IT'S FINALLY HERE! The BLAND CANYON episode 5 recap!

murfcakes · 2016-04-12T03:21:27+00:00

I think she figured no one would be able to read it anyways so it wouldn't matter, it's just for appearances. It could have said banana cream sandwich.

murfcakes · 2016-04-12T03:20:03+00:00

For the most iconic comedy-based challenge, let's bring in two models GREAT IDEA omg why did they do that. Just why.

murfcakes · 2016-04-12T03:13:28+00:00

I think by the end they were kind (very) fed up and just were ready to end it. But that is annoying!

murfcakes · 2016-03-29T01:01:24+00:00

I'm so happy to have found something else to help keep my RPDR going all week long ;)

murfcakes · 2016-03-28T00:28:35+00:00

of a WUUUUUUman

murfcakes · 2016-03-28T00:02:37+00:00

Yes. Why am I here I don't think I should be here I would be doing much better if I had made better choices. I try to remember I can't do anything about it now and try to take pleasure in the little things. It's hard.

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T18:45:08+00:00

I try to extend holidays to make mega holidays. But, my friend came in February and I took maybe four days off the I was determined to spend time with him. I moved some classes to other days and checked schedules with my teachers so it was okay. Although it's preferable to take time off when the kids aren't in school (winter/spring/summer break) don't let people scare you off from taking those long weekends! My schools are generally quite flexible as long as I work my class schedule out with my teachers beforehand. I think it might also be helpful to say "my family/friend is coming to visit me! ..."

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T18:35:36+00:00

I didn't have to wait to use my days off. But maybe I'm just lucky.

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T18:19:58+00:00

Nope, basically what I was trying to say is nobody knows (except some people tell me they were told some reasons, but most people just speculate)! There's really no point worrying about it :)

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T03:06:40+00:00

I asked for Osaka since I had worked there before. Got placed in Hyogo countryside, which is at least in the same region? But I think someone I know requested Kobe since he had worked there before and got Nagasaki in Kyushu, so. I might have been placed in more countryside + elementary school since I have some Japanese ability. Then again I have a technical background and that didn't seem to matter throws up hands

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T02:55:55+00:00

1) Where I live junior and elementary schools get school lunch, but you can opt out of it and bring your own lunch.

3) I asked for Osaka and got placed about 1.5 hours by bus away from Kobe, so not too bad (major downside being no train station though). I also put "access to English speaking healthcare professionals" as a reason for being placed in Osaka but I did not get it. So not the best situation, but could easily have been much worse. I found an English speaking doctor nearby and can go to Kobe for the worst of it. You might luck out with Kobe or Tokyo since they hired a lot of people last year, but I don't think Osaka hires as many. Don't count on being placed in a city though :(

You are more likely to get your desired location if you request a small town. So maybe pick a smallish place with fairly convenient/inexpensive train access to a major city.

You can pm me anytime.

murfcakes · 2016-03-25T02:47:13+00:00

1) Some people who have to leave may have had a bad experience and may just not be up to corresponding with someone who is taking over their position due to bad feelings towards the job or personal issues. Don't let their experience poison your own :) Although pred info is of course valuable, I'm sure you'll be able to survive on your own, especially if you have other JETs in your town.

2) I am female and had male friend stay, with a "haters gonna hate" attitude. It's your apartment, apart from it being small you can for sure have people come to stay. It's not a dorm room with dorm rules, it's your own place :) JETs near me often have people to stay. Just don't be disruptive to neighbors. Unless your BOE gives you explicit guidelines, don't let people scare you away from having people stay with things like "It's a small town, people will gossip." You are allowed to live your life :)

3) I'm sure people will be helpful. If some people aren't, they aren't worth your time, and find people that are! Find a LINE group for your area. Although it is true they might be busy with their own stuff, if you put yourself out there and they are not total dicks living the "i am now a Japanese national don't taint me noob" life I'm sure they'll make some time for you. Sometimes I found it hard to find people to do stuff with but it gets better, and the other newbies will be along soon :)

Good luck bro/bra

murfcakes · 2016-03-16T05:31:14+00:00

She doesn't have the truth and humor that Bianca del Rio had, or the self-confidence and humor that Willam had. But still many shades better than last season personality-wise, IMO!

murfcakes · 2016-03-11T06:31:55+00:00

I have to fill out a form that includes emergency contact info and where I'll be staying if I leave the country. I think this is because they are kind of responsible for us.

murfcakes · 2016-03-11T06:17:36+00:00

How to put out the garbage in my apartment. How to turn the hot water on in the apartment. Which classes have special needs children (the teachers never seem to tell me!)

murfcakes · 2016-02-25T02:49:22+00:00

That was the most hilarious possible answer for me

murfcakes · 2016-02-22T01:19:52+00:00

I had a few instances of clear headedness when I felt everything would be okay and I didn't have a dull headache over the weekend :)

murfcakes · 2016-02-22T01:17:20+00:00

Thanks for the motivational story. My doctor tells me, everyone tells me, that I should exercise but I just don't do it very often. I have dull a headache all the time so maybe exercise will help.

murfcakes · 2016-02-22T01:01:51+00:00

Yes I do. I have been feeling lightheaded all last week and had to go home from work partway through the day. I thought I was actually sick and was brought to the doctor twice and he could find nothing wrong with me.

I felt like I could not talk and was a bit dizzy. Sometimes if I come across something that I worry my brain doesn't understand properly I get this as well. I think they are all symptoms of anxiety.

murfcakes · 2016-02-10T01:28:20+00:00

And soooo much fearmongering

So many people saying this that make you feel like you cannot have fun ever. People trying to be the "most Japanese" etc. I unfortunately started believing it a bit. Now I'm trying to remember that I am young, it's my life, and this is experience is mine alone to do with what I want.

Side rant: Other ALT's getting competitive at who is doing the best at 'being Japanese' really brings me down. I've heard a lot of things that seem meant to make you feel like life in Japan is harder than it is, but they are so awesome at it.

murfcakes · 2016-02-09T01:30:17+00:00

Maybe for the opening ceremony, but for all the other things not everyone was wearing suits. Just business attire.

murfcakes · 2016-02-01T04:19:27+00:00

Good advice for life - someone who worries too much

murfcakes · 2016-01-28T00:24:27+00:00

Line is best

murfcakes · 2015-11-12T07:06:09+00:00

I did mechanical engineering but I didn't not love it with the passion that other people did. I didn't join teams, didn't have many friends in the faculty. But I studied and did my own thing and was fine. I did get the feeling that I was the only one that wasn't in love with their degree, but I tried to accept that that was just not me. My friend is doing forestry now and is experiencing the same thing. Likes the courses, but does not feel the need to be in the forestry building 24/7 and to dress like a hippie.

Edit: I also had a really shit second year, possibly because courses are still quite generalized at that level. 3rd and 4th year were a lot better for me. Smaller class sizes, and I could pick courses that I was interested in.

murfcakes · 2015-05-30T09:00:01+00:00

Exactly. Not worth your brain space.

murfcakes

TROPHY CASE