Well, here is a scanned copy of the profile they did on me, as the magazine rep for my prefecture.
It's strange to see myself in the mag ;)
Now I must work on being profiled AS A WRITER!! ;) lol
Friday, November 13, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Lindsay Ann Hawker's killer caught
Well, it looks like Tatsuya Ichihashi either turned himself in, or had no choice to.
He is being held in Osaka, Japan.
Here is the link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/coventry_warwickshire/8352230.stm
It appears he had a bit of reconstructive surgery to his face and it seems that info has leaked that his mom is apparently a dentist!
I am just so relieved that he is now in police custody. Ever since I wrote the memoriam article about Lindsay, I have kept thinking of her and her killer...
I imagine the Hawker family is very relieved, but I am sure now they will have to face more ugly details to finally get closure.
But perhaps now, whatever ghosts haunt them can finally be put to rest and they can move on.
He is being held in Osaka, Japan.
Here is the link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/coventry_warwickshire/8352230.stm
It appears he had a bit of reconstructive surgery to his face and it seems that info has leaked that his mom is apparently a dentist!
I am just so relieved that he is now in police custody. Ever since I wrote the memoriam article about Lindsay, I have kept thinking of her and her killer...
I imagine the Hawker family is very relieved, but I am sure now they will have to face more ugly details to finally get closure.
But perhaps now, whatever ghosts haunt them can finally be put to rest and they can move on.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
New energy
My poor husband :)
I've been on such a high since we received the news! lol
I took out all my Canada pictures and showed him the places I want to take him to. It gave me such a feeling of pride and homesickness.
It's funny. Up until the moment we received the initial rejection for my husband to come into the country, I was never homesick. And to be honest, I wasn't sure when I'd return.
But the moment I knew I couldn't, the urge was just so strong. On top of the fact that we lost a favourite uncle and almost lost my father, the desire to return consumed me.
Now that we can, I just can't wait! Spring feels like a lifetime away!
I know it will pass fast, but I'm just so happy and relieved and all warm and fuzzy inside, I am like a little child. lol
At the risk of sounding like a geeky Laura Ingalls, I must say: Home is the best word I know!
Happy thoughts, everyone!! :) Because mine are ecstatic!
I've been on such a high since we received the news! lol
I took out all my Canada pictures and showed him the places I want to take him to. It gave me such a feeling of pride and homesickness.
It's funny. Up until the moment we received the initial rejection for my husband to come into the country, I was never homesick. And to be honest, I wasn't sure when I'd return.
But the moment I knew I couldn't, the urge was just so strong. On top of the fact that we lost a favourite uncle and almost lost my father, the desire to return consumed me.
Now that we can, I just can't wait! Spring feels like a lifetime away!
I know it will pass fast, but I'm just so happy and relieved and all warm and fuzzy inside, I am like a little child. lol
At the risk of sounding like a geeky Laura Ingalls, I must say: Home is the best word I know!
Happy thoughts, everyone!! :) Because mine are ecstatic!
Another published article of mine
Well, I just got another article published. It went up today.
This one is for Avenues Magazine, here in Japan.
Here is the link:
http://www.centraljapan.jp/history_details.php?id=93
Things are coming together :)
This one is for Avenues Magazine, here in Japan.
Here is the link:
http://www.centraljapan.jp/history_details.php?id=93
Things are coming together :)
Friday, October 16, 2009
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!
We received my husband's ACCEPTANCE into Canada today!!!!
I cannot believe it! They advised it would take 6 months and we received it after a month from the first letter from Tokyo.
It arrived by registered mail today. I signed for it and while praying fervently to God, opened it up. The first line says: You will find your VISA affixed to your passport.
I must have read that line about 15 times before I could move forward. I had to keep rubbing my eyes to make sure it was right. I skimmed through the rest and then picked up his passport and opened it.
The moment I saw that BEAUUUUTIFUL red stamp, my hands started shaking and the tears came...and boy did they come!
