Ninja Gaijin　忍者外人

As of yesterday, October 30, Japan time, I am no longer employed at my previous job: video game localization manager.

It was a long, yet short, 2 years working in the most turbulent and interesting job I've had so far. I am thankful to Messrs. Harry Inaba and Masa Suzuki for giving me the opportunity to experience such a job and for their cooperation and support.

I am moving on to be a technical manual translation checker for a beeeeg company in Japan. One of the cool things is that my workplace is five minutes away from home on foot. The pay is also better.

I start work next Monday, November 2. A friend also works there, and it was through her connection that I was able to get that job, actually.

Also, I get to start using Windows 7 64-bit more from now on, now that my new job doesn't demand programs that only work in a 32-bit environment.

All told, life is going swimmingly.

Hello, LiveJournal readers.

Some of you may already know this, but I've been looking for a new job since around July. Luckily, I've also been employed since then at my current job, so I haven't been experiencing the usual trials and tribulations associated with unemployment.

Thanks to amiiro's connections, I was able to get an interview with a company (through a dispatch company that has some deal with that company). The job would be proofreading technical manuals translated from Japanese into English.

At my current job, one of the most enjoyable tasks I did was translation checking. Yes, that sounds like proofreading and editing, but I still loved it. I thought it would be really great if I could get this job.

Last Monday, I had the interview. Like other interviews I've had here in Japan, it was not so much a what-can-you-bring-to-the-company or why-do-you-deserve-this-job interrogation style of interview, but more like a here-is-what-you-would-be-doing-if-you-got-this-job information session type of deal. I wasn't sure what to make of that, so I just smiled and did my best to be friendly and professional at the same time.

A few hours after the interview, I got a call from the dispatch agency people. The hiring company apparently was eager to have me. I start my new job on the 2nd of November, 2009.
( Also, more food. )

I guess one part of becoming a functional adult is being able to cook. Here are a couple of dishes I managed recently.

( Crappy pictures, tasty food. )

Last weekend, I visited the girlfriend who showed me this great discount supermarket, where they sell a bunch of food in bulk in case you want to start a restaurant or something (no, really). I was able to buy a whole lot of chickpeas and tahini (well, the Japanese version [ねりごま], anyway), so my next culinary challenge will be to make some hummus.

Actually, I already made it once, but I didn't take any pictures. Also, it cost a whole lot more buying from a local Japanese store. I'll have some pics of the hummus in the near future (hopefully).

So, Mom: I'm totally eating well here. No worries! Your son shall not starve on foreign shores. :D

So, I got new glasses.



That is all.

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ETA: For the curious, my glasses cost about $80 US (¥8400), frame and lenses included. I also got a case and lint-free cloth.

Since I am terrible at keeping a LiveJournal updated, I am doing the cop-out thing others do when they cannot update with original content.

Something memeish this way comes, courtesy of Sfida.

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If you are on my friends list, I want to know 36 things about you.
I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know a lot about each other - I want to know you better!

Comment here and re-post a blank one on your own journal.

01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
02) What was your dream growing up?
03) What talent do you wish you had?
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
05) Favorite vegetable?
06) What was the last book you read?
07) What zodiac sign are you?
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
09) Worst Habit?
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
11) What is your favorite sport?
12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
16) Do you have any pets?
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
18) What was your first impression of me?
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
22) What color eyes do you have?
23) Ever been arrested?
24) Bottle or can soda?
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
26) Favorite band to listen to when you're mad?
27) What's your favorite place to hang out at?
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
30) Do you swear a lot?
31) Biggest pet peeve?
32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
34) Favourite and least favourite food?
35) Do you believe in God?
36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?