With the continued success of the Japanese blog, I have not been able to post on here and it does not look like things are going to ease up anytime soon. Every night I respond to at least 10 emails from people wishing Joel and I luck.
The blog now has over 80,000 visitors - yep, thats right, 80,000. Joel and I had an interview today with a morning show. Another TV company wanted to do a taping tomorrow but Joel and I are headed to Kyoto for some fun. Finally. Hmmm... what else? From the blog we have received offers for food (one girl wants to ship snacks from America), free haircuts, lunches, private lessons, some other business deals (one person said we can use a factory as a school and only pay electricity on it), and all kinds of sincere emails wishing us luck. So, I figure if someone takes the time to write me an email I should respond. I have started hitting the cigarettes heavy lately, two packs in the last two days because of all of the stress. We never thought the blog would have over 200 people and now here we are... So, just keep your fingers crossed. When I get a chance I will try to put up some pictures (in between applying for jobs, the blog, and everything else). Take care, things are definitely looking up over here. Who knows what is going to happen in the future...
I hope you are happy because I know I am finally returning to my old happy self.
11.07.2007
10.31.2007
Success of the Japanese Blog
Hello to all,
Hope everyone is doing well. I had plenty to eat today for those of you who are worried about the food situation. Everything is going well. As of now, I have about 5 privates and every week it continues to grow. If I get 10, I will be able to stay, not living a fancy life, just able to survive. But, right now, that is all I am worried about. So, I am half way to my goal.
Part of it is due to the blog as well as the fliers I have had made. Friends are also actively recruiting students for me. So, everything seems to be on the up and up. I have about 300 in the bank and 40 in cash at the moment. My only fear is E-Day (Eviction). If I can stay here another month free of charge, I should have enough saved that I can find a place of my own with some friends. But, we will just have to wait and see. I am thinking tomorrow (the 1st) should be the day we get it but who knows what kind of payment schedule Nova had with the landlord.
Anyways, since the start of the blog, Joel and I have gotten several offers: some for food, others for privates, one woman is going to send me a mouse to help with job applications, and a possibly interview for a newspaper. I know a mouse is only $12 but that is half a weeks worth of food.
I have been thinking about it a lot lately and I have noticed some signs that you are poor:
1) All calculations are done in food costs (see mouse example above).
2) You hate to break bills because for some reason, change doesn't seem as valuable.
3) You add a little less laundry detergent to your clothes to try and prolong the life of the detergent box.
4) Looking in the wallet is a dreaded activity.
5) Rice and noodles are a staple of your diet (good carbs and they fill you up fast).
6) You have so much free time and have applied to so many jobs, you just do not know what to do with your time.
7) Any plan in the future is a blessing because it gives you something to look forward to.
8) When out to dinner, you try to find the cheapest item on the menu. However, you hardly go out to dinner so this is not something that happens very often.
9) You know of every single park within 15 minutes walking distance of you apartment.
I think the worst thing about this is I have generally tried to be free with my money and not really worry about it. I have always been used to helping friends out and buying beer and all that stuff. Now, I hate even hanging out with friends because I feel like they want to take me so many places and to dinner and I can't afford to go. I hate being that guy who messes up plans and I hate being that guy who my friends have to pay for. I think that is the worst thing about all of this, accepting help from other people.
Hopefully, by the end of the month I will know more clearly where things stand. Right now, I do not know if I want to continue with private lessons or try to find a regular job. I will just have to play everything by ear and see what happens. Take care, hope every one is doing well. I was talking to a friend about Teach for America and it might be a possibility in the future. So, perhaps I will be back in 6 or 7 years instead of 10. Miss you all and wishing you the best.
Hope everyone is doing well. I had plenty to eat today for those of you who are worried about the food situation. Everything is going well. As of now, I have about 5 privates and every week it continues to grow. If I get 10, I will be able to stay, not living a fancy life, just able to survive. But, right now, that is all I am worried about. So, I am half way to my goal.
