Job in Japan

I've been offered a ALT position to teach in Japan. I'm not sure where exactly.

But I've been offered a position.

There are a lot of contract stipulations I need to review. There is also a lot of documents I will need to supply. There is also a lot of money I'll need before I go...

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New Episode (17!) and More Thoughts

Done! I was thinking about my episodes while at work today and I think I have around four or five left with regards to my Sapporo series. Roughly around eight for 'Tokyo' and who knows how many when I eventually reach Taiwan. Probably when I end up doing the Tokyo series, I'll get more subscribers/viewers.

hopefully...

Episode 16

I think I'll talk about Maruyama park next. Seeing the episode would be quick to put together...

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Updating My Life

Had a phone interview today. It went well. For Northern Japan in Elementary School and Junior High. Can't get hopes up. Will keep you posted.

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Worst Part

The worst part about applying for a teaching job is when you make a mistake somewhere in your application or cover letter. I feel as though I am the KING of mistakes when it comes to this.

Sometimes its something as simple as a misspelled word, a apostrophe that might be out of place or the incorrect use of a word. In a recent case, it was addressing the wrong school all together.

Ugh.

There goes that job.

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Heard back.

I've already heard back from a few companies/schools

The application process

Since passing my TEFL exam, I've begun looking for work within; at the moment, Taiwan. I would really like to work and live in Sapporo but its rough finding work there. Sparse population in Hokkaido works against me due to that most jobs, require you to have a drivers license and/or car. I've looked over the Japanese drivers test in the past and there is no way I could pass this without knowledge of Japanese (which means I should practice Japanese then take a test to prove my fluency!!!!). Parts of it are memorizing an obstacle course as well. And sadly, I can't just get and international drivers license, since American ones are only good for a short time. This is something I've also looking into. Taking a test for 50cc-250cc bike/scooter in Taiwan would be a breeze compared to the rigorous Japanese drivers test. :S



Applying for work isn't too hard. I already have existing resumes and cover letters aimed at the English Teacher job. So its just a matter of editing and submitting. Then taking a picture of my smug face and degree. They want that too.

The biggest hurdle I have is the interview process. Before, when I had to interview, they took place in Portland, OR. This was nice. If I had to go to Seattle or Vancouver BC, this isn't much of a problem. One over skype or the phone isn't a problem either.

But if they want to see me in LA or NY or even in Taiwan, this is a problem. Mostly due to cost.

Since researching about work in Taiwan, I've came to find out that some places suggest, you take a 60 day visitor visa for your interview process. Get a handful of interviews lined up. Board a plane and head over to Taiwan to look for work. If you get a job, then the school will switch over your visitor visa to a work visa. This is an "IF".

I feel fairly confident in my abilities that if I were to do this 60 day visa, I could find work in the 60 days. But the main problem with this one again, is cost.

I'd need a budget of at least $4,000 to do something like this. I could maintain a diet of rice and stay in hostels and couches. Whats more crazy, is that I've actually begun considering this option. I've been lost in Asia before and 60 days looking for work wouldn't kill me.

Of course, if the current applications I send out and a few more on their way lend me work, then this won't be an issue.

I think I've lived too safe and comfortably the past few years. Might as well take a leap of faith and see if I could do it.

I passed!

Good. Now I begin the process of looking for work.

My considerations for Taiwan have risen dramatically. This doesn't mean I wouldn't want to work elsewhere. I'd love to be in Sapporo.

Its just, finding a job there is difficult.

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Taiwan?

Over the past few weeks as I finished up my TEFL course, the idea of working there slowly started ringing louder and louder in my head.

Japan was my first and has been for a while. Well, until now.

Pay, for the most part, across the board is the same in S. Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Where they differ though, is benefits and their tax systems. Japan, has a higher standard of living and a relatively high tax rate. S. Korea is low and Taiwan is fairly low as well.

The cost of living in Taiwan however, is really really low. Of course, depending on where you live. Still, when I was in Taiwan, my friend told me that you could rent a moderately sized apartment in Tai Chung for roughly $230 a month, this also included water, gas, and electricity. Thats cheap.

