Dartboard

Yuki typed up this beautiful description of my car in Japanese for me. Wrote all about its features and options and price. Today at school I printed it out and colored it red. Taped it up on both side windows and the back door.

It was there for about 10 hours, and then I had it sold!

This car is too cool for it's own good. Of course, I got my asking price, and because I'm selling it to a friend (a friend who I didn't even know was looking for a car) she's going to let me have it until I leave the island. She said she'll pick it up at the ferry port when I depart for the last time!

I couldn't believe my luck! I was so worried I wouldn't be able to sell it at all--and here I probably could have sold it for closer to what I paid for it!!

And this is not where my luck ended today! I got my first call back on a job in Tokyo. On Saturday I sent off my first application to ABC International School for pre-school children--a part-time job starting August 28th. The job seemed like a perfect match: Monday-Friday, part-time, mornings only, but still a great salary and in Minato-ku, close to where I'll live. After I submitted my resume and cover letter, I got an email saying 16 resumes had already been submitted for the job that was just posted the same day, and a warning I may not even hear back from the company.

Yikes! Maybe finding a job in Tokyo will be harder than I presumed.

However, today they emailed and asked for an interview. I need to ask if I can interview when I get to Tokyo in early August, but I think it's still plenty of time before the job starts. I'll need to teach a class of 3-year-olds, too! (Woah! I've never done that before!) But hearing back from them boosted my confidence a little. I will be able to find a job so I don't need to worry about it!

Also... good news all around today! I started the process of getting my "ticket" back home. Although obviously I'm not going to use the air ticket to go back to America, I am looking forward to the large chunk of money the school's going to give me to buy it. It looks like about $3,000! Jackpot!!

I think I better try to sell my old PowerBook computer now while I'm having a streak of good luck!!! Could I get $600 for it?! Do YOU want to buy it?

Tomorrow's a slumber party so Catherine and I can watch the England soccer game at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. Better make it an early night tonight too!

Sierra

Posts have been few and far between recently. I suppose at sometime this blog's life had to slow down. It took almost two years for that to happen though.

I'm feeling lots of emotions now. Eager to get started on my new adventures in Tokyo. Sad that I'm leaving my school when things are falling into place. Overwhelmed with all the things I need to do and goodbyes I need to say. Anxious about money and where my next paycheck is coming from. Nostalgic about this beautiful island and my memories here.

But anyway, this post is supposed to be triathlong pictures, which many people have been anxiously awaiting.

This is Takaitabi (the beach) a couple days before the race. The waves were pretty bad, and the current at this beach is notoriously strong.

On race day. Kara and I at our bikes.

I'm looking still half-asleep as I try to mentally prepare myself!

Getting close to the start of the race. A worried smile.

Finishing the swim and coming out of the ocean.

Mounting my bike for the next part of the race.

Officially starting the bike!

Going up the toughest hill on the route--Nitayama. (Don't look too closely; you can see my underwear!)

Stopping for a drink with students.

A picture of Qoo. I gave my camera to Yuki's mom to take pictures of me. I have one picture of me (the one going up Nitayama) and three pictures of Qoo. She said the battery ran out sooner than she expected. To be fair, I had forgotten to charge it the night before, but at least there was enough battery for the dog!

The last leg of the bike. I'm still smiling, but that's because I haven't started the run!!!

A sign the Nakagoto art club made for us.

And no pictures of the run... but I finished... looking wiped!