My favorite hairdresser is gone.

My hairdresser quit. I'm really disappointed. She was very good, but unfortunately she didn't move to her hair salon. She quit her hairdresser job. It's hard to find a favorite hair salon and a hairdresser.

It's time to have my hair cut. I have to find a hair salon and a hairdresser.
But, as I wrote on the last article, I might move to Okinawa. If so, it's no use finding a new hairdresser. So in this time, I will go to any hair salon in my neighborhood, I'm a bit anxious though.

Living in a place other than Tokyo... but in Japan

I might move to a place other than Tokyo. I don't know yet though. If so, it would be the first time I've lived in anywhere but Tokyo.
One start-up business is being launching in Okinawa. If I join it, I will move to and stay in Okinawa for about a year. It's like an extended business trip.

The new business sounds very fun and I'm interested in it, so it would be great to join in it. But I have a mixed feeling about it.

Tempting things are;
Above all, building something from scratch in business is in my line, and I like to do that very much.
Secondly, some staffs will go to Okinawa from Tokyo for this project, so of course, the company prepared for dwellings for them and the rent is free. It's a monthly apartment and very small room (TOO small!), but at least I don't need to pay the rent fee and utilities payments for a year.
Thirdly, I've wanted to visit Okinawa... but on sightseeing trip though.

Concerns are;
I LOVE my hometown Tokyo. I've always thought I never want to live anywhere but Tokyo. I've thought when I leave from Tokyo, it is when I live in a foreign country.
Fortunately, the office and the living place are in central Okinawa city. I was born and grew up in Tokyo and I also live in central Tokyo now. I feel it impossible for me to live in the country side.
One more concern is I will be apart from the English-speaking environment. The project will provide its service just for Japanese people and all staffs are Japanese. Analyzing my motivation for learning English so far, it wasn't that I wanted to do that, but I had to do it. It seems to become harder to keep my motivation.

Anyway, it will be clear whether I join in the project or not by this weekend. If it's decided to join, I will have to move early in the new year, and I will get busy.

The good English workshop by Oxfam

Today I attended an English workshop (an English lesson) held by a NPO, Oxfam Japan.
(Oxfam International website; http://www.oxfam.org)

When I put the article about humanitarian assistance on Lang-8, a member told me of Oxfam. I checked its website right away and applied for participation in the English workshop delivered by foreigner volunteers of Oxfam. The participation fees are used for donation.

The workshop was very useful not only in learning English but also in knowing activities of some organizations.
The workshop was for 2 hours and the participants were 9 people. One teacher is from England and the other is from India. I'm very bad at understanding English with an Indian accent, so I a bit worried but when the workshop started, I found it no problem.

The theme was "Making Poverty History: World Trade, Debt, and Aid".
First, we read a document about the theme, then we asked something we didn't know (both about English words/phrases and about contents itself).

The next, we were divided into three groups and discussed some issues.
For example;
- Are the World Bank and IMF fair institutions? Should they put economic conditions with aid or is this detrimental to the recipient countries?
- What role can civil societies, individuals and organizations play to "Making Poverty History"?
After discussing them, we expressed our opinions.

Lastly, we did a role play. We were supposed to attend an IMF meeting to discuss Mali loan. We were given a character card and acted the role. I was supposed to be the French representative. We insisted each opinion according to each situation written in the character card.
It was fun and useful.

I could get some information about activities of some organizations and various situations in some poor countries.
I think it was really good workshop. So far, they hold it once a month. If possible, I want to attend the next again.

The current job hunting situation 3

Unfortunately, the job opportunity I mentioned the other way didn't work, it was really ideal position though. But it's alright.

Actually, another agent introduced a new position to me. It requires much higher skills than mine, so I don't think it would be going well. But I decided to apply for it.

Today, the same agent contacted me and said; "I want to introduce a great position to you, and I think you would be interested in it". I read the job description. Huh? It's exactly the same as the position she introduced to me the other day. No way! It has been 12 days since the last introducing. She said sorry and would get back to me as soon as she gets the feedback from the company. Hmm... I doubt she has already sent my resume to the company. She doesn't seem to be able to manage her job at all. I said in my mind "Are you OK?

So, I don't expect it would go well.
I concentrate on my current job.

The challange to talking on Skype

One of members of Lang-8 offered me to talk on Skype.

She lives in the UK and is learning Japanese. She said that she wanted to improve not only her writing skill but also conversation skill because she was going to come to Japan on her trip next year.

I have installed Skype over a month ago. But I haven't used it. So it will be my first talking on Skype.

I'm getting nervous and excited.