Pre-Departure Musings

I just got back from the dentist. Today, I finished the process of getting my first crown! This year has been so busy for my dental work. Earlier this year, a cavity turned into an severely abscessed (and PAINFUL) tooth which led to my first root canal which led to my first crown. I also got all 4 of my wisdom teeth extracted this year ⁀(⊙﹏☉)⁀ But it all ended today and I'm finally caught up so yay. I'm also caught up with immunizations since I got my tetanus shot (which I have a still have a knot on my arm from, ouch). I've also obtained my International Driving Permit from AAA, just in case I decide to drive in Japan. I've printed out the forms to prepare a will and grant Power of Attorney to my dad but my IRS form 6166 hasn't come yet which is bugging me. I reeeally hope it gets here before I leave! Only 9 more days... It's so crazy how everything is coming together.

The Home Stretch

My head is swimming in a sea of anxiety... But my heart still floats! It's getting so close to departure that each passing day feels major. 18 days until I leave America, as of right now. I'm officially in the teens. Slowly but surely, I'm chipping away at my to-do list. Even so, it feels like every time I cross something off, I think of about 3 more things I need to do (一。一;;）As it stands, I should complete the following list within the next 2 weeks and 4 days.

*last updated: July 27*

• Get a haircut
• RSVP to Nashville Pre-Departure Orientation
• Finish dental work
• Update my tetanus shot
• Start a YouTube account
• Shop for new business clothes
• Stock up on essential toiletries
• Dye my roots
• Pack and send winter clothes to Japan
• Pack and send picture books to Japan
• Ride horses on my granddad's farm
• Have dinner with a former JET & friend of my mom
• Finish preparing my 15-minute introduction
• Print recent pictures of my house and family
• Collect more Memphis memorabilia
• Grant power of attorney to my dad
• Get international driver's license from AAA
• Set up payment for student loans
• Receive IRS form 6166
• Ask my bank about international card use
• Ask my cell carrier about tethering on my iPhone
• Set up lowest form of car insurance
• Import pictures from my phone onto my laptop
• Prepare a will
• Withdraw savings
• Measure dimensions of my suitcases
• Pack everything!

Overview of Ehime

For no particular reason, I just really wanted to do a post about the prefecture I'll be living in, Ehime-ken! (Probably because the closer I get to departure, the more obsessive I become -.-') So yea I mentioned this in a previous post but I'll reiterate: Japan's prefectures are roughly equivalent to what states are in America. Like I'm from Memphis, Tennessee, USA but I will live in Yawatahama, Ehime, Japan. I also previously noted that Ehime's kanji (愛媛) directly translates to "love princess," (traditional translation is "beloved/beautiful maiden") which is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard. To get a sense of exactly where in Ehime I will live, check my placement post! Now then, let's discover more about...

Ehime's flag

Ehime (pronounced eh・he・meh) truly is a hidden treasure – a place where natural beauty and industry meet ヽ(愛´∀｀媛)ノ!

Intro to My Apartment

One thing I've been particularly anxious about is seeing my apartment for the first time once I get there. It will be where I sleep, eat, recollect and well... Live, after all! So far, I haven't seen any pictures of the inside but I do know my exact address which has allowed me to get a few pictures of *what I believe to be* the outside of it via google earth (PS you can click the pictures to enlarge)ヽ(〃v〃)ﾉ~

front view

left side street view

right side street view

 Look at those big green mountains ♡ ‿ ♡ Haha! But, luckily, I do have more information than just that.

Sailor Moon Musical

YES OMG FHBCKAHBFCB, YOU GUYS. It's sooo cool that this is happening..  After almost a decade, this is like a revival !! This musical will only be shown in Japan though, which is sad for all of my fellow Americans. Luckily for me, it's from September 13-23 in Tokyo which is about a 2-3 hour trip from Yawatahama. I'd have to take an hour-long train ride to Matsuyama and then an hour-long plane ride to Tokyo but ahh! I feel like it may be worth that, plus the $68 admission fee. I just wish I could understand what they're saying ; ~ ;

My Mascots

Japan's cuteness has overwhelmed me yet again.

You know how sports teams have mascots and then that mascot subsequently becomes the symbol for the whole town? Like, we're the Memphis Tigers. We also have the Redbirds and the Grizzlies but the mascot for U of M is the tiger. Anyway, it's generally just represented by an animal or some type of person (titans, saints, pirates, knights, etc), right? Well in Japan, they design detailed characters for prefectures, regions, towns and it doesn't stop there. Mascots also exist for certain castles, police stations, ski resorts, mountains, nature parks, shopping streets, foods, bullet trains, festivals and sooo much more. Like: you know that big brown square guy with the wide-open mouth and sharp teeth, Domo? He's actually the mascot for Japan's NHK television station. Many businesses in Japan understand the positive impact that a mascot can make on their customers, so it's an extremely common thing. Not to mention they're SO CUTE! We do have corporate mascots in the US like the Geico gecko, Ronald McDonald and the Trix rabbit but Japan takes it to a whole new level. These unique, one-of-a-kind and sometimes downright weird characters not only exist in 2D illustrations, they also all have very well-made 3D mascot costumes. Here are just a few examples:

Dreams of Japan

I plan to do sooo much while I'm in Japan, just as anyone would! I'll be there to connect with my coworkers, students, and community but I also definitely want to take time to travel. This is an initial checklist of things I want to do and see. By the way, these are in no particular order!

Take a ferry to Beppu and experience its famous onsen (hot springs)

More about Honai Town

I got this really great e-mail from the Ehime AJET group that gave me tons of information about.. well, EVERYTHING I might need to know! I also got the second e-mail from my predecessor which is hdbehsvefkgvf just SO exciting and, AND I received my Notice of Appointment and Terms and Conditions from my CO (Contracting Organization) in the mail! It's sooo cool to hold a package with a real YAWATAHAMA stamp on it ♡＾▽＾♡