I went to the bedroom to wake up my husband, but by the time I got there, the tears were flowing full-force I could barely breathe.
So he woke up thinking someone had died. I flashed his passport in his face because I couldn't talk. Then he thought he was rejected. Still not speaking because of the tears I opened it to the VISA stamp.
When he saw it, then he knew. And all I could do was nod my head up and down like a dummy, because I still couldn't talk. lolol
So now we know: WE ARE COMING HOME!!
God, it feels so good to say that :)
I'm crying while typing this by the way...lol
I could have never gotten through this with a solid thought if it hadn't been for my dear friends Mike and Heather. You guys are completely awesome and gave me such a stronghold. Thank you for everything.
Now, we are thinking about the best route to consider with timelines as well.
He has another month and a half to finish his photography course, then it will be Christmas, which will be too expensive to fly as well as the dead of winter. So we are going to wait until after Christmas and the New Year and send over stuff by crate.
We are thinking to stick to March as the time to come. That will be when the freezing cold is over and perfect timing to arrive, find a place to settle in, then fly to Brazil to meet his family for a month then come back.
We'll be back in Canada by April or May, which is the right time to start interviewing for teaching jobs.
Things all worked out and I am just overwhelmingly grateful.
I can't wait to step foot on Canada soil, see my country's flag, my people, my family. I can't wait to introduce my special husband to my amazing family.
I can't wait to drink Tim Horton's coffee, to have dinner at Swiss Chalet, to see the snow, to speak English, to watch English TV, to visit Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, to drive up to Barrie, Ontario and make maple syrup (which I hate, but will eat when I come!!) and to be among my fellow Canadians.
Canada...my home.
I'm coming home, guys.
Signing off with tears and happy thoughts.
xo
I cannot believe it! They advised it would take 6 months and we received it after a month from the first letter from Tokyo.
It arrived by registered mail today. I signed for it and while praying fervently to God, opened it up. The first line says: You will find your VISA affixed to your passport.
I must have read that line about 15 times before I could move forward. I had to keep rubbing my eyes to make sure it was right. I skimmed through the rest and then picked up his passport and opened it.
The moment I saw that BEAUUUUTIFUL red stamp, my hands started shaking and the tears came...and boy did they come!
I went to the bedroom to wake up my husband, but by the time I got there, the tears were flowing full-force I could barely breathe.
So he woke up thinking someone had died. I flashed his passport in his face because I couldn't talk. Then he thought he was rejected. Still not speaking because of the tears I opened it to the VISA stamp.
When he saw it, then he knew. And all I could do was nod my head up and down like a dummy, because I still couldn't talk. lolol
So now we know: WE ARE COMING HOME!!
God, it feels so good to say that :)
I'm crying while typing this by the way...lol
I could have never gotten through this with a solid thought if it hadn't been for my dear friends Mike and Heather. You guys are completely awesome and gave me such a stronghold. Thank you for everything.
Now, we are thinking about the best route to consider with timelines as well.
He has another month and a half to finish his photography course, then it will be Christmas, which will be too expensive to fly as well as the dead of winter. So we are going to wait until after Christmas and the New Year and send over stuff by crate.
We are thinking to stick to March as the time to come. That will be when the freezing cold is over and perfect timing to arrive, find a place to settle in, then fly to Brazil to meet his family for a month then come back.
We'll be back in Canada by April or May, which is the right time to start interviewing for teaching jobs.
Things all worked out and I am just overwhelmingly grateful.
I can't wait to step foot on Canada soil, see my country's flag, my people, my family. I can't wait to introduce my special husband to my amazing family.
I can't wait to drink Tim Horton's coffee, to have dinner at Swiss Chalet, to see the snow, to speak English, to watch English TV, to visit Canada's Wonderland, Niagara Falls, to drive up to Barrie, Ontario and make maple syrup (which I hate, but will eat when I come!!) and to be among my fellow Canadians.
