Meetings!

As promised, here's today's second edition. First rainy day in japan,
everybody break out the umbrellas. Today i had meetings with my
counterpart, Aki. We planned out our class and met with the personnel
people. Routine stuff. Then we had lunch at the "Big Papa" cafeteria
on campus. I had the curry with pork filet. Delicious. I could get
used to the Japanese food every day. I gave out my first omiyagi,
souvenir, to someone who helped me with the personnel issues. And i've
been doing a lot of introductions: hajimemashite, doozo yoroshiko,
watashi wa jefu mattison desu. These are the phrases that I use.

Thursday the Junior High school staff will be going on a retreat to
have concentrated meetings on the opening of the second school term.
We're supposed to have On Sen, hot springs, and nice meals. Should be
a good place to get better acquainted with the rest of the staff.
Meanwhile, I'll be going jogging and wandering to get a better feel of
the place. If you'd like to mail me a letter, my new address is:

1-3-8 Kami-Kotoen, A102
Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo-ken
662-0813
JAPAN

Thanks for reading and stay in touch!

not lost but need lots of translation

It`s my first half week in Japan. I wish I kept this blog more of a
daily thing. But perhaps it reflects my adjustment as not being a
rhythmic thing. Nishinomiya is a town of 300,000 people. I live 5
blocks from the train and grocery store, 8 blocks from school, and
have a nice relatively big apartment. More updates later in the
afternoon!

a day in paradise

Honolulu, Hawaii - I'm finally on my way to Japan. Staying in Mililani
with my cousina and his wonderful family. Its a wonderful 80 degrees
with a mild breeze and some humidity. There's a typhoon looming over
Osaka, so I may have to stay in paradise another day. Darn. It was
hard leaving LA, but with the love and support of my girfriend and
brother and sister-in-law, I know I won't be alone in this adventure.
More updates soon!

--
visit Jeff's blog at http://braveneword.blogspot.com

Back in the Saddle

So its been almost 3 months since my last blog update. Since that time I've revised my portfolio for a second submission, been dating a wonderful woman named Gilda, moved out of Monterey, and been a facilitator at the English Language Village of Concordia Language Villages. Its two weeks away from my departure to Japan. I'm on the farewell tour, visiting family and friends. Gilda came with me to Minnesota to camp and she's with me here in Chicago now. We've had a good time visiting where I grew up in Naperville and downtown Chicago. Today we part paths for a week, when I go to Connecticut to see Jen and David and Gilda goes to Los Angeles. I'll try to update from each stop on the tour to get warmed up again with the blogging.