I've made some life changing decisions in my life, and last month marked the 2nd year of one of my biggest decisions - the beginning of my journey here in Japan. And what a journey it's been. Along the way, I may have lost some English ability, any wit or personality I may have had, and all but a handful of friends, but I have gained valuable experiences and learned that the world did not have to be as small or as limited as that of Melbourne. I love it here, and I just can't see myself leaving for a while longer.

Having just started my 3rd contract here in ECC, I'm set for another year of new experiences, frustrations and everything else in between. I will also continue teaching at a university, but in addition to that, I'll be teaching at another university, and while it's not the all women's that I was first offered (and very hesitantly declined), it's still going to be an invaluable experience and an important step to beefing up my resume, and readying me for perhaps my entry into a full time university position next year (fingers crossed). Combined with my new 3 year VISA,  the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter, with the obstacles starting to clear away from the path.

It's funny how things have turned out. After initially planning to stay here for only 6 months or so, I'm now planning to continue on from this 2 years to another year, or perhaps another 3 should I get the full time uni position. I never expected to be a teacher, especially since I'm not exactly qualified to be one, and I especially would never have guessed I'd be living away from Australia. Actually, I always though I'd be married by now, kids on the way, enjoying life as a systems analyst with a nice house on the green hills of the east-side (of Melbourne), decked out with the latest in electronics.

Despite my great job and all other possible positive things in my life, it's only natural to have other things take away from having the sweet life - to balance the equation, so to speak. I have a bitch of a gf who I have no interest in making my wife - or being my gf for much longer, who's threated to destroy all my precious electronics and other belongings should I leave her, who throws out my clothes because we have no room for them, who sits home all day because she lost her job and she's too lazy to look for a new one. As far as I looked ahead in my life, I sure didn't expect this, but hey, life can't always be perfect.

And so as life continues, I've also continued to lose weight - 9 kgs and counting (slowly). Don't let the doctors fool you, stress is great for losing weight. So is the lack of sleep, if you can keep the hallucinations to a minimum. I can fit in so many old clothes now and my self esteem has never been better! I'd fit in even more old clothes actually if my gf didn't throw them out. Alas, I guess this means more shopping for me - if only I didn't have to pay for all the rent and bills.

So to end this rant, I came across this picture in one of my junior high school classes. I was supposed to show the students this picture, and ask them what was wrong with it. Things didn't go so smoothly after that.