Since January

So, between my New Year's Resolution post and now, many things have happened. Here are some highlights:

• I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test that I took in December- whoop whoop! I'm gonna shoot for the next level up and take the test in July, right before I leave! Wish me luck!
• In the beginning of March, I went to this conference meant for JETs who are not recontracting. It consisted a series of sessions about grad school, job hunting, continuing in ESL/EFL, etc. Every session, their basic message was: "Be prepared! The market SUCKS out there." Crap.
• I found out about this program called the PeaceBoat. It's mainly for Japanese participants to learn about Peace Studies and initiatives throughout the world while they go on a 3 month boat cruise around the world. They are hiring for English teachers and there is a program leaving in early August this year. It would have been perfect timing...cept that this upcoming voyage's included Cuba as one of their port of calls. Although it's the American government that has the ban on its citizens to go into Cuba; the program specifically stated on their website that they wouldn't allow any American citizens to be accepted into this round's program. In my opinion, that's a step back in terms of promoting peace education.
  
• Heading to the Philippines this month for Habitat for Humanity. When I originally signed up last fall, I didn't know too much about the organization. Now that I'm monetarily invested in in, I find out that it's a Christian organization and that it's freakin' expensive although we're doing hard labor. Crap! I'm sure it's gonna be a rewarding experience, but I feel a bit tired already. Hahaha. We also found out that we are going to be in a malaria-prone area of the Philippines. Ahh...great. Less than three weeks till we leave! Wish me luck on that too.
• The end of March is fiscal/school year ending time. There were staff changes and lots of goodbyes to a group of people in my school and also to other Japanese friends I've made. They were also moving because of company transfers and decisions to move on in life, etc.
• My school counselor- going to Vanuatu for a PeaceCorps-like program; my former Japanese tutor is moving to Portland to teach Japanese; my English tutee moved to Hokkaido because her husband got transferred, many staff members moved to another school, and I'm the one being left behind! I though I was the one who should be saying goodbye first!! What the heck!?!
• My friend Jessie and her sister came to visit for two weeks. Got fed plenty of delicious desserts and got a taste of what it's like not living alone again. There's good and bad, I'd say.

Umm...that's it for now! =)