#2

ALRIGHTTTT!!

So, the written test that I had to take for the job was something called an SPI test.  What the hell is an SPI test?  It stands for Synthetic Personality Inventory test.  INTENSE.  It is a very common test in Japan.

Basically, the SPI test is your typical aptitude test, with a little Japanese twist.  It is an extremely time-limited test that challenges your ability to answer problems, which may include things like math, logic, pattern solving, puzzles, geometry, Japanese, and English.  Knowing that I've never taken this kind of test before in Japanese, I knew I definitely needed some kind of supplemental resource.  I definitely needed an excuse to go to Convoy.

Before going to Tokyo, I went to Book Off near Convoy with my boytoy CJ and bought a study guide for the test.  As always, the entire guide was in Japanese, but it had hundreds of problems, solutions, formulas - So I snatched it, and the journey begun.

With the help of Kosuke, Miho's websites, and this lovely guy named Bobo, I was able to successfully PASS the test.  I don't even know what passing means.  I'm pretty sure I got around 40%.  Anyways, HR told me to come in for another interview.  So that was a MAJOR relief.

Here is a website that has some good practice questions for the SPI Test (Make sure correct encoding is enabled)
http://hpcgi2.nifty.com/q-a/quiz200/tqindex.cgi

*edit*

I deleted a lot of what I previously wrote.  

Check the website below if want to see some sample questions for your typical SPI Test.

Pretty interesting test, huh?  Well, that's the kind of test you take when you apply as a new-graduate here in Japan.  They know you don't have true, actual, pure, sensual working experience.  Only street-smarts and book-smarts.  I could dive into the topic of educational and post-educational/career differences between these two countries, but that's for another day.

Well, after passing, I was asked to come in for another interview.  So let's talk about that real real quick.  I think I did pretty well.  This interview was called an APPAKU MENSETSU, or PRESSURED INTERVIEW.  It was me and 3 others.  I already felt the pressure.  Fortunately, the person from HR was extremely nice, and surprisingly used to live in Irvine.

The questions that were asked were much harder than the first interview - A majority of the them reflected the position rather than my personality.  In case you didn't know, the position I am applying for is "International Localization."  I had to express my dedication to them, and the country.  I've been using Vega since vanilla man, you think I don't understand dedication!?!  Did you know I wore a visor for 4 years in a row?

Anyways, the interview finished, and I left with a huge sigh of relief.  I can't say my answers were amazing, but I did manage to throw in some good points, in which they seemed impressed.  I had to give it my all.  The pressure and nervousness really helps with my Japanese.  I don't know why, but I feel way more focused when the pressure is on.  My focus meter exploded the moment I walked into the HQ.

So that's the situation.  I am currently awaiting the results.  I hope the next Blog will have some really good news.

NO MORE JOB TALK!!!!!!

Well TOO BAD!!  That's all I've been doing really.  That, and having reunions, and messing around in arcades.  I've actually been playing a lot of JuBeat lately.  I find it pretty stimulating, since it's basically a combination of "sudden" slight pattern recognition (Gah I'm sick of this word).

Here are some random pictures that I took.  Check em out!

White dude glaring and palm trees?  Felt like I was in SD for a second...

Nice little chill spot.  Wired Cafe is one of the few places that actually provides free WiFi in Japan. 

No idea but intriguing...

MANPOWER 

Gyoza for dinner <3 Homemade deliciousness

My palace 

Toto, the cat.  Super chill and sweet. 

But sometimes psychotic

Those eyes!

Small store next to the HQ

Stalking the backdoor entrance to the HQ

Right after the interview.  I definitely needed some CHUUTORO

TOO GOOD

THE CLOCK!

Got to chill with the MAY of MAYSY and Kim himself.

This was our first time eating FAKE-O-YAKI

 Rainy Shibuya

It'll never die! NEVER!

Nostalgia, even from the people who made it!  X3 vs 2nd Mix

This is very inspiring.  I'm curious how long this place will last.  I have ideas.

YOU LIKE MY VAGUE TALK? 

Say what!?! 

Next stop - LAS VEGAS! 

Chillin with Anna and her eyeball 

I had no idea this thing was chilling at my train station!

Takahadafudo Temple 

YES...I FEEL IT 

Roughly 65 bucks for these WHITE STRAWBERRIES.

Super curious about the flavor. 

How cute!  A little snow 

Leaving my MARK 

I miss you SD peeps

Snow got a little rougher...this once peaceful route started looking like something from the Ring. 

I think I'll pass... 

A little Christmas Tree I made on the stonesssss

I bet some guy walking home was freaking out with all these laying around

Finally home, sick view 

Rinchan and Toto taking a peek outside 

After the snow stopped.  Beautiful picture.

Sorry for the amount of snow pictures.  I just never get to see this stuff mang!

Bootyful! 

Rabbit stew comin' right up! 

The most difficult walk home ever.  But fun as hell going down!

Well, that's about it.  I have a little cold right now, but it doesn't seem so bad.  I'm taking some hardcore Chinese medicine right now, and it seems to be doing the trick.  Just taking it easy for the next few days...

SSF4AE2012

There are surprisingly a lot of Juri and Cody players around.  The way people play Juri here is insane.  She has all the necessary tools. with only a weak wake-up game.  I got to play against Nekojita, and got bodied pretty hard after perfecting him one match.  He has a very ambiguous cross up game that...well, no need to really explain.  I got Abel'ed.  Itabashi Zangief was also there, but I didn't have a chance to play him.  There's a crowd of about 20 people surrounding the machines when these players are in the arcade (Sega @ Shinjuku West Exit), so it's hard to get a chance to play.

Shungoku Neurosis was there, but I always see him in Shibuya.  I actually met him in 2009 when I first studied here, so we're homies.  We tight.  We don't chill outside of SF though.  I'm always trying to break that barrier, but in Japan, it's a little tough.  Or maybe he just thinks I'm a dumbass.  I'll try to take some videos next time I'm out in Shinjuku.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

I realized that I don't have as much MONEY as I thought.  The exchange rate really destroyed my wallet this time.  $2,500 turned into 170000 yen, which I guess you could consider $1,700.  I contacted my previous students who I helped tutor in 2009 and 2010, and have also been on the hunt for new ones.  So far, I have 2 students, making about $15 per hour for each one.  It's only once a week, so I'm still looking.  I'm also looking for TANPATSU work, which basically means you work ONE time, for ONE day, and get paid about 7000 yen.  It's mostly tiresome, labor-intensive or brain-dead work.

I don't think I'd be able to live in Japan if I didn't have some kind of California or San Diego vibe surrounding me.  Having those people here really helps.  I can kind of see myself working here, and it would be extremely cold and sad without them.  Why?  Well, It takes a long time to open up people in Tokyo.  It's hard to just "hit it off" with a random person, kind of how you would in the States.

I'm trying to work out and eat a crap ton of good, high-protein food while I'm out here.  It's tough, with the whole money situation and all, but since I have a kitchen I can use, it's definitely doable.  Walking 5-6 miles a day definitely means you have to cram a lot more food in your body, or risk losing weight.

My serious meter is about to explode.  You have no idea how badly I want to ENJOY this vacation.  I'm restricted to be completely free.  I just want to get this over with so I can HAVE FUN AND PARTY.

DJ AND AKEEM!  Get your asses to Japan RIGHT NOW....

THATS IT FOR NOW!  I will update in 2 weeks or so with (hopefully) GOOD news.

P-P-PEACE~~~!