PRE-DEPARTURE; Less than a week left, and I will be in Japan

With less than a week left before I leave, I am very excited, but at the same time I keep feeling like I want to "put down roots" or stay put strongly. I mentioned this feeling to my sister who also studied abroad in Japan and she said she had the same feelings.

A month before it was time to leave we felt ready to go at the drop of a hat! But as it got closer and closer we feel/felt like digging in our heels a bit. Just a little.

Obviously I want to go to Japan, but in the back of my head I keep doing things like thinking of planting more veggies for the fall, even though I won't be here to harvest them, or getting a wind chime like I just did even though I only have a week left of summer to enjoy it for this year.

I have been focusing on silly, stupid things like "I hope my house isn't too dirty when I get back", and the like.

Just little things like that, it's almost like I'm quietly resisting in my nervousness. But then I think of all that I want to do and accomplish, and my mood changes to excited! Because I am completely excited for my study experience!

I have been in contact with Hosonosan, and Izumimoto from Nara University of Education, so I have an idea of what to expect when I arrive.

I will be picked up from the airport and taken to my dorm on the North section. On a side note I am renting a Futon set (blanket) which is cleaned once a month for me. I believe it is about $80 for 4 months?

Currently Japan and much of Asia is having a heat wave and I hope by the time I arrive it feels more like fall, fingers crossed. Except that I looked at the weather for my arrival and it looks like it's going to be 97 degrees F.

I have my own room that I do not share with a roommate. I am glad for this since I'm the type of person who needs my me-time and a quiet place to retreat to after social events and stressful classtime.

Here are some photos courtesy of Eric Fowler of Nara University of Education:

Nara University of Education International Student House. Courtesy photo Eric Fowler.

Nara University of Education dorm room. Courtesy photo Eric Fowler.

Nara University of Education International Student House. Courtesy photo Eric Fowler.

PRE-DEPARTURE; It's getting close

I have less than two weeks until I leave for Japan for four months to study

2011 alter in a Saitama house.

abroad. When I think about it I get a little nervous, even though I have been before and am confident I can communicate (even if I might sound like a baby learning how to piece together sentences).

I think of that roller coaster of feelings image that the Study Abroad department told us all about at orientation, and I am grateful to know in advance the many stages and vast amount of emotions I will most likely feel during the process before during and after. It's comforting.

2011 topiary in Saitama.

I'm not worried about much, just nervous for no real reasons. I don't really have much that I am nervous about, I just am.

I just went on a weekend vacation trip to spend more time with my boyfriend before I leave, and I think about being away from him for the whole time. Since I live with him and have for years I know I will really miss him during my study.

On the other hand anytime I come across a new documentary about culture in Japan, or get together with Japanese people here and such I feel completely at ease and even excited for the exploration to come.

For example these really get me looking forward to my time in Japan:

First time here: Japan
Japan By Bicycle
Departures: Japan the future
Departures: Japan the past

All in all I think it's going to be great and work out well. I'm absolutely excited to get going, but also will miss someone.

2011, Me trying on a Yukata.

My Revised LIST:

• Laptop
• Camera/cord/rechargeable batteries and charger
• Genki II Japanese textbook, pdf file of basic grammar formulas from Genki I book.
• My 36 views of Japan new word notebook where I write down new vocabulary
• Hairbrush, shampoo-bar, toothbrush, tweezers, citronella essential oil for mosquito repellent, eyeliner.
• Deodorant stone.
• Mini hand cloths aka Tengui 
• Stainless steel waterbottle
• Some paperwork or pdf files of the paperwork for registering for CMU classes while I am abroad, and other papers needed for the study abroad process, visa, passport, flight info etc. 
• Minimal clothing that utilizes layering such as blazers and tanktops.
• Several slacks and dress pants, one blazer, and pajama pants and shirts.
• My cellphone, just so I can have it to call family before I get to Japan, and upon return from Japan.
• A wallet that works well with Japanese coins and bills.
• 1 pair of black tennis shoes for all the walking, they also blend in for formal occasions.
• Gift for my advisor who will be picking me up from the airport, my friend at the university and my friend from Nagoya who will be meeting me in Nara.