Part of it is due to the blog as well as the fliers I have had made. Friends are also actively recruiting students for me. So, everything seems to be on the up and up. I have about 300 in the bank and 40 in cash at the moment. My only fear is E-Day (Eviction). If I can stay here another month free of charge, I should have enough saved that I can find a place of my own with some friends. But, we will just have to wait and see. I am thinking tomorrow (the 1st) should be the day we get it but who knows what kind of payment schedule Nova had with the landlord.
Anyways, since the start of the blog, Joel and I have gotten several offers: some for food, others for privates, one woman is going to send me a mouse to help with job applications, and a possibly interview for a newspaper. I know a mouse is only $12 but that is half a weeks worth of food.
I have been thinking about it a lot lately and I have noticed some signs that you are poor:
1) All calculations are done in food costs (see mouse example above).
2) You hate to break bills because for some reason, change doesn't seem as valuable.
3) You add a little less laundry detergent to your clothes to try and prolong the life of the detergent box.
4) Looking in the wallet is a dreaded activity.
5) Rice and noodles are a staple of your diet (good carbs and they fill you up fast).
6) You have so much free time and have applied to so many jobs, you just do not know what to do with your time.
7) Any plan in the future is a blessing because it gives you something to look forward to.
8) When out to dinner, you try to find the cheapest item on the menu. However, you hardly go out to dinner so this is not something that happens very often.
9) You know of every single park within 15 minutes walking distance of you apartment.
I think the worst thing about this is I have generally tried to be free with my money and not really worry about it. I have always been used to helping friends out and buying beer and all that stuff. Now, I hate even hanging out with friends because I feel like they want to take me so many places and to dinner and I can't afford to go. I hate being that guy who messes up plans and I hate being that guy who my friends have to pay for. I think that is the worst thing about all of this, accepting help from other people.
Hopefully, by the end of the month I will know more clearly where things stand. Right now, I do not know if I want to continue with private lessons or try to find a regular job. I will just have to play everything by ear and see what happens. Take care, hope every one is doing well. I was talking to a friend about Teach for America and it might be a possibility in the future. So, perhaps I will be back in 6 or 7 years instead of 10. Miss you all and wishing you the best.
10.29.2007
Japanese Blog
In order to take our situation to the Japanese media, Joel and I have started a blog with the help of our friend Hiroko and some businessman we met Saturday night at 9:30 pm. Please take a look at the blog as I will be updating in daily. I have a feeling that this one will take a back seat for a bit until the craziness with the other one is done. However, I will still try to update this one bi-weekly or so. As for the new blog, please no comments!!! Joel and I are expected to reply to all comments so if every one of you ads a comment, that is 100 comments I have to reply to. So, if you have a comment, please just email it to myself or Joel. Thank you very much and the new website is as follows:
http://novajapan.blog123.fc2.com/
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know. Right now, things are looking on the up and up. There is already a potential interview in the making with hopefully more to come. Keep your fingers crossed as we are using this an opportunity to find jobs. Also, if you know anyone in the media back home, perhaps you could pass on this website to them as well. Thanks for all of your help and continued support. I will be sure to keep you posted on the latest and greatest. Turn that frown upside down and smile.
http://novajapan.blog123.fc2.com/
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know. Right now, things are looking on the up and up. There is already a potential interview in the making with hopefully more to come. Keep your fingers crossed as we are using this an opportunity to find jobs. Also, if you know anyone in the media back home, perhaps you could pass on this website to them as well. Thanks for all of your help and continued support. I will be sure to keep you posted on the latest and greatest. Turn that frown upside down and smile.
10.28.2007
Sorry Mom
So, I talked to my mother this evening on the phone and tears came to her eyes. I know I shouldn't have told her, but I stepped on the scale today and realized that I lost ten pounds. It is definitely not because I do not have food to eat, trust me. I have a huge bag or rice and plenty of pasta. I usually have eggs and bananas for breakfast. I have money for food, everything is okay. Hiroko's parents told Joel and I we can go over there any time for dinner. So, for those of you who are worried, I have plenty of food to eat. It was all fat that I lost. I think I am a bit stressed out about Nova, but who wouldn't be. I got some more private lessons and things are on the up and up but more about that later.
