Juxtaposed in Japan

Thursday, May 31st

Don't leave pickles in the refrigerator.. please.

Current Sounds: DDR Mario Mix - Always Smiling

Since there aren't any students at the English school on campus, I've just been doing various cleaning/administrative tasks over the past week. That'll all change next week when placement exams begin and, more importantly, classes start up once more.

However, I've learned more about how libraries are run, got to shift shelves and shelves of books, etc. Having to place items in particular places on shelves.. now that almost reminds me of Target! Kinda scary. Anyway, after that I went about cleaning the staff-room refrigerator. The best items there had to have been the mustard that expired in May 2006, and the tubs of mayonaisse that were sitting there (no date on those, but they were in styrofoam cups. Seeing as I've been there for 3 weeks and there weren't any sandwich parties that I was aware of, they had to be older than that). Remember, kids: take your food out of the refrigerator, or at least throw it out.

Otherwise, it's just been a semi-busy week. Nothing terribly eventful one way or another, but it has been interesting at least. Have a new project to start over the weekend for the English school on campus, going to make a quick interactive-media site so students can make and submit their own movies and other students can vote to see who made the best movie. At the end of the semester, they'll give out a prize or somesuch. Could be interesting, so I need to make the backend of it and some basic front-end stuff.

Just kinda waiting on someone, but I guess it's not going to happen. I'll get going now, probably write some more in the next few days... when I'm not busy working this weekend. Gah.
Jason on 05.31.07 @ 06:27 PM JST [link]

Wednesday, May 30th

The BullsEye doesn't love me.. but that's okay, because I don't love it.

Current Sounds: Sick Puppies - Mastered - All The Same

It's hard to get excited about going to Target. Not that I think one needs to be 'excited' about going to their workplace, but it couldn't hurt. The job is, all told, really not all that bad. Just requires common sense ("Hmm.. I have a really heavy box. Should I put it on this shelf 15 feet up, or maybe on the bottom shelf.") and manual labor. The weird thing is that I've always said that I never want to work a job that involves just doing work, or only using my hands, and yet here I am. I actually prefer it this way, too. The way I look at it is that if I'm going to be working some meaningless low-paying job, I don't want to give them more of myself than I absolutely have to. Hefting stuff in the backroom and on the sales floor is totally doable in that case, plus I'm free to let my thoughts roam on whatever else I want.

Now for some random stuff on 'The BullsEye'. Employees are not employees, but Team Members. Customers are Guests. My cool scanning gun-style thing that locates anything in the store (and the one I'm looking at when I'm avoiding customers.. 'Guests') is a PDT. Code Red is fire, Yellow is lost child, Green is accident/injury/incident. Channel 1 on the walkie talkies is for floor staff and 90% of the store, channel 2 is for backroom and for private conversations the 'Guests' shouldn't be hearing. This includes: someone finding bugs in one of the aisles, and a guy asking if a girl will have lunch with him again today, so they can arrange their breaks.

At Target, you don't 'own' a 'Guest'. This basically means that you're really not supposed to waste your time with one. If they ask me a question and I call someone in to help them, I just leave, no matter how long they might have to wait. They have so many 'guests' coming in at all times they the money they lose from your productivity is likely greater than the talcom powder this guy wants to buy.

Well, I'm dressed, so now to grab my equipment (box cutter, pen, marker.. and my iPod) and get on my way. I will be writing later...
Jason on 05.30.07 @ 09:33 AM JST [link]

Saturday, May 26th

'Can I help you find something?'

Current Sounds: Within Temptation - See Who I Am

I really don't have much time to write, and I probably shouldn't be. Just about to head out for my first full day of work at Target.. How incredibly exciting. I'm still in training, though, so it looks like I'm just going to be following people around, doing what they do, and getting a feel for the job. Definitely not good, but not too bad. At least I get to swing around my price-gun-thing with authority.

And now, if only I could do something about that ugly red and khaki uniform.

Going in, should be done in about 8 hours, and then I can come back and do it again on Sunday. Does the fun ever stop? At least I get to listen to music while I work.

Anyway, I'll write a bit more later when I'm not in such a hurry.

OH! And I did get my bike tire fixed. Changing those things sucks...
Jason on 05.26.07 @ 09:21 AM JST [link]

Thursday, May 24th

Workin', workin', workin'...

Current Sounds: Linkin Park - Somewhere I Belong

Found that work starts 30 minutes later than I thought today, so I have a little longer than I anticipated. So now, I'm writing.

