Meibutsu

A volunteer family in Takeo will be opening their home to me. Their generosity will allow me to experience an ordinary Japanese life for one night. The Japanese are very gracious people and enjoy giving gifts. When they travel they buy meibutsu (the handicrafts or delicacies special to a locality) for friends and family. A coffee table book (picture book) of North Carolina and a t-shirt from WCA will serve as a hostess gift. I will also take pictures of Raleigh, my family and house, WCA and my students. I think this will be a nice icebreaker to help them get to know me. I am looking forward to this special opportunity but I must admit to being a little nervous about this visit! There may not be anyone in the home that speaks English! I intend to keep my English to Japanese dictionary handy!

Ning

IIE (the folks who are organizing this trip) created a social network for the teachers and administrators on Ning. The network has helped us to get to known each other, share ideas, and make plans before we head off half way around the world together. A lot of good information has been shared. Discussion group have ranged from packing and what to wear to what projects we will work on when we return from Japan. I started a discussion group to see who would like to travel to Kyoto and Nara on our day off. It looks like I ವಿಲ್ have some traveling companions! I’ll say more about that excursion later.

Less than a month to go

I am looking into using Skype to web cast from Japan. If everything works out, I will see and hear my students and they will see and hear me! This could be tricky with the 14-hour time difference and the uncertainty of service in Japan. I will give it a try! I am also putting together a plan for a web site. I will post the link here when it is ready.

What else am on working on…..Oh, yes packing. I must fit three weeks worth of clothes and stuff in one suitcase! Yes, one suitcase. This is going to be interesting! I think I will do a practice run on packing this weekend. The Japanese dress more formally than Americans. The women teachers must wear suits, hose and closed toed shoes everyday. We want to put our best foot forward. So see …..WCA’s dress code is not so strict after all!

The Japanese do not wear shoes in their homes, schools, or many other buildings. Before entering the building, they take off their shoes and put on slippers. This helps to keep the interior of the building clean. Makes sense, doesn’t it! How many of you take off your shoes at the door when you get home?

How I started down this path….

For the past 5 years I have taken a group of students to Europe in June. While on one of these trips, I met a gentleman named Rick who was a former JFMFer. He encouraged me to apply for the program. I applied in December and found out I was accepted in March. While in Europe this June, I met another former JFMFer named Jeff. This was my golden opportunity to ask questions about the program! Jeff was very patient and kind and answered all my questions. I am very thankful to Rick and Jeff for getting me started on the adventure of a lifetime!