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
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! hahaIf you wanna see more about Yamatsuri, look here!
<3 Stephie
9:23 AM |
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Comments (3)
Good luck, Stephanie! I'm actually pursuing the same path as soon as I finish my degree, so I'm very interested to hear about your experience. I'll follow your blog to see how it is. Good luck, though! Hopefully you'll have a blast.
Thank you Day! I have a ton of information about various companies in Japan that you can teach with, so when you get to that point, please don't hesitate to ask me for advice if you need too! I do suggest starting with the JET Program. They pay the most, but the application process is more rigorous. I am teaching through Interac. I have liked their treatment of me so far. :)
Haha, I'm a little late, but this post made me so excited for you again xD And I wanted to sympathize with the packing your life into a suitcase. I had more than two suitcases when I moved to Illinois, but it was scary. I'm enjoying "living vicariously" through your blog and hope you are doing well :]