Ottawa to Ota - Part I

Saturday, July 28, 2007
Approximately 8:00 ET
My cat has launched a mini protest to my imminent departure. He’s sprawled on my luggage and is pouting, head on paws. Big eyes looking up at me.
I’ve been up for about an hour getting ready and packing a few last items. I’m pretty much ready to go but relieved to have a little more time to pace my departure.
I missed saying goodbye to Chloe last night. Chloe is the five-year-old girl who lives next door and it was important to me not to disappear on her – one day there, the next in Japan.
Last night had been a marathon packing session. Everything was in piles around the apartment, but arranging things in my bags seemed to take a little more time than I had expected.

Approximately 10:00 ET
We arrive at the airport in Ottawa. Noah helps me with my luggage. Somehow, I manage to keep my bags on the cart for exactly five seconds before the whole load topples over. Otherwise, the check in is very uneventful and I’m pleasantly surprised to find that my suitcases are well below the weight limit (although, it makes me question whether or not I should have brought more teaching supplies and gifts.)
Noah stays with me until it’s time to go through security and head to the gate. I cry. I didn’t mean for it to be a tearful goodbye. It was just so hard to end that hug knowing that I wouldn’t be able to share an embrace with him for at least several months.
I pass through security and see Noah watching me from the glass window above. More tears on my part.

Approximately 11:00 ET
We’ve boarded the first plane and are slowly making our way across the tarmac to the runway.
It ‘s raining. I watch the raindrops streak down the small airplane window; gathering drops and depositing new ones as they fall.
The pilot warns us about turbulence. He says the landing was a bit “rippled.”

12:05 ET
The plane makes a very shaky landing at Pearson Airport in Toronto. I become overwhelming nauseous.
I remember the pilot said we would be in Toronto at noon, right on time. What’s with these extra minutes of jiggling torture? The pair behind me decides to talk about their favourite breakfast sandwiches: bacon, cheese, eggs… I don’t see a barf bag.
Somehow we land without incident. There’s just enough time to find lunch and make a few phone calls before our next flight.

16:06 ET
Our departure was delayed by about half an hour. But we’re now on our way and I’ve settled into my little spot on the plane. I have an aisle seat. Normally, I prefer to be by the window, but I feel surprisingly liberated next to the aisle and have already taken advantage of the situation by taking a quick opportunity to visit with Sonia just a few seats up.
The seat next to me is empty so I am able to spread and stretch out a bit. I’m traveling in relative comfort on a new 777 jet. Each passenger has his or her own screen for videos and there are 22 movies to choose from, plus television shows and other features.
Relaxed and at ease, my eyelids are already feeling heavy.
I’m not sure if it’s lunch or dinner, but I can smell it coming.

22:05 ET
I think we’re somewhere over Siberia and I’m tired. About 5 more hours to go. More than 50 per cent of the flight is over and done with and so far it’s been easy – a short nap, hours chatting, plenty of snacks, and I even survived a trip to the bathroom (I hate airplane bathrooms – they’re dirty, cramped little spaces with toilettes that could suck your clothes right off when flushed.)
Some of the other JETs seem to be on a bit of a drinking marathon. And, lucky me, the party’s HQ is the row just to my left and it has spilled out into the aisle. It’s amusing enough, but noisy and I’m worried that someone will start a vomit chain reaction (if someone pukes near me, I’ll barf and it will just get worse from there.
Too bad I didn’t pack earplugs.
Oh no, a wine “chug off “ challenge has just been issued.
Are we there yet?

Sunday, July 29, 2007
01:35 ET (14:35 Tokyo time)
The drinking subsided about an hour after the chug challenge. Not so much by choice, but rather because the attendants decided some people needed to be cut off.
I slept a little and it was mostly fitful. Even with the extra seat, it was very difficult to find a comfortable position and there was a constant din of noise. Or, maybe it was the fact that our plane has quite successfully been chasing the sun: constant mid-daylight outside the windows.
We don’t have much further to go now. The crew announced that a third meal was about to be served and that we would be landing shortly after that. Breakfast? No, chicken.

22:48 Tokyo time
I’m ready to fall over. But, before I do, I just wanted to say, I’m in Tokyo! Mostly just checking out the hotel so far. It’s raining here and the rain and thunder make it a little less tempting to walk around. Sonia and I made an attempt to find a sky view of the city and a snack, but failed on both accounts. More than anything right now, I just want to sleep.