When it comes to those benefits, S. Korea probably gets the win but Taiwan is close, if not in the same playing field. Both countries may offer you're airfare, pay for your living expenses, give you bonuses such as "perfect attendance"!!! When it comes to Japan, their benefits are generally lacking.

English teachers generally make around 2,000 - 2,500 a month. I've seen job postings in Taiwan for jobs that pay up to $4,000 USD/month. Of course a 40 hour week but still. Jobs that pay around 2,000 or so in Taiwan are generally PART TIME (20-25 hrs/week).

The more research I do, the more Taiwan seems appealing. Plus, I could have a little 50cc scooter over there. Explore the land... I would love this.

Things I've also considered is competition for a posted job. Everyone and their mother would like to work in Japan.

Maybe it will be Taiwan for me. Who would have thought it?

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Episode 15

How I thought this out in my head was much different than how it turned out. I think, mostly in part due to laziness. The other part was in the gap of time between starting the Austin road trip and finishing it. Which would be around a month and a half.

That's ok though. I'll be back to work on the Japan stuff in the coming weeks. Hopefully I'll finish off the series soon...

I still have Taiwan to get to and I was there last year, at nearly the same time!

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Completed!

I finally finished my TEFL course! This process has been a fairly exhausting month and a half (give or take). I was hoping I would have been done by the beginning of November but this is close enough. Now its time to wait, roughly ten days for my results.

So exhausted and I have to leave for work in a few hours. Ugh.

The timing of taking this final test was not awesome either. The company I'm doing this through is located out of Prague. When you get to the final test, you email them stating you're ready. They e-mail you back download link with the test. You then have twenty-four hours to complete the test.

I emailed them Tuesday morning at around 9am, thinking its around three or four in the afternoon over there. After about an hour of waiting for the email back, I looked at the current time and found out it was near eight in the evening. Beautiful.

The day I planned to work on it, didn't work out. I got the email and download link last night but decided to start on the final exam this morning, at roughly 9am.

They said most people finish the test in six hours. Well, I get anxiety with tests and am generally bad at them, so it took me 12 hours to complete. Plus I'm great at second guessing myself, so now I'm nervous about my results. Awesome.

Like I said, the wait for my results is ten days. Between now and then, I can start looking for work or think about retaking the course.

I'm such a pessimist.

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Hokkaido or Bust

I'm nearing in on the completion of my TEFL lessons. This means a major portion of my awake hours are spent thinking about where I want to teach. Of course its easy to say "anywhere" but that's a lie, there is always a preference.

The place I'm gambling on is Hokkaido.


I say this is a gamble because the population of Hokkaido is roughly five million. The total population of Japan is somewhere around 125 million. Considering that 120 million live elsewhere in Japan, you can see that population density in Hokkaido is surprisingly sparse.

This also means that jobs within the region are difficult to find. I'm hoping to get work there and if I don't, its okay.

Sometimes I feel though, that if I don't get work in Hokkaido; I'm okay with working anywhere within Asia. I like Japan, its fun but Taiwan is just as fun and I'm sure that South Korea is just as fun.

We shall see what the options are, just have to get through these final papers and final test.

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The High Seas

A sparrow tattoo or swallow, is a tattoo sailors earned for traveling 5,000 nautical miles. Another at 10,000; Anchor at 50,000 and a 'tall ship' around 100,000. I could be a little off but I'm sure that this is roughly the correct chart for each tattoo.

Eitherway, I've always wanted to spend time on a ship at sea. Its always seemed appealing in some regard.

A few months ago I stumbled upon a company (freighter world) where you can do just that. You can pay to ride on a freighter for really as much as you can afford.

As ridiculous as it seems, this is something I'd like to try. If I'm successful at landing a job in the far east, I would like my voyage back to be by this form of transportation. Its not cheap; around $100 per day and its not as luxurious as a cruise but what it is, is adventure.

This is how people traveled not so long ago. If you wanted to go to Japan back in the 1950's, this is most likely how it would have been done. Of course you would be on a cruise ship but you would still spend a two weeks journey across the Pacific. If you wanted to go to Europe, same thing (luckily, there still are cruises that leave to Europe from the US).

