My new JTE sounds like Jean Reno... Seriously.

Internet went out. Stealing connection from fellow JET. check out http://achild.twilightrefrain.com or for photos, http://twilightrefrain.com/achild/images

Firstly, the hotel is quite spacious, posh, and the staff is VERY polite, however, there are five floors of 'important' rooms, and shops, and the stairs that go up and down between floors are crazy, and the elevators are towards the ends of the building, making the establishment somehow labyrinthine. There are shops downstairs for clothes, jewelry, food, medicine, and more clothes. (I would never guess this is Shinjuku.)

The last two days have been filled with LOTS of classes and training, which is boring for the most part so I will skip it, save to say that some of the Japanese ministers are spectacularly funny. I have his name written down somewhere, but it's buried under 100,000kg of books we were given. Suffice it to say his speech began with a 15 minute meander through every catchphrase, oxymoron, and old joke he could think of in English. Then he began his presentation proper (which was actually quite deep) on the subject of time and communication, only to continually interrupt it with power point slides of dolphins, sea-turtles, and 'this slide is unnecessary' slides. I'd vote for him, he was both a comedian and a philosopher... that's based purely on charisma though, I have no idea his stances on anything other than English education.

Shinjuku itself has been rather daunting to me. I don't know enough to really wander off far on my own (though I can ride a train now!), and my other prefectural JETs and I don't have a whole lot in common. I have found a dozen or so JETs I really enjoy though, and we clustered up during lessons, and meals. So that made it nice, and very bondy... Is that a word?

I also got to experience a 'work party,' I believe they translated it. Basically, we were let into this tiny restaurant, and given spots on the floor around massive tables, an enki toast was given, and then we were treated to all we could eat and drink... I had the Pepsi, but just about everyone else was deeply intoxicated, I'm hoping it'll go better for me when I have 'work parties' with my actual Japanese teachers, because I didn't care for my drunken colleagues this time. :( Does that make me a bad person? However, I was told you kinda-sorta-have-to-but-not-really go to work parties at your school. It's apparently "difficult" to turn them down too often, and according to our training, it's the best way to get an honest review of your performance in the classroom?

Anyway, I'm rambling, I'll write a more coherent entry later, after my seven hour bus ride through the countryside is over.

-A

Day: Departure

I had set the alarm for seven, however, sleep got the better of me, and I ended up hitting the snooze button and then resetting the alarm for eight. When it went off that time, I managed to pry myself from the hotel mattress long enough to get a quick shower to settle my unruly hair, and drink two cups of the generously provided coffee.
I lazed about the hotel room perusing the television offerings (poor), watching the planes take off (enjoyable), moving phone numbers from my old cell phone to my computer, and puttering about with my suitcases (necessary, but certainly no fun). I did not feel up to eating breakfast, so I skipped it, and proceeded to the airport to see about obtaining my ticket. I arrived at the designated area at about 11:15 or so, and chatted a bit with a fellow JET by the name of Brian for an hour or so, until Steven Meier arrived, and shortly thereafter the man responsible for organizing our travel arrangements.
It was surprising how long it took for the next JET we saw to arrive, a dark haired woman, about a half an hour after us, and then how the group suddenly materialized. I would say about 50 people arrived in the span of 10 minutes. A special check in lane was opened for us, and we proceeded to file through the line, I was third in line for check in, and assigned seat 63C, which is not a bad seat. Row 63 has just two seats on the outside columns, and so I can easily see out the window (when we are allowed to open it; halfway through the flight they asked us to close the shade). The aisle affords me a bit of extra leg room, which is good. My feet have been hurting, in part due to wearing flip flops the last several days, I’m sure, and the extra room to stretch out is appreciated.
After receiving my boarding pass, I made it through security largely without incident, they had to run my laptop bag through their scanners twice though. I grabbed a burger from Burger King, and a pair of headphones with an attached microphone to replace my broken set, and then rode the tram around the airport for no real reason. I boarded the plane promptly at 3:00pm EST, and it is now, 10:40 as I write this. Approximately three or four hours to go, until I arrive in Japan.
The view has been fairly nice when the shade has been open. Michigan and Wisconsin passed below us, and then we went up into Canada, and over Alaska. The mountains of Alaska were very beautiful, with lots of snow, what appeared to be melting glaciers, and strong rocky lines all about.
The in-flight films have not impressed me, nor have I bothered to pay attention to them. So far there has a performance by STOMP, “Made of Honor,” and “Flawless.” I spent my time on the flight filling out crossword puzzles, drawing a bit on my computer, typing this very entry into my travel journal, and playing Harvest Moon on my Nintendo DS.
My companion has been a nice fellow from China or possibly Hong Kong, it is difficult to say. He studied finance in Chicago, and is now returning. He does not talk much, but then, there is not much to say, I guess.
The in-flight meals were alright as “airfare” goes. Dinner, served about an hour half take off, consisted of chicken or beef, I opted for the beef (I may not get anymore for a while, I am not sure). It was beef chunks in a pepper gravy, with a delicious sticky rice and green bean combination, three shrimp with cocktail sauce and a lemon, a bread roll and butter, a pack of Pepperidge Farm cookies, and a small salad. The in-flight snack that came later featured a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich with Dijon mayonnaise dressing (very small) and some Oreo cookies. I have not yet eaten the pretzels that were handed out just after take off, but I have taken the opportunity to drink everything made available, five or so cups of water, a cup of green tea, two cups of coffee, etc.
I have now arrived in Japan, the final in-flight movie was “Kung Fu Panda,” of which I slept through the final hour. Landing and disembarking went smoothly, ending with a breakfast just before touch down of teriyaki chicken and rice, blueberry muffin, orange juice, and a tropical fruit cup.
We exited the plane and proceeded through customs, obtaining our “Gaijin” permits, and luggage, while following an ever-present trail of JET guides, who formed a human conveyor belt to get us onto a bus. The bus ride was about an hour long, and the driver drove very quickly, scaring me more than once. When we arrived at the Keio Plaza, another human conveyor belt greeted us and guided us to paper packets (which I have not yet even looked at), and room assignments. I am rooming with two gentlemen, whom I vaguely recognize from the orientation and flight.
As of this addition to this entry, I have showered, split open my bottom lip on the corner of my laptop, and am ready to call it a night. I am going to post this and sleep, because, I am very, very tired. I will write more later. - A Child in Japan

It's time to grow up, I guess. This journal is now friend's only. If you want to know what's up, you'll have to log in I guess.