OTHER JET blogs, including "Surviving in Japan."

For all blogs much cooler than mine:

http://jet-programme.com/jet_blogs.htm



I particularly recommend:

Surviving in Japan  http://www.survivingnjapan.com
(The place to go for driver's licenses and more.)



Gaijin Pablo  http://gaijinpablo.blogspot.jp/?view=classic
(For meditative ponderings and beautiful view points.)



Maia Does Japan  http://maiadoesjapan.com/page/3
(A really fun glimpse of what the first year of JET is.)

10 words I desperately needed and didn't know

The Torture of Study

Did you have a college class that seemed more like the rack? Maybe your higher level Japanese classes? I had an amazing teacher my last two semesters of the 400 level. But, she ran me into the ground. AND STILL, despite her insistence that I might go back to Japan one day and I might teach Japanese, I somehow managed NOT to learn these 10 words. 

10 words 

These are not the most useful 10, nor the most important 10. They are just 10 words you would have thunk that a university graduate with the highest level of Japanese study would have learned before coming to Japan. 

In the FIRST WEEK ALONE, I needed SEVEN of these words. 

1) 感じる kanjiru

Or... just plain 「そういう感じです。」No, they are not talking about kanji (Chinese characters). Even my beginning level friend quickly picked out the word among streams of incomprehensible sounds and was like, "I KNOW they aren't talking about letters." It is the MOST convenient phrase meaning, "It's like that." Kanjiru means feeling. 

2) のせて nosete

You might hear 「のせてください。」It's such a simple command, you would hardly believe that you can argue the benefits of exercise in Japanese and NOT be able to understand something a two year old would. It just means, "Lay it here," or, "Just please place it there," or "Set it down." Nosete literally means set. Also see, 「置いて」.

3) 残り（残り物） nokori (nokorimono)

I don't even remember exactly how or why I needed this word, but it had something to do with food and I needed a place to put it in the fridge (or something like that). It was definitely one of my first days in the shokuinshitu. After that hilarious exchange with the poor secretary, I have heard this word everywhere. In the morning meetings, in the classroom, everywhere. It just means "left overs," or "Who is left?" 

4) しゃべる syaberu

My dictionary says, 「話す、ものを言う」. You might hear teachers saying 「しゃべりなさい」or on particularly scary days, 「なんでしゃべている？しゃべりません！」If I can only convey the blood chilling voice some of my teachers have conjured up to yell that.... It means, "Please don't talk," or "WHY ARE YOU TALKING? STOP TALKING!" It will be the first word you hear in the classroom, and for some reason all you have probably practiced is "hanasu." Use this word for anything with "converse." 「日本語しゃべれていますか？」

5) 連絡する renrakusuru

This is the final word that I am absolutely flabbergasted about not knowing. 「れんらくして。。。」I got this word from one of the elementary principals while we were trying to plan for my next visit. She said she would notify/tell my supervisor and my supervisor could tell me. Quite a simple sentence, but I was dumbfounded. It means, "Tell so and so," or "Tell you." 

6) 数字 suuji

How did I get out of university without know the word for number??? Though not a particularly pressing vocabulary word, I sure did need it in the elementary schools. Despite my insistence to the contrary, many of the elementary teachers expected me to know Japanese with my resume as it was. I was keeping track pretty well until two lessons in with this ridiculous word. Use it when referring to the actual writing of numbers rather than 「いちばん、にばん、さんばん」.　数 kazu means "to count." 「数してください。」

7) 形 katachi

Again, how did I get through so much Japanese without knowing the word for shape? Along with learning numbers 1-20 that day, the students were also learning the names of shapes (you can guess the lesson, maybe). I knew the teacher was talking about shapes and I quickly picked up this noun out of pure necessity. Use it for just plain shapes like square, or the shape of a thing or building. 

8) なれる nareru

One of the MOST convenient words in the few weeks after your arrival. 「なれていますか？」will be the primary inquiry. "Have you gotten used to Japan?" I knew naru, but throwing the re in there through me off. Just a hint, you won't be "used" to Japan until after your first year. But in general, about two or three months in should do the trick for about all your major upheaval. I am still getting this question.... 

