Delayed Introduction

"夢の途中(In the Midst of a Dream) by Shuichi Nakano"

Dear Everybody,

I realize that my addition to the reboot of this blog has been rather lacking, and it can only be attributed to my own personal failings and the accompanying ennui. Alas, this is but a feeble excuse! So, without further ado, I present an update, a preview, and discussions of my current state of affairs.

In disappointing news, I found out today that I did not get the job teaching in Japan. Sucks! However, this is a good segue into what I have been doing to solidify my post here in America. First of all, in order to make myself a more charming teaching hire, I have been volunteering at the Asian Human Services Organization tutoring adults in ESL (English as a Second Language). While it may be practically useless now that I don't have the job, over this past two months I have discovered that I actually love it. I have to wake up at 7 in order to be at the school on time, and even if in my sleep-deprived haze I hate myself and everything, once I begin tutoring, I love every second of it. Seeing students improve with my help is one of the most satisfying things I have ever encountered.

In addition to this, I am also tutoring a young lass in Japanese. This is slightly less interesting; it is so mostly because her level is almost remedial, but also because this sessions don't take place in the target language. Furthermore, she is twelve or so and is prone to getting off track, whereas adults really want to learn.

Ok, so this post is starting to deal mostly with teaching language, so I'll move on to other things I've been doing in the job related field. I recently translated some confidential technical documents for a law firm. This was sweet because I made bank and also because it was my first professional translating experience. I had fun and was able to complete the project successfully, which feels pretty good.

Also, I recently acquired a position writing copy for a web-based start-up company. I don't really know what this will be like yet, as I got my first assignment mere hours ago (is this post a feeble attempt to procrastinate? I'll never tell!).

Nuts and bolts aside, being out of college is hard. I feel lazy and as though I'm not really doing anything most of the time, even when I actually am. I want to get to Japan really badly, but at this point I have almost run out of options as far as methods of getting there. At the same time, I have some great things going on here in the states. I love my living situation, and the job thing is going well, if non-traditionally. However, I face (on a daily basis) the question of what I'm doing with my life. I bet none of you can relate. At all. Ever. You look great.