What's different? Well, I started a second job (Target, BackRoom, for those that are curious) so that leaves me working 6 days a week and a "full 40". I'm also incredibly tired, but I'm hoping that'll go away after awhile, especially the lack on any and all desire to leave my bed in the morning. Even though I've only actually done it for one day, the job doesn't seem so bad. Little to no customer interaction, a fair degree of autonomy, and utterly monotonous. Not sure if this last one's a good or a bad point, but it's most certainly there. I'm not really positive if this is a good idea yet, but Arizona's a "right to work" state and I can leave at absolutely any time for any reason. Not that I'm likely to do that (definitely not keen on giving up), but it is definitely possible. Guess it just depends how the first weeks work out.

Right now, though, I need to get dressed and ready for a good few hours of envelope stuffing at my university job. Yay for envelope stuffing!

At least Monday's a day off.. that means something.

So, I'll write later.. hopefully in a slightly saner position. Really need to get dressed and ready for work. At least I don't have to wear red and khaki.. the Target colors are just hideous. Gah.
Jason on 05.24.07 @ 09:01 AM JST [link]

Monday, May 21st

[At work] Quite an interesting morning

Current Sounds: Typing, people talking

Doing teacher evaluations today, so I've been moving between the labs, getting people setup, and having them evaluate all the teachers and the English school here in general (the "exit survey", as I've been saying all morning).

While doing this, a student who's been kicked out of the school for failing all his classes and not attending decided to show up again (this is the third time, I hear, but the first time since I was hired last week). He just comes around to use the computers and otherwise cause problems, I guess. Anyway, there was a lovely argument about how he's not supposed to be here, he said he "deserves respect", and then followed one of the staff members downstairs. Enter the police! One week on the job, and the cops are called. It's not that I mind, but it's definitely interesting. I also admire the response time. Anyway, the university has a zero-tolerance policy, so if there's even the remote suggestion that someone's going to make a threat on campus, the person will be arrested.

Anyway, that's been my morning thus far, or at least the first few hours of it. Still have quite a few hours to go, so I guess I'll get to my reading. Sometime soon I need to stop either by the library or a book store and pick up some more books to keep myself busy.

So, fun, fun! Been an eventful day, and it's only 1030.
School on 05.21.07 @ 10:24 AM JST [link]

Friday, May 18th

[At work] What's this '6am' thing?

Current Sounds: A lecture in progress

"Sir/Ma'am, can I see your ID card?", "Could you show me your ID?". So far, two people have failed to produce ID and they got the standard "That's fine now, but you must have it next time." Yes, I will be enforcing it. Rules are rules, and there is a bit of a problem here with non-students trying to use the lab (easy and available, unlike the university computer lab, plus they have free printing here, as opposed to 10¢/pg at the unversity).

Does this matter to anyone but me? Hardly! But xx hours a week, it's what I do, inbetween cross checking lists, inputting informationg, and stuffing envelopes (next Thursday). I still enjoy what I'm doing, though I admit it can get pretty boring. But I'm getting alot of reading done and pretty up to date on my e-mails. It'll be nice during the school semester when I have reading and homework to do.

Right now there's a class in progress using all the computers. I think it's a lower level class, judging by how the professor's speaking. Gotta admit, there's something really interesting about English-teaching, and language in general. Apparently the project is writing a fictional e-mail (on your weekend plans) to the professor. What do I do, with no IDs to check? Keep typing this journal entry!

I think I'm going to go back to reading, so I'll write again sometime soon (either this weekend or definitely on Monday, I'll be back here again then.. doing the morning shift. Oh yes, that one).

....waking up at 6. Tsk. Who knew that there was a 6am? Even back in my Catholic school-boy days, I woke up at 0630.
School on 05.18.07 @ 09:45 AM JST [link]

Thursday, May 17th

Picture uploaded

Current Sounds: Noir - Melodie

Added the Old Tucson photo. Click 'more' at the bottom of this entry to view it.
Jason on 05.17.07 @ 04:47 PM JST [more..]

[At work] Doing that working thing (while I write online)

Current Sounds: Library sounds, talking
Currently Feeling: In a pretty decent mood

So, I'm at work right now. There's a class in here learning how improve their grammar and being quizzed on proper English usage on some website or another. I have to say, working at the English-teaching/international student division at your university makes for interesting times.

Also, being able to speak Japanese is coming in far more handy here than in normal, day-to-day university life. So far, it's not a bad job, and it's a decent way to pass the time (especially considering I'm getting paid to do it). Get to help out, deal in education, and do other such "Lab Monitor" duties.

Anyway, I should go.. just figured I'd write for a short bit while I wait for a coworker to come back and replace me. I'm off in 4 minutes.. supposedly.