9) 確認 kakunin

Technically I didn't get this word until a month in. However, I definitely heard it before that and stood like a deer in head lights. 「確認してください。」"Please check and make sure about this." You will generally get this question from your vice principal. Mine will always say it in a serious tone and look at me hard to make sure I don't do any college student funny business. Phsh. I'm an adult. My first full time job and everything. 

10) 復習 fukushu

Just yell out this word at the end of the semester. It means, "review." It's certainly not the only classroom related word you might find convenient knowing... I quickly learned the words for the parts of speech, and a few others like 「もとめる」(basically, the cheat sheet page in the textbook). 

Bonus) 感想 kansou

I don't know how I picked this one up, but the other day I realized that I knew what it meant and had been using it for forever. Basically, "what were your impressions?" Very useful for culture discussion items during class. 

The End

Like I said before, these aren't the ten most useful words. In fact, just learn all the words. Yes, all the Japanese words are useful. I don't even know where to send you to begin... So many words to know! So so so many words... we need an SOS code for drowning ALTs.... 

P.S. I am assuming you already have the beginner stuff for your self introductions like "I'm from such and such place." and how to recognize questions like, "When did you come to Japan?" "What country do you come from?" and "Where do you live now?" 

You Got Short-Listed, So What Should You Daydream About Now?

First of all, 

Congratulations!!!
                     W00T!     High Five. 

You got in. You got into The JET Programme. A highly competitive program with a history going back to the 80s, you can be proud to call yourself a JET for the rest of your life. 

If you got the alternative email, I understand. I also got put on the alternative list, as did a few of my friends. 

Introduction

Now, I have been yearning to do this blog for sometime. If I don't answer all your questions, write it in the comments. This is the Sasebo JET blog. If you got placed here (Saza, Hirado, Saikai, Hasami, Emukai, Shechibaru, Isahaya, etc.), I can't wait to meet you! But, don't let that stop you if you're placed in a different ken, because some of this info I'm about to write might be for you, too. 

The Pre-JET Need-to-Know List

7 things with NO NONSENSE explanations. 

(Note, you need to follow your consulate's instructions. Taxes, visas, and all sorts of proper documentation questions need to be directed towards them.)

1) Omiyage and Schools

Dude, the amount of varying information I got as a pre-JET is astounding! First of all, choose CANDIES, LOLLIES, or SWEETS. Find them INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED. Anything from Tim Tams (Thank you, Australia), to Pepperidge Farm cookies to sour warheads will do. Make sure they are of EQUAL VALUE or SIZE if you get assorted goods. Keep in mind you have to transport it. Something that WON'T MELT is quite a good idea. And, you'll probably regret it if you pull out something you really wanted to bring to make room/weight.

During the numerous meetings and pre-departure orientations I went to, many experienced alumni JETs gave their input on omiyage. I heard “state quarters,” “special stamps,” and “something that shows your hometown or home country” quite often. Those things are okay but, I think candies are better. I know you have no reason to trust me, and when you raise your hand and tell everyone else what I wrote, nobody is going to trust you. But here is my first hand experience:

Handing it out

Here's how you will give your omiyage when you get to your school: Sometime during your first day, you'll tell your coordinator that you have omiyage. She/he will probably take charge and hand it out for you. One piece goes on each teacher's desk (don't land one on the printer desk or anything embarrassing like that). Make sure the secretary lady and maintenance guy get one because they are often forgotten. Let a few teachers know who gave the omiyage. Often, you will never meet the recipients, but many will come up and thank you for the candy usually with a hearty ittadekimasu.

Anything not individually wrapped, as you can imagine, can be hard to distribute. I would be surprised if there was a communal treat jar/bowl for people to take if they want it (as I unfortunately assumed). There will probably be a treat cabinet, but that is for teachers who put money in for the snacks, treats, tea, and coffee. 

