The past couple weeks at school have been all about goodbyes. Not just for the third years, but for some teachers too. All teachers in Kagoshima prefecture are required to fulfill their "island duty" at some point in their teaching career. They are expected to dedicate five years to their island school! Some teachers even… Continue reading The End of the Japanese School Year and JET Interview Resuts
Category: JET Life
Celebrating Green and White Holidays in Japan
White Day March 14th is White Day in Japan. If you don't know what it is, I promise it`s not nearly as bad as it sounds. White Day is simply a day designated for boys to return sweets to the girls who gave them something on Valentine's Day. After a couple friends asked me why… Continue reading Celebrating Green and White Holidays in Japan
The First Perfect Island Day of 2016
I wrote this post last night. I came home from an amazing day and needed to turn my experience into words. Here you go. Today. I need to put a day like today in words. Right after it's happened. When I can still feel the palpable heat of the sun on my face and it makes my head… Continue reading The First Perfect Island Day of 2016
An Island Girl in the Big City (Again)
This past weekend, I decided to overnight ferry to the mainland for a weekend getaway to Kagoshima City. If I want to spend time in the city, the overnight ferry from Amami to Kagoshima is the most convenient way for me to travel for several reasons. 1) The port is only a five minute drive from… Continue reading An Island Girl in the Big City (Again)
Japanese High School Graduation
My high school's graduation ceremony was on March 1st. The Japanese school year begins in April, but graduation happens in the beginning of March, midweek, while first and second year students still have classes. It was a fun cultural experience to attend a Japanese graduation because it was so different than a high school graduation… Continue reading Japanese High School Graduation
I See the Light (And Other Things in Nagasaki)
Last week, I traveled to Nagasaki for the Chinese Lantern Festival. This was my first trip to a part of Japan that was not a part of Kagoshima or Tokyo, so I was really excited to go. I took the overnight ferry from Amami to Kagoshima Wednesday night, and then my friend and I traveled… Continue reading I See the Light (And Other Things in Nagasaki)
Homemade Chocolates
On February 14th in Japan, all of the pressure falls on the girls to give chocolates to the boys. Except the girls don't just buy a box of Russell Stover chocolates for their Valentines. Many of them go all out and make HOMEMADE chocolates. The adorable little chocolate to the right was a gift from… Continue reading Homemade Chocolates
Yoga in Japan(ese)
Last weekend, I tried out my first yoga class on the island. I have been wanting to take a yoga class down here since I arrived, but I only knew about classes that met during the week. And when you're a teacher, a yoga class at 10 am on a Wednesday is not possible. But… Continue reading Yoga in Japan(ese)
It Will Always Be the Little Things
There is something special about the time one spends living abroad. Wherever you are in the world, you are bound to have experiences that are truly unique to you and your situation. I had one of those experiences last night. D and I decided to brave the downpour and go out to sing karaoke with… Continue reading It Will Always Be the Little Things
The JET Interview-My Experience and How to Prepare
"The time has come," the walrus said, "To talk of many things:of shoes--and ships--and sealing wax--" of the JET Interview--and how to prepare. I want to share my JET interview experience, and all the anxiety I had the weeks leading up to it. My hope is that this will ease the minds of some applicants who… Continue reading The JET Interview-My Experience and How to Prepare
The Becca Jar 