One of my Japanese friends gained 20 pounds when she came to America. So, I definitely think its the portion sizes as well as the amount of fats in the foods. As an American, I never realized how little you can eat and still be satisfied. You are always taught that you need to finish your plate and restaurants serve probably twice as much food as you need. I am not eating fried food or greasy food, the most unhealthy thing I have had to eat the last couple of weeks is probably toast with margarine or a few fatty pieces of steak. Everything else has been extremely healthy. So, no worries. I have food to eat and plenty of it. I will take a picture of my cupboard tomorrow and post it online as well as the refrigerator. There is always PB&J and things haven't gotten that bad yet. Take care, hope everyone is doing well. If you want to diet, come to Japan, lose your job, and watch the pounds melt away... SMILE!!
One of my Japanese friends gained 20 pounds when she came to America. So, I definitely think its the portion sizes as well as the amount of fats in the foods. As an American, I never realized how little you can eat and still be satisfied. You are always taught that you need to finish your plate and restaurants serve probably twice as much food as you need. I am not eating fried food or greasy food, the most unhealthy thing I have had to eat the last couple of weeks is probably toast with margarine or a few fatty pieces of steak. Everything else has been extremely healthy. So, no worries. I have food to eat and plenty of it. I will take a picture of my cupboard tomorrow and post it online as well as the refrigerator. There is always PB&J and things haven't gotten that bad yet. Take care, hope everyone is doing well. If you want to diet, come to Japan, lose your job, and watch the pounds melt away... SMILE!!
10.27.2007
Japanese Family
Great news! I now have a Japanese family who is willing to take care of me. Hiroko, a friend from school, who my mom and dad met, introduced Joel and I to her parents two nights ago. We got to Hiroko's (pronounced He-ro-ko) house and hung out with her mom for a bit, looked at some of Hiroko's pictures. Her mom made us a nice dinner, probably the best one I have had so far in Japan (probably because it was the first home cooked meal I had eaten besides the ones I have made). There is a picture in the picture section which shows the meal. It was a giant frying pan that is placed in the middle of the table then everyone just grabs whatever they are hungry for. It is a lot different from American meals where everyone has their own plate and own food. This is just a giant communal dish that everyone shared. It was a great experience.
Her brother came home after we had ate most of the dinner. He was shocked as he came up the stairs and saw two Americans sitting at the table. Hiroko, Joel, and I went to the store to get more beer. Her mom likes to drink beer but never has the chance since no one in her family really likes it. Plus, we forgot about the noodles we were supposed to have with dinner and needed to make some room after stuffing ourselves earlier.
We got back from the store, had some noodles, talked to her brother for a bit, and then her dad came home. Her dad is a fun guy, energetic, a jokester, but very nice. As soon as he got home, he got on his phone and started making some calls. He set up an interview for us the next day through one of his friends. After that, he drove us home (which probably cost him about $20 total seeing as there is a $7 fee to take the highway each time). Her dad told us we had a place to stay and food to eat if we ever needed it. He told us that we could come over everyday if we wanted. Hiroko is headed to America in a few days but I have a feeling Joel and I will still go visit her family at least once or twice.
The next day, we were off to dinner and an interview. We met her dad at the station and he took us to their house. We hung out with the family for about half an hour until Hiroko came home. We then went to dinner at a place where there was an open flame as well as grill at the center of the table and you cooked your own food. Hiroko's brother ended up buying so that was a plus. Then, we met her dad and were off to the interview, a bit late because of dinner. Oh, by the way, we changed in the bathroom of the restaurant for our interview. I am standing there changing, Joel is taking off his jeans and he looks at me and says, "I lost my pants." All I could do is laugh. Then, he started laughing because he didn't know what else to do. Between our station and the restaurant, Joel lost one of his two pairs of suit pants. His pants are lost somewhere in Japan. Anyway, we go to the interview, the guy cannot offer jobs because he is a small outfit. However, to make an hour and a half meeting short, he offers us $100 a month to keep a diary and send him pictures. So, Joel and I accept. He is hoping to involve the Japanese media and use Joel and myself as a figurehead for the Nova situation. I do not know what kind of connections he has but I know that I know have $100 more dollars than before, just to write. So, when I get the web address for that site, I will be sure to post it on here. That will be more of a daily diary where this is just here and there. Hiroko's dad dropped us off around 1 am which meant they didn't get home until close to 2 am.
