*This post was originally published on Kagoshima AJET`s blog on November 17th. Like most prefectural ALTs, I didn’t find out exactly where I would be placed in Kagoshima until about a month before my departure. I dreamed about all the different places I could end up—the Osumi or Satsuma peninsula, Kagoshima City, or one of… Continue reading The Island Experience
Category: Island Life
Culture Day in Japan
November third was Culture Day in Japan. A day to celebrate culture (obviously) through dance, song, and parades. Kagoshima had a big festival in the city and everyone was in some kind of uniform singing, dancing, taiko-drumming, and celebrating in the streets. Geographically, Amami is a part of Kagoshima prefecture, but realistically, we are 230… Continue reading Culture Day in Japan
The Misty Mountains of Yakushima
Last week was Silver Week in Japan--a string of September holidays that comes around once every five years. I feel lucky for Silver Week to have fallen during my year in Japan, so I seized the opportunity to travel somewhere new. My school approved my two days of nenkyu (paid time off) for Thursday and… Continue reading The Misty Mountains of Yakushima
My Quirky, Island Apartment
I had planned to write a nice long post about my teaching experiences, but I'm putting that on hold so I can talk about my quirky apartment situation in Japan. My fourth-floor apartment has a lot of...charm. The utilities are quite old, so my washing machine, shower, and AC all require tricks for them to work… Continue reading My Quirky, Island Apartment
An Island Girl in the Big City (My First iPhoto Blog!)
My original trip to Kagoshima City was cut short because of Typhoon Goni, but I didn't want to let a little rain and wind keep me from enjoying myself, so I stayed the weekend after my two-day orientation for sight seeing, Uniqlo-shopping, and making new friends! Islander Observation: The atmosphere of the city is so different… Continue reading An Island Girl in the Big City (My First iPhoto Blog!)
Oh Goni, Goni, wherefore art though Goni?
Dear Reader, I come home last night after a great day at the beach and then a super-sweaty run around my city. There has been talk of a typhoon hitting southern Japan since Friday (the cause for concern even postponed my trip to Kagoshima), but this weekend was gorgeous. A nearly cloudless sky and really warm… Continue reading Oh Goni, Goni, wherefore art though Goni?
Island Sunshine and Island Rain
Hello, everyone! I had plans to write on Sunday, but I had a discouraging night so I didn't feel like writing (more on that later.) But I wanted to post something before I leave for Kagoshima for a week of orientation, Japanese language and cultural lessons, and shenanigans. But no fireworks display because that pesky… Continue reading Island Sunshine and Island Rain
The Becca Jar 