was the copilot and dad was in the back behind mom. As I was about ready to turn in to Portland Head Light, I received a phone call. Not being sure of Maine’s phone laws, I told Mom to answer it, seeing that it was a Virginia number. She did, and then whispered to me, “It’s the Department of Defense!” I replied, “I’m driving - I can’t talk! Put it on speaker!” I kept driving down the road, missing my turn, and pulled off into a large driveway of a house for sale. That’s when Mom placed the phone on speaker, I said, “Hello?” and I heard the news that I had received the job in Japan. I was flabbergasted, floored, and excited. I couldn’t believe it! Japan! Me?! After backtracking to the lighthouse and parking, I immediately called my previous principal (had to leave a message), and my current principal. Mom, Dad, and I had decided not to tell family until Sunday during a “Wish-Britainy-Good-Luck-On-Her-New-School-Year” luncheon. Boy would they be shocked! But I did call a few close friends. We finished in Maine, drove to Simsbury, CT to visit with a PSU friend who is going to make me a quilt. While there on Friday, I received my tentative job offer with the accept/decline option. It had to be turned in my 21 July, and I was able to return in once I finally returned home to TN. We drove home on Saturday from CT. Mom pulled off a great luncheon on Sunday, and everybody was shocked as I announced where I was headed after we said our prayer for the meal. All 25+ family members congratulated me & wished me the best of luck. I drove back to Tennessee on Monday via a short stop to visit some friends who are overseas teaching during the school year and knew from a previous job. They were able to answer questions and give me some good pointers. God is good at giving me people in my life to guide me. (Sidenote: this was the shortest drive back EVER. That tends to happen when you talk on the phone for the first 6 hours of your 10 hour trip.) On 21 July (Tuesday) I officially received my paperwork to fill out, so I spent the day going cross-eyed over paperwork. Wednesday 22 July: had my TB test done, had my passport picture taken/mailed the paperwork via FedEx, took my Anti-Terrorism Training, and faxed all of my packet paperwork (minus the physical portion to be completed by a doctor) back to DODEA. Thursday 23 July: Traveled down to Franklin & had the physical taken. Talk about a long procedure! 24 July: Well, everything came to a screeching halt today; I received an e-mail this morning that stated there had been an administrative error - nothing that was my fault - and that my application had been placed on hold. Of course I had to call Mom & Dad - who were on their way to my place at the time - and tell them. On the bright side, I did renew my license today at one of the county offices in Clarksville. So now I’ll just wait & twiddle my thumbs. At least I’ll still have a job at Lincoln! 29 July: Came into school Monday & Tuesday to set-up my room just in case I’m still here. I love the super hero theme, so I’ve sort of gone overboard with it, but oh well. My luck I’ll be taking it down in a week! 30 July: Well, received another Welcome to DoDEA e-mail. In fact, it was the same e-mail I received two weeks ago, attachments and all. Let’s hope I don’t have to fill out the same paperwork! Had a chat with the principal on whether or not I should still be coming to work: I will be. That’s good! Yay money! |
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Saint Augustine AuthorHey! My name is Britainy, and I moved to Japan in August of 2015. Here are my adventures with my Chacos & my Canon! Also, if you're just into photography, check out my photography site. Archives
December 2016
Categories
All
|