hear the army

Reflections on last year…

Last year was quite an adjustment for me. Yes, I had lived in Japan for about 2.5 years prior, yes, Isseki and I had been staying together since July 2004; but, I suppose after all the excitement and stress of the wedding subsided – reality sunk in. My decisions were no longer only my decisions. My life was no longer only in my control. I could not predict nor control a vast majority of decisions that would affect my life. I guess when people ask me: what’s this marriage stuff all about anyway? That’s what it is. I had lived with someone long-term before and, of course, that person’s life affected mine, but it’s different when you’re married. There’s a certain weight and vulnerability that was never there before. Possibly all in my mind – but there nonetheless. Letting go of control has never been my forte and it made last year extremely painful in many was for both my darling husband and I.

I also had to face the fact that my life had lost any focus it had possessed before – with the exception of the fact that I was now a wife. Prior I was a teacher in Japan going to go back to the USA and find a good career either as a Paralegal or Technical Writer and settle in some hip town like San Fran, Portland, etc. Prior to that I was a student who for a little over a year after graduating was continuing my job and formulating a plan for where I was going to move – I definitely wasn’t staying in Murrells Inlet. Now what…I don’t want to be an ESL/EFL teacher for the rest of my life. I don’t want to go back to school to get my teaching credentials so my teaching experience will be marketable should we return to the states a few years down the road. I don’t think I’m ready for children yet but also don’t think I should wait much longer. If I decided to have children now I can’t rightfully do much in the way of finding other work in Japan now.

First things first, I had to study Japanese more if I ever wanted to stand a chance of getting another job. Jan-March. Secondly, I had to plan a wedding. March-June. Then it was just my 4 days/week teaching until I returned to language school full-time in October. In the midst I applied for 3 jobs: 1) Technical Writing position at a steam valuve manufacturer: didn’t get the job, no reply to my email asking for tips about what would help me be a better candidate in the future. I assume it was my lack of both Japanese and technical experience. 2) Assistant Administrator for an Info/Help/community center for foreign residents of Kobe: didn’t get the job, when I followed up they said they never got my email – shame on me for not following up sooner but it was like a week before the wedding. 3) Administrator for the same organization: this time I phoned to confirm receipt of my resume and have followed up since to reiterate my interest in the position. Interviews are supposed to happen this month and the position begins in March. Wish me luck!

So I went back to school October-December to better my Japanese and sit the JLPT which, if I passed, will help me in my job hunt. I’ll get those results mid-February. Otherwise, I have joined Kansai Foreign Executive Women’s Club (FEW) and offered to be on the Board as Newsletter Director in 2006. I hope this will help me with networking and at least give me something else to put on a resume but teaching. I also helped proofread a book, Living in Kobe, for the organization I mentioned applying to above. I am noted in the book so that’s something else for the resume.

Looking forward to this year…

The job hunt will continue. I have 2 classes/week (3.5 hours) currently with Japanese volunteers to try and better my Japanese and applied for another 2 hour lesson. I stopped working with one English Conversation School in October in order to attend Japanese language school but continue Mondays & Fridays with another and Saturdays at the YWCA. I’m hoping to find a full-time day job and drop both of those to have full weekends to go somewhere with Isseki and have evenings for FEW board meetings, Isseki’s events, and Japanese study.

I also want to travel. I haven’t been back to the states since October 2004 and am ready. I also feel the pressure to do my Europe trip before next year as we are seriously starting to consider children. How I will swing both in a year is beyond me.

We are moving! Same town, new apartment. Isseki’s band decided to take a hiatus from the end of last year so he wants to focus on making music at home for a while and needs room with which to do it. It’s a lovely, bright apartment and HUGE. 79m2 /259ft2! My first apartment in Japan was 23.4m2 /76.76 ft2, so I’m moving on up…or out. Up too! Much to my ex-New Yorker friend’s dismay: 13th floor! I didn’t realize it was unlucky and they don’t even include that number in most NYC buildings…ah well, Japan has different gods I suppose and if they’re cool with it, so am I.
First JP Apt in Tokorozawa (highlighted circle part only):

One moving to soon:

Christmas and new years were good. Christmastime got busy with Isseki’s last show coming up on the 30th. He decided he wanted to make a CD with the newest 2 songs they had put down in the studio along with other unreleased tracks from over the years. He asked me to make the cover – I had been meaning to learn Adobe Illustrator so gave it a shot. It took the majority of 2 days but I managed to design the CD label & insert, print the labels one at a time, burn, and hand number 60 CDs!! We took the insert to Kinkos for printing. I was exhausted but it was all worthwhile when I, merchgirl for a night, sold 30 copies!! It covered the cost of the CDs & Kinkos! I’ve even managed to sell 3 by mail-order! Yay.
Cover Outer:
Inside of Cover:
CD:

New Years day we had planned to go to Isseki’s grandmother’s place. When making the plans Isseki asked if there was anything she’d like us to bring – without hesitation she stated, “A baby”!!! When we woke up New Years Day she phoned to inform us she had tried to call and change plans the day before but wasn’t able to reach us and she planned to stay in her PJs all day so we should go to his sister’s to pick up our New Years food. We headed to his sister’s for the first glimpse of any of his siblings’ dwelling. Pink explosion. Think 13-year-old’s room with the addition of sake, ashtrays, cigarettes, and diet pills. Quite an experience but very Yo. The food his grandmother, grandmother’s cousin and aunt made for us was not only delicious – it was very kind: no meat!! We headed to a quiet local shrine to pray for the new year and get our fortunes (both good!) then spent the evening as we had the night before, snacking and watching movies. Good New Years.
Osechi / New Year Food:

I’m really glad I wrote this because at the end of last year I was feeling a bit down and like I still haven’t gotten anywhere (the last full time job on my resume ended in Spring 2004!) but now I see that I was quite busy and productive last year. Whew.

I finally feel a bit caught up with things – sent out the last of my (gulp) Christmas packages and thank you notes yesterday. I’ve even had enough time to blog a bit in the Japanese friendship community – not as long as this, mind you but…gotta start somewhere. Ready for the new year!