Canada...my home.
I'm coming home, guys.
Signing off with tears and happy thoughts.
xo
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Ever had a Yo-Yo day?
Okay, this is not a happy post.
Things have been very different for me these last couple of years. I have lost lots of 'friends' and have been struggling to get my hubby accepted into my country.
I always thought the one thing I could rely on was my job. I've been here for quite a few years, have had an amazing rapport with my boss, who just happens to be the head of the Board of Education. He's the head honcho.
Unfortunately, an 'ex-friend' has kind of swept in and seems to have made himself appear like a GOD and I've felt the rapport with my boss has changed. He no longer asks my opinion on things and no longer treats me the same. Not bad, just not the same.
This ex friend is ONE: a man and TWO: fluent in Japanese.Those two things alone make the Japanese swoon over him as if he is Buddha incarnate.
Like I said, I thought I could rely on my job, until tonight.I just received a phone call from my boss asking what my plans are after my contract is up in 6 MONTHS.
I've worked for the man for almost 5 years. Contracts are not discussed until x-mas time. I told him that I'm waiting on the Consulate's decision for my hubby's application and we were advised we should find out by Feb-March. My contract is up March 31st.
I understand they can't wait until the last minute to find out if I'll stay or not, because they will need to replace me if I leave and March will be too short of a notice. But I DID expect they give me at least until January.
He made it clear in his own Japanese beat around the bush sort of way, that they need to know NOW. And if I can't tell them NOW, then I can't expect to have a job after March, if my hubby is denied.
This came out of the blue and I am really deflated. I can't shake the feeling that my so called friend had alot to do with this. And it disgusts me.
I hate hypocritical people. I hate people who think and act like they are better than others. The only thing this guy has on me is his Japanese skills, because when it comes to the job, I have more experience, more know-how and I've had the most results.
So now, come March, either my hubby will be accepted into my country and we can leave as soon as my contract is ended. = the perfect scenario (and we all know how often THAT happens.) OR I will be out of a job, out of a house and with a husband who cannot live with me in my country.
This is a very crappy night.
BTW, we are in the middle of a typhoon...sounds like my windows are going to shatter from the wind and rain.
I'm feeling so down. Have you ever just felt so defeated, so double-crossed and felt like the whole world is against you?
In all my years in Japan, if I were to leave tomorrow, I would be leaving this country with 0 friends. Count 'em. ZERO.
Yes, I have 'friends' we hang out with sometimes, but it's just that kind of temporary friendship as they too have found that finding true friendships in Japan seem almost impossible. Being on work contracts, everyone just seems to be out for themselves.
I can't tell you all how ready I am to leave here. I miss my family, my friends, and a reality I can deal with.
Japan is just too superficial for my liking. And I've been here long enough to know about it. I am tired of this place.
I can't believe how things have turned out. I don't know how this has happened. I have had the worst luck with people here. I swear.
I'm trying to stay positive but it is so hard.
I just received a message from the BAB magazine and they would like to profile me for their magazine next month. I mean, that is great news, right? It's an honour. So yes, I'm trying to focus on better things, but tonight has just got me thrown for a loop.
Things have been very different for me these last couple of years. I have lost lots of 'friends' and have been struggling to get my hubby accepted into my country.
I always thought the one thing I could rely on was my job. I've been here for quite a few years, have had an amazing rapport with my boss, who just happens to be the head of the Board of Education. He's the head honcho.
Unfortunately, an 'ex-friend' has kind of swept in and seems to have made himself appear like a GOD and I've felt the rapport with my boss has changed. He no longer asks my opinion on things and no longer treats me the same. Not bad, just not the same.
This ex friend is ONE: a man and TWO: fluent in Japanese.Those two things alone make the Japanese swoon over him as if he is Buddha incarnate.
Like I said, I thought I could rely on my job, until tonight.I just received a phone call from my boss asking what my plans are after my contract is up in 6 MONTHS.
