2007年11月30日 What Am I Getting Into!

neo-NOVA
I was at NOVA (Soka Branch) this week PR’ing and signing my life away to work for neo-NOVA. I have to admit that although seeing some of the students again was really nice. I can’t help but think of the quote, “Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on ME!” After the whole NOVA fiasco I can’t help but wonder if I did the right decision to sign up and go back to company that screwed me over 2 months wages. I’m back to work as of this Saturday though. I managed to already shuffle my schedule to make my 2 interviews this week! :P So as you can tell I have no intentions of staying,  partly because I preferably want to be in an elementary school again. I guess signing back up with the neo-NOVA was more of a strategic movie to stabilize my position in Japan and keep the apartment. Let’s hope it plays to my advantage.

I did have 3 interviews, but I decided not to pursue one of them. It was for GEOS Kids and after reading about them I decided it wasn’t for me. I have an interview for a private school and another for an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position. I really hope I get the ALT position because I really enjoyed working at the elementary school this past month. It would be a good opportunity to continue that under another English language company.

I have to say there have been a lot of hard decisions to make this week and in weeks to come. I just hope I make the right decision(s) if things work out.

My Interviews
It’s been a few days since I’ve written the above. I’ve had one interview since then, which I thought went well, but are not hiring anyone until April! I should have had 1 other interview, but they keep rescheduling on me! It’s beginning to be a pain in the ass. At first it was Monday, but then the told me if Tuesday was OK for me and I said, “No, I’m working. How about Wednesday evening?”. They said that was fine until the DAY OF; they decide to change the time of the interview by email. And of course I never got the memo in time. I mean who reschedules an interview time the day of!? And on top of that they wanted me to go to Omiya, which is almost an hour away when originally I would have gone to Toda City, which is a reasonable distance. Anyways I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt and hope I can get an interview with them soon. So I guess I’m at a crossroads, but let me tell ya there is a big red light preventing me from advancing it seems. :| Catch me a break!

2007年11月27日 Party Time!

Nikki’s Birthday!
This past weekend was pretty full socially. This week in itself will prove to be pretty busy for other reasons, which could change a lot about my stay in Japan. But let’s talk about the social aspect of my life as the latter (if I talk about it in excess) will stress me out.

Soo Nikki’s birthday was a surprise party! I never actually been to a surprise party before. I always think the person for who the surprise is for always finds out… well that’s always been the case for me anyways. When she arrived, we came out the bedroom and surprised her with these firecracker things that explode and shoot streamers! It was really cool! The rest of the night was spent talking and drinking and eating chips. Good times!

I had planned to leave Matsudo by last train and Heather checked the train schedule for me, but when we arrived my train had left already! So I had no choice but to stay at Heather’s place with Andrew and Yvonne. Before crashing, we went for some late night karaoke near her place singing songs by artists such as – Mariah Carey, Pussycat Dolls and S Club 7 (yes I said S Club 7 ^^). Japanese artists including – Utada Hikaru 宇多田ヒカル, Koda Kumi 倖田來未, Namie Amuro 安室奈美恵 and AAA. It was a night of drinking, drunken picture taking and just plain ol’ fun! Some of those pictures have made there way on to Facebook already! But you won’t see those pics here cause I think I look terrible and busted in most of them. So instead, here is a picture of the Christmas decorations in Matsudo City! :P LOL You gotta love the Christmas koala! クリスマスのコアラはかわいい!

Marjorie’s Birthday
The next day was Marjorie’s birthday bash in Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi. Lucky for me that was in the evening and I could sleep-in and clean up and stuff from the events of the night before. The birthday was a joint affair wit her friend Mari who was celebrating her birthday too! It was held at this bar called A971 House. Very nice atmosphere, very chilled and very relaxed. Met a few cool people there; drank, chatted and conversed… nothing too crazy. Overall it was a great night and weekend!

Ugh now I have to face this busy week. Wish me luck!

2007年11月25日 Firsts & Lasts

First Time in Kashiwa
I went to visit Heather in Kashiwa to see her new place for the first time. We had some dinner and walked around and window-shopped. Kashiwa is a really nice city in Chiba Prefecture. A lot of good shopping though expensive, but… pfft… everything here in Japan is expensive! I should have took pictures for blog purposes, but I forgot. ^^

Heather introduced me to her friend Barry (the lazy-eyed bear). We were bored so we took pictures of the bear! That poor bear needs eye surgery. LOL!

