it's not life that matters but the journey...

Update to last post:

I had three friends reply already in just 15 minutes. I got the song! thanks so much to all of you! where would I be without my LJ friends??

*hugs you all*

I thought it was time for me to post some pictures of things I've seen and done lately, as it's been a few weeks since I took some of these pictures, and I'm probably going to forget what they are soon! Also I just want to keep a record of what I've been doing - for posterity I guess ^_^

I've know I've been a bit quiet lately, and that's unusual for me. I guess it's because I'm still waiting to hear about this job that I want, and I'm starting to worry a bit. I've applied for one more job, but so far I haven't heard anything - their deadline is early next week for applications. All I have at the moment is these two prospects. Miki talked to her sister's husband who works at a private school in Fuji, but she found out that they don't even have an ALT (English assistant teacher) working at their school. So that's another strike.
I can apply for other private schools by simply sending my resume and cover letter, but it's not looking too positive, unfortunately. If I don't get a full time job by April, then the chances are I won't be able to get anything until fall or next spring - and that means I won't be able to earn any money to pay my student loan. I can survive without income if my husband works, but I don't know how I can survive not working. I'll go crazy! Jobs are much more scarce here than I'd imagined, and for any job posted, there are hundred of applicants. Another problem is that the people who currently have contracts want to renew, rather than going back to their own countries. I don't blame them - if they're making money, why give that up? I know I'm more qualified than lots of other applicants, and I know I should be hired; the problem is that I have no control over who the companies decide to hire. So I just wait for an answer.

Anyway, in the meantime I am keeping myself occupied as best as I can while my husband works during the day. I watch some tv shows, I surf LJ, I go for occasional walks or do my walking or yoga dvd's, and I study Japanese. One thing's for sure: if I don't get a job, I should become very very good at Japanese. I'm starting to feel a bit more confident already because I need to use Japanese to communicate with Masahiko's parents, and I'm surrounded by Japanese wherever I go, so I'm absorbing it. I'm also spending at least one day a week with my friend Miki, and she's a very good teacher! She's coming over to my house tomorrow to study for a couple hours, so that should be fun. We also spent 45 minutes last night talking on Skype, so that was good for my listening and speaking practice.

Ok now let's go back in time a bit for ( a recap of my last couple weeks... )

Sunday, Masahiko and I went out to buy a new television for our room. His dad has a huge TV that he uses on the second floor, but we wanted one in our bedroom. We got a very small flat panel TV for only about 25,000 yen, (about $250 u.s. dollars) and it's so nice to be able to watch DVD's now. However, I need to buy a new DVD player that will play my recorded DivX movies.

Yesterday I didn't do anything at all - and here it is Tuesday, and I've not nothing much planned this week either. I did some shopping today at the grocery store, and I'll meet Miki tomorrow and have yoga Friday. and I hope by Friday to have an answer on this job. I need an answer very soon!