The dream has been reached. I will be moving and working in Japan.
I can't say that I was not looking forward at getting a job in Japan. Ever since I found out in my sophomore year of college that I was able to do it, I was given an incentive to have this opportunity to both practice something that I have enjoyed doing (I have worked with children before) and being able to go to a place that I have always wanted to go, even if it was just to visit.
I am feeling a bit bittersweet to be wanting to leave. I mean, who is ever happy to say goodbye to the people that they have grown up with? No one I imagine.
But once I received my general offer of employment from the Eikawa school, I was not at all hesitant to reply with my acceptance.
I hope this to be a rewarding experience, as well as the beginning of writing more about my experiences in japan. I am thinking of continuing my journey in Japan with this blog, or starting up a completely different one. But that will be planned out in due time. First, I have to find out where I will be working and when I will be going.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Thoughts on Japan and Amity
I have weird moments when I like to type something online and looking through threads to have my questions answered. Like when I want to know how to breed some dragons in my Dragonvale app that I have in my iPad, or if I can take my little Roku player overseas (that is, if I get offered the job to work overseas).
Currently, I have refrained from expressing anything to anyone about the Amity Aeon position, except my mother, because she was in the Suzuki when I received the email saying that they are requesting a background check. I can only assume that I am keeping a calm exterior due to the fact if I am denied, I won't take it as hard as the time I was not offered the position for Aeon, their sister school.
But in retrospect, as I am trying time and time again to recount where I went wrong in the Aeon private interview, and where I went right, I see that I did more wrong than right. I stalled, I didn't understand how to properly teach the lesson plan, the answers were wrong, I was gasping and taking time simply because I didn't know how else to continue with the ten minute lesson plan.
In short, I choked because I never had the practice. Sure, I read about it in the forums and what to expect, but I was sweating as much as a horse when I was put on the spot like that.
I felt that with Amity, for the private lesson, I was more prepared. And it wasn't as difficult because I was just teaching simple phrases and animal vocabulary. I thought that I did better, and planning out the lesson plan felt more mature.
The one on one interview also helped me out a lot. And now that they requested the background check, I cannot help but think that this can only be a good sign. Wherever they decide to place me, I already told them that I was an open book and don't have any specific preference, because I have never been to Japan and I know that wherever I go will be a beautiful adventure.
Currently, I have refrained from expressing anything to anyone about the Amity Aeon position, except my mother, because she was in the Suzuki when I received the email saying that they are requesting a background check. I can only assume that I am keeping a calm exterior due to the fact if I am denied, I won't take it as hard as the time I was not offered the position for Aeon, their sister school.
But in retrospect, as I am trying time and time again to recount where I went wrong in the Aeon private interview, and where I went right, I see that I did more wrong than right. I stalled, I didn't understand how to properly teach the lesson plan, the answers were wrong, I was gasping and taking time simply because I didn't know how else to continue with the ten minute lesson plan.
In short, I choked because I never had the practice. Sure, I read about it in the forums and what to expect, but I was sweating as much as a horse when I was put on the spot like that.
I felt that with Amity, for the private lesson, I was more prepared. And it wasn't as difficult because I was just teaching simple phrases and animal vocabulary. I thought that I did better, and planning out the lesson plan felt more mature.
The one on one interview also helped me out a lot. And now that they requested the background check, I cannot help but think that this can only be a good sign. Wherever they decide to place me, I already told them that I was an open book and don't have any specific preference, because I have never been to Japan and I know that wherever I go will be a beautiful adventure.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Stiff Upper Lip
I am taking a break on the outside backyard with Pandora playing what is considered to be artists that have the same sounds as The Weeks. It's a band I recently have become too interested in.
I just think the backyard is beautiful, even though there are so many things wrong with it. The weeds are sprouting from the cracks in the concrete. The center of the grass is dead with instances of survival around the edges. The incomplete house my dad started when he was fired- I mean let go.
The lawn mower is resting in the shade the orange tree is supplying. The mango tree is still covered.
Yet the sun is still inviting. It makes me want to stay out here and just remain in the sun even though it burns after a while.