Bittersweet
Sadness… It was my last day Thursday with New Life English. It’s very long story, but was meant to be my permanent full-time in January turned out to be my temporary ALT job for the month. Helping teach English to those kids was so much fun! I really enjoyed it! Senju Elementary (千寿小学校) is a great school! Great kids and great teachers. Though I was only there for a month it was a great month.

We were being evaluated by the Board of Education. The kids were putting on their shows and showing their English skills in action. Surprisingly they asked me to attend the meeting in the auditorium where I helped present the new English curriculum to the PTA and the Board. Reading all the English dialogue of course! ;P I think the whole thing was filmed for NHK so don’t be surprised if you see me on TV making a fool of myself! Haha! Seriously, if I knew I was gonna be on stage I would have brought my glasses cause I couldn’t see/read the projection screen too good. ^^

I really wish I was staying at the school, but I guess I’m meant for another path.

2007年11月20日 Out On the Town

My Poor Ass in the City
I managed to pull my lazy-pringle-eating-poor-ass away from the computer to actually go out. It’s ironic… when I worked, I had no free time. NOW that I don’t work cause of the NOVA drama, I have a lot of free time, but no money to go out! Ugh! Anyways I do have money, but I have to wise how I spend it as my future in Japan is getting dim and unstable if I don’t find a full time soon.

Anyways back on track… Friday went out with Ivan and Linda to explore Ueno and Ikebukuro for the day. We went to Ueno Park (上野公園) to walk around taking in the sites and ended up renting a peddle boat shaped as a swan on the lake. It was actually kind of fun, though peddling kind of strained my legs a little when we got back on land. ^^ Walking around near the main fountain, we came across this Peruvian band who was pretty good! We stopped to listen to them for a bit before heading to for a late lunch.

Ivan the Photographer
Ivan took a few pictures with his digi. Here are a few shots. I’ll upload more to Facebook soon! Ugh I can’t wait to be payed so that I can buy myself a decent digital camera. LOL! I was just telling Monica that I need to be photographed in at least 10 mega pixels, my blog reading public demands it! LOL! :P But a new camera is far on my current agenda, but in time.

The 3 of us in front of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park

 

Ivan taking a “artistic” nonchalant photograph

 

It’s me placing my hands on some monument whose words I cannot read ^^

 

Ikebukuro
Afterwards we had lunch and headed to Ikebukuro. Ivan had a private lesson so Me and Linda did the tourist thing and went to Sunshine 60 to check out the observation deck. We had a little trouble finding the elevator, but managed to make our way. I have to say I was a little disappointed. Other than the view and the elevator ride there’s nothing really great. It’s not worth paying for… you’re better off going to Shinjuku and going to the FREE Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory. Even better, Roppongi’s Tokyo CityView is even better, not free, but worth checking out. After checking out the view we met up with Ivan and went for a round of karaoke (where I was terrible that night…LOL) before heading back home. It’s was pretty cool day! I really needed to do something to relax my mind.

2007年11月18日 Tasukete!

Someone is Really Testing Me!
Let’s start with an email I sent to Stacy about the not so glamorous time I’m having here in Japan right now. My blog mainly focuses on the good stuff, but usually my private blogs go more into detail of the drama and sh*t I’ve been dealing with these past few months.

With the collapse of NOVA and the whole freeze of the company to find a sponsor. The 10 day mark has gone and past; we’re going on almost 20 days now. I sent Stacy an update of my current events in point form format:

NOVA NEWS

• NOVA was trying to find a sponsor to refinance and restructure to prevent bankruptcy within in 10 days of the freeze.
• They succeeded, a company called G Communications based in Hokkaido bought a chuck of the company.
• Currently I heard they rehired about a thousand employee and are to reopen some school in Central Tokyo, Nagoya, Sendai and Osaka. (One of which is my branch)
• Communication on the rehiring is really shitty right now and information is hard to come by, all my info is from the newspaper, internet or word-of-mouth.
• Even if NOVA rehires, the rehired staff must sign a new contract which I heard was a bit shady.

I really don’t know if I want to return to the new NOVA but it would be mean I’ll have (perhaps) some stability while I look for another job. Just one of the many plans spinning in my head right now.

THE PART-TIME JOB NEWS

• I was supposed to sign my contract last week, but some of the clients wanted to have a woman instructor for the female private lessons.
• My boss calls me this past weekend saying that I will compete for the position which was already promised to me.
• Monday I found out my boss was forced to hire the girl, and that basically means I out! A victim of sorts of gender discrimination.
• Japan does not have many discrimination laws.
• I have one day left with this job next week.

