Tips to my past self(Natori Japan)

Tips to my past self(Natori Japan)

            It’s been a rough patch here lately, but in a rare moment of feeling good, having played good games, gotten encouragement, medicine, exercise, and rest, I feel like…let’s have some fun. So, I decided it would be interesting as a way of both looking back and maybe preparing my successor, to give some tips to my past self. There might be elaboration, there might not be. It’s a surprise! I will say, don’t try to Terminator 2 this. You can’t prevent tragedies beyond your control, me. Just follow my advice and have fun with whatever comes your way.

1.     You won’t have internet for a month. It’s fine. You’ll be fine. Buy a tv and PS4 and relax.

2.     Put your bed as far from the wall adjoining your neighbor as possible. They’re loud.

3.     Stay away from the window facing a parking lot(the one facing the main street is fine.) You’ll see why later.

4.     Don’t wait until January to buy your Switch. It’ll help you through some dark times.

5.     Not everyone will like you. That’s cool. Like yourself and the people who are awesome.

6.     Don’t worry so much. You’ll be fine. You will make mistakes, as a teacher and a person, but you will be fine.

7.     Buy a bicycle asap and get a basket for the back end, it will really help with shopping.

8.     The Yamaya and Aeon Mall have foreign sodas, but their supplies won’t last. Stock up. No, really, even more than you usually would. Stock. Up.

9.     The coin laundry close to your house? Go there, it’s convenient and it gets your clothes really clean and smelling great. Same for the dry cleaner next door.

10.  The bakery is great, but the conbinis are where it’s at. Don’t wait too long to go there regularly.

11.  Not all your ideas as a teacher will pan out. It’s okay. Keep on trying.

12.  Go to the Yakiniku store named Tanuki. The three words you need are Gyutan, Butatan, and Karibi. Enjoy.

13.  Next to the Yakiniku store is the drug store. It’s got good meds and the best candy in the world. Black Thunder is what you want. The pizzeria across the street is also pretty good.

14.  Go to the Ramen Shop next to the 7/11 as soon as possible. They’re good folks.

15.  Go to the bath house over the bridge asap. It’s great.

16.  If you’re worried about anything, ask your co-workers. They’re good folks and will help you with anything from words you need to know to doctors you can visit.

17.  In the spring and summer, bugs will invade your house. Duct tape up the gaps in the wall and get Mushikonazu spray. It’ll be a rough few weeks, but you’ll manage.

18.  In the rainy season, the duct tape might cause water to pool. Be watchful.

19.  Buy tissues. They’re useful for everything from sickness to cleaning and you will get sick.

20.  Go to the clinic when you feel down. Don’t wait. Healthcare here is super cheap and the clinics are the only way to get reliable meds. Colds and fevers don’t just blow over, they get miserable.

21.  Go to the dentist on your first holiday. It’s cheap and you can get those nasty wisdom teeth out.

22.  Set up an exercise routine and try to stick with it. It’s okay to rest when you’re sick, but jump back into it ASAP.

23.  Start online dating sooner. Someone awesome is waiting for you.

24.  Warframe is a fun free-to-play, but don’t take it too seriously. Don’t let it consume your life.

25.  Gwent is sadly doomed and Magic the Gathering will release an awesome, but far too addictive card game. Steer clear of both of them. For your own good.

26.  Get a humidifier to help with the dry seasons.

27.  Uniqlo is your friend for clothes that might possibly fit you.

28.  There’s lots to explore and many cool places waiting for you, but never feel guilty for just staying home for the weekend. Life isn’t always about racing to the next adventure. Take time to smell the roses, sleep in, and talk to good friends.

29.  The environment is both dry and cold in winter and hot and humid in summer. Either way, bring at least two bottles of water, tissues, and a sweat rag with you whenever you go out. No, really, WHENEVER, even if it’s just for a short walk.

30.  Digitally back up all your files. Just in case.

For more specific tips about my trips, I wanted to add a special segment. So, here we go.

1.     Go to Ishinomaki in your first year. The train ride is lovely and the manga museum is magical.

2.     The ocean is close to Natori. You can ride there on your bike. Bring tons of water and enjoy the serenity of the sea. It is a long ride though.

3.     Matsushima is more than just beautiful coastline. Go to the museums and enjoy. Make sure you go to the trick art, music box, and history museums, not just temples.

4.     Yamadera is a beautiful mountain, but only go after your exercise routine has built some muscle, otherwise, you’ll be sore.

5.     Zao is best visited in fall. Don’t go during the summer unless you get a hotel for the night, as the heat will be miserable.

6.     The fox village is adorable. Take pictures of the English there. You can use it for class. It’s fun.

7.     Hokkaido is amazing, but don’t be afraid to use taxis. Seriously, if you’re not leaving your bags and going for a walk, take a cab. The hotels can call one for you.

8.     In Hakodate, Sun City Hakodate hotel is your best friend. Also, it’s close to the Hot Box, the best burgers in the world. You’re welcome.

9.     The Food village has lots of great stuff. Try and explore more than just three restaurants.

10.  Mt Hakodate is beautiful, but the lift is almost always out of service in October. Be prepared for disappointment.

11.  Hiraizumi is a beautiful place to visit. Rent a bicycle and enjoy.

12.  If you’re going to ride your bicycle for a long stretch, make sure it’s not super windy outside. Otherwise, it’s best to just take the train. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone.

13.  You’re going to be sick when you go to Tokyo. See the doctor at least a day or two before you go. If you lose hearing, don’t panic, go to your regular clinic and get a recommendation to the Nagamachi hospital. You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble. This is my one gimme for disasters. The rest isn’t your fault or responsibility, but this…this sucked.

14.  You won’t eat Kaiseki in Tokyo. It’s fine. You’ll still have fun with your family. Bring your Switch when you go to Kawaguchiko though. You’ll thank me.

15.  Summer festival is fun, but don’t over hype it. It’s no big deal.

16.  The Senbon Zakura flower walk is in Ogawara. Go. Trust me, go. Even if you get sick, it’s unlike anything you’ll ever see anywhere else in the world.

17.  Tanabata is cool, but just see the decorations when you have other errands in Sendai. It’s hot and crowded and not your thing.

18.  The Sendai City Aquarium is also cool, but also crowded. Make your best judgement. And again, taxis can be great friends.

You might be wondering where are the standard tips like don’t be afraid to explore, or practice Japanese with the locals…well, I did those things. I came prepared. These are just tips I wish I knew earlier, because I did get here eventually. This was a fun walk down memory lane. If my successor(s) see this, these tips can also apply to you. Do your own thing, but bear these in mind.