Nicole's Adventures in Japan

Today I bought a bike and I must say after not riding a bike for about 2 years I did pretty good. I only almost ran into 2 or 3 people. No big deal!!! In Nagoya everyone, walks, Bikes, and subways. I think I have mastered where OZONE station is. IT is the big subway/ train station near both my apartments. I also think I know how to catch the bus to and from the school.
At school this morning I met the vice principal Adachi sensei, very nice women. I also met Michael and Dustin my co teachers. It was an interesting contrast between Michael very laid back go with the flow, compared to Emi (WYS guide) who has lots of energy go go go! and follows rules. The school seemed very nice, it is an all girl's Sr. High School. Justin and Mike cleaned up our office area today, so we shall see what it looks like on Wednesday.
Emi and I left shortly after morning meeting so we could work on cleaning my current apartment. I learned how to fix Japanese paper doors. It took a lot of time to clean the old paper off the door and cut and iron the new paper onto the wooden fram of the doors. I must say it looks very nice compared to the torn paper we found on Sunday. We also had fun shopping, hence the bike. WYS also purchased bedding for me and I bought some towels. There is a very dangerous store, similar to a bed bath and beyond not far from my apartment. Very cute pillows and chairs. After shopping Emi and I went for a nice long bike ride. To school, found lunch which was more like an early dinner 4pm. I had a very Japanese dish of pizza. I must say it tasted really good. (I feel I must in my own defense tell you I had real Japanese lunch box on the train from Tokyo ot Nagoya on Sunday. Many of the vegetables are pickled in Soy Sauce. I tried two kinds of fish, to kinds of clams. The mushrooms are very different then the ones back home.) Then we were off to Justin's he lives one floor above where I will be living in about a week. It is small but not bad. Nice big glass door at the end. Think small studio maybe 300sq.ft. But I will make it my home.

3/30/08 @ 9am Japan Time
Yatta ( I did it!!!)
I made a sad discovery this morning. I think I lost the gorilla for my Camera in the chaos of trying to move two 70lb bags through the airport, on to a train and then into a Taxi and finally arriving at my hostel. I have attached picture. It was not a bad room just a very small one. I have the pictures to prove it. I had a small window in which looked out onto a wall, so no real view.
Yesterday was a very long day. It did not end till around 3:30 am your time. I was trying to stay awake so I could sleep, it sort of worked. Emi will meet me at the Hostel this morning and we will send my luggage to Nagoya. I am still not exactly sure how we are getting there ourselves, the adventure continues. When we get to Nagoya tonight I will get to stay in a Hotel, while they clean the apartment of the teacher who is coming later this week. My apartment is also being cleaned and will not be ready until Tuesday night at the earliest. So I will continue to have fun moving two 70lb bags around. Actually I owe a big thank you to Emi she has been very kind about helping lug them around. I think we will both be happy to see them sent to Nagoya this morning where we won’t have to deal with them for at least a couple hours.

Monday is a teachers meeting and Tuesday is the opening ceremony for the freshman at the High School. Oh yeah I found out I will be one of three teachers teaching the High School students. This should prove an interesting challenge since I am used to working with much younger students. Then next Monday the 7th is the First day of school and opening Ceremony for all the other students and the 8th is the first real day of school.

PS: Mom the PDay Bars have been great. Thank you☺

How does a person pack for a year in Japan. Nagoya, is suppose to be really Humid and HOT in the summer and come winter be snowing!! Oh! did I mention it all has to fit in two bags weighing 50lbs each. Well I am slowly figuring it out. However, I am quickly coming to the conclusion that I may need to ship and box with some clothes.

I can't believe it is only three short weeks until I leave for the adventure of a life time. Okay I know you all expect this of my sister Tori, but it is me who is going half way around the world for a year. I am really excited and really scared. I got an email from Aaron Kenny and he answering a lot of my questions. Really important ones like can I get Peanut butter over there. And questions about how easy it is to travel. I can't wait to explore Japan and other place in Asia.
Well Friday, March 28th is my designated departure date!!