It's been a crazy month so far, including my first PRIDE, Kaz's first Halloween, PugFest, and lots of other fun stuff. I've been meaning to post about it all, but every time I get near the computer I'm reminded I need to continue with my job search and grad school applications, so the blog gets pushed back. Well, even though those same concerns are popping up today as well, I'm still gonna write... something!
Today I got a rude awakening: I checked my grad program's website for the first time in a few weeks to discover that they upped the deadline, from January 1st to December 15th! Yeah, it's only 2 weeks (most likely 2 very BUSY weeks) but still a shocker. The big problem is that my propensity to procrastinate has stopped me from requesting recommendations from old professors, bosses, etc., and requesting such favors at the last minute is pretty, well, unprofessional. So I sent off my email requests today- finally! I actually already heard back from one- the leader of the NPO I volunteered with in India. It was so wonderful to get back in touch with him, and even better, he actually remembered me!! I was also able to send out transcript requests from ALL my schools, which has been much more of a pain than expected (I have to send all of these transcripts to the 3 programs I'm applying to: my main uni, my study abroad program, my summer classes school, and even my AP scores from high school- wow!) So I'm finally really getting into the application process. It's pretty exciting!
I actually don't have much time to write more now, but I'll try to soon~~
Oh and an amazing book that I expect you all to read! :-)
Welcome all you fujin and shujin out there!
Yokoso y'all and thanks for stopping by! I'm new to this blog thing and welcome all comments, questions, and general advice on making this a fun place to visit~~ domo domo !!!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
It's been a REALLY long time, so time for a REALLY long post! (^o^)
It really has been a long time, I realize as I look at the the date of my last entry. Wow- a year! Really? Not such a big deal as I currently have zero, that's right, zero followers (tear...) Aw well, that's what I deserve for being such a lazy blogger. So in an effort to gain some kind of following, while at the same time giving myself something to do to kill all the free time unemployment allows, I am vowing to pick back up and start anew.
So the Takeuchi's have had quite a long (and pretty tough) year. The end of 2009 was exciting as we added a new member to our family- Pecan, our adorable fawn pug. He's such a cutie! For some old videos check out this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q4rjNERBA8
As 2010 began I was having a really rough time at my job: the long (and freezing!) commute, the lack of job security or chance at advancement, and of course the HUGE pay cut I had to take after I maxed out my JET contract was all becoming a bit too much. In the end Kaz and I decided to start making plans to move to the US. This was something we'd planned since before our marriage, but with the Lehman Brothers shock and the recession that followed, there never seemed to be a good time. However, by the beginning of 2010, the US economy was projected to grow much more than the Japanese, so we decided that it was 'now or never'.
Even though we're married, the US VISA process turned out to be much more difficult (and pricey) than expected. All in all we ended up paying nearly $2000 for the VISA, which was pretty difficult as we dealt with pay cuts and trying to save up for an international move.
But finally, after problems finding airlines that fly pugs, finding tickets during summer vacation, and finding a place to stay for the month between ending our apartment contract and our actual flight, we finally made it here exactly 2 months ago, on August 4th, 2010.
I'd like to say our story became much rosier after our arrival, but that unfortunately has not been the case. I will say that we received tons of support, both with goods and encouragement, from our loving family and friends, and we are eternally grateful to everyone. However, it seems that the hard financial times that we've endured since our marriage are not going away anytime in the near future. We have been very lucky to receive free housing from my dad, and let me tell you, not having the threat of homelessness looming over you really provides a huge level of comfort.
But the job search has left less to be desired. Yes, before coming I was fully aware of the unemployment rate, and that Georgia's rate is even below the national average, but I honestly assumed that with my unique skills and local networking communities, I'd find a job relatively soon. This, however, has not been the case. I want a job in the nonprofit sector protecting the rights of lower income people, both domestically and internationally; however, after sending out dozens upon dozens of applications without even a single reply, I have become quite disheartened. I've spent all of today trying to rewrite my resume in quantitative terms, which I've found to be quite difficult when dealing with education. How much money did I save/earn the Board of Education through my teaching...? It's pretty tough to come up with something, and I'm having to be a bit more creative than I'd like, but maybe the numbers will at least get me a call back.