For this instant, it's burning. But I am not bothered by its sting. I am welcoming it.
I just think the backyard is beautiful, even though there are so many things wrong with it. The weeds are sprouting from the cracks in the concrete. The center of the grass is dead with instances of survival around the edges. The incomplete house my dad started when he was fired- I mean let go.
The lawn mower is resting in the shade the orange tree is supplying. The mango tree is still covered.
Yet the sun is still inviting. It makes me want to stay out here and just remain in the sun even though it burns after a while.
For this instant, it's burning. But I am not bothered by its sting. I am welcoming it.
Nieces.
I have my nieces over this weekend. To be honest, it is a constant reminder that I am either too annoyed at the fact of having children, or I am still going through a selfish phase.
I will admit that I am a selfish person, but at the same time I feel as though my sisters have "difficult bundles of joy." I say this with love in case either one decides to torch me through their teeth.
My youngest niece Emily is the type that can be labeled as psychopathic (I can just imagine Rob Hare scolding me for identifying a psychopath without proper training). She is a pathological liar, never listens, always cries to get her way, and has a tendency to torture pets. Just some cases to being psychopathic.
My other niece Bryana has a mouth on her that is pilfered with attitude. I hate that. So much more than a few simple psychopathic tendencies that my other niece has.
I don't know why I am writing this, when I could be watching something funny like mean girls. It's something I just wanted to get off my. Best I suppose.
I will admit that I am a selfish person, but at the same time I feel as though my sisters have "difficult bundles of joy." I say this with love in case either one decides to torch me through their teeth.
My youngest niece Emily is the type that can be labeled as psychopathic (I can just imagine Rob Hare scolding me for identifying a psychopath without proper training). She is a pathological liar, never listens, always cries to get her way, and has a tendency to torture pets. Just some cases to being psychopathic.
My other niece Bryana has a mouth on her that is pilfered with attitude. I hate that. So much more than a few simple psychopathic tendencies that my other niece has.
I don't know why I am writing this, when I could be watching something funny like mean girls. It's something I just wanted to get off my. Best I suppose.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Last Official Work Day
My boss came up to me to tell me that it was my last day today. Is this what it feels like to be let go or to be fired? It is ridiculously unfathomable. Like I cannot picture not coming back into work because it was so routine. I feel as though I am supposed to be rolling in tomorrow but I know that I can't. It's not like I can't come to visit, but I won't be working, therein lies the difference.
It seems surreal. Like this is just another day, even though it is my final day. Truthfully, I was hoping to work tomorrow and have tomorrow be my last day, versus having today be and ultimately cut abruptly short of just one day.
I don't feel like crying, I don't feel much of anything really. I cleaned out my folders where I stored things and had my boss tell me that she would need the keys to the drawers in her office. Again, just doesn't seem plausible. Like I will have another person come in and take over from where I left off in the Fall quarter. But I still don't seem to constrict in a general sense.
I will miss my coworkers, my boss, my other boss. Working the front desk and answering the telephone calls. Basically I will miss being an office assistant. And now I just wonder:
What am I going to do now?
I still have a Japan interview coming up, I still am waiting to hear from an Academic Advising position that my friend put in the good word for me. But as far as I am in life, I have no idea. Doesn't really scare me, it just leaves me wondering into different portals with the same constant thought:
What now?
It seems surreal. Like this is just another day, even though it is my final day. Truthfully, I was hoping to work tomorrow and have tomorrow be my last day, versus having today be and ultimately cut abruptly short of just one day.
I don't feel like crying, I don't feel much of anything really. I cleaned out my folders where I stored things and had my boss tell me that she would need the keys to the drawers in her office. Again, just doesn't seem plausible. Like I will have another person come in and take over from where I left off in the Fall quarter. But I still don't seem to constrict in a general sense.
I will miss my coworkers, my boss, my other boss. Working the front desk and answering the telephone calls. Basically I will miss being an office assistant. And now I just wonder:
What am I going to do now?
