Figuring things out!

The Little Things We Often Take for Granted: A Week of Adjustments and New Beginnings

My week has been a whirlwind of administrative tasks and new experiences, each highlighting how much we take everyday conveniences for granted.

Banking Woes and Wonders

My week began with multiple trips to the bank, an eye-opener regarding how different things can be. Setting up my account involved writing my address in Kanji—three times in a space so tiny it felt like a test of patience and precision. The process wasn’t straightforward either; names here are written in the order of surname, given name, and middle name, which was a challenge for me. I even managed to mess up the form once, leading to a rather humbling experience of asking for a new one. The Japanese bank employees were incredibly patient, but I still felt a pang of guilt every time I had to request another form. 😔

The Internet Saga

The next day, I tackled setting up the internet with the help of our JET Coordinator. The process took about an hour, and I’m eagerly awaiting the technician's visit in about eight days to get everything fully hooked up. In the meantime, I am walking upstairs to use my colleague's internet every day. Finally, I had to switch my SIM card since the one I got in Tokyo wasn’t working well. On the bright side, I now have a new Japanese phone number that’s easy to remember!

Car Chronicles

After sorting out the internet, I picked up my car. I knew it would be small and basic, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it’s an automatic with air conditioning and runs smoothly. While it's definitely more compact than American cars, it will be perfect for errands and weekend adventures around Japan. The car will be handy for my daily commute, though I’ll mostly walk. Fudodo Middle School is just a 5-minute stroll away, and Fudodo Elementary is a mere 11 minutes on foot.  My car is on the right.  

Welcome to my latest adventure, where driving in Japan has become my new brain teaser! Imagine this: you’re used to driving on the right side of the road, only to find out that you’re suddenly on the left here. The seat belt crosses right to left, the blinkers are on the right, and the windshield wipers are on the left. Yep, I managed to turn on the wipers at least three times on my first day. If you see someone driving around with a windshield perpetually smeared, that’s probably me! 

On the plus side, driving through the Japanese countryside is like a relaxing Sunday drive, but every day. People are courteous, traffic is light, and everyone seems to follow the rules—no honking or road rage here. Of course, there are challenges galore: remembering which direction to pull out can feel like a puzzle, the roads are narrow enough to make you question if your car is on a diet, and reading signs in a language I’m still mastering adds an extra layer of fun. And let’s not forget, I’m now speeding (or rather, not speeding) in kilometers per hour. So far, it’s been a wild ride, and I love every twist and turn—even if it means occasionally swiping my windshield clean when I meant to signal a turn!

School Schedule Insights

Now, let’s talk about my school schedule. I’ve got an *A* day and *B* day system, with *B* days being slightly modified for events, which means shorter classes. Here’s a look at my schedule:

I can already tell it will be a busy year, balancing my time between middle and elementary school. It’s a lot to manage, but I’m excited about the challenge and the experiences ahead!

 

Evacuation notice!

Just when I thought my Japanese adventure couldn’t be more eventful, Mother Nature decided to throw in her own surprise! This past weekend, Typhoon Number 4 decided Miyagi Prefecture was its next destination. By Friday night, the weather had become the hot topic of every conversation—mainly because we were getting hourly updates from our weather app and Safety Japan App, each accompanied by an alarm loud enough to wake the dead.  

                

Saturday afternoon brought a delightful evaluation notice over the town’s public broadcasting speakers, specifically aimed at the elderly and those in need. Nothing says “welcome to Japan,” like a town-wide announcement reminding everyone to prepare for a typhoon. 

But here's the silver lining: the typhoon decided to change its plans and veered north, so instead of a full-blown weather apocalypse, we only got a nice, refreshing downpour and a bit of blustery wind. So, no need for an ark just yet—just a friendly reminder that in Japan, even the weather knows how to make an entrance!

As I navigate these new systems and schedules, I’m reminded of the little things we often take for granted. From simple tasks like banking and setting up utilities to adapting to a new car and school schedule, it’s all part of the adventure. Here’s to embracing the learning curve and making the most of every moment!