Less than 48 hours to go…

I’m an absolute, total bundle of nerves right now. My skin is pins and needles, my tummy is churning, my palms are sweaty, and I’m feeling consistently, slightly dazed.

I’m walking around in a fog today. So much to do, and yet everything seems twice as hard as it should be. And I’m not with it the way I should be. I went for a hair cut this afternoon and only realized I had followed the wrong woman to the back of the salon when she turned to me and asked me to please remove my pants. In the end, I did find my way to the hairdresser’s chair and I even remembered to pay before I left.

People have told me they think I’m brave to pack up and head to Japan for a year. Up until now, I’ve disagreed with them. ‘Til now, it was easy; just lists to make and complete. But now that I’m almost on the plane, I’m feeling scared and inexplicitly sad. In fact, I feel a little like the way I remember feeling before undergoing oral surgery to remove my wisdom teeth – I’m nervous about what this will all feel like, worried about being able to put my trust in others for my well being, and hoping I make it through feeling stronger than before the whole procedure.

I think I’ll be fine, especially if I remember to keep breathing.

A Patriotic Moment

That’s me with a Mountie. The picture was snapped up on Parliament Hill on Canada Day. I thought it would be fun to have a photo of me posing with such a notable Canadian symbol to show some of the students in Japan.

As I was looking at the picture, a funny realization hit me. For the next year, while I am living and teaching in Japan, I too will be a symbol of Canada. Yes, I am about to join the ranks of the RCMP, the maple leaf, and the beaver. (In her natural habitat, the Odelia can be found snacking on granola bars and producing interviews.)

Speaking of the beaver, there’s a Canadian symbol that needs to be presented with a little bit of context.

Two weeks ago, I went to the Aboriginal Experience on Victoria Island here in Ottawa with a Japanese woman named Harumi. There was food to try, and dancing, and tours. And, there was a pile of pelts visitors could look at and touch. Well, we pulled out the beaver pelt. Harumi looked at it, touched it. The conversation went sort of like this:

“What’s this?”
“Fur from a beaver.”
“A beaver?”
“Yes, the animal is a symbol of Canada. Look, it’s on the back of the Canadian nickel.”
“That’s from a beaver!?!?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s so small. I thought the beaver was MUCH bigger.”

Ah yes, the mighty beaver. He can cut down trees and dam up rivers, we name snacks after parts of his body, and his image adorns our currency. He’s even credited as being one of the main reasons Europeans were so gosh darn interested in this land to begin with. But, he’s still a rodent. And, when he’s depicted with tree stumps and logs…
… those aren’t redwoods he’s standing next to.

Then again, maybe beefing up the beaver’s image isn’t such a bad idea. I come from Canada, land of the mighty beaver. I saw one once in the forest and live to tell the tale…

Sake knocks me out and other confessions of a soon to be JET

I’m wondering how on earth I’m going to pack up my life into two 32 kg bags.

I’m feeling a little homesick already and risk overdosing on my favourite things, foods, places, and people.

I’m nervous about my housing and hoping it will be clean, and quiet, and homey and even warm.

I’m worried I’ll have just a sip of sake and be too gosh, darn drunk to find my way home and be unable to ask for directions even in English, never mind Japanese.

I’m not sure how much Japanese I’ll be able to learn.

I’m anxious about teaching in such a formal setting for the first time. What if I open my mouth and nothing comes out? What if something comes out and none of the students react? What if all of the students react and they hate me?

I’m afraid of getting lost; or, not being able to find myself.

I’m pretty sure I’ll end up wearing the bathroom slippers out of the bathroom at least once.

I’m practicing squatting so I don’t end up falling into a toilet.

I’m hoping to get my feet wet, but not get entirely drenched.

I’m already stressing about the job hunt when I return.

I’m concerned that my loving partner of nine years will find a new love.

I’m thinking what if I love Japan so much, I never want to leave?

Inaugural Message

Ouch! My left arm is still aching. Who knew international travel includes so many visits with doctors? Thursday was the visit to the travel medical clinic and I ended up with a series of three injections. The doctor was very equitable and made sure each arm got at least one stab. I think for one, she may have used a drill bit instead of a syringe. I could have had a few more, but I decided not to be greedy.