But think of it, what would be my rush to get back to the US? I'd be done teaching, why not enjoy my time off? If I were in Japan or Taiwan, I could fly to Korea, spend my remaining weeks there; take a train to Pusan and board a ship for my two week journey back to the States.

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Never been to Canada?

Well, I have but this question isn't so much about if I've been or not but people I've met who haven't.

Growing up on a boarder state ( you know, one that boarders another country) it would only seem to make sense for me to have gone to Canada. Last time I went was around eight years ago. I'm sure plenty has changed and with the Olympics approaching in 2010, I'm considering going up; just to get the Olympic vibe.

Like I've said, I've encountered people who have never been, who have grown up in the same state as myself. I'm not trying to speak as I'm some superior person but this issue was brought up a few months ago and I just recently thought about it last night.

I was hanging out with a friend and his girlfriend (now fiance) brought up the issue "I've met people who've never been to Canada!!!" She later mentioned how this seemed odd by stating something along these lines; "it's just right there! Wouldn't you be curious to see what's in Canada? I would say the same if you lived in California or Arizona and have never been to Mexico!" I couldn't agree with her sentiment more.

Although, now it requires a passport to go to Canada (unless you live in New York, Vermont, Michigan, or Washington and carry an 'Enhanced Drivers License') its relatively cheap, maybe even a tank of gas, to get to the 'Great White North' (or round trip train ride on AmTrak for $70)

If you're under the age of 18 and your parents don't have the money afford a family trip to Canada, I understand but if you can afford an xBox360 or a Ps3, you can surely afford a trip to Canada.

Maybe the issue is what she stated, 'wouldn't you be curious?' Perhaps people aren't curious. Sometimes I really think they would rather fill themselves with meaningless materialistic garbage rather than seek any sort of adventure. Its a shame really because Canada is awesome. I think this can be best summed up with the following quote:

"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken." — Frank Herbert

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$4 for coke?

One of my friends, his name is Kurt; is over in Norway. He's traveling throughout Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe. The otherday he posted a status update on facebook; "Just paid $30 for a burger". When questioned on the quality of the burger, he said it was good but not as good as "The Tavern". Which is in reference to Helvatia Tavern (which makes a tasty burger), just outside of Portland, OR.

He then later told me a bottle of Coke was $4. I thought Japan was expensive... It can be, if you're not paying attention. A bottle (16-20oz) there is around ¥120≈$1.30 (weak dollar). Which isn't too expensive.

It made me think...

This is probably why Norway is known for really nice Social Programs... Hahahahah. Personally, I'd rather pay $5 for a nice burger than have some nice medical care. Thats just me. Hamburgers are way more awesome than medical care...

Boy, I better figure out what I'm gonna do now that I think of it. I don't have medical insurance. I'll have to go ask about it at work, snowboard season is coming up.

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Check out Kurt's work; he likes to make music videos.

Episode 14 - Table Mountain

Its somewhat amusing, alright maybe not. Its not amusing. The thing is, I'm taking a break from a break. I interrupted my Japan series with my Austin series and now I interrupted my Austin series with this.



Luckily, this took me just a few minutes to throw together.

Like I've said before, I will be finishing my Austin series... SOON. Then I'll be back to the Japan series.

With youtube or any sort of entertainment, its better to have content over no content.

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Google Promote: a lesson

I canceled my last promotion a few weeks back (Drinks in Japan) and decided to try a new approach. What I did was I picked a different video and increased the amount per click it would cost. Its worked better so far. Still its hard to interpret the data with so little of it.

Where its popular:
How it was discovered:
Its sad to look at this data and see that its only in single digits per day for a view count. Thats ok though because how youtube search works is it pulls from the most relevant and most popular at the same time.

The video is on an upswing and hopefully will continue to rise.

Later I will talk about why this is important to me.

In other news, I'm aiming to finish a few more units today.

I lost track

I lost track of the document I was creating documenting how much time I have spent thus far on my TEFL certification. It was never saved and I accidentally restarted my computer. Oh well.

Currently I've finished units 1 and 2. Two was a pain.