As for Kaz, he's had a hard time adjusting, but we're taking things day by day. He celebrated his 30th birthday a month after we got here. Shanna, my stepsister, was kind enough to take us out to a Braves game the day before to celebrate her and Kaz's birthdays. We had a great time, except for a mishap with getting autographs from the Japanese players, and Kaz- the HUGE baseball fan that he is- enjoyed his first major league game. But on his actual birthday, we couldn't afford presents or an outing, so I splurged on some decent beer and beef at Publix and made one of Kaz's favorite meals: Korean BBQ (yakiniku), miso soup, and rice. He enjoyed it, but of course I couldn't compete with the Skype call his family made in the evening. All of his culture shock went away as I brought out his cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to him together.
It's been especially hard for Kaz because of his English ability. He has been attending the free ESL classes at the Rockdale Career Center, twice a week. But to be blunt, he's just not that talented with languages and is having a really hard time. Not to mention that many people in this country aren't too used to (or worse- not welcoming to) nonnative speakers. He may learn a new phrase and try to use it in town only to have the person ignore him by looking at me for clarification. Some people try to tell me I should be teaching him at home. But they should understand that I am his wife, not his teacher. He came to this country ultimately for me and the least I can offer him is a language safe spot, where he can choose to speak whatever language he feels comfortable with. Of course I help him with his English (I was after all an ESL teacher!) and I'm constantly offering him tidbits of language and culture, but in the end I want him to speak English with me when he feels comfortable, not because I force him to.
Job wise, Kaz s having a rough time as well. He still wants to do his photography, but without sufficient language ability, more advanced (read: expensive) equipment, or connections, he's having an especially hard time. Also, although he is quite a skilled photographer, he's also used to the ongoing support of his mentor, or sensei. Suddenly being on his own, in a foreign land with a different language and totally different ways of doing business and building clientele, he's not having much luck so far. He has been offered a job with a Japanese company which seems like a good deal: it's a decent salary, including benefits and chances for advancement; however, the job is completely unrelated to photography and is entirely in Japanese. So not only will his photography skills not improve, his English won't either. In other words, all of his goals he made in coming here will be wasted. So for the time being, while we can still stretch our savings a bit, he's going to keep looking.
I, in the meantime, am trying to network and add experience to my resume by volunteering. Currently I am helping plan the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival for next March, assisting the Nancy Guinn Library's Youth Anime Club with Japanese cultural activities, and helping support women's rights with the Feminist Women's Health Center, not to mention that I volunteered 2 days for the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta for JapanFest a few weeks ago. I also joined a business Japanese class for JET Alumni and met some wonderful people, randomly started a conversation with a Japanese couple Kaz and I are now in regular contact with, and plan to attend my first alumni event for my university tomorrow night. I/We are trying to get out and connect with people, but unfortunately nothing in the way of a job has come of our efforts so far.
Even through the rough times, we're keeping our heads and our spirits above water. I'm currently renewing my love for public libraries and Kaz is meeting the small challenges that every day brings (he finally passed his driving test a couple of weeks ago and is now officially a Georgia driver!) I must admit that having two wonderful pugs at your feet and a loving spouse by your side really does help melt away the stress. (We had a wonderful picnic yesterday- and it didn't cost a penny!)
So by all means don't worry about us. If you can offer help, then we're always appreciative; if not, then know we love you and we understand.
Here's to happy job hunting and brighter days ahead~~~~
So the Takeuchi's have had quite a long (and pretty tough) year. The end of 2009 was exciting as we added a new member to our family- Pecan, our adorable fawn pug. He's such a cutie! For some old videos check out this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q4rjNERBA8
As 2010 began I was having a really rough time at my job: the long (and freezing!) commute, the lack of job security or chance at advancement, and of course the HUGE pay cut I had to take after I maxed out my JET contract was all becoming a bit too much. In the end Kaz and I decided to start making plans to move to the US. This was something we'd planned since before our marriage, but with the Lehman Brothers shock and the recession that followed, there never seemed to be a good time. However, by the beginning of 2010, the US economy was projected to grow much more than the Japanese, so we decided that it was 'now or never'.