Why???

I have never seen omiyage be something other than candy (at least, when it's given to many co-workers). The alumni and many others seem to think non-candy is okay, so I am keeping my mind open to possibilities. Also, my predecessor tried to warn me that I didn't need to bring anything. Once I got here, I saw why. It was a bit awkward. Generally, gifts are giving for saying Good-bye, not Hello. The Good-bye gifts can get quite outrageous, ranging from mugs to designer towels. I have never received a "Hello" omiyage or gift. But, candy is almost ALWAYS appreciated, despite awkwardness, so don't go wrong--choose something sweet! 

How Many??

Well... I have eight schools. Some only have 100 students or less. Others have as many as 600 or more. You can imagine how many staff are at the latter ones! If I brought omiyage for all my schools, I would have been broke and embarrassed. Only bringing omiyage for you main school is fine. Basically, the school where your coordinator is. You can (hopefully) find this out from your predecessor. The teachers (being broke on their salaries, too) understand and will not hold it against you. 

2) What to pack?

As self-explanatory as this is, I thought I'd jot a quick list of regrets and lessons learned.

Floride Toothpaste

This is one item I make sure to grab from the states. A cavity in a foreign country during my first full time job is NOT what I want. And I thought I'd go completely native. *tear

Japanese study books 

You will get a course packet from CLAIR.... in NOVEMBER. I was itching to get started months before then. It was agonizing when I KNEW I had perfectly good books that I was used to laying on my shelf back home. Books are heavy, so choose one and choose wisely, and really make sure in your heart of hearts that you will study it. If you DON’T have Japanese study books already, go ahead and buy one in Tokyo.

Comfort Food

I asked my parents to send me some in about my third month, after the honey moon phase slipped away.

Lesson Material You CAN Bring

A jump drive/computer full of home pictures, vacation pictures, children's songs, and holiday music. Show and tell items. Holiday show and tell items, in particular. 

Music is a great way to make a lesson, because generally it can still be enjoyed without the meaning of the lyrics. I highly recommend bringing American produced children songs if you are going to teach at an elementary or junior high. Holiday music also misses the mark. The kids are growing up with holiday classic hits in Japan. John Lennon's War is Over and Maria Carry's All I want for Christmas are the two most popular. Most kids can recognize a select few carols. Silent Night, Gloria, and Angles we have heard on high are the only ones I can think of right now. Many of the moving, traditional hymns and carols are lost to ignorance and disinterest. I tried to find some of these (Do you hear what I hear? We Three Kings, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Silver Bells) sung by artist that they know. Especially Taylor Swift, Justin Beiber, or Kenny G.

People talk about bringing prizes... my school is big and my wallet is small. Also, it is better to not bring any your first time coming because you may have JTEs (your teachers) who already have a class routine devoid of your prizes. Best leave that room for comfort food or holiday show and tell items. I have devised a way two years into my JET experience, but it's a bit patch worked together and is riding on the favor of my teachers. I also hope that not many students meet my challenge. Again, my wallet is small. Students seem to like Japanese stickers (none of my American ones are interesting, apparently), Madi Gras beads (why?????), and Big Money (They're rich!). I'm about to stock up on party favors when I go to the states next, so I'll tell you how that goes. 

Necessary Clothes

asdfasdfasdf

3) What NOT to Bring

Lesson Material

Too many clothes

4) School Clothes

5) School Rules

6) Getting Money

7) Vitamin C

Supplements, supplements, supplements. Do they even work? Well, I just finished my bottle out in November. Since then, I've been sick at least three times. When your only job might be reciting English, and your throat has a frog in it, you find that you really don't want to be sick. 

Besides... you're going to be on a plane and in a hotel for about three or four days. That's the number one place to get sick, especially when your body is tired from jet lag. AND you are about to work at a school. The first thing my education teachers told my graduating class was, "get vitamin C." 

In Conclusion

I hope all your papers line up properly and your continuing day dreaming has a lot more fuel. 

Peace. Love, for the day is near,

Nikki