Onto three. Hopefully I'll finish this course by the end of October.

No new TWJ until I've completed and obtained my certificate.

Started the TEFL course

I began my TEFL course today and here is how it looked...

Day One 10/5/09
11:44 in - read introduction
11:49 introduction completed
11:50 begin Unit 1
12:08 finished reading material unit 1
12:08 break
12:45 begin Unit 1 worksheet
13:01 break
13:34 back to Unit 1 worksheet
13:51 break
13:54 back to Unit 1 worksheet
14:13 break
14:37 back to Unit 1 worksheet
15:00 Unit one completed

I decided to log my time to see if I end up with the 100 hours they say it will take. I haven't added up the time but it looks like it took somewhere between 1.5 - 2 hours of actual work. The reading goes quickly but its the questions that take some time. You're not obliged to turn in your answers per unit but I'm trying to be thoughtful and really put effort into each question. Before I go to sleep, I'll probably read through the section a couple of times, just to help retain the information even more.

There is a total of 20 units, so if I dedicate myself to it, I should be done somewhere around the 25th of October. Application deadlines for employment within the school system in East Asia is usually around mid December. That offers me plenty of time to get certification and look for work.

Hopefully, I'll be somewhere over there by Mid-March.

This also means that there will be somewhat of a pause in TWJ episodes. I'd rather focus on this instead of my series. But its ok, it shouldn't be too long of a pause. I'll keep you all posted.

One more episode...

Out of all the footage I have left, I'll compound it into one more episode. I am speaking of the Austin Road Trip series. Meaning, the final episode will be slightly longer (but not much) than the rest.

I could work on it right now but for some reason, its hard to find inspiration when I actually have free time. Which is strange. Most of the episodes I worked on, were done after I got off of work.

TWJ 12 and 13

TWJ to a whole new level...

For about the past three years, I have been batting back and fourth the idea of teaching overseas, most namely in Japan. What is required to teach over there generally is a bachelors degree.

I've had a few interviews, I've cancelled an interview; basically played Double Dutch with the idea. Right now, I'm twenty-four. I have a feeling that when I start to 'settle down' and am say, mabye fourty; I'll look back on my time in my 20's and say "what would it have been like to live/teach overseas?"

I really don't want to regret a decision I didn't make. This means that right now I'm aiming for a TEFL certification.

Or

Teach English as Foreign Language.

It'll take me 100 hours to get my certificate but it'll be worth it. When I'm done, I'll be aiming for not only Japan but S. Korea and Taiwan as well.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Episode 11

Finally.

Error - Error - Error

I'm getting this message a considerable amount of times at the current moment on youtube. I'm in the process of uploading a new Episode (11) and am faced with this error each time.

If I'm correct, routine maintenance occurs weekly each Wednesday. Right now I'm going to sleep, seeing I work nights and if its not up by the time I awake for work, I'll try again tomorrow.

This series will be short and unrelated to Japan or Asia. Its part of the road trip I went on a week back. Editing it hasn't been difficult at all. Seeing as though I'm going very linearly and am just showing what I saw. I'll doubt if I use much narration or cut in with updated footage.

Currently my upload is halfway there so I might wait it out, 13 minutes left, and crossing my fingers...

Episode 10! and other thoughts

Look how far I've made it! All the way to episode 10. I really wish I would have been at this point, maybe 4 weeks back but there is so much content and so little time. These episodes take a lot of work, even if they seem like they might not.

Since going on my adventure throughout the SW United States, I'll try and cut those up and post them as some form of 11-13. After the SW, I'll head back to Japan and see if I can try and blaze through the remaining Sapporo Episodes and Tokyo.

I would really like to move onto working on my Taiwan series. I went there last year in Oct and I'll be coming up on that anniversary of visiting the island. Its not fun to have outdated material.

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A few weeks back I gave youtube promote a try. It didn't work to well in my favor. I think its worth to give it another shot but this time, I'll create a legitimate promo/ad. The time before I used it, I used my "Drinks - 03" episode. It landed me some views but no subscribers or ratings.

I'm back

From a long trip. There is much to say but I will save it for later. I will be posting the video as soon as I can. It'll be different than most of my other videos and will probably be around half an hour total, broken into three parts.