Even though we're married, the US VISA process turned out to be much more difficult (and pricey) than expected. All in all we ended up paying nearly $2000 for the VISA, which was pretty difficult as we dealt with pay cuts and trying to save up for an international move.
But finally, after problems finding airlines that fly pugs, finding tickets during summer vacation, and finding a place to stay for the month between ending our apartment contract and our actual flight, we finally made it here exactly 2 months ago, on August 4th, 2010.
I'd like to say our story became much rosier after our arrival, but that unfortunately has not been the case. I will say that we received tons of support, both with goods and encouragement, from our loving family and friends, and we are eternally grateful to everyone. However, it seems that the hard financial times that we've endured since our marriage are not going away anytime in the near future. We have been very lucky to receive free housing from my dad, and let me tell you, not having the threat of homelessness looming over you really provides a huge level of comfort.
But the job search has left less to be desired. Yes, before coming I was fully aware of the unemployment rate, and that Georgia's rate is even below the national average, but I honestly assumed that with my unique skills and local networking communities, I'd find a job relatively soon. This, however, has not been the case. I want a job in the nonprofit sector protecting the rights of lower income people, both domestically and internationally; however, after sending out dozens upon dozens of applications without even a single reply, I have become quite disheartened. I've spent all of today trying to rewrite my resume in quantitative terms, which I've found to be quite difficult when dealing with education. How much money did I save/earn the Board of Education through my teaching...? It's pretty tough to come up with something, and I'm having to be a bit more creative than I'd like, but maybe the numbers will at least get me a call back.
As for Kaz, he's had a hard time adjusting, but we're taking things day by day. He celebrated his 30th birthday a month after we got here. Shanna, my stepsister, was kind enough to take us out to a Braves game the day before to celebrate her and Kaz's birthdays. We had a great time, except for a mishap with getting autographs from the Japanese players, and Kaz- the HUGE baseball fan that he is- enjoyed his first major league game. But on his actual birthday, we couldn't afford presents or an outing, so I splurged on some decent beer and beef at Publix and made one of Kaz's favorite meals: Korean BBQ (yakiniku), miso soup, and rice. He enjoyed it, but of course I couldn't compete with the Skype call his family made in the evening. All of his culture shock went away as I brought out his cake and we all sang Happy Birthday to him together.
It's been especially hard for Kaz because of his English ability. He has been attending the free ESL classes at the Rockdale Career Center, twice a week. But to be blunt, he's just not that talented with languages and is having a really hard time. Not to mention that many people in this country aren't too used to (or worse- not welcoming to) nonnative speakers. He may learn a new phrase and try to use it in town only to have the person ignore him by looking at me for clarification. Some people try to tell me I should be teaching him at home. But they should understand that I am his wife, not his teacher. He came to this country ultimately for me and the least I can offer him is a language safe spot, where he can choose to speak whatever language he feels comfortable with. Of course I help him with his English (I was after all an ESL teacher!) and I'm constantly offering him tidbits of language and culture, but in the end I want him to speak English with me when he feels comfortable, not because I force him to.
Job wise, Kaz s having a rough time as well. He still wants to do his photography, but without sufficient language ability, more advanced (read: expensive) equipment, or connections, he's having an especially hard time. Also, although he is quite a skilled photographer, he's also used to the ongoing support of his mentor, or sensei. Suddenly being on his own, in a foreign land with a different language and totally different ways of doing business and building clientele, he's not having much luck so far. He has been offered a job with a Japanese company which seems like a good deal: it's a decent salary, including benefits and chances for advancement; however, the job is completely unrelated to photography and is entirely in Japanese. So not only will his photography skills not improve, his English won't either. In other words, all of his goals he made in coming here will be wasted. So for the time being, while we can still stretch our savings a bit, he's going to keep looking.
