Hey everyone!
It’s been a long while since I last wrote a proper post, with good reason. I really didn’t want to write something while in the middle of what has been a rather rough few months. I suppose I wanted to end my post on a positive note, instead of being unsure.
So, when I last left, I had on a weekend trip to Kanazawa, and loved the fact that my students were suffering from Obamarama. That was three months ago today. Things were going pretty well in the rest of January, and through February as well. And then, everything changed.
I was let go from my job.
Anyone who knows me, or what little you might have seen through this blog, would know that that school, and those kids, were my entire life this year. I adored that school, and those students. So naturally, this was devistating. The worst part is that I was never given a clear reason as to why I was let go. I’ve done some research, and spoken to many people across the country who work for Interac,and all I can really think is that the company hired people overseas, and then lost contracts, and it was just easier to let go of the people living here than the people who were already travelling from over seas.
It sucks, but, life often does. And these are trying times. I just thought I was safe, I suppose.
Anyways, after stress after stress, and multiple jobs falling through within days of me going to start them, I ended up moving to a suburb of Yokohama, called Aoba-ku. It was a bit of a rush move, but also a blessing in disguise. I might have said a million times over that I love Yokohama, but living in this area, I really do feel it. This is such a nice neighbourhood, and while the living conditions might not be my ideal, it did the trick.
My one saving grace through this entire time was the Tokyo International Players, hands down. About a week after my last post, I auditioned for the musical “Oliver!” and ended up getting in the chorus! This musical holds so much meaning to me. “Oliver!” was my very first proper musical, and I met some amazing people. Being able to go back to Oliver once more as my first musical in Japan is such an amazing thing. It feels like being back in the Brockville Operatic Society all over again. Getting to know new people, finding new opportunities for work and things to do, and just becoming part of a really amazing community of people has been really what has kept me sane through all of this. We open in three weeks, and I can’t wait!
So, what does the future have in store for me? Well, right now, I am in the works to start another job as an assistant language teacher. This job requires me to move to Chiba, which is on the other side of Tokyo. So I get to move once again! It’s stressful, yes, but I’m learning a lot about myself. One is that I, personally, am much stronger than I though I was. It’s been a really trying time, and so getting through it feels like a personal victory over anything else. I also learnt that I love my friends here in Japan, because they have been a wonderful support system through all of this.
I’m also learning a lot about my situation. When I moved to Japan a year ago, I thought I was set for a while, and could put off thinking my future. That’s changed a lot. I’ve learnt about what it is I like about working full time, and where I want to be. I know that the idea of a 9-5 job works… sometimes for me. And that I still have a lot of dreams to chase, and I should start doing that now. So hopefully, once everything settles down here, and I’m in my new place, I’ll be able to really chase my dreams of writing and acting and so much more.
And of course, be sure to check out our Oliver blog, that I’ve been keeping for the cast! http://tip2009.wordpress.com/