I have to say I really liked working for them this month. Working in the elementary school was very fun and rewarding. The kids were just getting accustom to me being around school. It kind of makes me sad that I have to leave. If it wasn’t for the private women’s class this would have never happened. When my boss told me the ladies wanted a woman teacher and I would have to prove to them otherwise I KNEW they were already set on having a female. Damn that foreshadowing! Life’s a bitch sometimes eh!

So What’s Next?
That’s a good question. I really have no idea! This week my roommate and I received an eviction notice! Apparently NOVA terminated our lease on the 31st! The notice said we had to leave immediately, but the new NOVA never told us anything my the eviction when Ivan called early this week. According to our sub-lease, if NOVA terminates the lease they are suppose to find us new accommodations. This new development is got me looking for a place to stay, which would prove difficult…

CHECKLIST OF EVENTS
- no job
- barely any money

I am in no position to get a new apartment. I haven’t asked yet, but I have no choice but to stay at a friend’s house if it comes to that. In the meantime me and Ivan have decided to squat. I have to say a bit of drama right now…I’m taking things day-by-day. I’m applying for other jobs right now hoping for some good luck. I’ve been saying, “Sh*t happens!” well someone did a big one on my life. LOL! “Thing’s happen for a reason” they says, I’m just not sure where this road will take me quite yet.

This months cover of Metropolis: Japan’s No.1 English magazine

2007年11月17日 Picture Gallery

Minamisenju,
Also known as my home (away from home)! Minamisenju is in the north-east part of the Tokyo bordering the Sumida river which is to the north. Minamisenju is said to be a “ghetto” part of Tokyo, by Japanese standards. Part of the reason for this is that a lot of homeless live by the river in makeshift homes made of blue tarps. Surprisingly these “homeless” still get mail delivered to their “residences”… It’s crazy I know! Anyways, in recent years the riverside has gone through major development and change as seen here.

I shop at this plaza every week for groceries and renting movies. However not so much on renting anymore since I discovered bedroommedia.com for my movie viewing pleasure. LOL… sue me I’m broke-ass!

My area attracts a number of backpackers. I see them around the station every so often looking confused. The area has a few cheap hotels which they stay at, but remember you get what you pay for. For more info watch this video:

Don’t get me wrong, Minamisenju isn’t the greatest place in Tokyo to visit, but it’s where I live. You can see the occasional bum on the street, but overall it’s far from what we in Canada would consider “ghetto”. It’s not a tourist area, but it’s a decent place to live I think. Here are some pictures of the street I live on. I took them while walking home from the school one day. Also here are some pictures taken from the balcony and pictures of the apartment.

  

  

  

Toys, Toys & Toys
Last week after work I headed down to Ueno to do some window-shopping. I wanna buy some clothes, but it’s hard for me cause Japanese people are built a little different than me! It’s not that I can’t find clothes, I have! But there are so many nice things that are just not in my size! >_< d’oh!

I went to a toy store just outside Ueno Station. The name of the store escapes me, but you can’t miss it if you exit from the Central Gate and cross the street. There are a lot of interesting things to see. here are some things that’s peaked my interest.

  

 

The humping dog and the Harry Potter Wand Collector Wands are pretty self-explanatory. I took a picture of the monkey cause I think its the same monkey they use at sevenohfive.com. I’m a fan of their work and I recommend you check out their work on their website and on youtube. Here is a video mock infomercial the group made that features the monkey. I think it’s pretty funny!

The Super Mario sound-effects key chain is for Monica who loves Nintendo and all things Nintendo. :D Bringing such popular classic Mario sound-effects like – the coin noise, the mushroom noise, the 1-up and the sound you get when you die. :P

2007年11月05日 Interesting

Sugamo Station (巣鴨駅)
I was visiting a friend of mine near Itabashi. I was on the Mita Line heading towards Itabashikuyakushomae Station (ya I can’t say it either ^^) transferring from Sugamo where I saw this. I’m assuming that during rush hour this station gets really busy and these barrier help to keep the people on the platform safely. When the train comes the the barrier opens up to allow passengers on the train. it may just be me, but I’ve never seen anything like this, especially in Toronto. So for me it was worth a bit of documentation. :P

 

At the Grocery Store
When I was a cashier you always had to bag the customers groceries. In Japan groceries are usually bagged by the individual. The cashier takes your basket (cause there are rarely any shopping carts) and scans the items and puts them into another basket where she places some plastic bags for you to bag your own sh*t. Once you pay you go to these tables and bag everything and throw away any packaging or wrapping that you don’t want to take home.

  

I may have mentioned that at the grocery store fruits are mad expensive. To illustrate, this average-size watermelon costs almost 3000 yen…about $30CAD at my local grocery store!… Shoot guy! I could go out to Korean BBQ with that kind of money! And for the record, bananas for some reason are pretty cheap in comparison to most fruits here at around 120 yen.

