Next step

Greetings everyone -

My supervisor in Niigata contacted me today regarding the schools I will be visiting in Maki throughout the school year -- looks like it will be 7 in total with 2 JHSs and 5 elementary schools. Mondays and Tuesdays will be spent at Maki-nishi(west) JHS while Thursdays and Fridays will have me at Maki-higashi(east) JHS. It sounds like Wednesdays will be filled with elementary school visits. The car will definitely come in handy if I have to go to all 5 in one day! Maki, itself, is situated 30 - 40 minutes outside of Niigata city...

I was able to get a bunch of NY style souvenirs yesterday for the folks in my new town. Most of the stuff was picked up for students and teachers, so I still have to come up with some more ideas for the brass. So far, the best ideas have been chocolates, coffee, and hand soaps... Anybody have other suggestions? Buying in bulk can be interesting when you're trying to adhere to a weight limit (^ ^).

The picture above is of me and two very special coworkers/friends at Japan America Learning Center in Scarsdale. Getting accepted to the JET Program would have been almost impossible without their guidance and recommendation letters. Shizuko (left) has been a major force in my development as an English tutor over the past 3 years; she has offered infinite patience and understanding in the process. Dana, a former participant in the JET Program, has also gone out of her way to support me throughout the application process. I will be happy to continue the abuse of their friendship in the form of "whining e-mails" when/if lesson plans fall through in the future (^ ^)\/. (Ladies -- I'll send $ for ice coffees/lemonades etc.)

Oh well, time to sign off for now. I hope everyone is well and staying cool in this heat!

Keep surfing!
Brendan

Hanging my hat in Maki

Hey all -

I heard from my predecessor, Melissa, today who has been in Niigata for the past two years. She told me that I would be living in Maki which is a small part of Niigata city. Two points of Melissa's message stuck out the most -- 'air-conditioning' and 'heated toilet seat.' Now, one might wonder if these items/services would gel together in tandem -- I would say no. But during the historically brutual summers and the frigid winter months, I'm quite sure their individual benefits will be greatly appreciated on my part when the time is right.

It looks like yours truly will be driving as well -- I will be responsible for one junior high school and a handful of elementary schools. There is a local fellow who rents cars to JETs in the area for about $200 a month including insurance and whatnot. Now if I could only start driving on the left here in NY to practice...

The pic above is of me and two students from the Kumon program I worked for over the past 3 years. Yesterday was my last day at one location and saying good-bye was not easy. But all the kids are great and will continue to do really well in school! I'm really proud of all the hard work every one of them did while I was teaching at Kumon (even with the random games of 'black jack' or 'dare.' Note to self: work on 'poker face').

Anyway, all my best for now...

Keep surfing!
Brendan

Out of the Gate!

Hey all -

Today was the pre-departure orientation for NY JET participants at the Nippon Club in NYC. It was very interesting to finally meet some other people who were no doubt riding the same emotional rollercoaster I've been on for the past 2 1/2 months. My 'partners in JET' and I enjoyed a day of lectures, recommendations (bring A LOT of deoderant and flouride toothpaste), demonstrations, and a delicious lunch. The time ended with a JET Alumni Association sponsered happy hour. I'm sure they would have done more than 'sponser' if funds allowed, but JETs had to foot the bill. I took my leave because of impending 'Omiyage' purchases!

Souveniers (omiyage) and introductory gifts for my future coworkers and superiors from NY / America will no doubt add up financially so I've got to save some $ in the next month (^ ^).

By the way, if anyone local can think of a good (relatively inexpensive) bulk gift idea, lay it on me. We'll make it a contest, OK? The idea that goes over best with the kids / faculty gets the first postcard / souvenier from Japan! (I think I still owe you a Hannya mask, Uncle Dave...)

The specs seems to incorporate something NY in origin, or having some type of English printed on/in it... So far, most people have mentioned stickers, pencils, pennies, post cards, keychains, etc, as being popular. Some others suggest bringing whiskey for the principal -- afterwhich he/she will no doubt be my princiPAL. sorry (>_<) My greatest disappointment today was the change in keynote speakers. Bruce Feiler, author of Learning to Bow, one of my all time favorite books, was originally slated to give the speech, but had to be in New Mexico for some reason... It would have been great to meet him since LtoB was one of the reasons I applied to the JET program in the first place. But I must say, Jim Gannon gave a riveting speech about U.S./Japan relations and the importance of effort and understanding. I don't have his exact title handy, but he told a story about meeting with Japanese reps and Donald Rumsfeld in Washington, so I imagine he's not head Maitre D at the local Shakey's Pizza. He was very informative.

While I really enjoyed the day, I find myself being filled with more and more questions about what I might expect to go down at the end of next month. For some reason, the questions focus mostly on packing and the Internet. Oh well. We shall see.

As I imagined, everyone had an opinion which translates into, "trial by fire," for me!

All appendages are crossed (^ ^).

Well, best to all until we meet again...

Keep surfing!
Brendan

P.S. The image is of a Japanese toy called *Sora Iro (sun people) whose head rocks from side to side when the sun shines on a solar tab located at the base of its stand. This gadget was really popular in the 90s in Japanese offices, promoting a relaxing vibe. It's in lieu of pics that should have been taken today at the seminar. My bad...

*Keiko-sensei!! kono sora iro wo oboete iru kana???? ii kangae da!!! arigatou!! Internet de sagashita yo (^ ^)

Welcome to Surfing Niigata!

Hey all -

I'm setting this blog up to help chronicle my time as an Assistant Language Teacher in the city of Niigata, Japan. Notifications will be sent out -- to those who are interested -- when the blog is updated (providing I can figure out how to utilize that function).

Feel free to click here for more information on the city of Niigata for the time being...

All my best,
Brendan