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

It's been a few days since I posted, so I guess it's time for some more pics and news.
After New Year's I kind of went into a mini depression (very mini, because I just don't get depressed very easily)... mostly because I was seriously lacking in physical activity, and I'd been eating too much. But also I started to worry that I wouldn't hear from any of the places that I'd applied to for jobs. The weekend was incredibly slow (in fact I don't remember even what we did because we didn't go anywhere or see anyone) - we did watch a few movies, including ( 2012 which was terrible, and Desperado which we'd seen many times before, and which we never get tired of watching), and just hung around and did the same old stuff (i.e. a little internet, a little studying, eating, cleaning, etc...). Monday I wasn't feeling good all day - I've been having lots of intestinal issues ever since I came to Japan (my system still hasn't gotten adjusted to the new climate, diet, and everything else). So I've been trying to take lots of natural laxatives to clear out my system, and they still weren't working on Monday. On top of that, I had a massive headache, so I was feeling sluggish and out of sorts all day.

Tuesday was better. When I checked my email in the morning, I had two messages regarding jobs. One place said they had no university lecturer or ALT positions (Assistant Language teacher), but that they would check with conversation schools around the area for any openings. I didn't feel that one was so promising, but I could still hear back from them, I guess. The other email was from a company that hires ALT's for public schools (kindergarten, elementary or junior high) - they are going to have a representative in Shizuoka city (which is about 40 minutes from where I live) doing interviews this month, and I scheduled an interview with them for the 17th. The guy who emailed me told me that there are going to be openings for full time jobs in Fuji city, which is where I am living, so that might work out very well! The interview will be pretty serious, though: it's 90 minutes long, and I have to take a 45-50 minute lesson plan with me. I don't have to demonstrate the whole lesson for them, but I have to be able to walk them through it. Also, their website mentioned that we might be interviewed a little in Japanese! Hopefully they realize that my level is very basic! I feel hopeful about this one though - I've worked as an ALT before, and I have lots of experience teaching. So let's hope I ace the interview! Now I need to get busy making a lesson plan - yikes!

So I was feeling a lot more relaxed on Tuesday, and my intestinal issues started to sort out a bit. Also that day, Masahiko took me to city hall to get my "gaikokujin" (alien) registration card (which all foreigners need to carry with them and use for work and other issues), and also he set up a bank account for me. So now I feel like I'm more of a resident than a visitor:)
Tuesday afternoon we finished watching a movie that we started on Monday night called Extract It's Mike Judge's latest, and it's hilarious! I highly recommend it!

I haven't taken many pictures lately, but the other day on my walk, I took a few of the surroundings, including a very interesting vending machine that dispenses fresh eggs!

Yes, it's true you can get anything in a vending machine in Japan:




Here's a little park I found - can't wait to see what it looks like in the spring:





A view from high up:



I love these trees:



And here's a picture of Fuji-san taken from my second-floor classroom. If that huge ugly electrical tower wasn't there, the view would be awesome!:



And finally, here are some New Year's decorations my mother-in-law put up.

This is the decoration on the front door of our house - the Japanese reads "Happy New Year":
(most homes have a door ornament like this)



And this is the flower arrangement that is inside the front door, in the "genkan"
(these little white and yellow flowers are growing everywhere around town - I also see the red berries, but I don't know what they're called):



My mother-in-law also made a smaller arrangement for me to put in my room:



And that's it for now!



Masahiko starts working tomorrow in a full time temporary job - it might last only one or two months, but he's glad to be earning some money. He'll be gone every day (except weekends) from 7:30 to 6:30, so I'll be on my own with M's parents for a couple days, before the weekend. Sunday, I'm meeting my former student Narumi, and my former supervisor Akiko for lunch at an Italian restaurant. Then Tuesday, I go to Tokyo for my interview and to stay with my friends!

Next time I'll post pics of our little pet bird, and maybe more of Leo...

now it's time for my shower, and bed!