Austin, TX

One of my good friends is moving back to Portland. She has lived in Portland for the past few years and moved to Austin to look for work. Things didn't work out and so now she is moving back. Her boyfriend, was wondering if I'd like to road-trip back with them.

Sometimes I can be fairly spontaneous and sometimes I'm not. On his suggestion, I told her "If I can get time off work I will".

Well, in the short span of 24 hours, I got two days off of work. In a weeks time I fly down to Austin and will spend the following 3 or 4 days on the road back to Portland.

I plan on bring my camera(s) and documenting the trip a little. There probably won't be much time to stop and see anything but it is an adventure.

It got me thinking... A road trip is a uniquly American experience. When I went to Taiwan, I asked the friend I was visiting if she wanted to go to a city that was 86km away. She thought that distance was far and I laughed because I told her it isn't. 86km is something like 40ish miles, which is the distance some people in and around Portland travel on their bycicle in a day. To an American, thats a short distance and really, I'm not trying to sound ethnocentric, just stating the facts.

Here is why...

Shortly after I came back from Taiwan, I decided to visit a friend of mine up in Bellingham, WA. The Drive is around 262 miles. During this 6 or so hour trip, I got to thinking... Taiwan is SMALL.

In comparasion, here is my trip from Portland to Bellingham compared to the size of Taiwan. People will routinely travel distances like this every so often. To take a week off of work or school to travel 500 - 1000 miles isn't a huge distance for us to travel.

Last year I did Portland to LA with a friend of mine and we did that in a day, 950 or so miles.

If you do get the chance to come to the States, I highly suggest a road trip.

New Episodes Coming Soon! (Japan Series)

I ended taking a bit of a break for a week and didn't work on any new episodes. Even though it doesn't take a horribly long time to piece together an episodes, maybe around five hours; it is a lot of work.

Since it is labor day, I'll spend some the extra time I have working on a few more episode. I'm hoping to complete at least two but my goal is three.

The upcoming episodes will be on:

-Views of Sapporo

-Sapporo Beer Museum

and the third, if I have time will be decided later.

Episode 09!!!

Reformatting

I had to reformat my computer here because of viruses. Awesome. It might be a few more days until I am able to finish up something.

Kicking in...

Looks like Youtube promote has finally kicked in.

Lets hope it works in gaining new subscribers.

Night Shots of Sapporo

I think I finally found a layout that looks decent...

Here the night shots.








If you wonder where some of this stuff is, feel free to comment. I'm extremely lazy at the moment to point out what everything is.

How many more episodes? Where to next? And other thoughts...

After completing the eighth episode, I thought about what footage I have and how many episodes I can make of the rest of the footage from Japan. Surprisingly, I have enough, which I would assume lends me around 15-25 more episodes (2-5 minutes a piece).

Taiwan on the other hand... I'm not so sure what I will be able to pull from my tapes. Some of the camera movements are less than desirable and nauseating. I didn't document my trip as well compared to Japan. This would make me guess I might be able to pull together around 10 episodes total. For now, I'm ok with that. And won't be worrying about putting the Taiwan pieces together for a while.

Now, where to next? What is my next adventure?

(Aboard a train in Hokkaido, bound for Tokyo)

Considering I lack funds to go anywhere far, I'll probably do some episodes that would take place around the Pacific NW. I have already shot a few outings and will probably shoot some more.

When I began working on this project, I neglected to even consider my own backyard. Not only are people interested in International travel but shorter trips as well. Take for example someone who might be from San Fransisco and would like to know what there is to see in and around Portland...

The content for a show like this is nearly infinite.

With regards to International travel. I really really really want to go back to Sapporo; it was that awesome. But I am open to other destinations. I have friends in Europe and airfare to London or Frankfurt is much cheaper than to Tokyo, language wouldn't be much of a barrier, as well as cultural customs.

I'll have to make a top ten list sometime of places I want to go, of course, its always changing...

Episode 08!!!

Oh my life. I need to get more sleep when I make these things... I didn't think I would have done this one right after the other. I won't be getting much sleep today. :(



Its crazy to think I'm almost to episode 10!