This whole situation has just served to remind me that there are great, caring, kind people in the world no matter where you go. I honestly feel comfortable if I had to go and stay with their family even though I have only met them twice. Hiroko's mom packed Joel and I goody baskets both times and that is all I have had to eat the past two days, just food she has packed for us or dinner their family has made or bought for us. All around, they are just great people. Mom, they do like sweets, so if you come, make sure to bring a ton of chocolate for them.
Hope everyone is doing well, I know that I am doing a lot better now that I have a place to stay in a pinch or a home cooked meal if I ever need one. Today, I have another private lesson deal. So, I will make a bit more money hopefully and then I am meeting with a friend I met to give him some flyers to hand out. Things are nowhere close to where they need to be but at least they are looking a hell of a lot better then before. Remember to smile.
PS - Played baseball with the boys again this week. I had a big outing, two grandslams and a solid performance in the field. Joel had a few errors but we had fun and thats all that matters.
Her brother came home after we had ate most of the dinner. He was shocked as he came up the stairs and saw two Americans sitting at the table. Hiroko, Joel, and I went to the store to get more beer. Her mom likes to drink beer but never has the chance since no one in her family really likes it. Plus, we forgot about the noodles we were supposed to have with dinner and needed to make some room after stuffing ourselves earlier.
We got back from the store, had some noodles, talked to her brother for a bit, and then her dad came home. Her dad is a fun guy, energetic, a jokester, but very nice. As soon as he got home, he got on his phone and started making some calls. He set up an interview for us the next day through one of his friends. After that, he drove us home (which probably cost him about $20 total seeing as there is a $7 fee to take the highway each time). Her dad told us we had a place to stay and food to eat if we ever needed it. He told us that we could come over everyday if we wanted. Hiroko is headed to America in a few days but I have a feeling Joel and I will still go visit her family at least once or twice.
The next day, we were off to dinner and an interview. We met her dad at the station and he took us to their house. We hung out with the family for about half an hour until Hiroko came home. We then went to dinner at a place where there was an open flame as well as grill at the center of the table and you cooked your own food. Hiroko's brother ended up buying so that was a plus. Then, we met her dad and were off to the interview, a bit late because of dinner. Oh, by the way, we changed in the bathroom of the restaurant for our interview. I am standing there changing, Joel is taking off his jeans and he looks at me and says, "I lost my pants." All I could do is laugh. Then, he started laughing because he didn't know what else to do. Between our station and the restaurant, Joel lost one of his two pairs of suit pants. His pants are lost somewhere in Japan. Anyway, we go to the interview, the guy cannot offer jobs because he is a small outfit. However, to make an hour and a half meeting short, he offers us $100 a month to keep a diary and send him pictures. So, Joel and I accept. He is hoping to involve the Japanese media and use Joel and myself as a figurehead for the Nova situation. I do not know what kind of connections he has but I know that I know have $100 more dollars than before, just to write. So, when I get the web address for that site, I will be sure to post it on here. That will be more of a daily diary where this is just here and there. Hiroko's dad dropped us off around 1 am which meant they didn't get home until close to 2 am.
This whole situation has just served to remind me that there are great, caring, kind people in the world no matter where you go. I honestly feel comfortable if I had to go and stay with their family even though I have only met them twice. Hiroko's mom packed Joel and I goody baskets both times and that is all I have had to eat the past two days, just food she has packed for us or dinner their family has made or bought for us. All around, they are just great people. Mom, they do like sweets, so if you come, make sure to bring a ton of chocolate for them.
Hope everyone is doing well, I know that I am doing a lot better now that I have a place to stay in a pinch or a home cooked meal if I ever need one. Today, I have another private lesson deal. So, I will make a bit more money hopefully and then I am meeting with a friend I met to give him some flyers to hand out. Things are nowhere close to where they need to be but at least they are looking a hell of a lot better then before. Remember to smile.
PS - Played baseball with the boys again this week. I had a big outing, two grandslams and a solid performance in the field. Joel had a few errors but we had fun and thats all that matters.
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