Akeome 2014

あけましておめでとうございます and 今年もよろしくお願いします！

I know it's been a while, and I feel like I need to get back to it. Thus, behold this blog's new visage! I picked out a new premade template and Microsoft Painted the banner graphic myself.

So what have I been up to? For starters, a friend of mine informed me that Japanese website Cookpad is currently hiring translators to move more user-submitted recipes to their English website. I, in my ignorance, didn't even know they had an English website. Well, long story short I applied and was hired. I sent over my paperwork last week, and so any day now I should have my translating powers enabled and will be Englifying J-recipes in my free time.

I took the JLPT N1 in the beginning of December. Like I did with the N2, I was scouting it out...and it was tough. Mission accomplished. I do think that with some discipline and routine I may be able to pass it this year. I guess we'll see.

I also reapplied to JET - this time for a CIR position. I think they'll give me a serious look - my experience is solid, and my Japanese is at a decent level. But I've heard that the competition in DC is tough, so fingers crossed. If I do get hired again, the plan right now is to go back, become hella good at Japanese (that's at least one step above JLPT N1), and then see where I'm at. With good enough language skills I may consider going into translation if the international relations and business fields don't seem right.

JETAADC has also taken a lot of my time. I've been helping out with this and that as the volunteer chair since last March. It took me a year and change after coming back home to get involved with the JET alumni community. If you find yourself in a similar boat, I encourage you to participate. It really is a great way to make connections and reminisce about Japan. Even if you're not a former JET, feel free to look for events in your area. Our JETAADC events, for example, are often open to friends and family of JET and are sometimes co-hosted by other Japan-related organizations that are open to everyone.

Oh, and I just started studying a little Korean. I don't intend to get serious with it until I'm more satisfied with my Japanese, but I'd like to at least get my foot in the door and learn some hangul and basic vocab. If anyone reading this has studied Korean, any tips or resource suggestions would be most welcome!

That's it for now. I'll be back soon with some more (Japanually) substantive posts.