Episode 07!!!

I will be posting pictures of Sapporo at night a little bit later.

Episode 06 - Bloopers and other thoughts...

I still have only 16 subscribers. I would be hoping I would be to around 25-50 by now. Do I have to resort to talking about Miley Cirus, Joannas Brothers or anything else created for morons? Sometimes I feel like I do. Ugh. Well, episode 07 should wrap it up and then onto, something appealing...

I hit '666'

On my channel. The only other time I documented this occasion was when I was watching videos about shadow governments and the 'New World Order'.

I tried searching for the other picture from that time but can't find it at the moment.

Be prepared. Episode 6! Drops Soon!

Travels with Jerry - Episode 5

6 Hours

Youtube must be really backed up...

I'll post Ep. 05 up here overnight or sometime in the morning.

Episode 04!!!

This one ended up just a bit shorter than I would have liked but that's totally ok. I didn't do much or any color correction but it still looks fine. Lastly, if you notice, the noises. Did dat on Garage Band. Its a bummer though that for whatever reason, the audio messed up on the export.

More later. Next Episode will just be about the Snow Festival.

Travels with Jerry - Episodes 1-3

I have finally finished the first three. The next episode will be an introduction to Japan.

Two Spots For The Series

Completed so far. Both coming in at around a minute a piece. Neither showcase Japan or Taiwan much. They really are teasers. In order to have some following, you at least need something to start with.

Right now, I'm around half way through, putting together the first episode that has anything to do with travel. Its more of an observation but at least has something going for it content wise.

It'll be around 5 minutes once completed. Once its done, I will be uploading all three at the same time.

After this, onto really showcasing Japan.

Tape 4

Completed!

Now I can begin writing, editing, and putting some videos together...

I still have 3 tapes from Taiwan but I will put those on hold for now.

Lets see how many spots I can squeeze out of this.

Tape 3

IS DONE!!!

One more for Japan!!!

...

Then three for Taiwan. Argh! But I'll start straight in with the 'Japan' series.

Tape 2

Of Japan, done. Onto tape 3. Tape 4 should go the fastest.

Then to the cutting room... Shouldn't be a whole lot longer.

Tape One Done

I spent the greater part of, I swear 9 hours logging tape #1 of my adventures in Japan. Took so long. If only I had better equipment. It seems that using a camera that recorded onto some sort of a hard disk would be great for this.

It would negate the whole purpose of logging. While reviewing your footage, you could actually just rename the file.... Ugh.

Here is what it looks like about half way through.

The Teaser...

Here it is. Man, it took me a little while to do this but when I really start into editing what the rest of what I have, it should go faster... This did take longer than I thought but is a great learning experience...

As for what I said "Where will I go first?" I'm thinking of Tokyo... It will probably be the shortest of the three but who knows. I might do Sapporo, since there is a lot more variety...

Ahhh.. Choices, choices.

Subscribe!

Ready to Rock

1.5 Terabytes stronger...

Now just 7 hours of tapes to capture and log...

end

DV cable, Virgin Ledges of Tokyo...

Having troubles finding my DV cable... Might have to go get a new one. :(

Since I can't find it and really get to work on anything, I will post this...



While during my stay in Japan, I had the chance to walk around a bunch. Most of my walking and adventure seeking was in Sapporo, a snow filled, 'Hoth' like city. Architecture of nearly every form was covered with snow.

When I headed down to Tokyo, I got to take in the architecture a little bit more. During this, I noticed that ledges, hand rails, and everything that makes a skater here in the States drool, was untouched. Only on a few occasions did I notice anything that was slightly damaged.

I mean, Tokyo is a city of Eight Million or so people! You would think that there would be a handful of skaters out there breakin' the law. My only conclusion is that the Japanese have much respect and reverence for other peoples property.

First Blog on This

Starting a cheesy online web show about traveling.

Topics to be covered first are Japan and Taiwan. Then maybe by the time I have finished editing both, I will be able to continue on with another destination.

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Here is some video I filmed while I was in Japan...





Check out my youtube channel for more videos and other updates.