Two leads!

I've got two job leads! One place I just had an interview with and the other has asked me to fill out an assessment test. This is really cool, especially since these were replies from the first three applications I sent out. My thanks to God for coming through in such a prompt and abundant manner. Job finding has been the most reaccuring request I've had in prayer and I know this kind development doesn't come about all by itself.

The circumstances of my interview today are noteworthy. On Friday I viewed a section of the company's website that from my angle suggested that interested job candidates should drop by the office. I read into this too much, did just what was suggested, and dropped by. Needless to say, awkwardness followed. Long story short, I confused the daylights out of the receptionist and ended up just dropping off my resume with her. Despite and because of this episode, however, I got a response from a manager later that afternoon. He very generously offered to meet me.

I've completed laying out the pictures section of my blog, "Travel Map". More locations to come soon.

Still have to work on that assessment test...

Roppongi

Today I met some setbacks, but not the kind I'm going to get too upset about. Went to visit a recruitment consultant company. They mentioned on their website that people with business experience wanting to get into their business should drop by. This seemed a bit strange to me as I would hate it if people came in looking for jobs unannounced, but I headed over there anyway. I caught them by surprise as the woman who greeted my had no idea why I would come in without an appointment. I took the opportunity to hand off my resume but that was about it.

Fortunately this happened in Roppongi, so at least I got to spend the rest of the afternoon somewhere cool. For those of you who don't know, Roppongi to a Canadian is sort of like Robson Street in Vancouver to a Japanese: it's the first place you become aware of in the city and you spend too much time there because the foreigner-friendly atmosphere caters too much to your comfort level. Here's some scenes from Roppongi:

Of particular interest is the store that sells overpriced fruit. This may not seem noteworthy but I challenge you to guess the price of the below strawberries without enlarging the picture to see the price tag:

That's ¥ 4,200, or about CAD$50 (~$2.25 per strawberry). The melons are even worse. If you're interested, drop by the ground floor of Roppongi Midtown and look for them next to the cooking school. It's pretty easy to spot.

Tomorrow Kuri and I are off to Enoshima. There's this jellyfish place she wants to see really badly. More on that after it happens.

First app off

Just applied to Bloomberg, marking the first job application I've completed since arrival. My wife pointed out this company to me the other day. It's odd that I never considered looking for work by company; instead, my efforts have been directed at searching job sites online. I plan to give Manulife another try right after this post.

Got a little lost the other day looking for the Setagaya ward office (city hall). Fortunately it was a nice neighourhood. Tried out my phone's camera, which I have to say is superior to anything I'd seen in Canada:

Computer's working fine, as I hoped. Not that I couldn't do job applications without it, but the task is so much easier when I don't have to use my wife's laptop.

While shopping for a power adapter, I came across an area of Shinjuku that contains probably the most densely concentrated collection of camera stores in the city. Had a look around and thought about how much time and money my dad could spend there... if he ever decided to go digital. Here it is, if you're ever in the city:

I bent my wookie

The last of my air-shipped baggage arrived today, which contained my computer. Because of the way I chose to transport the computer tower, my video card is permanently bent out of shape. It kind of looks like it will still work but I haven't bought a power adapter yet so I can't try it out.

But if that's the worst thing that happens to me I consider myself lucky. Yesterday at church (Horizon Chapel, Setagaya campus) I met some familiar faces and some new people. Horizon seems to be just as great a place now as it was when I left it. A few people who still attend were at a the Machida location so I'll see them next week.

I was very blessed to have run into two people who might be able to make job connections for me. This is something I've been praying about: finding meaningful work outside English teaching. (Not that I won't do it, but it would be better to get a more career-oriented job). There's even a potential third connection, but we'll see. Still going to apply for the recruiting consultant positions.

Welcome back to Tokyo

Just got (back) to Tokyo yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen such an empty international flight before. The whole row in which I sat was completely mine. Makes me regret taking the seat by the bathroom just so I could get the two-seat row...

The reunion with Kuriko was joyful but a bit awkward, as I predicted. We weren't sure what to do after seeing each other for the first time in four months at the airport. I was successful in getting the drop on her, though, closing into less than a meter behind her back before she noticed me there.

This week I've got to get registered at the local ward office and search for a job. As I've mentioned to many people, I've seen job ads for recruiting consultants. This isn't a field I've ever thought about but it's more along the lines of what I'm looking for than teaching. Ideally, though, I'd really like to work at the Canadian embassy. They don't have openings often, but I'm checking their site every day.