My COE--Certificate of Eligability--came yesterday morning. They shipped it out late the day before, and it was already to Oakland by before midnight. Its crazy how fast they can do that stuff!

Anywho, I got my COE. It is what I need to trade for my Visa. Essentially it says that I have the right to work in Japan. I think it looks kinda cool. (Ignore the awful photo of me.)

I went to go get my International Driving Permit from AAA today, but they were out. XD So I have to go back later in the week. I have to get one because I have to drive in Japan. I hope I will be okay driving on the left side of the road. >.< At least its the middle of nowhere! Haha.

After that I went to go get pics for my visa and the IDP. Man those passport photos are a ripoff! $9.99 for 2 photos, and then 39 cents each photo after that. But whatever. And of course, I can't take a good pic to save my life. *sigh*

My last stop was at Borders. I wanted to get some kids books to take with me. It was hard because I am not sure what their reading level would be, but from what I looked at, I assumed it would be comparable to around 3rd or 4th grade in America. (And that is probably shooting high.) I also bought a book on California and a cool map of the greater Los Angeles area. More than being an English teacher, I'm supposed to be a cultural ambassador. I wanted to find a book with a bunch of pictures, and I did in "Our California". I also got a cute passport and luggage tag.















Yesterday I went to the 99 cents store and bought some "omiyage", or gifts, for my new coworkers and landlord. Omiyage are a pain cause they are gonna take up room in my suitcase and you don't know how much you need. But its kinda expected of you, and I want to make a good first impression. And candy is always a safe bet, so this is what I got.

Haha, you can see my feet! I also got a couple of hand towels and some wafers for my landlord. :)

Microfiber! Yeaaaaah. Its all coming together!

xoxo Stephie

Hello everyone!

This blog will be a source for ya'll to see what I am up to when I am over in Japan. :D

If you were not yet aware, I am going to be teaching English in Japan from July 11, 2001 to March 31st, 2012. I will be teaching in a place called Yamatsuri, in Hashishirakawa District, Fukushima Prefecture Japan. Below is a picture of Japan, and the "A" is where I am. The next picture is a close up of the town.


Yamatsuri is a little mountain town in Touhoku, or Northern Japan. It has a population of 6,570 with 55.57 people/km^2. This number is significant in my case because it contains the number "555" You might know that "555" is a "lucky number" for me. My grandparents, before they passed away, lived at "555 E Rosewood Ct". I see the number often, and it is sort of a "sign". When I went to UCLA and I was doubting my decision, it was comforting to learn that my room number was "555"! (I mean, what is the chance of that?)

Anywho, besides the lucky element, it shows how tiny the town is. (Yamatsuri has a special program where when you have a 3rd child you get ¥5000 (around $6200). Haha.) Rancho Cucamonga (my hometown) has a population of 165,269 with a density of 1600.5/km^2. That's over 29 times the density of Yamtsuri! @_@ Although to be fair, around 70% of the city is forested. Even Crestline, a town in the San Bernardino mountains, has 297.5/km^2. I think I'm gonna be the only foreigner around... >.>

Yamatsuri has cool things like city symbols. They have a city bird, tree and flower, which are the Oriental Turtle Dove, Japanese Red Pine, and Azalea respectfully.













Why don't we have cool city symbols? I guess Rancho has grapes, right?

I will be teaching English at the Jr high school there, and at kindergartens and elementary schools on occasion. Here is a picture of my home base!

I am very happy being placed at Yamatsuri. Unlike a lot of ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), I wanted to be in a rural location, and Touhoku was my first pick. I became a bit nervous about Touhoku after the earthquake and tsunami, but Yamatsuri is a good deal away from the main damage points. It is also outside of the 80km saftey zone surrounding the Fukushima Nuclear Plant, for anyone who is worried.

Because Yamatsuri is closer to the east coast of Japan, the winters aren't as cold and there isn't as much snow. They do get some cold winds though--but I can handle that. And because it is in northern Japan, the summers aren't as hot and humid. (And boy can it get humid @_@)

As for things to do--they have a HUGE swimming complex.

And a lot of naturey things to do too. I am very excited.Oh! And onsen! (hot springs) Can't forget about those! They are beautiful too.

Thats all for now. I have to go pack--not looking forward to it. XD I wanna take only one checked bag, and a carry on. So I have to make it only 50 pounds. >.< Its hard to pack ur whole life into a suitcase. Space bags will help at least! haha

If you wanna see more about Yamatsuri, look here!

<3 Stephie