Icciv's notes in Japan

Whats going on?

It's some ridiculous hour in the morning and I've just returned from a business trip to Kobe. The past few weeks have been eventful and interesting and I'm currently sat listening to my washing machine make noises I've never heard it make before and wondering what on earth I put in there to make them. I desperately hope that nothing is being destroyed inside. As I wait for my clothes to be washed/shredded, I will witter about life as it currently is on Goto.

I've featured in both the Nagasaki newspaper and the local magazine this week. Last weekend I went on a trip to a tiny island with Catherine and Carrie to bash shell fish, clean rice and get stuck on a rock.
I have to admit I began that morning feeling bitter about such an early start, but it was worth it as the island was beautiful, the weather was hot, and it was relaxing...bar the shell fish killing. A week later I was suprised to see a photo of the group on the island trip, and amused that all the westerners featured in the photo (that would be me, Catherine and Carrie) looked pretty unhappy, expecially Carrie who was sat in front of the group (who were cutting fish) curled in a ball looking at the rocks on the floor. Although I couldn't read the Japanese underneath, I assume it said "Westerners don't cope well with death of shell fish"

This last Tuesday was Catherines birthday, and on Thursday we got together to eat and wish her well. Carrie brought out some cards over and predicted our love fortunes, which had some amusing outcomes. My cards read that I have put many barriers between myself and Genki, Sierra's cards just had loads of barriers, and Catherines came out perfect, which I think was the best birthday present she got. It was also conluded that the ideal man should be a fine balance of masculine and sensitive.

Work life has changed slightly as I got a new JTE back in April. He unfortunately doesn't seem to like the idea of working with an ALT and really prefers to teach alone. This is exceptionally irritating, I do more P.E. classes with the kids now! Thankfully I still fell involved in the school in other ways, and you just have to adapt to whats given to you I s'pose. The kids have also started calling me bi-chi as an affectionate term, which again has the unfortunate problem of sounding like "bitchy". It is somewhat ammusing to hear all my students call me such a name.

This next week I'm getting myself into gear and preparing for my second year on JET. I really want to do some volunteer work this year. I feel I'm currently achieving good things (good travels in and out of Japan, basic language abilities) but I'm aware this isn't enough. I'm looking into volunteer travel work, and what Japanese Language courses I can take, as well as what to do next year and rtying to study while I'm out here.

I came to Japan to achieve so much, and although I've loved my time so far, I know I have the potential to be much more productive.

My China holiday, Kobe trip and other photo's will be thrown on here this week....I promise!

NOTE: Teresa, thank you for your comment, I left a reply in my comments box after yours. I look forward to hearing from you soon...Vicky

posted by Icciv @ 2:33 am