With great great confusions comes great paitence...My Flight

      My first flight was a domestic one, just a simple flight from Monterey to Los Angels. Aside from teary parents and a little brother that finally admitted he'd miss me everything went relatively well. I was fortunately to have met up two Rotarians there that were to wish me good bye (Thanks Linda and Joe!). This flight was enjoyable though the plane was very small compared to my exspectations. I even met this cool English named Justin that subs in for Jay Lenno! I'm sorry readers the next two paragraphs are me venting! So if you don't know me too well please skip them... and keep a positive image of me. ha ha!
    BUT Then came the first of the big storms. My original wait was to be from7:00pm until 12:00am exactly but getting there that's when I find out that's the "boarding time" and we'd be leaving at 1:20... I was totally fine with that cuz another hour wouldn't have killed me BUT as we were leaving around 1:50 the captain realized that we didn't have the appropriate fuel to weight ratio... so we had to return after traveling a couple of meters (heyy I'm using meters- how very un-american of me =]) and just as we were leaving we were once again delayed because a passanger had health/ claustraphoic problems. I was totally fine with that until I over heard her saying, "well isn't there room up there (referring to first class)"; then I realized her game and started doing what any person would do! Pout! If it wasn't for the free movies/ tv and my new friend Isreal that is working with Nike I woulda died on that plane!
     I finally arrived at Tokyo about two hours late... too bad I only had a two hour and 5 minute cushion for my next flight. Needless to say I missed my flight. I was then put on stand-by for a 9:40 flight and a definate confirmation at 12:00. I needed a way to find a phone to contact my counselor to tell him of my situation. So I asked around store with my broken English where I can exchange currency. I was lead to the information booth which sent me to a store... that sent me back to information. I finally found out there was a currency exchange booth in the International Terminal whereas I was in domestic terminal 2. I followed the direction on multiple maps that I was given by various merchants, flight personals, and others. I arrived at the bus that was suppose to go between international and domestic termials 1 and 2. Turns out, this bus ONLY went to domestic termials 1 and 2! I found out after riding the bus 4 times to same place. But I did finally make it to international and finally was able to make my phone call. It was 8:30 at this time so I decided to head to my stand-by flight (you gotta remember I'm on standby so two bags that are filled with a year supply of stuff are still under my arms). I ended up on the farrrrrrrr side of the building only to find my gate in on the exact opposite side. There were actually maps EVERYWHERE that told me 500m then 400m then 300m and so on. It got to the point where I had to take breaks because I was so tired from carrying the bags -_-. I finally wounded up at my gate with 20 minutes to spare. I realized I haven't eaten all day so I decide to buy a small steamed bun, 400 yen seemed reasonable.... I ate it and did the math... that's over 6 USD for that TINY bun that could have fitted in my pocket!
     I was able to board that flight at 9:40 and was headed off to Kagoshima. I was then greated by Mr. Nakama who was just the nicest person ever!!! He drove me to the airport and I met up with Mr. Yamada who had been taking care of both me and the French Exchange student ;) since our arrival. I thought Mr. Nakama was nice Yamada took it to next level. He took me out to lunch with his wife where I had AUTHENTIC SUSHI!!! And then during the evening he took me and the other exchange student to dinner. He has just been the greatest ever since I got here.
     I have love Japan so far, from the scenery to the people everything is great (we'll take money another time =[ ) I wish everyone gets a chance to see Japan some day because Japan is big enough to fill not just my heart but yours =]. And good night!

A week before depature~

     Yeah, it's exactly a week before I leave today and about 9 days until I get to Japan. Needless to say I'm pretty nervous, but I joined this amazing this group on Facebook for all the students heading to Japan for exchange this upcoming year and it's nice to know that I am not alone!

     Some of the things that I'm a little worried about is I feel like I have a head start on my Japanese (because I took 4 years of it in High School) but I know it's not that great. I got my reality shock when I was trying to show off to my Japanese counselor by sending full on Japanese e-mails to him....and then he, sent one back ... full blown kanji and all. Yeahhhh, I should step back and take things slower. Because after needing to get my Japanese Teacher, friends, and google to translate it; I really learned to be humble about these things.

     Am I ready for an adventure thousands of miles away from my comfort zone? Honestly I haven't the slightest clue, my Mom is always telling my that I'm addicted to adventure and new things but I don't know; there's always a part of me that would like to stay in a place that people know my name and that I can call up someone and say "Hey, lets go to the movies" and expect a simple yes in return. On the other hand... I'M GOING TO JAPAN!!!!! I know that everything is going to change once I get there, but that doesn't stop my small litters right now.
    
     I suppose my next post will be a week after I get there, I'll try to update every other week =].