2007年11月04日 Friday Night

Roppongi Hills
I realized I really want a new digital camera… My current camera takes horrible pictures at night. There are so many corrective setting with digi-cams these days that I must get with the times as soon as I get a stable cash flow.

The camera on my phone is pretty good…many of my pictures are direct from my cellphone. here are a few shots of Roppongi Hills as I made my way out from the Tokyo Metro to meet some people.

  

   

I’ve been to Roppongi Hills during the day, but at night it’s just as nice. The four pictures are of the Mori Building and the Roppongi Hills area. The escalator takes you to the surface from the Tokyo Metro. This is the same escalator you see in the video Koi ni Ochitara 恋におちたら by Crystal Kay. Much of the video is shot in and around Roppongi Hills. LOL I get kind of excited knowing that I’ve been in the same place as Crystal Kay.^^… Haha only a little…YES a little! I SWEAR! :P

If you watch the video you’ll see this spider-like structure just outside the Mori Building. My friend Marjorie had told me that during an earthquake the Spider Structure moves off it’s center. It must be true cause this thing is pretty massive to move to begin with.

Going to MUSE Bar
Kristel had invited us Friday Night to go down to MUSE in Nishi-Azabu. We had been there once before and it was really fun! Unfortunately this time around the music was whack! Meh, it happens! But it was still fun… we had good company and that was probably the best part of that night. LOL! Someone mentioned it being a “Sausage Factory” that night AND THAT IT WAS! LOL!

There was this really drunk-ass big guy at the bar. He was totally wasted and was kissing, hugging and grabbing people’s crotches! I was like, “damn this man is totally wasted.” Anyways towards the end of the night a bunch of us were chilling downstairs when out of nowhere he appears. Me and Ivan spot him and see him coming our way…O_O! By this time I was mad tired and just waiting for first train at 5am. He comes up behind me and starts massaging my shoulder!!! I look at the guy and give him this look like, “WHAT THE F*CK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOIN’!” I don’t need no piss-ass drunk hassling me! Anyways after that he walked away… Sufficed to say that was probably the most eventful thing that happened to me that night! :S

2007年11月04日 There’s Always a Silver Lining!

I Got a (Part-time) Job!
Well it’s pretty much official. I have a job part-time working as an ALT for Elementary and Junior High School kids for this Private English Company. I also teach Kinders in-home. I’m currently temporary, but if things look good I can become Full-time in the New Year, depending if the need is there.

I worked my first class last Friday at an Elementary school in Kitasenju for Grade 5 & 6 students…Two lessons on Negotiating. It’s a little different than what I’m used to at NOVA, but I’m up for new approach. The principal and teachers are really nice, though they speak little English they’re very kind and welcoming people. My first lesson was video-taped so that the kids could practice a skit about negotiating in a store scenario. There was a lot of overacting involved! Though I must admit acting is not my strong suit I think I did a decent job. :) The principal and assistant principal were taking photos for the newsletter! If I knew I was gonna get press I would have looked better for the camera…LOL! It was a little nerving at first being in front of so many students, but it passes.

So far so good though! I get my schedule this week and contract papers. But a new problem will develop if NOVA starts running 100% again. But I’ll deal with that when the time arises. In the meantime, I’m dealing with everything on a day-by-day bases. I’ll have classes in Minamisenju, Kitasenju and Nishiarai so I’m told. I guess this is Chapter 2 in my “Living in Japan” Saga. :P Let’s hope it’s goes well.

Urbanbrat 8.0
Chapter 2! So of course I had to change-up the look of my blog once again! Introducing version 8.0! *Please hold your applause* LOL

So why did I choose the name Sumimasen! (すみません!)? What does it mean?

Well, Sumimasen.　すみません｡ – It is probably the most common phrase used to apologize. Some people say it as “Suimasen （すいません）”. “Sumimasen （すみません）” can be used in several different situations (when requesting something, when thanking someone etc.)…

I’m always apologizing and excusing myself in some manner…LOL! It’s also a good way of getting someone’s attention, for example like “Excuse me!”. Sumimasen as a word is very handy in a variety of situations. Though it may not have any real relevance for being the title of my new theme, it is still one of the first words I learned IN Japan thus making it somewhat relevant. In fact I heard it first in the airport as an airline worker was pushing a cart of luggage for an elderly lady through a large crowd of people while yelling (politely of course) THAT word. It’s a word I hear almost everyday and people tend to be alerted when it’s heard.