Looking Ahead

Hey there. My contract has arrived at last. It details the particulars of my living and working situation. I'll be living in a snug, one-room apartment in the heart of Downtown Sumoto. Below is a picture of the apartment building. I have a kitchen, toilet room, shower room, and an all-purpose room that will act as my living room, family room, bedroom, office, etc., etc. What more could a poor college graduate struggling to survive in a foreign land ask for? No folks, that's not a rhetorical question, it actually has an answer. And the answer is...a George Foreman Grill. Yep. Word has it, that's the hot ticket. Unless, of course, I can satisfy my hunger with a stove (no oven) and microwave. Remember me as I am, for I shall return to you emaciated.

Speaking of fitness, looks like I won't need a gym membership because I'm riding a bike to work everyday. The lovely junior high I'm employed at is a leisurely ride some 15 minutes down the road. I'll work 35 hour weeks. Then, if I choose to mimic my predecessor's recreational habits, I'll travel to Kobe, Osaka, or Kyoto every weekend, which are all a few hours away by bus, and indulge in the city life. So essentially, all those calories I purge from my body during daily treks to and from work (uphill both ways, I bet) will be restored in the form of lots and lots of biiru on the weekends. Lord, my stomach hurts already. I wonder what kind of lesson plans I'll have for the kids on Mondays.

There's nothing else of major consequence to mention now. My contract is pretty straightforward. My predecessor was kind enough to connect me with people living in Sumoto who will help me out later on.


My apartment:


Sumoto City:


A taste of the future:

Last Days in America

Updates will start flying in come August, but right now I'm just enjoying my last days on American soil. After graduation I went to Legoland and Knott's Berry Farm with my lovely girlfriend, Ai. Right now I'm studying Japanese and frequenting the beach. There's so much to do, so much preparation, but I've plenty of time. Three whole weeks. Oh, did I mention I still haven't received my contract. It's a little frustrating and definitely disconcerting. At least I know where I'm going. Sumoto-shi, Hyogo-ken. A decent-sized island south of Kobe city. Well, that's it for now. I'll be back, though.