I FINALLY MADE IT!!

Greetings everyone from Osaka-Shi Japan! Mom, Dad, I made it safely! I want to call you. I still have to find out a good time to do that. I'm totally exhausted right now. I've basically had no sleep over the past 24 hrs. But, surprisingly, I'm in relatively good spirits.

Oh man, I can't believe I'm here. After a wonderful weekend in Ontario with my good friend Jer and her family, and a very tearful goodbye, I said good bye Canada and hello Japan!

Where do I begin. Well, perhaps I will give you just a few highlights (and lowlights) of my day. (which is about 15 hrs ahead, if you didn't know!

The flights felt long and I felt restless. Which is not a good combination. Julie - I managed to take a crack at a Sudoku book a bought at the airport. I love those things. I thought of you while doing them!
On flight from Vancouver to Osaka, there were a bunch of us English teachers with Nova that sat together, so that helped to pass the time. Including one girl from Edmonton. It was so great to finally meet other instructors and to share our excitement together, and our anxieties.
Ok, you will all laugh at this...one the plane, this one girl Amy and I, noticed that there were a number of Asian women and Caucasion men with kids (and vis versa). One lady told me she came over to teach with Nova 13 years ago, had a child with a Japanese man, and is still living in Japan to this day. It's a pretty fertile place, this Japan. Don't get any ideas people.
We arrived to a noticeably humid and partly cloudy 27 degree Osaka. One of the Nova employees Jared (an Australian) greeted us and he gave us directions on where to go. Nova took care of our bags for us, and I wastold to proceed to the train station outside the airport to get to Osaka-Shi. It was so nice not to have to worry about anything, we all felt so looked after!
During the 50 minute train ride to my apartment (praise God for air conditioning!), despite my droopy eyes, I was immediately captured by this city. Seeing thousands of people waiting for the train, Japanese characters on every building and advertizement, bicycles everywhere and one green field after the next. As I was on my own during the train ride, Nova arranged for Stephen, another e.mployee, to meet me on the platform to take me on foot to the apartment.

I'm so pleased with the apartment.The style is very different from anything I have ever seen. (I wil try to post pics in the next few days It is literally kitty corner from a grocery store, a few restraunts, and there is a workout facility right in front. I can walk everywhere. The apartment itself has 3 rooms with the traditional sliding doors, simply furnished with a cozy table, tv. and an industrial looking kitchen. I like it. My room is actually quite spacious. When I arrived, sure enough, my futon was waiting there for me, folded up in a package. Feeling rather greasy, I had a quick bath, in our square tub and attempted to figure out how all the lights turn on. Interesting.
My roomates still have not come home yet, but they left me a little note making me feel so welcome. Mariah is also letting me use her laptop, which I'm so thankful for.
I managed to snag a teriaki chicken burger at Mo's Burger's for supper (which, by the way, was miniature size. I loved it. It made me realize how big our portions are getting in North America). And now, I'm sitting here, sipping my Baileys (a flight attendent gave me and this other girl a few small bottles, saying that we would need them when we got to Japan. Boy was she right! I'm seriously so exhausted.), and listen to some Diana Krall (sigh...Canada..how I love thee.)
I have the next few days to relax, and then monday I start my 3 days of training and then beging teaching. I feel like there is so much to explore. I'm so excited to be taking the train this year. It will be a whole new way of getting around.
I'm also excited to practice living more simply. Jill, if your still reading this, you were right about the room and the futon. Room, good size. Futon, will defanitely need to purchace like 2-3 more to stack on top of each other.
I feel really good about all of this. Even though, I'm so tired, I'm excited to explore this area over the next few days. Its funny though, I'm already noticing my minority-ness. I've gotten quite a few looks while walking down the street. Or, maybe I had something in my teeth.

Thinking of you all.
I'm doing well. Please, I would just appreciate prayer regarding adjusting in the next few days.

I will be in touch soon. Thanks for all your notes of encouragment. It means so much.
Jane

ps - its actually 8pm here, not 3am like the blog says, but now that I think of it, that's the clock I'm operating on. Oh, thats a sickly hour.

goodbye family and E town!

