Last Day for Hitachi

Today marks the end of the Hitachi contract. I'm sure my students will feel relieved to end their studies, but never seeing the students again is a little sad. For my student's enjoyment I purchased doughnuts for the entire class.

I was shocked at the cost of doughnuts in Japan! One ring of sugar, bread and oil costs ￥126! That is about $1.15. I am assuming the cultural preferences for doughnuts and the higher costs of sugar, energy, and labor drive the cost up. I wonder how much doughnuts cost in New York.

And lastly, today marks the end of a New Zealander co-worker's stay in Japan. He was here on a working holiday visa and must return this month. He was quite a pain to deal with, due to his immature antics, so I won't miss him much. I will miss the Australian woman who is leaving for the same reason. She is always very cheerful and generally positive. I hope she decides to return someday.

つづく

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Waiting For The Interview

This is the door I will be entering in just a few minutes to do an interview. I can feel the butterflies starting to move in my stomach. breatH IN... BREath out. Everything will go swimmingly, especially since I can swim so well.

つづく

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Japanese Micheal Jackson Parody

Enjoy!

つづく

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Windows Security Center: Virus Alert

Hi, this is Nick. Let me help you with your computer problem.

Your computer probably looks like this. While having antivirus software is nice, it is not required to surf the internet. Let's turn this warning off.

Right-click on the Security Center icon and then left-click on "Open Security Center".

In the Security Center window left-click on "Change the way Security Center alerts me", on the left (underlined in this image).

Your Alert Settings window should look like this.

Left-click on the "Virus Protection" box to uncheck it, then left-click on "OK".


You are finished! The alert should now have disappeared.
If you want some protection on your computer, I would recommend Spybot. It is a free software program that can help keep your computer clean.

つづく

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Kawasaki 川崎

Here is Kawasaki station. Today I am meeting Sanami here for dinner. Since we both get off work late on Saturdays, we often go to a restaurant together in order to relax. However, it is currently 30C in Kawasaki, and I am wearing a suit and tie. I am not so uncomfortable as I am just sweaty...and stinky I'm sure. I will be sure to take a shower when I get home.

つづく

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Food is no longer the cheapest entertainment

This is a "Chips Ahoy!" box in Japan. It contains 16 cookies and costs around $2.00. For most Japanese (and myself), the rising oil prices have only affected their eating habits. Everything is more expensive to ship, harvest, and produce. Compared to last year, the active fishing fleet is down more than 20% due to oil costs alone. Companies are also changing the standard summer office temperature to 27C from 26C last year and 25C from five years before.

Lots of little changes．

つづく

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日立(Hitachi)

Today is a mostly normal day. Sanami and I went shopping for shoes, since this is the time for summer sales. She was able to get a new pair of comfortable white pumps for under $100. Compared to Oregon shopping standards, that sounds expensive, but having a comfortable and stylish shoe is (I guess) quite rare and highly sought after. I generally don't have to worry about fashion since I wear a suit five days a week.

Later today I went to work in Shin-Kawasaki at Hitachi. In the picture it is the building on the left.

つづく

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