End of supervising

I used to get supervising from one Japanese counselor. By today, I quit to get it, because there are many reasons. His website is always shown first two pages in search engines. Therefore, my home page had got a lot of benefits from it, but not anymore. I worry about number of accesses of my web page and reducing numbers of counseling jobs through my web page.

Yahoo!

Since many books mentions worth for registering website to Yahoo!, I am thinking to do it. However, it costs 52000yen. What a heck! It used to be free. Now, they charge if the website is some kinds of business related. Do you think it is worth it? Actually, the cost does not guarantee to register. It is guaranteed for Yahoo! staff to come checking my website and let me know whether it could be or not. Advertising is very important so that I will do it, but not right now...

School Counseling

When I was an elementary school student, we did not have school counselor. Counseling was unknown field at that time. However, today, the school counseling has recognized well and almost all public schools have at least a school counselor or a mental support staff. However, they have not done a good job. Many of them just stay in the office and believe that the students are coming to them if they have something trouble, because THEY ARE COUNSELORS. This is ridiculous thought. What kind of people talk about their problems to unknown people.

Previously, I had a chance to talk to Japanese school counselor. He asked me first, "What is your theoretical background to do the school counseling? Jung? Carl Rodgers?" I was like, "Got! This guy does not know anything about the school counseling. " This is not the field that sit down and talk. This is the field walking around the building and talking to the students as many students as possible per day. So, I told him, "My theoretical background is the school counseling when I do the school counseling."

Driving

I could get insurance finally, so I am able to drive in Japan with my international license. I thought, "I have been driving for 7 years, so I do not have any problems at all!" This was not true. Road in Japan is very narrow. So many times, I felt could hit something when I was driving around my house. Also, my mom and dad keep pressure on me. Please, be quiet and let me concentrate! Driving is one of my best skills, I thought... But, not anymore...

Attacking

These days, I get many complaints from someone whom I have never known by e-mail mostly. If they are my clients or any relatives, I will be able to accept it. However, since I have never known them, how can I trust what they say? Why can they not ignore? Why do they want to hurt someone? I do not understand. They may think that I have been making good money from this job, which I do not... I heard before that getting complaints are signs for being famous. I would like to believe so.

Best Friend

I met my best friend. We have been friends since elementary school. Whenever I come back to Japan, we call each other and hung out. He has been working right after graduating high-school, so he pays all the cost every time! Making new friends are important, but keeping a good friendship with old friends are more important to me.

Shopping

Since I left Japan long time, I needed to buy some stuff. Today, I went shopping. In Japan, we have everything that we want to buy. When I lived in the U.S, I was sometimes frustrated, because I could not find things that I had in Japan. If I could not find, I would give up, chose something similar or made the stuff. I felt utilized a lot of creativity there. Probably, my creativity has develped because of the environment. If I live here long, I may just maintain it or lose it.

Getting Started

Today, I went to the public library for studying. However, study room was filled by jukensei. Therefore, I was studying at public area and used small cabinet as the study desk. There were several desks available, but those were only for reading. Why should I have hard time for studying? Studying supposed to be hard, not finding a location for.

Greeting from Japan

I came back to my home safely.

I have been busy, so I had not had time to update my blog. Now, everything becomes settled. Therefore, I may be able to do it again.

I realize that my body shape is American size! In the U.S, I did not realize that I had become such big, but in Japan, I feel that everything is very small for me. I started doing exercise. I cannot meet anyone unless my body becomes Japanese size. But, I drink, which is not good... Japanese beer is taste good though!

Last Moment in the U.S

I tried to update my blog last night. However, my homepage had been down for couple of hours. Now, I am at the air port and try to leave from the U.S. Yes. I have internet connection at the airport. Technology has been developing faster than I think it is. Some day in the future, we will be able to access to the internet from the air plane.