I've worked for the man for almost 5 years. Contracts are not discussed until x-mas time. I told him that I'm waiting on the Consulate's decision for my hubby's application and we were advised we should find out by Feb-March. My contract is up March 31st.
I understand they can't wait until the last minute to find out if I'll stay or not, because they will need to replace me if I leave and March will be too short of a notice. But I DID expect they give me at least until January.
He made it clear in his own Japanese beat around the bush sort of way, that they need to know NOW. And if I can't tell them NOW, then I can't expect to have a job after March, if my hubby is denied.
This came out of the blue and I am really deflated. I can't shake the feeling that my so called friend had alot to do with this. And it disgusts me.
I hate hypocritical people. I hate people who think and act like they are better than others. The only thing this guy has on me is his Japanese skills, because when it comes to the job, I have more experience, more know-how and I've had the most results.
So now, come March, either my hubby will be accepted into my country and we can leave as soon as my contract is ended. = the perfect scenario (and we all know how often THAT happens.) OR I will be out of a job, out of a house and with a husband who cannot live with me in my country.
This is a very crappy night.
BTW, we are in the middle of a typhoon...sounds like my windows are going to shatter from the wind and rain.
I'm feeling so down. Have you ever just felt so defeated, so double-crossed and felt like the whole world is against you?
In all my years in Japan, if I were to leave tomorrow, I would be leaving this country with 0 friends. Count 'em. ZERO.
Yes, I have 'friends' we hang out with sometimes, but it's just that kind of temporary friendship as they too have found that finding true friendships in Japan seem almost impossible. Being on work contracts, everyone just seems to be out for themselves.
I can't tell you all how ready I am to leave here. I miss my family, my friends, and a reality I can deal with.
Japan is just too superficial for my liking. And I've been here long enough to know about it. I am tired of this place.
I can't believe how things have turned out. I don't know how this has happened. I have had the worst luck with people here. I swear.
I'm trying to stay positive but it is so hard.
I just received a message from the BAB magazine and they would like to profile me for their magazine next month. I mean, that is great news, right? It's an honour. So yes, I'm trying to focus on better things, but tonight has just got me thrown for a loop.
Monday, September 21, 2009
New ideas...
Well, it seems our life has been pretty uneventful these past few weeks, but some dear friends have had some excitement, good and bad.
My dear TWFriend, Terry had some disappointment with her writing, but she is an amazing woman (love her active life) and great writer, I have all the faith in her she will succeed and receive richer blessings than she anticipated.
My other dear friend Mike is dealing with some family problems right now. He is always one offering and willing to help others through encouragement and action, and I just wish there was something I could do for him and his family. Hang in there, Mike! We're thinking of you.
My other dear friend Satoshi, has had to change his life plans and return to Japan as his sweet father's health has declined for the worse. Now, there is a possibility he may need his leg amputated.
If there was ever a Japanese family that I would be proud to welcome into my own, it would be his. He, along with his parents are the nicest people I have met on this side of the world and just feel terrible they are dealing with such a tragic situation.
And if there was ever a time I wish I was fluent in Japanese it is now. So I could offer words of encouragement to that beautiful family.
I am the kind of person who may not say it or even show it often, but I always have my friends in my thoughts and heart.
As for us, nothing REALLY eventful has happened. Just little things that help keep our spirits up.
We finally received a letter from the Immigration office in Tokyo.
The application has been received and is in process of review... Cross your fingers and toes everyone...pleeease!
They stated it should take about 6 months...Soooo....if all goes well and they accept him, that will bring us to February, which is perfect as my work contract is up in March...
Do you know what that means?? We could be stepping foot on Canadian soil in March!!! I'LL BE HOME!!!!! YAAYYYY!!!
Please pray for us!
I received a rejection letter from the literary agency I sent it to, for my novel. So, I sent it directly to a publishing house and have another two publishing houses I will be sending it to. They all accept simultaneous submissions, so hopefully I'll receive good news.