I, in the meantime, am trying to network and add experience to my resume by volunteering. Currently I am helping plan the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival for next March, assisting the Nancy Guinn Library's Youth Anime Club with Japanese cultural activities, and helping support women's rights with the Feminist Women's Health Center, not to mention that I volunteered 2 days for the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta for JapanFest a few weeks ago. I also joined a business Japanese class for JET Alumni and met some wonderful people, randomly started a conversation with a Japanese couple Kaz and I are now in regular contact with, and plan to attend my first alumni event for my university tomorrow night. I/We are trying to get out and connect with people, but unfortunately nothing in the way of a job has come of our efforts so far.
Even through the rough times, we're keeping our heads and our spirits above water. I'm currently renewing my love for public libraries and Kaz is meeting the small challenges that every day brings (he finally passed his driving test a couple of weeks ago and is now officially a Georgia driver!) I must admit that having two wonderful pugs at your feet and a loving spouse by your side really does help melt away the stress. (We had a wonderful picnic yesterday- and it didn't cost a penny!)
So by all means don't worry about us. If you can offer help, then we're always appreciative; if not, then know we love you and we understand.
Here's to happy job hunting and brighter days ahead~~~~
Friday, November 6, 2009
And so another weekend approaches...
It's Friday night, which must mean... I'm sitting at home at my computer alone- Kaz is exhausted and thus already asleep. Married life really can make a person boring I guess.
Today was my last day of the trimester at Kanki Junior High. Although I'll be back in January, I was asked to give a brief speech to the fellow teachers and students- why? Strange I think. Still stranger though: I asked if it was OK to leave a few things in my desk for the 2 months I'll be away- things like tea bags and hard candies- and I was told that that was prob not a good idea as who knows what could happen to them...?! What? Is there some crazy tea bag snatcher amongst the teachers??! Well, seeing how they crowd around a fresh pot of green tea, I guess it may be possible ;-)
After getting home, I did give in to what has recently become a bad habit of mine (again!)- i.e. a nap. I think naps can be great- really refreshing and healthy- when they are taken at decent times (around 1-3p), but taking a nap at say, 7p is prob not the best thing. What's a girl to do? I don't get home until 6 and am utterly exhausted from my commute. I try to read, but eventually I doze off. How does one break this evil (and yet so nice) cycle?! I thought having a snack would help, as it gives me energy, but no luck. So now not only do I take late naps, but I do so right after eating- not the best habit for someone wanting to lose weight...
So being the fantastic wife that I am, tonight's dinner consisted of... pre-cooked food from the grocery store deli!! haha I was too tired after my nap and couldn't think of anything to cook anyway, so when Kaz got home we went shopping for dinner. I ended up with spaghetti and a Caesar salad and Kaz had udon noodles and sushi- i.e. we were both happy, the westerner eating western food and the Japanese eating Japanese food! And for only $10! To be honest, I'd have to say food is prob the biggest issue Kaz and I have. Not that we fight over it, but that it's so hard to choose something we both want. Yes I like Japanese food, but everything in Japan is Japanese in some way, including Western food (can you say, corn, potato, and MAYONNAISE pizza?!!) I do get tired of it and sometimes just want something that resembles home food. Kaz on the other hand loves Japanese food (obviously) and always wants to eat noodles or rice- he's not a big fan of Western food for the most part (although he does manage to eat what I cook- what a sweetie!) So we either end up like tonight, eating totally different things, or I cook a mixture of things we like. We do go out to eat, but that generally means one of us will be eating something they don't really want (that person btw is usually Kaz...)