So, welcome to my blog – my space to share the experience of Japan. I’m so glad you’ve decided to come along for the ride. I’ll try to keep it interesting (but, I make no promises.)

I guess I should start and the beginning, this being my first post and all. And, in conversations with friends and family (heck, even total strangers – I’ve been broadcasting my impending trip for several weeks now), I’ve discovered that there are a few basic questions people ask right off the bat. I’ll begin with the obvious and you can feel free to add to the list.

Why are you going to Japan?
Because, it’s seems like a good way to grow and explore, both professionally and as an individual. It’s been a dream of mine for more than 15 years and I was getting a little tired of crossing things off my dream list without even making an attempt.

Why Japan in particular?
I’ve hear great things about the place; fascinating things about the culture, the food, the geography, and the people. I really want to go somewhere totally different from home and far, far away. I want somewhere safe and pleasant. And, as far as I can tell right now, the JET Programme is fantastic. Lots of help along the way with things like travel plans, training, employment, pay, housing. In a way, I’m not really going all alone. I’m going on my own, but with a wonderful support system to back me up. I also like that I’ll be working for the public school system in Japan instead of private companies.
My sister was a JET several years ago. She loved it and since then, my family has developed a bit of a connection with Nihon.

Why now?
Hmm… Good question, actually. I know this is the kind of adventure that people usually pursue right after university and I’m painfully aware that I’m older than many of my counterparts. I guess the answer is, to quote an old Rabbi, “if not now, when?” This is something I’ve wanted to do for years, but the timing was never right. The timing still isn’t perfect, but I don’t see any possible moment in the future when it could improve. As a young journalist, I’ve spent the last number of years freelancing and bouncing between contracts – i.e. I’m not walking away from a permanent job, pension, etc. I’m not married. I don’t have a mortgage. At the same time, I feel a strong desire to take a big step back from all that I do have right now. I need to examine things from a distance and learn more about the world and myself.

How long are you going for?
The plan right now, is for just one year. I expect to return to Canada in August or September of 2008.

Where will you be living?
Ota! It’s a small city about 100 km north of Tokyo (about an hour and a half from centre to centre.) It’s located in the eastern part of a prefecture call Gunma, which I understand is a hidden gem, not yet extolled by the guidebook writers. The population is about 200,000 or so. I’ve seen some conflicting numbers, so I’m not sure about the size. I hear it’s a relatively international city due to its manufacturing sector. I am told there are sizable South Asian and Brazilian communities there.
My actual home? Well, that’s turned out to be a bit of a long story. But, if all goes as planned, I’ll have a small two bedroom house near the school where I’ll be working. I understood something about a hillside and a river with koi fish. I think the homes are a little on the old side and most of the neighbours are either other English teachers or elderly Japanese people. Oh, and two of the rooms have tatami mats. Yay! I’m not sure how much other stuff I’ll have, and how much I’ll be left to acquire.

What age group will you teach?
I’ve been posted at an all girls senior high school. I will be teaching the equivalent of grades 10 and 11 at a very academic school four days a week. On Fridays, I’m posted at another high school in the area that I know very little about. I’m thinking the powers that be must think my age and journalism background might be positive factors for working with an older and more academic group of students. I’m already dreading the tricky grammar questions.

Is Noah going with you?
Nope. He’s got another, final year of school to finish off while I’m away. He thought about applying years ago but decided not to. It’s become obvious to me that if this is something I want to do, I’ll have to go it alone. I’ve always been drawn to travel and I’d love to do more work internationally. This is who I am and if it means Noah and I will be apart for a while, I’ve decided it’s something that’s essential to my happiness in the long run.
I’m hoping Noah will come to visit me. He’s already talking about a possible trip in January.

Are you excited?
Yes.

Are you nervous?
Yes.

Do you know any Japanese?
Hai! (Yes.) Okay, not really. But I’m learning a little here and there and already practicing my self introduction. Watashi wa Odelia desu.

I know, not the most exciting first post. But, it’ll ramp up from here. I promise. As my departure date draws nearer, I’ll have an ever increasing list of anxieties, etc. to share. I just couldn’t bare to look at an empty blog any longer.