ジェットの準備をちゃんとしようとしてるけど、西海岸への旅行の前に全部やりたい。そうだ、２０日〜２５日まで、友達のアダムとサンフランシスコにいるよ。サンフランシスコへ行ったことがないし、アダムはそことても好きだし、あいつを説得してるのは簡単だった。元に、両親と一緒に行かせたかったけど、最近忙しすぎて行けないらしい。アダムのシンセキは旅行に行ったから、現地のホステルに泊まる予定。
最近前任者のクリストファーからメールをもらった。仕事とアパートのことを手伝いするために、俺が着いてから１週間後ぐらいアパートに残るそうだ。山形にいるまでは、３週間以下で、信じられない。オフィスの人は山形で会ってくれるって言ったから多分成田から飛行機で山形空港へ行かなければならないみたい。着いたら、最初に仕事で何をするかわかんないけど。契約や保険、外国人登録書、免税のための書類をサインしなければならいだろうが、９月までは学校が休みだから最初の責任は何か分かんない。今の所、態度は８０％楽しみで２０％緊張。一番悩んでるのは、教室に入って、いい印象づけることと、格好わるく見えないってこと。確かに、前ほど人の前で話すことは恐くないし、その理由でこの仕事できるって決めたわけ。去年の夏、在米日本大使館では、K-12の生徒や大学生と大学院生であった国務所のインターンにも週に何回もプレゼンを行った。確かに恥ずかしいこともあったが、結局俺の弱みや改善する方法が見えて面白かった。しばらくしてから、皆の俺に対する意見のこと悩めないって気づいた。ただどうやって抗議の内容を伝えばいいのか、どうやって俺も皆も楽しめられるのか、心配したほうがいいと気づいた。
とりあえず、こっちにいる時間を大事にしようとしてる。一番悲しいことは、年寄りの祖父母などのこれからまた会えない人もいるってこと。彼らと離れることは、罪があるんじゃないかと思うが、祖父母は、俺が目的だったものに達して嬉しいって知ってる。ただ、皆支えたことが意味のあることと見えるように、この経験を大事にする。
ちなみに、これ新しい住所：
〒993-0083
山形県長井市大町１３−３−２０３好人荘
I've been trying to keep busy preparing for JET but I'd like to have everything done before I head out for my trip to the west coast. That's right I'm going to be in San Francisco from the 20th to the 25th with my best friend Adam. I've never really been to San Fran so I'm looking forward to going and Adam loves it, so convincing him to go with me was pretty easy. Originally I was trying to get my parents to come with but they're a bit too caught up with stuff going on with other things right now. We're staying at a hostel it turns out since Adam's relatives are going to be out of town.
I got an email from Christopher, my predecessor again. He said he's staying another week at least to help me get settled in at work and into my new apartment. It's less than 3 weeks until I am in Yamagata, I can't believe it. He mentioned that they're meeting me at the airport in Yamagata so I guess I have to take another plane from Narita to Yamagata Airport. I don't exactly know what I'm going to be doing workwise when I arrive. I understand I have to sign my contract do paperwork for my insurance, alien registration card, tax exemption, etc., but I wonder what my responsibilities are going to be right off the bat since school won't be in session until early September. I'd say I'm 80% excited and 20% nervous. What I'm scared about most is walking in the first day in front of the class, giving a good impression and not looking like a total loser. Though I've come to realize I can't be afraid of looking like a loser in the beginning at least. I certainly don't have stage freight as bad as I used to and that's one reason I thought I could do this job. At the Japanese Embassy last summer, I participated in presentations for K-12ers and even undergrad and grad student interns from the state department several times a week. Yes, I did embarrass myself multiple times, but it was also interesting to see my weaknesses and get feedback on how to improve. After awhile I realized I couldn't be afraid of what everyone thought about me; rather how to best convey the content of the lecture/lesson and to make sure everyone (including myself) had fun being there.
In the meantime I'm just trying to make the most of my time before I leave. What's the saddest is that there are some people I know I may never see again, like my elderly grandparents. I feel guilty about leaving them, but I know they're happy for me that I am following my dream. I just hope to make the experience worthwhile, so everyone who loves me can see their support pay off.
P.S. here is my future address:
〒993-0083
Yamagata-ken, Nagai-Shi
Omachi 13-3-203 Kouzinsou
(Japan)
In Japanese:
〒993-0083
山形県長井市大町１３−３−２０３好人荘