After work tomorrow (I work at an English Saturday school for elementary school kids from 10-2) I'm wondering what to do with myself. Kaz once again has work all weekend (he'll get home around 9p tomorrow). Going shopping is tempting, but we really need to save, and besides I hate going shopping alone. I'll prob be at home, reading and checking out the internet. Wish me luck in one day finding a life... lol
Today was my last day of the trimester at Kanki Junior High. Although I'll be back in January, I was asked to give a brief speech to the fellow teachers and students- why? Strange I think. Still stranger though: I asked if it was OK to leave a few things in my desk for the 2 months I'll be away- things like tea bags and hard candies- and I was told that that was prob not a good idea as who knows what could happen to them...?! What? Is there some crazy tea bag snatcher amongst the teachers??! Well, seeing how they crowd around a fresh pot of green tea, I guess it may be possible ;-)
After getting home, I did give in to what has recently become a bad habit of mine (again!)- i.e. a nap. I think naps can be great- really refreshing and healthy- when they are taken at decent times (around 1-3p), but taking a nap at say, 7p is prob not the best thing. What's a girl to do? I don't get home until 6 and am utterly exhausted from my commute. I try to read, but eventually I doze off. How does one break this evil (and yet so nice) cycle?! I thought having a snack would help, as it gives me energy, but no luck. So now not only do I take late naps, but I do so right after eating- not the best habit for someone wanting to lose weight...
So being the fantastic wife that I am, tonight's dinner consisted of... pre-cooked food from the grocery store deli!! haha I was too tired after my nap and couldn't think of anything to cook anyway, so when Kaz got home we went shopping for dinner. I ended up with spaghetti and a Caesar salad and Kaz had udon noodles and sushi- i.e. we were both happy, the westerner eating western food and the Japanese eating Japanese food! And for only $10! To be honest, I'd have to say food is prob the biggest issue Kaz and I have. Not that we fight over it, but that it's so hard to choose something we both want. Yes I like Japanese food, but everything in Japan is Japanese in some way, including Western food (can you say, corn, potato, and MAYONNAISE pizza?!!) I do get tired of it and sometimes just want something that resembles home food. Kaz on the other hand loves Japanese food (obviously) and always wants to eat noodles or rice- he's not a big fan of Western food for the most part (although he does manage to eat what I cook- what a sweetie!) So we either end up like tonight, eating totally different things, or I cook a mixture of things we like. We do go out to eat, but that generally means one of us will be eating something they don't really want (that person btw is usually Kaz...)
After work tomorrow (I work at an English Saturday school for elementary school kids from 10-2) I'm wondering what to do with myself. Kaz once again has work all weekend (he'll get home around 9p tomorrow). Going shopping is tempting, but we really need to save, and besides I hate going shopping alone. I'll prob be at home, reading and checking out the internet. Wish me luck in one day finding a life... lol
Thursday, October 29, 2009
So I've finally decided to start a blog...
Wow! My first ever blog entry- I'm actually a bit nervous. I'm not sure if anyone will ever actually read this, but if you are, thank you!
I guess I decided to write this for tons of reasons, a big one being because I would like to reconnect with people back home. I want to share with you my daily (ummm... let's go for weekly ;-)) adventures. Not to say my life is so full of adventures, just that I don't think many people can really understand what life is like over here in Japan. After 5 years, I'm over the culture shock and the touristy feelings- Japan is now home (hopefully not forever though), and many things that have become 'normal' for me are probably bewildering to some of you. So when you have time, come visit my blog and learn what my life over here is really like!
Today was a productive day, mentally speaking. After my two classes (busy day! ha) I hung around the computers all day. My current school is so annoying: they have 3 computers hooked up to the Internet for 50 teachers! That's right, FIFTY! (In Japan all the teachers work together in one huge room, 'The Staff Room'- they don't have their own classrooms and thus no privacy or quiet time, EVER!) Of course some teachers bring their own laptops, but many don't, and I'm not about to jostle my raggedy old machine on my 30-min bike rides to school! But today I was able to snatch a computer, ALL DAY! I could see the teachers hanging around me, waiting for the chance for me to go to the printer, or better yet, the bathroom, but I never gave in!
After finding a few ideas on teaching "Where is...?" to my first years, I decided to search grad school programs. I've been thinking about grad school for a long time, but financial issues have kept me from applying. Also for the longest time I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to study- so many things seemed interesting! But recently I came across a program in 'sustainable international development' (SID) and it's perfect! I'm so, so, so happy to have finally found something I love and that really calls to me (if you understand what I'm getting at) It's a program focusing on development economics and policies to help world's disadvantaged now while not threatening their future. I'm sure many of you know that I went on a volunteer trip to India a few years back and since that time I decided that helping people is what I want to do with my life. With this program, I'll finally know how to do just that!