I still have a Japan interview coming up, I still am waiting to hear from an Academic Advising position that my friend put in the good word for me. But as far as I am in life, I have no idea. Doesn't really scare me, it just leaves me wondering into different portals with the same constant thought:
What now?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Reflection time part deux
I sometimes find it hard to actually have the urge to open up my macbook pro from its sleep mode and begin typing about my day, because it is very unproductive at the moment. I have only finals to think about.
But as I am procrastinating again on three edits that are due tomorrow in the morning, along with revision narratives one page each, I decided to reflect a bit and look back on my years.
My freshman year was less exciting than most. Where many were having fun and trying to get out, I was lucky enough to get a ride that first quarter because I didn't get my license over the summer. I luckily received it in october and began driving the car left and right. That habit died very quickly, as my parents constantly remind me.
On top of being in classes, I was unsure of the major that I was pursuing. I didn't know that I wanted to be a social worker. And the remedial English classes were deterring me from doing anything special with English. But I got good grades in my research papers, and teachers were praising me for the work I put into my English papers. And even more so, when it came to identifying the premise behind the story and not being corrected like I used to back in high gave me more incentive to venture into the world of English. By the end of my freshman year, I was getting enrolled in English.
Sophomore year had to have been the most dull that I can remember, because I was focusing a ton on my religious studies as well as a bit of writing classes. I took a religion class that both my advisor and I thought would help me but in the end I had to take a few additional religion classes, to which I am thankful for, because it helped me figure out where my true beliefs lie. I am not saying that I was converted. But I did feel more at ease with my spiritual and religious philosophies. I no longer stood petrified at the thought of life after death, and I simply just began living out what I have been calling life.
Junior year was a butt load of writing and English lit classes. I felt as though my popping out of story after story was proving to be uninterested, and started making me want to challenge my writing, and begin an outlet for creative non-fiction, which I loved. I still decided to write some fiction pieces, but without a thought I would have careless tossed in the trash bin where they belong. By junior year was also the time that I found a stable job that had specific hours to comply with, and I had people working under me and also working with me. Plus, it was on campus so that was also nice; I was saving up the gas.
Until finally, my senior year. I recall good memories and bad. I recall changing my position as a tutor towards an office assistant. I watched plays with friends and laughed when we talked about our stories in humor writing. I wrote with purpose again because I wanted to go for a humorous appeal while also contemplating what I would want to publish later on in my life. I studied an epic poem that further made me philosophically question my position in this world. I started a writing group which I intend to follow through in the summer as we collaborate and critique works. I have a checklist of books that are waiting for me to hop into bed with them, while the drawer light encompasses and gives me eyes I need due to my lack of night vision. I want to camp, go to the beach, run again, build up my knee strength to have it work again. But most importantly...
I need to find a job to pay my phone bill. *sigh*
But as I am procrastinating again on three edits that are due tomorrow in the morning, along with revision narratives one page each, I decided to reflect a bit and look back on my years.
My freshman year was less exciting than most. Where many were having fun and trying to get out, I was lucky enough to get a ride that first quarter because I didn't get my license over the summer. I luckily received it in october and began driving the car left and right. That habit died very quickly, as my parents constantly remind me.
On top of being in classes, I was unsure of the major that I was pursuing. I didn't know that I wanted to be a social worker. And the remedial English classes were deterring me from doing anything special with English. But I got good grades in my research papers, and teachers were praising me for the work I put into my English papers. And even more so, when it came to identifying the premise behind the story and not being corrected like I used to back in high gave me more incentive to venture into the world of English. By the end of my freshman year, I was getting enrolled in English.
Sophomore year had to have been the most dull that I can remember, because I was focusing a ton on my religious studies as well as a bit of writing classes. I took a religion class that both my advisor and I thought would help me but in the end I had to take a few additional religion classes, to which I am thankful for, because it helped me figure out where my true beliefs lie. I am not saying that I was converted. But I did feel more at ease with my spiritual and religious philosophies. I no longer stood petrified at the thought of life after death, and I simply just began living out what I have been calling life.
Junior year was a butt load of writing and English lit classes. I felt as though my popping out of story after story was proving to be uninterested, and started making me want to challenge my writing, and begin an outlet for creative non-fiction, which I loved. I still decided to write some fiction pieces, but without a thought I would have careless tossed in the trash bin where they belong. By junior year was also the time that I found a stable job that had specific hours to comply with, and I had people working under me and also working with me. Plus, it was on campus so that was also nice; I was saving up the gas.
