Japan Diaries 4: Quarantine Week 1

Quarantine Week 1: October 18-24, 2021

This is it! It's officially my first week of quarantine here in Japan. For those who missed my intro article, my fellow Filipino Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and I were all housed in Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku City, Tokyo Prefecture. Since we're not allowed to leave our room, you might find the usual per day article boring so I'll be sharing with you a summarized version of my daily life as a quarantined ALT. 

Day 1: October 18, 2021

Monday

As part of the health protocol requirements, we were required to check our own temperature for 6 days using the temperature strip that they provided us in the kit. We should then email it to an assigned email.

Here's my quarantine work setup

I accomplished the 1st day of the 2021 Post Arrival Orientation tasks. The topics for the day are: 

Day 1 ALT Orientation topics

Here's my food for the day:

Day 1 quarantine meal 

I found out that my set meal was for people with lactose intolerance. I called up the guest relations to have it changed but was informed that the change would be implemented on the 24th.

Hot tub dip - A perfect day-ender.

That night I had my first dip in my room's hot tub. It was a perfect activity to end the day.

Day 2: October 19, 2021

Tuesday

Temp check 2

I accomplished the 2nd day of the 2021 Post  Arrival Orientation tasks. Topics for the day are:

Day 2 ALT Orientation topics

Here's my food for the day:

Day 2 quarantine meal 

I got in touch with my JTE supervisor Yuka Kutsumi-sensei.

Day 3: October 20, 2021

Wednesday

Temp check 3

PCR Saliva Collection Test 1 was accomplished and submitted.

PCR Saliva Collection Test 1

Attended the British Council demo and seminar session 1 (10:45AM - 11:45AM). Topic: Teaching in Elementary School. 

British Council demo and seminar session 1. Topic: Teaching in Elementary School

Here's my food for the day:

Day 3 quarantine meal

I accomplished the 3rd day of the 2021 Post-Arrival Orientation tasks. Topics for the day are:

Day 3 ALT Orientation topics

Day 4: October 21, 2021

Thursday

Temp check 4

Thank God! They changed my meal already. No more non-dairy food for me. Hurray! Here's my food for the day:

Day 4 quarantine meal

I accomplished the 4th day of the 2021 Post-Arrival Orientation tasks. Topics for the day are:

Day 4 ALT Orientation topics

Received a video call from my former principal Mr. Salamat, my close friend Gilbert, and my Japanese godfather Mr. Toshi.

I got the best advice from these gentlemen

Package from Mr. Toshi

Experienced my first earthquake here in Japan.

Mr. Toshi's food package arrived and was delivered to my room at 7PM today.

Day 5: October 22, 2021

Friday

Temp check 5

Attended the British Council Online Seminar Session 2 (9:15AM-10:15AM) Topic: Teaching in Junior High School.

I accomplished the 5th day of the 2021 Post-Arrival Orientation tasks. Topics for the day are:

Day 5 ALT Orientation topics

Here's my food for the day:

Day 5 quarantine meal

Received a video call from Tatay and we talked about faith and family. 

Had a great time chatting with my wife and my father-in-law

Received an unexpected gift from Oshima-sensei and his wife

Received an unexpected gift from Oshima-sensei and his wife. 

Day 6: October 23, 2021

Saturday

Temp check 6 (Final self-check)

PCR Saliva Collection Test 2 was accomplished and submitted

I updated my laptop to Windows 11

Yey! I'm Negative!

Received the email notifying me that I'm negative of COVID 19. Hence, I can already get out of my room to heat my food and visit the microwave area and hotel store.

Here's my food for the day:

Day 6 quarantine meal

Received an email that my 1st PCR Test was negative. I'm now allowed to leave the room during my assigned schedules.

Today is the first time that I left my room to visit the small shop at 34F. 

I visited the small shop that the hotel set up at 34F of the hotel. I spent 550 yen - my first non-essential expense. 

Day 7: October 24, 2021

Sunday

No more personal temp checks. Instead, I am now required to go to the 34F from 12:30PM-1PM to have my temperature checked by the staff.

Temparature Check at 34F

Here's my food for the day:

Day 7 quarantine meal

I finished my JET Programme Online Training for New ALTs and received my certificate.

Scheduled room cleaning

Scheduled room cleaning #1 (1PM)

Used the microwave at the 34F for the first time 

Headed to the 34F to microwave my dinner. It's my first hot meal of the week.

This wraps up my first week of quarantine. I'm excited to share my last week here at Keio Plaza Hotel. Please continue following my Japan Diaries 4 series. Thank you.

Read more:

Japan Diaries 4: Intro
Japan Diaries 4: Quarantine Week 2
Japan Diaries 4: Off to Rumoi City
Keio Plaza Hotel

Japan Diaries 4: Summary