So I've found the program of study, now to find a school. I would like one that has a good and supportive program, but I also have to be able to afford it somehow. Those two requirements, and that fact that SID is still a relatively new discipline, mean that finding a school isn't as easy as I'd hoped. So far Brandeis U, American U, and my Alma Mater George Washington U seem perfect and I may just apply to all three. Of course the money issue comes up, because all these programs are crazy expensive, so I'm going to keep looking. I'm also considering getting my degree abroad, in Australia, here in Japan, or I'm even thinking of India, but only if they have good programs.
To be honest it's really difficult doing all this over here. Basics like taking the GRE become difficult (I have to wait until February to take it), not to mention trying to get letters of recommendation, in English! No one really understands the whole process. But even worse, after being here for over 5 years, I realize that even I may need some work to sell myself. I've become so used to being humble and talking down myself that trying to write a strong letter of intent is a real challenge!! Plus speaking only Japanese and very simple English every single day, has really killed my vocabulary (I'm currently reading the classics in an effort to improve that though...) I've got a lot of work to do before I can get this butt back in school!
I guess I decided to write this for tons of reasons, a big one being because I would like to reconnect with people back home. I want to share with you my daily (ummm... let's go for weekly ;-)) adventures. Not to say my life is so full of adventures, just that I don't think many people can really understand what life is like over here in Japan. After 5 years, I'm over the culture shock and the touristy feelings- Japan is now home (hopefully not forever though), and many things that have become 'normal' for me are probably bewildering to some of you. So when you have time, come visit my blog and learn what my life over here is really like!
Today was a productive day, mentally speaking. After my two classes (busy day! ha) I hung around the computers all day. My current school is so annoying: they have 3 computers hooked up to the Internet for 50 teachers! That's right, FIFTY! (In Japan all the teachers work together in one huge room, 'The Staff Room'- they don't have their own classrooms and thus no privacy or quiet time, EVER!) Of course some teachers bring their own laptops, but many don't, and I'm not about to jostle my raggedy old machine on my 30-min bike rides to school! But today I was able to snatch a computer, ALL DAY! I could see the teachers hanging around me, waiting for the chance for me to go to the printer, or better yet, the bathroom, but I never gave in!
After finding a few ideas on teaching "Where is...?" to my first years, I decided to search grad school programs. I've been thinking about grad school for a long time, but financial issues have kept me from applying. Also for the longest time I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to study- so many things seemed interesting! But recently I came across a program in 'sustainable international development' (SID) and it's perfect! I'm so, so, so happy to have finally found something I love and that really calls to me (if you understand what I'm getting at) It's a program focusing on development economics and policies to help world's disadvantaged now while not threatening their future. I'm sure many of you know that I went on a volunteer trip to India a few years back and since that time I decided that helping people is what I want to do with my life. With this program, I'll finally know how to do just that!
So I've found the program of study, now to find a school. I would like one that has a good and supportive program, but I also have to be able to afford it somehow. Those two requirements, and that fact that SID is still a relatively new discipline, mean that finding a school isn't as easy as I'd hoped. So far Brandeis U, American U, and my Alma Mater George Washington U seem perfect and I may just apply to all three. Of course the money issue comes up, because all these programs are crazy expensive, so I'm going to keep looking. I'm also considering getting my degree abroad, in Australia, here in Japan, or I'm even thinking of India, but only if they have good programs.
To be honest it's really difficult doing all this over here. Basics like taking the GRE become difficult (I have to wait until February to take it), not to mention trying to get letters of recommendation, in English! No one really understands the whole process. But even worse, after being here for over 5 years, I realize that even I may need some work to sell myself. I've become so used to being humble and talking down myself that trying to write a strong letter of intent is a real challenge!! Plus speaking only Japanese and very simple English every single day, has really killed my vocabulary (I'm currently reading the classics in an effort to improve that though...) I've got a lot of work to do before I can get this butt back in school!
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