fresh off the boat

today was my third day of training. i'm still horribly terrified by the idea of leading a class of students, but i'm not sure even months of training would rid me of that feeling. i have some information and resources now, so at least i'll be going in with some ammo.

after two more days of training, i'll be leaving for my placement: shiroi city in chiba prefecture. the 21st will be my first day of work. i'll be meeting the students at the three schools i'm working at -- one junior high four days a week and two elementary schools on alternating wednesdays. the school year proper starts on the 1st, and from that point i'll be working full time until winter break.

my apartment will be quite small: one six tatami mat room (approximately 12' x 18'), a small kitchen, a toilet room, and a bath/shower room. it is located about 2 kilometers from my main school. the board of education will reimburse me for a bike; i will be riding to school, weather permitting. on rainy days i can take the train and be reimbursed for the tickets.

my city sounds nice. i've always snubbed the suburbs in america, but i'm quite excited about the prospect of living in one in japan. there is a free public gym, a pool, a library with english books, and a system of walking/bike paths. it's a half hour train ride to the nearest big city, and an hour to tokyo. it will be much quieter and less expensive than tokyo, and easier to interact with the local community.

the bon odori festival was beautiful, by the way. thousands and thousands of women (and a few men, too) lined up along sumida river in groups of matching kimonos and danced until sunset.