1985 - Born in County Kerry, Ireland
1989 - Moved to United States (Wisconsin)
Fast forwarding a bit...
2001 - Began learning Japanese in sophomore year of high school, having no previous knowledge or interest in Japanese/Japan
2002 - Became deeply enamored with learning Japanese and learning about Japan, so I signed up for another two years of learning Japanese (until I graduated high school).
2004 - First trip to Japan; did a homestay in Chiba prefecture for a couple months, attended my host brother's high school.
2004 - Began university, majoring in Communications with a focus on Japanese and East Asian Studies.
2006 - First extended stay in Japan; studied abroad in Nagoya for 1 year, did two internships, one at the Nagoya International Center, one at a law firm.
2007 - Returned home, applied for JET program in the Fall (applied for the CIR position).
2008 - Accepted to JET in May
2008 - Received my placement in Iwate prefecture, leaving for Japan this fall.
Now - currently buying parkas and long underwear...
