1) Finish my ‘tour’ of LA with pictures
a) Still to be immortalized in pictures= Santa Monica, Venice, KTown, my back yard and dogs and Watts?
2) Finish Packing
a) Note* this should actually be #1 but I think EVERYONE knows me well enough to know that this will probably be done the night before I fly
b) ALSO the essential question is WHAT DO I PACK?!?!?!
3) Pack “winter” box
a) “Winter” a largely outdated word in my vocabulary. It has come to be replaced by “low 60s”… what are “winter clothes”? I shall have to investigate further…
4) Bother all the pals
a) That’s right! If you are the unfortunate bearer of the title “friend of Tina” and you live in my area (you HK people are safe for now… but not for long!), I am coming for YOU! What cruel bastard would refuse to see their “friend” who will be gone for the next year?!
I think that’s the big 4. Because I love lists so, I could break this down further but I think that it may be the last straw for those still reading!
By the way, I’ll bet you are all wondering how my Japanese is coming… OR if I know any at all. Well you will be pleased to know that I have not done a THING in terms of learning. At least not any more than I had with Nao & Daiuke (Arigato!). Yes, I think that this is quite unfortunate but I am still trying to be optimistic about this predicament. I keep telling myself that I will pick it up when I get there. Hooray for positive self affirmations. I just hope I won’t be too broke to afford lessons!
Speaking of money, I don’t think I have mentioned at all about the cost of things when I go there. Let me just start by saying that I think I was a little naive to think that EVERYTHING would be taken care of for me, at least in terms of cost. If anyone who reads this is considering JET, let me just tell you that moving over there is like relocating for a job. An initially VERY expensive relocation that is not covered by your employer.
Now, I have to admit that this program is VERY organized and extremely helpful. My predecessor has been amazing about keeping contact and replying to my constant emails and worries. Also, a lot of this info is different for all assignments (some JETs don’t have to pay for housing or utilities at all!) so, I won’t complain too much. JETs in larger cities may fin themselves paying even more than me. I don’t know. But for me, the grand totally that has been suggested to me to bring with is about $4,000USD! Barnacles! Fortunately I have enough to cover buying furniture and a car (YES I will have my own mini mobile!!!... pictures to follow!) and the bank of Mom and Dad have just approved me for a loan to cover the rest (Merci mille fois!).
How could it be this much you ask? Well, I think that it will cover most of the cost of my apartment down payment, car and furniture. I don’t know about utilities and the rest but I hope it will be OK. My predecessor said that the school may be able to help if I really need it too.
posted by KidBach @ 1:36 PM
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