Yesterday was really difficult. I said goodbye to my family at the airport. Previous to the car ride there, my mom and I had a lovely breakfast together and then my good friend Jacinda (the friend I went to Spain with earlier in the summer) came to surprise me with a visit! Already, my spirits felt lifted. We looked at pictures from our trip and she let me know that everything was going to be ok! So, I said yesterday was difficult. But, I haven't actually gotten to the difficult part yet. Once we got to the airport, got checked in, I took one look at my family - and the waterworks turned on full blast! We hugged each other, my parents told me they were proud of me, we cried and cried. (hmmm. I'm finding blogging therapeutic.) Wow, I can't believe I won't see them for a while now. At least not until the webcam, right Dad!? I'm excited for that. I can't even begin to say how grateful I am to you guys for your support over the last few weeks.

I was greeted in the airport in Hamilton by my friends. Ahh, that felt better. Teary plane rides, not recommended.

At this very moment, I'm sitting beside some good friends in Waterloo, Ontario. My friends Jerilee and Mark, who got married earlier in the summer, have graciously let me stay at their house for the next few days before leaving for Osaka tuesday morning. It has been good to be here after feeling heart sick with saying goodbye to my family and everything. (oh my goodness, Mark just put on his "DANGER MEN COOKING" apron! I'm laughing) We spent the day at St. Jacobs Market with a bunch of Mennonites. Pretty amazing to see all the horses and buggies around the town - not to mention the interesting haircuts. (or lack thereof)

I think this is going to be my last blog in Canada. Thanks to everyone for faithfully checking to see how I'm doing. I love your comments and your encouragement. Please just pray for a safe plane ride Tuesday (16 hrs baby!), and that I am able to connect well with the other English teachers I will be meeting on the flight.

I can't believe this is actually happening! I will email you all as soon as I can.
Heres to adventures!
Jane.

freak out session

had a little freak-out yesterday. I seem to be having more and more of those lately. Reality is setting in - oh my goodness, I'm really going. I'm actually putting stuff in my suitcase now, selling my car, giving back apartment keys. Mood swings are setting in too. Totally excited - to scared - to totally excited again - to sad - to excited.
Excitement seems to be the general consensus though.

hating goodbyes.

Everyday for the past week and a half, I have had to say goodbye to someone. Goodbyes are a wierd thing. I wish I could just say goodbye all at once, instead of having a whole couple weeks of tears. But, I guess I'm learning that perhaps God creates goodbyes, because He knows hello's are waiting around the corner (or on the other side of the ocean!). Lord, there better be some pretty darn good hellos waiting in Japan! I think this is where He says, "I've got it covered. Don't worry."

just a thought I had.
Only a few more days to go...
Jane.

potentially living in a nutshell. literally.

Just found out today that my home for the next year is Osaka (sounds cool if you stress the "ssssssss" sound)! I have been waiting for this info for a while. My apartment sounds great too. A little worried though when I was reading (and I quote) "Room size is typically measured in tatami, traditional Japanese mats, approximately 3 x 6 feet." So, I thought to myself, I will be living in a closet for the next year. Hmmm. Better pack light.
My friend Megan assured me that this is probably not the size of the whole room, just a mat. I think its most likely walking space in the room - I do have a futon and sliding Japanese doors though!
Just a taste of whats to come, I'm sure. Ha.Ha.

Thanks for stopping by.
Jane.

central heating?

You must check out the Alberta Provincal Museum right now, they have an exhibit on called "From Geisha to Diva" - featuring kimonos of a very famous performer/geisha in Japan in the early 60's. Although the exhibit is in a smaller room, its fascinating! Its amazing that they use kimonos for so many different occasions, customs etc. To clean the kimonos, I found out that they actually have to take the whole thing apart, wash it, hang the pieces to dry and then stitch it up again. Too much work if you ask me. But, I guess if the matieral is so expensive and delicate, it makes sense.

Funny thing I found out the other day. In Japanese apartments, there is no central heating. Often people will just have their own little space heater, but there is also the option of heated toilet seats as well. Just crank 'er right up, and it will heat your apartment no problem (or your bum, you know, whatever suits your fancy.)

Ps. I changed the blog so that now anyone can comment, not just bloggers or registered users. So, feel free to comment anytime you like. (thanks for the tip Sarah!)

Thanks for checking in.
12 days until I leave E town!

japan at heritage festival edmonton

A lady at the Japan exhibit wrote my name on a bookmark in Japanese characters. I love it.

The heritage fest today really inspired me. We stopped to watch these incredible Japanese drummers. If anyone has seen these before, you know that it gives you extreeme goosbumps. You can feel the power and the passion behind the people. Perhaps, when I finally get to Japan at the end of August, I may want to take up drumming.

leaving soon...

Only 24 more days until I leave for Osaka, Japan. Stay tuned...there is more to come!