PRE-DEPARTURE; Food and Jet-lag Preparation

I.  Food for thought
I often incorporate traditional Japanese foods, and found this to be interesting, food adventures in Japan.

I like to make miso soup and the dashi from raw ingredients, and tend to drink a lot of green tea especially if I can get my hands on some macha. But before my trip I will also be eating more of the Japanese foods in preparation for my time abroad. 

Conveyor belt sushi or Kaitenzushi are a common sight.

It may sound weird but it is something that helps me get in the mindset of the language and embracing the culture in my own way.





II. How I avoid Jet lag and stress

Daikon radish for sale in vending in Saitama

It's a long journey that often has a lot of stress involved, but I avoid Jet-Lag the best I can by taking a few simple steps ahead of time.

The first thing I do is keep hydrated. I try my best especially the week of my flight. By hydrated I mean water, no sugary gatorade or pop. Water, and sometimes coconut water.

Another point is foods. I typically eat healthy. By this I mean I eat more whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, eggs, milk, honey, local meats and the like and also from my own garden.

Bikes are a common mode of transport for adults and  young adults.

I try and stick to this most of the time, but especially when it's time to fly- I especially avoid sugar, processed crap, and load up on the good foods.

Sleep is another key, just try your best to keep up with sleep.  Your brain needs it.

Think healthy happy and encouraging thoughts. I try and think of my goals for where I am planning to go to and this helps me through the stress of flying.

OK so as a recap:

• Hydrate with water
• Eat local fresh good foods and avoid sugar and junk
• Sleep
• Be positive in your thinking

Sounds simple right! Give it a try, works for me.

PRE-DEPARTURE; どこに行きたい？ Where do I want to go?

I. Where do I plan to go? What do I hope to do? And what do I hope to accomplish?

I have a running list of goals for my study abroad and I have made sure to  write down some of my intentions BEFORE I go so I don't forget.  

These goals here below though are more of reminders of the things I want to keep up with, things I want to do and things I really want to avoid.

For example, I definitely want to do things like keeping up with my photography and studies, but do not want to do things like become a shut in who watches Japanese drama's all day because it's easier to watch drama's than face the staring since, I am a foreigner and it is often the case in many areas of Japan that when you don't look similar and blend in people notice-and stare. 

I plan to get out there and do it! Talk with farmers at the market, volunteer to help high schoolers with English, get new and interesting photos of new perspectives, grow as a person, learn more Japanese language and ways, and be a more observant person.

I want to fit all of this in and use it to help me as a journalist who has a background in cultural anthropology to better understand people and help.

II. Places

Of course I want to visit different areas of Japan too!

Part of my service project for one my scholarships has me really interested in regional variance in Japan. Since the country has a lot of variation and areas that are known for some things, or foods, or occupations there is more for me to learn.

Doing the interviews for this, already I know I am only on the surface and there is so much more to learn, but it's so intriguing to learn more about the smaller towns especially!

I can't wait to talk with more Japanese about other areas and get their perspectives.

In the meantime here's a list of some places I plan/hope to visit in Japan during my stay:

• Takashima, home to the human-made channel that comes from Lake Biwa, and seen here: Satoyama Japan's secret water gardens and here is more on the area: Takashima . This is the one place I really am absolutely set on visiting.

• I plan to re-visit the Bunkyo-ku area in Tokyo specifically the Yanaka Ginza area and the road to Ueno I walked before.
  

• I have a vague plan to visit Hokkaido when the snow falls. I don't know when or how or if, but I certainly want to see that heavenly snow zone!

• The bamboo forest
• Yokohama's Ramen Museum
• and more.

III. What do I hope to accomplish?

I plan to gain more exposure, and dig deeper to understand more about the larger and smaller cultures of Japan, gain more knowledge of Japanese for future use, establish connections and network opportunities for foreign correspondence, and bring much of this back with me to share with others also interested in study abroad and Japan specifically.