The Truth is Never Simple

(Obvious answer: Of course you did. But sometimes even knowing that, and previous experience with jetlag, doesn't prepare you for exhaustion.) Orientation is a tiring time and while there are some people with the stamina to not only attend all the events but go out and enjoy themselves I am not that person. Never had been. So if you want an account of how a person who needs sleep to function handles Tokyo orientation then I'm your person! So we start off at Toronto's Pearson Airport. A big airport and busy on the day of our departure. We check in and drop our bags. I was so lucky that mine were both underweight, made things less stressful. The entire morning we just keep spotting one another and it's a very exciting experience. We're all nervous and excited. We make it to our gate early and it's there we begin to meet other JETs. Turns out Ottawa, Montreal and the Maritimes JETs are all connecting through Toronto and joining us on our 13 hour flight. It was ...

So, you're moving to another country temporarily. This is going to be for a few years but not forever. What do you bring? What do you leave back home with family, friends or in storage? Well my friends you've come to the right place! I've done this once before in 2014 when moving to South Korea and I'm doing it again right now for Japan. I also traveled for 1 month through the United States and Canada back in 2016 and did that with only a small carry on suitcase (no checked bags). In terms of luggage here's what I'm bringing: 2 large suitcases, 1 carry on suitcase and 1 backpack. I am going to be obeying the weight restrictions and not going over the limit of 50lbs for each of my checked bags. I shall also be shipping the two large suitcases from Narita airport to my final destination and keeping only my backpack and carry on suitcase with me. That means, for the 3 days or so in Tokyo, I shall be living out of a small suitcase. THIS IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE! Ther...

I hate saying goodbyes. There's a reason that I rarely document my going-away festivities. I don't take a lot of pictures, no group pictures. I don't like the cakes. I don't like speeches. I don't like the final hugs and I definitely don't like saying goodbye. I distance myself emotionally from farewells on purpose. I crack jokes. I remain casual. Instead of saying 'Goodbye' I say 'I'll see you later'. I refuse to let other people cry or get emotional and I definitely don't get emotional myself. I think it partly comes from my dislike of finality. I know reality of the situation and I don't like purposefully putting an end to it. The truth of the matter is that going away from Canada for several years will end some relationships. There are people that I've met in my lifetime that were friends but then we moved far away from one another and we're not...close friends anymore. We are still connected on facebook, we'll sti...

So, you've decided to apply to the JET programme. Good for you! It's an industrious undertaking and it'll take a lot of patience and research. There are definitely some things you should know going into it. In November you submit an online application that involves a lengthy questionnaire, two reference letters and also a two-page essay detailing your desires in the program. You want to stand out! Write and rewrite your essay. Pour your heart into it and then get as many people to read it as possible. Make sure your words are carefully chosen, don't waste time with filler and fluff because you only have two pages. Make it count. Also, get reference letters from people who know you well! Some of you might be in university/college when you apply and thus seek out professors. That's great! But perhaps some individuals are like myself. When I applied to JET I was 5 years out of University. I did not have any contact with former professors and asking for a form recomme...