On monday we had seminars and lectures to attend all day. I had the great pleasure of experiencing a sound princess for the first time. This phenomenon is unique to Japan (I think). Essentially, the sound princess plays sound (like rushing water) while you are going to the bathroom to cover up any sounds you may make. I also had the pleasure of sitting on a heated toilet seat. It wasn't so fun when you consider the fact that it felt like 40 C outside... After seminars/lectures there was a welcome reception with the first real food I had seen since I got there. Yummmm.
After the reception the Saitama Group B Jets went out to a 250 yen izakaya (japanese pub) for realllllllyyyy cheap food and drinks. It was nice to meet other Saitama area people, though none from the group were in my city. After the izakaya I went to practice some more. It's pretty hard to practice in japan because it is soooo hot. If you move a muscle, you'll probably sweat. Ugh.
Day 2 was much the same as day 1. I was a good JET and attended everything, I didn't skip out once. I did however develop an unhealthy dependence on Pepsi Nex (Like pepsi max in Canada) to keep me awake. In the evening we attended a Canadian Embassy event. I wish I would've skipped. It was all stuff I already knew and there was no food. Other embassies had receptions and dinners for their JETs. Oh well.
On Wednesday we moved. I hate moving and being in transit. The Saitama JETs had a private 45 minute bus ride to Saitama-chi. We were lucky compared to the other JETs that had to go to Hokkaido (up north) or Kyushu (down south). After our bus ride we went to the Saitama Board of Education for a welcoming ceremony. There were many speeches and then they called each JET up individually to meet their contracting organization or base school representative. I finally got to meet Takahashi-Sensei. After that we got to leave and go to our home cities.
Our first plan of action was to go to the school and meet the teachers and vice-principal. From there we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant and then dropped off my luggage at my apartment. After that we went to city hall to register me as a resident of Kasukabe. That took quite a while. After that I was pretty tuckered out so Takahashi-Sensei and I parted ways for the day. That night I met my neighbour, another ALT named Michelle. She showed me all the good spots to get groceries, she showed me the mall and we went to a store and got a new futon as well as sheets so I could sleep. I didn't buy any food because I had nowhere to keep it.
On day 2, Takahashi-Sensei and I went back to city hall to get a certificate of residence. With this certificate we opened a bank account for me at Mizuho bank. Then we went to the school to fill out the direct deposit forms so I can be paid directly. After that it was time to shop! We went to a second hand shop called Treasure Factory. Treasure Factory is amazing. You can get anything there. I bought all the appliances I needed there including: Fridge, gas stove, washing machine, light for my tatami room, microwave, kettle, and a pot. All for 41000 yen. Not bad. I only actually took home the kettle, the stove and the pot but I had to wait until friday night to get my other appliances.
On friday we had Saitama Orientation for new JETs. Another day fuuuuuuullllllllll of new (and old) information... Ugh. So much paper. On friday night I got my fridge!! The treasure factory people delivered and installed everything for me. To plug in the new light I bought, one of the delivery boys climbed on the other's back because I have no chairs. It was soooo cute (Kawaii).
On Saturday I got to see Natsumi! She dropped by and she brought some food. So sweet.
On Sunday I went to Japanese Costco!! It was much like Costco back home. Lots of people, lots of food, lots of samples. :) One notable difference is there is more Japanese people and words. Also they sell bags of 99% + Pure MSG.
That's all for now :) Miss everyone!!
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