Ironic, eh?

I've restarted my job hunt as the school that had technically hired me (since I signed the work contract) is having issues giving me the documents I need to apply for a work visa. It's like they're passive-aggressive about really wanting to hire me and sponsor my visa. Why say "yes" when you really mean "no"? I can't think of any other reason why I would have to call them 6 times, email them 5 times, over the past few weeks, only to get some of the documents I need.


Yes, I understand that the recent tragedies and ensuing chaos may play a role--including rolling blackouts that affect the schedules of the various locations, teachers possibly having left to go back to their home countries or nearby Asian countries, etc. But after all this back and forth, with the junior manager and manager of the school now getting involved and CC'ed on emails and calling me too, it still seems that I'm not getting 100% from them.


They keep saying that they can't provide a Letter of Guarantee. But I need that letter to submit along with the application for Certificate of Eligibility, which, after a conversation with an immigration lawyer revealed, is not even something that I can do, but that the sponsoring organization has to do on my behalf. And then, after the COE is issued in 1-3 months, then I can apply for a work visa, which would only take a week from that point to get.


It's really frustrating. I know that there's something to be learned in every situation. I know that my being in Japan at this time, facing these particular obstacles, has a purpose. I'm going to guess that since my karma has always been related to job-hunting, job-finding, and job-keeping, that that's why I'm going through all this--so I can once and for all change this karma and move on. Or, maybe, since I tend to give up on things easily, maybe this is happening so I can learn how to be persistent and tenacious.


My friend Liz, who is currently teaching English near Shiodoshima island here in Japan (it's so far out in the boonies, she has to take a boat to her school), was nice enough to mail me a copy of the recent installment of "The New Human Revolution," since I haven't yet changed my World Tribune subscription address to Japan (it costs a lot extra). In the Feb. 4, 2011 issue, there was this golden nugget, from President Ikeda:


"The courage to challenge and triumph over one's limitations is what defines a victor. The door to victory opens only when one gains control over one's own tendencies toward weakness, cowardice, laziness, avoidance and resignation."


Oh...that explains why I don't have a victory yet. Ryokai. Got it.

My region young women's division leader back home emailed me recently: "Please use this time to build unshakable conviction in the faith! I am chanting for all members to win in even this serious situation."

I have a feeling I will be able to develop "unshakable conviction in the faith" through this job experience.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The title of today's post comes from a job posting I came across today:

Nuclear Safeguards Inspector (Radioanalyst QA manager) (P-4)

Organization: International atomic energy agencyDepartment: Office of Safeguards Analytical ServicesCountry: Tokyo, Japan (JAPAN)Job type: OtherExpires: February 14 (2011)

I think the IAEA should have advertised for an opening in Fukushima instead of in Tokyo. =T