Until finally, my senior year. I recall good memories and bad. I recall changing my position as a tutor towards an office assistant. I watched plays with friends and laughed when we talked about our stories in humor writing. I wrote with purpose again because I wanted to go for a humorous appeal while also contemplating what I would want to publish later on in my life. I studied an epic poem that further made me philosophically question my position in this world. I started a writing group which I intend to follow through in the summer as we collaborate and critique works. I have a checklist of books that are waiting for me to hop into bed with them, while the drawer light encompasses and gives me eyes I need due to my lack of night vision. I want to camp, go to the beach, run again, build up my knee strength to have it work again. But most importantly...
I need to find a job to pay my phone bill. *sigh*
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Milton is a tricky reading
I do enjoy a challenge. I have already labeled what I wish to read in the summer and I haven't even started my vacation yet. I feel it so close that I want nothing more at the moment. The first order of business is really reading Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained by John Milton.
At the present, I am jumping around because reading all twelve books and having other homework due is making it difficult to truly enjoy it. I really do enjoy the prose as well as the poetry that he conveys throughout the rest of the poem, but I am just as interested as how he pictured the fall of man and extended what is said in Genesis as the Original Sin of man due to a woman.
I have to hate and love the fact that man is placing this blame on us poor females, but also the fact that they blame women as bringing them down with us. But that is besides the point.
I didn't think that there can be angst and passionate carnal lust in an epic poem such as this until I read it with my own eyes. You see the innocent smile that Eve gives him in the fourth book, and see how Adam has initially transformed as he demands her almost. It was enticing, and I have to agree with my Young Adult Literature professor as she states that the innocent scene in book 4 was cute and lovable, but the lust scene in book 9 was loads steamier and the lyrical prose is much more enticing.
Even so, I want to reread this poem, alongside with Homer's Iliad and Odyssey because so much of it is intertwined within the other. That's why I say that Milton's readings can be difficult, because if you don't know your Greek history, you are going to have a hard time understanding what he is referring. Sometimes, even the references within my own book is lacking in description. I feel as though I need a Plato book in one hand, a dictionary in the other, and a bible to look up the verses that he is referencing towards on top of my head.
I can't wait for summer vacation in all honesty. It couldn't come any sooner and the anticipation is just as bad as it is because I am graduating this summer as well.
Ay, poor me, you might think. No I don't deserve pity. I just deserve more time to dedicate to reading. :P
At the present, I am jumping around because reading all twelve books and having other homework due is making it difficult to truly enjoy it. I really do enjoy the prose as well as the poetry that he conveys throughout the rest of the poem, but I am just as interested as how he pictured the fall of man and extended what is said in Genesis as the Original Sin of man due to a woman.
I have to hate and love the fact that man is placing this blame on us poor females, but also the fact that they blame women as bringing them down with us. But that is besides the point.
I didn't think that there can be angst and passionate carnal lust in an epic poem such as this until I read it with my own eyes. You see the innocent smile that Eve gives him in the fourth book, and see how Adam has initially transformed as he demands her almost. It was enticing, and I have to agree with my Young Adult Literature professor as she states that the innocent scene in book 4 was cute and lovable, but the lust scene in book 9 was loads steamier and the lyrical prose is much more enticing.
Even so, I want to reread this poem, alongside with Homer's Iliad and Odyssey because so much of it is intertwined within the other. That's why I say that Milton's readings can be difficult, because if you don't know your Greek history, you are going to have a hard time understanding what he is referring. Sometimes, even the references within my own book is lacking in description. I feel as though I need a Plato book in one hand, a dictionary in the other, and a bible to look up the verses that he is referencing towards on top of my head.
I can't wait for summer vacation in all honesty. It couldn't come any sooner and the anticipation is just as bad as it is because I am graduating this summer as well.
Ay, poor me, you might think. No I don't deserve pity. I just deserve more time to dedicate to reading. :P
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