San Francisco

Wow!  We are here in San Francisco.  Yesterday I met all the other teachers going on the trip and we had our first orientation.  Everyone is so wonderful.  I'm already learning a lot just by talking to these teachers from all over the country.  I even talked about the National Boards with a couple of people who have completed them while on the plane from Chicago.  

Last night we met the General Consulate from Japan and he hosted a dinner in our honor.   I also had the opportunity to speak with his wife and finally use some of the Japanese I've been studying for the last month - though she speaks lovely English.

We had a lovely hotel room, but turns out the pillow and comforter are filled with feathers.  So, with all my allergies I was up sniffling and sneezing.  The upside is was I just grabbed my computer and came to the lobby so I could blog for you.  Time is very short on the trip, so I'm excited to get a few minutes to stay in touch.  The other teachers are starting to arrive.  Soon I'll be off for the airport and a long flight to Tokyo!  :)  With the time difference our clocks will be very off.  When we get there we go to dinner with Japanese Fulbright Alumni.

My excitement keeps building.  For the few weeks before the trip I was so busy writing lesson plans, packing, and prepping materials for Japan it had started to become unreal.  Now, that I can focus on the trip, I am thrilled.  I can now focus on absorbing experiences and learning.