In the last night, I was chatting with couple of my friends and remembering my history of living in the U.S. Did I have a good time in the U.S.? Yes! Definitely, I did. When I came, I was only thinking to get a B.A, but I changed my mind, so I got a M.A's. Then, I wanted to have some work experience and I got! I have still been disappointed since I am forcefully kicked out from the states. However, overall, I am satisfied what I have been doing.

Many of you who are reading this blog are probably staying in the U.S as a student or a employee. Please do anything what you can do and when you leave this country, you will be able to say, "I had a great experience!"

I will see you all in Japan.

Counseling

I have been working as a counselor in the website which is called "Kokoromu." In the website, we use chat softwear to make conversation with clients. Yesterday, one client asked me to counsel him, and I accepted. However, in some reason, the softwear did not work well, so we could not make communication at all. Because of that, I got pretty bad evaluation from him.

Before, I claimed to the site coordinater regarding the evaluation systm. Evaluation from the client is a good idea, but it should not be shown to other clients, because this kind of issue could happen. Once, we get a poor evaluation, it will seriously hurt our jobs. So, we should be so sensitive at. He said that he will think about it. But, things already happened! I do not want to lose other clients' trust, so I will not access to the website until they fix my poor evaluation. I will accept any kind of evaluation if I did something poor. In this case, I did not do anything, so I cannot take it!

Nothing

My friend came to my apartment and took all the stuff, including my car, today. So, I do not have anything in my apartment except computer and soccer ball. How can I survive next couple of days?

I was lifting the soccer ball in out side. Then, one guy came and asked me to kick the ball together. After we started it, more people (kids) came and joined in. We did not talk. We just kicked the ball together for couple of hours. However, I felt that we made great conversation. Communication does not have to use words all the time. Sometimes, just to do something together works better than talking.

Last Drive

Tomorrow, I will sell my car to my ex-coworker. Today was my last drive, but nothing different. Only different place where I went was Car Max which is a famous car dealer. I drive 89 Toyota Carolla GT-S, so I expected this could be very cheap value. After they test drove, they told me that the car is $500 value. This price is actually more than what I expected. However, because I love the car and spent a lot of money for fixing, I was a little disappointed.

After that, I went to Starbacks as usual for reading a book. In some reason, I was out of mind, so I ordered a hot caffe mocha! When I realized my mistake, it was too late. I had to drink the hot caffe mocha under southern hot climate! But, that is alright. Everything will be a good experience. I will stay in the U.S only 3 more days so...

Study or Reading

I know that I should forget about reading books and studying English. But, I will go to Ph.D, so I need to acquire knowledge too. These days, I spend more time on reading books than studying English. I should do both, but I need to be prepared for going back. In Japan, I may be busy at working. Will I really be able to pass GRE and so on?

Selling Books

I hate it, but I should. Today, I sold some of my books which I have been collecting since graduate school. I tried to send them all to Japan, but it is too expensive, so I needed to pick and chose. The shop where I went could not buy text type of books so that I had to bring many books back with me. I got about $40 for selling books. I was alike, "Alright!" But, the casher just gave me a trading coupon. They would not give me cash instead giving me that! That sucks! I challenged, but of course, it did not work. I gave up and looked around the store. There were several books I found that I would like to read. So, I gloved them and tried to bring them to the casher. Wait a minute! I have tried to clean up my room to prepare for going back to Japan. I am better not buying anymore stuff. But, how about the coupon? Should I just through it away? That is not worth it! These kinds of thoughts are going through in my mind. And, finally, I have decided not buying...

Zidane

Many of you already know what happened the World Cup Soccer final match. I am a big fun of Zidane, so I want to believe what he explained on the TV. However, hurting someone is not a good idea. Eventhough, he believes that should be right. This is the way how we have been acting in the world. Someone says something, we hit. Some country says something, the country attacks to there. Say something is not good, but attacking is still unacceptable. He had a chance to say something after the game over. Why could he not wait 10 more min? We do not wait and be patient, so there is still violence out there. Just a few minutes, but it makes life different.

