Playing catch-up - Tokyo & Tokyo Orientation

I finally decided that it was about time for me to update my blog. I have been either too busy or too lazy to do anything with this blog, but thought it was about time to get the ball rolling. I'm not too sure where to begin, but maybe I'll start with what I can remember of the trip from Los Angeles to Tokyo and of Tokyo Orientation.

Known to all, I have a small problem arriving on time for things, so naturally I arrived at LAX late. I arrived almost forty-five minutes later than any other person, which automatically made me look like an asshole. Totally my fault, I forgot the 101 freeway was a bitch to drive. No biggie. I carried my luggage into the airport and immediately noticed the large group of ALTs standing in line to check their luggage. I stood in line, grabbed a beer with my mom, and finally got on the plane. The flight was a tough one. Firstly, it was way too long. This is 2011, where are the freaking supersonic airplanes? Secondly, the seats were uncomfortable and the leg room was mediocre. I could not fully stretch my legs which made it impossible to sleep. Also, my ass hurt, a lot. Thirdly, my neighbor was near-mute most of the flight and each time I tried to strike up a conversation, I was met with one-word answers. That kid's going to have a tough time teaching. I wish him all the luck, but come on, talk to someone new. Finally, the first meal of the flight gave me food poisoning and I got pretty sick on the flight for about an hour and had to excuse myself to the restroom. Pretty awesome way to spend a few hours on a plane...

The plane lands and I get all of my luggage into a bus and proceed to pass out. I don't remember what I did the rest of the night. I'm thinking I went out to dinner with a whole bunch of people, but that could've been the next night. Anyway, I most likely went out with some people to get some food at an Izakaya. The place was dece; it had some pretty good food. Some girl that was with us ordered some sort of giant alcoholic drink with glowing lights in it, total gaijin drink. The rest of the night, I went out with the group and explored Shinjuku. This was where I first learned drinking in the streets in Japan is nor only acceptable, but normal. Pretty awesome. We explored the light-infused area and got drunk. I go back to my apartment and pass out on my hard couch-bed.

The rest of orientation included a large number of classes practically taught out of the handbook. I'd say out of the 12 or so hours I spent in the various workshops, I maybe got 20-30 minutes of new material. This was to be expected as the meaning of "orientation" which pretty much means sit in a hot room wearing heavy-ass suits and smack you in the face with knowledge you already know. Overall, the orientation was a lot of fun. I met a lot of great people, learned a little-bit, and was overwhelmed by the sense that Japan was totally new to me.

And so it begins!

Hey Everyone! Welcome to my awesome blog titled "A Ginger in Japan."

I was recently selected to be a part of the awesomeness that is JET. This is the first post of what I hope will become an extremely comprehensive blog of everything awesome (and maybe not so awesome) that happens to me in Japan. Look forward to new posts!