On that day two years ago...

Hi everyone!

On this day, it is exactly two years since I first went to Japan. Summer 2010 was one of the best ones in my life, and I still think back to those warm, sunny days with my friends. Good times, good times.

This also means that it is only a little more than two months until I'm going home again. Which makes me kind of sad. It's weird how time plays tricks on you. Ten months seemed like such a long time, but now eight months have already passed. I really hope I can find a job here until then, so I can return here and live here more permanently. Can't give up yet...

That's all for now. I leave you with this song. At least one thing I have to look forward to when I go back home is to be able to play some awesome new games. Have a good day!

And Now We Wait...

Hi everyone!

If you read my last post, you know that I had a job interview at a small company in Osaka, which localizes video games from Japanese to English. It went quite well, I think. The person who interviewed me seemed to have gotten a fairly good impression of me, and after sending them my resume and a sample of my previous translation work (See the "Summer Project" posts in my blog archive.), I received a response from the director saying that they will contact me "within a few days." So far, so good.

Now I just have to wait a "few days." And my semi-paranoid, anxious self does not like to wait. I know it's a weekend right now and they probably won't contact me until Monday at the very earliest, but I still find myself looking at my mail box every now and then just to see if anything has arrived. I just don't have much patience when it comes to things like these, I guess.

Anyway, I'm going to wait for now. If I don't hear from them in another "few days," I suppose I should contact them again. I really do want this job, and I want to make sure that everything goes well. Oh man, my nerves...

Well, that's it for now. Until next time, have a good day!

P.S Drakengard is a pretty nice game. Just so you know.

Another Interview

Hi everyone!

So, the job interview I had a few weeks back amounted to nothing. On top of it all I even broke my arm on the way there. Nevertheless, I struggled on, and am now almost completely back to my former self. Arm's still a bit stiff, though.

Anyway, on Tuesday is another very big day for me. Why? Because I have an appointment with a company that translates and localizes video games, based in Osaka. In other words, a shot at landing my dream job here!
With some help from my mother, I made up a plan for the interview; what I'm going to talk about, how to best introduce myself and show them my best side, the usual. My mother does this sort of thing for a living, and she is great at pointing out people's strengths and how they can use them to overcome their weaknesses, and I really feel confident about this thing now.

Oh, and I got my scholarship money yesterday. Feels good to have some money again!

I'll get back and tell all about the interview next time. Until then, have a good day!

Back in Action!

Hi everyone! It seems my long and arduous recovery is finally nearing its completion. Today, I went to the hospital again for a regular check-up of my arm. And lo and behold: Upon viewing the x-ray image, it became clear that the bone is now almost completely healed! All that is left now is to gently start exercising the muscles and ligaments, bringing the arm back to its former strength and mobility. Hurray!

What's more, it is now only one week left until I get my scholarship money. Two months' worth of glorious yen right in the bank account. Much obliged, Japanese government! I just have to survive on rice and instant ramen this last week, and then it's celebrating time! I have already picked a place to go have dinner next Monday, an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant.

To top it all off, the weather today was beautiful, warm and sunny. And, I might have a job offer coming my way, if I play my cards right. Things are looking up!

Until next time, everybody. Have a good day!

Recovering

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to give a quick update on my health. As you may recall, I broke my left arm two weeks ago, and have been walking around with a sling for most of that time. However, today things are looking up.

I was at the hospital, and after examining my x-ray slides, the doctor said that I can start using the sling less. I also discovered that I am able to type with both hands again. Now it will probably be another two weeks and I should be back to normal. Fingers crossed.

Other than that, I am in a bit of a bind economically. For reasons I fear I shall never fully comprehend, someone high up decided it was a good idea to not give us our scholarship last month, instead paying it out this month along with the regular amount. This, coupled with the money I have to pay the hospital, leaves me with about 1000 yen to live on for the following two weeks. And no, that is not an awful lot of money.

But I'm sure I'll be fine. I am pretty good at conserving money, and although I might have to skip a meal or two over the next two weeks, I know I'll be feasting once the scholarship money arrives. All-you-can-eat grilled meat buffet, anyone? Oh yes.

Until next time, everyone, have a good day!

Minor Update

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to give a brief update on my broken arm. It's healing quite well, the doctor said it will probably be two weeks until it's completely healed. Yay!

Until then, I just have to keep doing some rehabilitating exercise every day, to prevent the muscles from weakening, and the shoulder from stiffening too much. In all, could be much worse.

I hope everyone stays healthy. Don't repeat my mistake, take it easy out there! And if you're on a bike, do wear a helmet. I thank my lucky stars that I didn't get a severe concussion or maybe even a cracked skull when I fell. The human body can be quite fragile.

Until next time, everyone. Have a good day!