*No pictures for this post. Was too terrified and overwhelmed to take any pictures. Lesson learnt: Touring Japan and living in it are TWO VEY DIFFERENT THINGS.
Arriving in Sasebo
Day 1:
Was a bundle of NERVES. The sensei who picked me up from the airport speaks excellent English. I mean it, it was beautiful perfect english. I’m so glad that I forgot to thank God, oops.The ride was thankfully not that awkward. We kinda took turns to ask each other questions. There was however, an awkward silence (real silence!) when the music faded away (he was playing MJ’s best collection) and we weren’t talking. Just the engine groaning away. It was the most unnerving 5 seconds of my life.
Arrived in the school. The weather was so darn hot. How I could survive Singapore but not Japan is still a mystery to me. No time to freshen up. Straight I went to the execution gr- sorry, I mean Staff Room. I was so terrified. It seems to be summer vacation now, so I have yet to meet everyone, I mean officially with introduction and all. Was directed to my desk. Left to sit there.
For 5 mins…
And then before I could catch my breath, was re-directed to meet the Real Estate person in the general office. Spent a grueling 20minutes trying to understand house rental contract in Japanese, the Japanese colleagues were very helpful and kind. They translated for me and assured me. Nonetheless, the amount of cash I had to pay on the spot left me somewhat stumped.
When all these were done, that meaning a hole burnt it my pocket, I was directed to the house. On the way, Sato Sensei and Kono-san (a nice office lady) brought me to a supermarket near my house and I bought my first meal in Sasebo. By then, I was SO LOST. My mental state was so bad that I could not even decide on my own bento dinner. I asked Sato Sensei to decide for me, grabbed 2 bottles of water and milk tea and headed straight to my apartment.
Apartment was ok. Big. Too big for me. Two tatami rooms, one bedroom, one toilet, one bathroom and one kitchen. BIG. I bet I’ll never use the tatami rooms. Sato-sensei and Kono-san fixed my TV for me. And after all these hoohaa… I was left alone in my apartment. I was hungry so I ate first before I packed. And as I unpack, I bawled. I cried. I don’t believe it. I CRIED. It’s damn weird. Cried like hell and that made me feel so much better. Spent the rest of the night unpacking and trying to make myself feel more at home. Then ended the day… my first lonely night in Sasebo which left me in a terrified stupor.
Day 2:
Another colleague came to pick me up in the morning cos I’d no idea how to get to school. Was left alone at my desk again. Went through the stuff on the desk and found fantastic teaching materials. Afternoon came and I was spirited away by Kono-san and Hyodo Sensei, the colleague who picked me up, to the City Hall where I registered my Alien Registration Card. The two ladies brought me to have some lunch and helped me find a place where I can withdraw Yen from my Singapore account. But they spend most of the time talking among themselves… I was left pretty much alone.
Went back to school. Stoned. Leafed through the materials. Made notes and some brief sketches of lesson plans. Waited for Ogawa Sensei, my supervisor to show me the bus stop and bus route blah blah… Bus system here is somewhat complicated… some things here just do not make sense. For e.g. a rice bowl in size S, M and L cost the same in a shokudo near my place. I don’t get it. WHY? I don’t get it. It’s the not the same size!!!! The bus card too, works on a system that seems to defy logic. Case in point: Point A is my house. Point B is my first school. Point C is my second school. Point D is the shopping district, the city’s center. The bus card comes in 5000yen from point A to B. 8000 yen from A to C. 10000yen from A to D. I’m supposed to buy one. IF I buy the first card, I can’t use it to go D. If I buy the 10000yen one, there’s no premium or lucrative reason to do so such as each ride is cheaper if I buy the expensive one. MAKES NO SENSE AIN’T IT?
Grocery shopped again. It’s stressful shopping with people here. You feel so bad wasting their time… and for the first time in my life I buy water on a daily basis. I cannot use tap water as drinking water, NOT EVEN the boiled ones. I buy big 5l bottles and fill them up at supermarkets.
Went back and headed out again, this time by myself to check out the neighborhood. Plenty of stores… but still have to walk a bit. Apartment lacks plenty of things though it was already quite well furnished. Rice cooker, electric water heater, pots, pans, blankets, pillows and towels seemed ok… but I am uncomfortable with the idea of using someone else’s things (from my predecessor, she washed them for me though…) that I went out to buy. Spent 2 days and I’ve yet to finish buying… new blanket, pillow, bolster are in. I prettied up the toilet with interesting decorations and flowers, it’s lacking a air freshener and cleaning products. Bathroom is ok. I bought in door slippers and some cleaning stuff from general cleaning. I’m obsessed with keeping my apartment clean now I’m doing it. Mum, I feel you now. I wish you’re here with me to clean for me!!!!
Need to buy detergent, softener and bleach. DAMN.
Got a new kettle, not pot nor pan. Unsure if I should cook. Maybe not.
Day 3
Ogawa sensei came to pick me up. Attended the first teacher’s meeting in the staffroom. It’s so Japanese. Uniformed, in order and rather scary. Left alone again. School’s having open house so I followed Ogawa sensei around. Ate my own packed lunch from left overs last night. Then, someone brought mangos and mandarin oranges. My first vitamin C!!!!
Food. Oh god. I eat bad. I keep eating bentos from supermarket. And I can’t finish them, so I keep leaving them for the next day. So one bento can last me two meals. And it taste bad the next day. Still eats them. Craving for something wholesome, homecooked and NOT COLD. I’m deprived of greens and fruits. FRUITS here are so darn expensive!!!
Went to open a bank account.
Checked out cell phone plans. So confusing.
Still without internet and cell phone. I feel so alone.
Ogawa brought me to the farmer’s market because I asked where has cheap fresh stuff. It turned out to be up north, at the foot of some mountain. This place is surrounded with mountains. Everywhere, you see MOUNTAINS. Bought passionfruits! Yay Vitamin C! And had a taste of some well known ice cream made from milk produced in this region. Didn’t see the cows though. But the place is a nice cosy place where people can hang out. Will come back again when I have a bike.
Came back and grocery shopped again. Lugged a blanket, pillow, bolster and groceries home, thus prompting a nice obaasan who was doing a evening jog to ask me if I am doing ok. I wish I drive.
Tomorrow is sat. I’m free. I’ll sleep in or hang about town. Or yeah, do my laundry!!!!! Faints. Sun has school. I know. Bomb memorial day. I’ll be formerly introduced to the school. I have to do a speech. AM SO FREAKING OUT.
Sniffles…
Sake Matsuri!!! 飲んで飲んで飲んで飲んで！
Nagasaki Peace Park
Finally get to meet Marisa after a year! 
My crib for a year or perhaps more?