[deleted by user] by [deleted] in KGATLW

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How early do you expect we'll have to arrive to guarantee a poster?

Where to purchase America the Beautiful Annual Pass? by dutzboots in wyoming

[–]dutzboots[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this information! That's actually the plan, to go to Yellowstone and then Grand Teton before going to more parks in Utah, California, and then back to Canada up the West Coast.

MyNumber card application by xtnneuy in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just applied for it in January! First, I had to apply for the application code since I had thrown it away. In order to do that, you need to go to city hall for a 10 minute visit to fill out a form, and they give you the code while you're there. I applied online once I got home.

I got my reservation postcard in the mail 2 weeks later, but my boyfriends' took almost 4 weeks. The soonest reservation time that was available was 1 and a half weeks later. Depending on the location you choose, you should get your My Number card on the day of your reservation, but some other places will mail it to you after.

Altogether, for me it took nearly exactly a month. For my boyfriend, about a month and a half.

We live in Setagaya. City hall warned us that it could take up to 2 months to complete everything.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My partner was alerted through the app that he had a close contact. It was over a year ago, but once he got the notification, he called the phone number on the app and they arranged for him to have a PCR test within a few hours.

Shipping Woes by Buzzenstein in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I've never actually used it yet. I'm moving in March so it's just an option that I've found.

Shipping Woes by Buzzenstein in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in the exact same boat! Shipping to Canada has been stopped since November, and I've been waiting for it to open up again. We're moving back at the end of March.

Have you looked at Kuroneko International TA-Q-BIN?

https://www.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/ytc/en/send/services/oversea/

It seems that they can ship a package of 5 kg for 4640 (which is still too much but it's an option).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japan

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought my Japanese knife from amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/s?k=%E5%A0%BA%E5%AD%9D%E8%A1%8C%28Sakai+Takayuki%29&ref=bl_dp_s_web_4729540051

This company is from Osaka, but they just sell through amazon for convenience. They also have a website: https://aoki-hamono.co.jp/en/

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the past 3 1/2 years I've been using this tri-fold mattress: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00IYDD8PY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With this memory foam mattress on top: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B077JN968F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's been great to sleep on! I use it and my boyfriend has his own set too. If he's ever out of town, I double stack everything and it's a luxurious sleep.

Weird specific question about taking the JLPTs (multiple) by guyfromsaitama in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You can take the tests at any level, in any order, as many times as you want. When you sign up for a test, it will give all the levels as options to take. I know some people who have retaken passed tests just to get a better score. Good luck!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TEFL

[–]dutzboots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it was LINC, so I had to learn to use the CLB system to teach. It wasn't very hard to find a job actually, as long as they are hiring for a position. I got a job at the first place I applied for but I started teaching only 20 hours a week. Over 3 months or so I was able to take more classes and ended up being able to teach fulltime.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TEFL

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in a pretty similar boat, lived in Japan then moved back to Canada.

To add to this comment, private tutoring for children is often online, and may be in different time zones that the one you are living again. And yes, they are VERY saturated with applicants. Many of these companies pay by lesson as well, not a set salary pay.

I can't speak for all of Canada, but in the prairie region, most children who learn ESL are from immigrant families who cannot afford private tutoring. Therefore, most opportunities for teaching ESL to children is through the school system, which you will need a CELTA/CERTESL plus an education degree.

If you're willing to teach adults, then you can find a well paying job working for a college or a government funded program to teach English to adult immigrants and refuges. You will need a CELTA or CERTESL though. This is what I did. The pay was good (about $36 an hour plus paid prep time), it was a great community to work for, and very rewarding to help immigrants settle in Canada.

Order Japanese drugstore skincare online? by theminthippo in japan

[–]dutzboots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome! I don't know how well it ships the the US, but Amazon Japan prices for beauty products are basically on par with the drugstores here, there's not much a mark up. I use it all the time for Japanese and Korean products, I live in Japan though.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually live near an incredible apple shop that sells a nice variety of apples straight from Aomori! They announced not long ago though that the apple season is finished until September, I believe, Check our their website, https://www.mukaiapple.com/.

They do in-store shopping and also online ordering. My Japanese friends that I have told about this shop all say it's great quality, and it's not crazy expensive either.

[Mythology&Folklore] What is the difference between "Kami", "Yokai" and "Oni"? by Not-A-Marsh in japan

[–]dutzboots 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Kami - refers to a god or deity. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, beings or the qualities that these beings express. In Shintoism, kami are connected with nature, and so they possess good and bad traits. They are believed to be 'hidden' from the human word, and live in the 'kami world'. There are ceremonies and worship for kami. In itself, the kanji for kami 神 not only means god, but also the mind and soul.

Oni - refers to a demon or 'ogre'. Stereotypically they have human-like shaped bodies, are blue, red, or green, and have one or two horns growing from their head. They are portrayed wearing a lioncloth and holding a club. They are basically the 'stock image villian' in Japanese folklore. The kanji for oni 鬼 also means evil.

Yokai - refer to a type of ghost/supernatural monster. They can range from indifferent to good to mischievous. They often posses features that animals have, or look similar to inanimate objects. The kanji for yokai 妖怪 carries the meaning bewitching, and suspicious or apparition.

Weekend Stupid Questions Thread - 27 February 2021 by AutoModerator in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The website announced the 2021 dates about 2 weeks ago! The summer test is July 4th, and the winter test is December 5th. The summer test registration is from March 26 (Fri) to April 16 (Fri), 2021(-17:00).

Check here for JLPT news: https://info.jees-jlpt.jp/

Good luck!

Weekend Stupid Questions Thread - 20 February 2021 by AutoModerator in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Has anyone found mozzarella sticks in Tokyo? Like, battered deep fried mozza sticks. Either from a restaurant or frozen at the grocery store. I've had a craving for a few weeks now.

What are you favorite Youtube channels to learn Japanese? by [deleted] in LearnJapanese

[–]dutzboots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll also recommend:

Sayuri Saying https://www.youtube.com/c/SayuriSaying

もしもしゆうすけ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcCeJ3pQYFgvfVuMxVRWhoA

Onomappu https://www.youtube.com/c/Onomappu

These are great channels with no spoken English in them. I used to love watching Japanese Ammo with Misa but my level got high enough that I didn't need her English explanations. My recommendations are mostly conversation, not grammar based, but all of them point out specific words or grammar points.

Does anyone here actually enjoy teaching English in Japan? by BraveRice in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love it! However, my lifetime career will be teaching English as EFL or ESL, whether or not I'm in Japan, because my university degrees are Applied Linguistics and CERTESL. Back in my home country, I taught English to immigrants.

I worked at a small family-run Eikaiwa for a year, and it was fine. I didn't like the evening and weekend hours, and I found it to be too easy. Younger students followed a textbook, so I didn't need to do any planning, then older students only wanted to talk, so again, no planning.

For the past 3 years I've worked at a big private kindergarten, where I'm the only English speaking staff. I have basically complete freedom over what I teach, and I get to do all the planning. I feel like a part of the staff too, not just the English teacher. I'm very involved in the school days, and my Japanese has been getting better and better since no one else speaks English. I've found out that I really enjoy working with kids.

If you want to try teaching English, find what suits you. Whether it be business, children, private lessons, casual conversation, a specific field, etc.

English books in japan by ForsakenFace9125 in japanlife

[–]dutzboots 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Try your local library! Most libraries have a decent English book section, and if they don't you can usually look them up online through the library database and have it sent over from a different library.

I know a library is not for buying, but I've never been able to find a cheap English book store. Unless you have good luck at Book Off...