Your Pre-Departure To Do List

knuth12 · July 3rd, 2009, 11:55

Yikes!

Just realized I need to get a few suits! I lost one when I came back home from school. My other one is too small now. Damn...more money gone now. Also need to buy a few collar shirts. I just realized I'm not taking much clothes with me. Nice!

Neb · July 3rd, 2009, 11:57

I think 1 suit is more than enough.. that's all I'm bringing.

ten_of_spades · July 3rd, 2009, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neb

I think 1 suit is more than enough.. that's all I'm bringing.

get used to this: "Oh, neb-sensei...you really like that suit, ne?" (which will reall mean "that suit? again??? Christ

")

Suits don't take up that much room at all in the suitcase, and Canadians get a generous luggage allowance. You've got The Bay in BC, right? They have some crazy-ass suit sales in July.

Ini · July 3rd, 2009, 12:48

depends where he is going. If hes at elementary school he'll only need to wear a suit 3/4 times a year

Neb · July 3rd, 2009, 12:50

JHS, but yeah I'm not planning on wearing suits outside of those graduations or entrance ceremonies and all those kinds of events.. so rarely...I'll just wear slacks and shirts for classes.

Coollead · July 3rd, 2009, 13:02

I've worn my suit a total of two times (outside of Tokyo Orientation).

On the IDP, it's perfectly legal to drive a scooter with one, under 250cc. The bigger ones are what you need the licensing for.

ten_of_spades · July 3rd, 2009, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neb

JHS, but yeah I'm not planning on wearing suits outside of those graduations or entrance ceremonies and all those kinds of events.. so rarely...I'll just wear slacks and shirts for classes.

there's also the ministry inspection days, jugyo sankan (parents come to watch and criticize you for Westernizing their precious Inaka Taro), photo day, district meetings, speech contests, farewell enkais, PTA bullshit galore, etc..

I've had to wear a suit at least 15 times. It might be different if your school hides you in a closet, but mine got it in their heads that I need to be involved and crap

Neb · July 3rd, 2009, 13:19

I probably wouldn't wear a suit for most of those things...slacks and a dress shirt/tie would suffice I should hope...

Coollead · July 3rd, 2009, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neb

I probably wouldn't wear a suit for most of those things...slacks and a dress shirt/tie would suffice I should hope...

Yup! The only person in a suit is the principal at everything here.

edesuyo · July 3rd, 2009, 13:27

I already have 3 suits (two of which I rather like), so I just figured I would bring those. I have entirely too many dress shirts and pants, so I'm just going to bring my best/favorite ones. They accumulated over 4 years of working in a "business formal" work environment. Excited at the thought of being able to dress down for once!

ten_of_spades · July 3rd, 2009, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neb

I probably wouldn't wear a suit for most of those things...slacks and a dress shirt/tie would suffice I should hope...

I guess it'll depend on your school. In my case, all those require a suit and tie for male teachers. The rest of the time we can dress however we want, but the special ones listed require a suit.

hige · July 3rd, 2009, 14:15

-store all my winter clothes at my parent's house
-pull three grand out of my ass
-idp
-open citibank account
-switch gas and electric bills into room mates name
-turn off cell phone and throw it into the east river without worrying about charges. i knew that pre-paid was a good idea.
-watch sunset over manhattan skyline a few more times
-have girlfriend call placement and figure out how much it is going to cost me to buy a car

patjs · July 3rd, 2009, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ten_of_spades

I guess it'll depend on your school. In my case, all those require a suit and tie for male teachers. The rest of the time we can dress however we want, but the special ones listed require a suit.

Same with me. I've worn a suit way more than I thought I ever would. I only brought one but I should probably have at least 2. Most of the big enkais here are basically suit functions plus all ceremonies (each semester's opening and close adds up).

Kitsune · July 4th, 2009, 00:14

on IDP's and scooters... I was under the impression that Canadians could operate a Scooter (limited-speed motorcycle) without obtaining any further licensing than a G, but apparently that's not the case. Reading the MTO website, it looks like you have to get a test done in order to ride them...

elleohelle · July 4th, 2009, 03:37

-move out of apartment
-clean apartment, make sure to get deposit back
-get eyes checked out
-finish packing- pack enough in carry on to last orientation.
-prepare two boxes to ship
-buy more clothes
-get pennies to give to my students

bizarrojosh · July 4th, 2009, 04:54

I love this thread b/c I've been doing this with google tasks.

Things I've done:
moved out of apartment
sold stuff on craigslist
sent a box of stuff to Japan
paid almost all leftover bills
Pack (did this with the move)

Things I need to do:
Omiyage (I'm stealing the Jam Idea from someone in here)
repack to fit new stuff that I bought
will
power of attorney
study Kanji
study Japanese in general
help parents with chores around house
yardsale

I guess this is just the same as everyone else...

Mikewise · July 9th, 2009, 22:31

I have to wear a suit throughout the winter--or look like a prick next to all the other male teachers who do so--and always need to wear a tie. short sleeved "cool biz" shirts are okay. Damn high-level school. Pred will give you all that information though.

Anyway, don't waste too much money buying suits before you come. Just one for orientation is enough. I've found that suits here are somewhat cheaper, and look cooler, and there's isn't some squirrelly-ass motherfucker trying to tell you that it's SUPPOSED to fit that way.