Good Trip

I just came back today from WV. I really had a good time. Most of the time in WV, I was with my friends. We talked, played soccer and baseball, drunk, and did BBQ. Because we will be separated, we are no longer to be able to have that kind of fun time. However, I hope our friendship continues.
Also, I could meet my professors, bosses and coworkers. I was so happy since they all remember me and they told me that they have been missing me. I realize that I had a great time in there with them when I lived. Hopefully, I can make such environment in Japan and in the future school.

Out of Town

I will be out of town until next week on Wed. Therefore, this blog will not be updated till then. I'm so sorry for people who enjoy reading this blog.

Clients

These days, I have been getting more clients than used to. I am appreciated. Today, I have been emailing to my clients almost all day. Number of clients is not enough to keep me alive yet, but I am so glad to know that some people need me and want to get my help even though they need to pay. I have been counseling people couple of years. When I was a student, my counseling should be free service. As a school counselor, the salary was already settled so that it does not matter that I did great or poor job (Of course, I always do my best at each clients). Now, I have been getting pay directly from the clients. It is completely up to my skill and dedication. If I do poor, they will be gone and never come back. Being a professional is such a hard, but I feel being a responsible counselor day by day after I started this business.

E-Mail

I have been e-mailing all over the places these days. I e-mail people who have been taking care of me since I came to the U.S. I e-mail people who have been my friends long time. E-mail is very easy way to communicate with people. Once upon a time when we did not have such a great computer system, we communicate each other by letters. Writing letters are not easy as writing e-mail. Therefore, we did not send alot. Indeed, we maintain communication with people than used to. But, why do we think that we have been independent and alone more than past decades?

Hide

One of the most famous Japanese soccer players, Hidetoshi Nakata, is retired today. He is only 29 years old, but he occasionally mentions to be retired before age of 30. The time came, just came...

I used to play soccer at a park with internationals. And, I was usually called as "Nakata." Of course, I am not such a good player. They called me like this, because Nakata is the only famous soccer player in Japan at that time. So, he definitely led history of Japanese soccer.

Because of living in out side of Japan, I haven't had much chance to watch his play. I was excited going back to Japan and watch his play. Now, I am so disappointed that I will never and ever have chance to watch it.

Of course, I cannot make someone to do something. I respect his decision for retirement and wish his best luck for next career.

Friends

I have been contacting to my friends in Japan. They are very welcomed me to come back. I am very appreiative their kindness and being my friend long time. Although I have not called and talked to them alot since I came to the U.S, whenever I go back to there for vacation, they always call each others and make a home party for me. Today, I read a book and it mentions if the person is being alone, no social support, they will have high possibility to become depression. According to the statement, I will not be depressed since I have such a wonderful friend in my life. However, the problem is most of them do not have stable jobs...

Reading

Since I have decided to go to ph.D program, I try to increase studying hours. Today, I have read book while was walking and waiting in a line. Of course, I could not concentrate as reading in my home and read a lot, but I acutally like it! It makes me feel reading with relax and reflesh mind. I will try more days and see how I will feel. Surely, I should watch out people around. (Today, I almost hit people and objects several times...)

Soccer

Finally, I found a place to play pick-up soccer game. This is too late! I am about going back to Japan. I have been looking for a place to play since I moved to SC, but no one knows it. I like to play soccer, because this is the sports that only one person cannot do anything. All 11 players need to help and play together for win. This is like a life. Only one person cannot do anything, but we help, argue, encourage and praise, then move on. We always pass a ball daily. We just cannot see it. We communicate. This is like a passing the ball right? If you do not give others' turn to speak, they will never be able to make commuinication with you. Then, you may lose their trust! Sometimes, the ball goes wrong way, but we try so hard to get the ball back. We should do this in the actual life too. We just do not realize that the soccer is reflecting human life!