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~~~~