By the way, I got the period photo from Old Tucson back (I'm dressed as a Civil War-era Union general) and have it scanned at home. I'll upload it when I get back, or I'll try to at least.
School on 05.17.07 @ 12:28 PM JST [link]

Sunday, May 13th

And thus, work begins

Current Sounds: Evangelion - Takahashi Youko - Cruel Angel's Thesis

I start work tomorrow, making for a grand total of 6 days from when my job search started and when I start working. Tomorrow, I begin my illustrious position of (Computer) 'Lab Monitor' (I prefer 'Lab Technician', but that's not technically true). Should be interesting. I get to stay on campus, work with foreign students coming to learn English, and otherwise do... stuff! As an interesting aside, this also technically makes me an employee of the state (through the university), and I had to take an oath of loyalty. What fun!

Anyway, that's about all I have to say for now. Just figured I'd update on that. Going in to do training tomorrow (and by 'traning', I mean 'meet people' and 'learn the systems') and write my schedule, then work on someone else's computer problems tomorrow evening. So, summer's officially started.
Jason on 05.13.07 @ 05:24 PM JST [link]

Thursday, May 10th

Week in review

Current Sounds: DDR - 99 Red Balloons (Techno Remix)
Currently Feeling: Pretty successful week

Finals are done, and I'm going to soon be employed. My job search lasted an epic 3 days, and in that time I submitted 3 applications, had 3 interviews, and one offer (I have a feeling one or both of the other two might be offering early next week). I don't want to get cocky, but for never having really tried to get or job or even having a real interview, I think I've done pretty well. Granted, the jobs are nothing impressive (Starbucks Barista, Target Stock-Boy, and University Computer Lab Monitor) and I'm an AA holder, current university student competing against high school kids, but hey, this is why you get an AA. Not because they're actually 'cool' (though, as an aside, mine was pretty much a nice 'freebie' on the way to getting my BA), but because you trump hs students.

So, I need to submit my new employee form, and then I should be working in a week or so. The job is at the English teaching school on campus where foreigners come to learn English, and my position is sitting at a desk, checking IDs and otherwise enforcing computer lab policies. Since this isn't exactly a massively taxing job, I otherwise get to read, do whatever I want online, or study/do homework during the school semester. Basically, I'll be doing the exact same thing I would've done at home during the summer, just getting paid to do it. Pay's decent, part-time (max 20 hrs).. nothing to be excited about, but for a job you don't need, it's a good deal. Plus, I can keep it as long as I stay with the school.

Anyway, that's what's up with me. Also got all my finals done now. I'm feeling decent about most of them, though I'll probably be getting a B in my psych class. Nothing too alarming, just a fact. There goes my 4.0.. but really, doesn't matter in the end anyway, right? No sense in fussing over a number no one will ever look at.

Oh! I went out to Old Tucson last Saturday, so click 'More' for some photos from that, in case anyone's curious (and.. yeah, I know, I still haven't gotten those London ones up. Tsk, tsk)
Jason on 05.10.07 @ 06:44 PM JST [more..]

Thursday, May 3rd

Socialization in school..

Current Sounds: El-Hazard - Kamisama ga Kureta Hi

So, 3 classes are finished, one will be done tomorrow, and the last will be done on next Tuesday. I'll officially be done with all my classes at that point and I'm free until mid-August. Pretty good, though at the same time I find it disappointing. I actually like going to school and learning, as odd as that probably seems. Like all artificially constructed groups, you get so used to the acronyms, the vocabulary, and all the other things that go on with campus life. The biggest issue is that you forget that there are people that you know that don't necessary know all of the terms that have come to define your life for the time being.

What am I?

I'm an EAS (East Asian Studies) major, the department is located in LSB (Learning Services Building). My classes currently are JPN (Japanese), PSYC (psychology), HIST (history), and CHN (Chinese), located in BIO W (Biology West), MLA (Modern Languages), COMM (Communication), PSYC (... yeah), and CHVZ (Ceasar Chavez [however, since everyone calls it 'Chavez', I argue it's named after Hugo Chavez, the dictator from Venezuala].

Alot of these simply make sense just by looking at them. MLA's kinda questionable (why the extra A??). EAS might be confusing for people who don't deal with this stuff daily. After that, stuff just gets weird. PTYS? Planetary Sciences.. apparently. CBA? Cell Biology & Anatomy. I guess.

Gotta go to play racquet ball (yay!), and then take a Japanese final tomorrow. Should be fun, I'm sure.

I'll write a bit later!
Jason on 05.03.07 @ 01:05 PM JST [link]


May 2007
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
27	28	29	30	31