PS - pennies make awesome prizes for all ages. I've seen little kids as well as 63 year old men flip out when i hand them out as rewards.

Jay Cee · July 12th, 2009, 02:24

Thanks Mikewise, good advice I was wondering if it would be easier to get a suit there, I figured the size wouldn't be an issue since it needs to be tailored anyway... when you say cheaper though do you mean less that 100, b/c I've got some decent quality suits from Target for that...

Done:
Sell Care
Renew DL
Get IDP

To Do:
Cancel Cell Phone
Get Basketball Shoes
Pack a box of winter clothes to be sent
Power of Attorney
Pray the house sells!!!

edesuyo · July 12th, 2009, 04:56

Well, it seems that almost my entire wardrobe fits into a single 50lb suitcase. Kinda depressing? What am I supposed to stick in my other one? All I have left is a couple pairs of pants and winter coats.

Kitsune · July 12th, 2009, 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by edesuyo

Well, it seems that almost my entire wardrobe fits into a single 50lb suitcase. Kinda depressing? What am I supposed to stick in my other one? All I have left is a couple pairs of pants and winter coats.

I was kind surprised I could fit all my winter clothes in half of a 50 lb suitcase (and they weigh 20 lbs themselves), but I used a space bag

July 3rd, 2009, 14:15	#72 (permalink)
hige Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: japan-ish Posts: 378	-store all my winter clothes at my parent's house -pull three grand out of my ass -idp -open citibank account -switch gas and electric bills into room mates name -turn off cell phone and throw it into the east river without worrying about charges. i knew that pre-paid was a good idea. -watch sunset over manhattan skyline a few more times -have girlfriend call placement and figure out how much it is going to cost me to buy a car __________________ Lick my cookie, drink my apple juice

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July 3rd, 2009, 11:55	#61 (permalink)
knuth12 Silly fat bastard Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 337	Yikes! Just realized I need to get a few suits! I lost one when I came back home from school. My other one is too small now. Damn...more money gone now. Also need to buy a few collar shirts. I just realized I'm not taking much clothes with me. Nice!

July 3rd, 2009, 11:57	#62 (permalink)
Neb SENIOR MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: EVILUOYEREHW Posts: 3,834	I think 1 suit is more than enough.. that's all I'm bringing.

July 3rd, 2009, 12:48	#64 (permalink)
Ini VIP Join Date: Jan 1970 Posts: 16,307	depends where he is going. If hes at elementary school he'll only need to wear a suit 3/4 times a year

July 3rd, 2009, 12:50	#65 (permalink)
Neb SENIOR MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: EVILUOYEREHW Posts: 3,834	JHS, but yeah I'm not planning on wearing suits outside of those graduations or entrance ceremonies and all those kinds of events.. so rarely...I'll just wear slacks and shirts for classes.

July 3rd, 2009, 13:02	#66 (permalink)
Coollead VIP Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yes We Kansai! Posts: 8,838	I've worn my suit a total of two times (outside of Tokyo Orientation). On the IDP, it's perfectly legal to drive a scooter with one, under 250cc. The bigger ones are what you need the licensing for.

July 3rd, 2009, 13:19	#68 (permalink)
Neb SENIOR MEMBER Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: EVILUOYEREHW Posts: 3,834	I probably wouldn't wear a suit for most of those things...slacks and a dress shirt/tie would suffice I should hope...

July 3rd, 2009, 13:27	#70 (permalink)
edesuyo Biowarfare Hedgehog Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA, USA Posts: 256	I already have 3 suits (two of which I rather like), so I just figured I would bring those. I have entirely too many dress shirts and pants, so I'm just going to bring my best/favorite ones. They accumulated over 4 years of working in a "business formal" work environment. Excited at the thought of being able to dress down for once!

July 4th, 2009, 04:54	#76 (permalink)
bizarrojosh Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hotlanta Posts: 85	I love this thread b/c I've been doing this with google tasks. Things I've done: moved out of apartment sold stuff on craigslist sent a box of stuff to Japan paid almost all leftover bills Pack (did this with the move) Things I need to do: Omiyage (I'm stealing the Jam Idea from someone in here) repack to fit new stuff that I bought will power of attorney study Kanji study Japanese in general help parents with chores around house yardsale I guess this is just the same as everyone else...

July 12th, 2009, 02:24	#78 (permalink)
Jay Cee Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Minneapolis to Kikonai, Hokkaido Posts: 4	Thanks Mikewise, good advice I was wondering if it would be easier to get a suit there, I figured the size wouldn't be an issue since it needs to be tailored anyway... when you say cheaper though do you mean less that 100, b/c I've got some decent quality suits from Target for that... Done: Sell Care Renew DL Get IDP To Do: Cancel Cell Phone Get Basketball Shoes Pack a box of winter clothes to be sent Power of Attorney Pray the house sells!!!

July 12th, 2009, 04:56	#79 (permalink)
edesuyo Biowarfare Hedgehog Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA, USA Posts: 256	Well, it seems that almost my entire wardrobe fits into a single 50lb suitcase. Kinda depressing? What am I supposed to stick in my other one? All I have left is a couple pairs of pants and winter coats.