I haven't heard anything from the publishing houses I sent queries to for my children's book or my 'Japan' book. So, still hoping there. :)
My hubby gave me a good idea..actually refreshed an old idea of mine.
I had written a book of ESL lesson plans and curriculums a few years back. The clipdrive the info was on was stolen at work, but I still have a hardcopy of all I created.
It took me two years to do, but then I started on my novel and any further chance of putting it back into electronic files was put on the back burner.
My hubby suggested I start an ESL website. I had tossed the idea around awhile back in my own mind but pushed it aside. Now, I am actually considering it and think I will do it!
It will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese. I will design and upload all my work in English and translate it into Spanish. Then my hubby will help with the Portuguese links.
It should take about 6 months to finish all my designs and everything I will be adding, which will be perfect timing.
I should finish by February, March and once I get back to Canada, will set up the webpage.
So, another project is in the works.
I still haven't finished the edits to my novel, but I figure I still have time for that.
busy, busy busy.
Happy thoughts.
The busier we are, the faster time flies and the closer we are to reach our goals!!
Triple yay!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and happy thoughts. :)
My dear TWFriend, Terry had some disappointment with her writing, but she is an amazing woman (love her active life) and great writer, I have all the faith in her she will succeed and receive richer blessings than she anticipated.
My other dear friend Mike is dealing with some family problems right now. He is always one offering and willing to help others through encouragement and action, and I just wish there was something I could do for him and his family. Hang in there, Mike! We're thinking of you.
My other dear friend Satoshi, has had to change his life plans and return to Japan as his sweet father's health has declined for the worse. Now, there is a possibility he may need his leg amputated.
If there was ever a Japanese family that I would be proud to welcome into my own, it would be his. He, along with his parents are the nicest people I have met on this side of the world and just feel terrible they are dealing with such a tragic situation.
And if there was ever a time I wish I was fluent in Japanese it is now. So I could offer words of encouragement to that beautiful family.
I am the kind of person who may not say it or even show it often, but I always have my friends in my thoughts and heart.
As for us, nothing REALLY eventful has happened. Just little things that help keep our spirits up.
We finally received a letter from the Immigration office in Tokyo.
The application has been received and is in process of review... Cross your fingers and toes everyone...pleeease!
They stated it should take about 6 months...Soooo....if all goes well and they accept him, that will bring us to February, which is perfect as my work contract is up in March...
Do you know what that means?? We could be stepping foot on Canadian soil in March!!! I'LL BE HOME!!!!! YAAYYYY!!!
Please pray for us!
I received a rejection letter from the literary agency I sent it to, for my novel. So, I sent it directly to a publishing house and have another two publishing houses I will be sending it to. They all accept simultaneous submissions, so hopefully I'll receive good news.
I haven't heard anything from the publishing houses I sent queries to for my children's book or my 'Japan' book. So, still hoping there. :)
My hubby gave me a good idea..actually refreshed an old idea of mine.
I had written a book of ESL lesson plans and curriculums a few years back. The clipdrive the info was on was stolen at work, but I still have a hardcopy of all I created.
It took me two years to do, but then I started on my novel and any further chance of putting it back into electronic files was put on the back burner.
My hubby suggested I start an ESL website. I had tossed the idea around awhile back in my own mind but pushed it aside. Now, I am actually considering it and think I will do it!
It will be in English, Spanish and Portuguese. I will design and upload all my work in English and translate it into Spanish. Then my hubby will help with the Portuguese links.
It should take about 6 months to finish all my designs and everything I will be adding, which will be perfect timing.
I should finish by February, March and once I get back to Canada, will set up the webpage.
So, another project is in the works.
I still haven't finished the edits to my novel, but I figure I still have time for that.
busy, busy busy.
Happy thoughts.
The busier we are, the faster time flies and the closer we are to reach our goals!!
Triple yay!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful week and happy thoughts. :)
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