These avatars are gorgeous (yes I'm looking at you posters ahead of me) aaand I voted. ;)

Originally Posted by Hatake Ayumi

These avatars are gorgeous (yes I'm looking at you posters ahead of me) aaand I voted. ;)

your avi looks like it had a party go outta hand...

Originally Posted by Ferra

@star2000shadow: Yeah, I love all of the great new layering options we have.

@maidenroseheart: Ah, I see! I heard that having three years of teaching really helps if you want to go back and get a degree. I didn't major in education (TESOL was one of my minors) so that's what I'd have to do if I want to become a teacher in the US. But at this point I'd probably be better off picking a different field for my masters or just try to start a different career with the education I have.

That's part of why I'm seriously considering making my stay permanent, especially if things get more serious with my current relationship since I know he wouldn't want to move. But luckily I have a few more years before I need to decide. I know that with the skills I've cultivated, I'd never have to worry about being unemployed here.

I'm debating on dating over here or not. I can't imagine anyone here wanting to move back stateside with me. So I would have to be willing to stay. I don't mind the idea except that I miss my family so much.

Originally Posted by maidenroseheart

I'm debating on dating over here or not. I can't imagine anyone here wanting to move back stateside with me. So I would have to be willing to stay. I don't mind the idea except that I miss my family so much.

I can understand that. Certainly it would complicate things, which is part of why I avoided dating other foreigners since I knew I wanted to stay in Japan for at least 5 years. The few guys I almost dated have already left Japan. But they turned out to be jerks anyways, so no real loss. I love my new city and I have more close friends here now than I have back home, so settling down here is making more sense.

I do love and miss my family, but calling them once a week really helps. Do you use Google Voice? It requires a US number and using a US proxy to set it up in a foreign country if you don't have an account already, but once you have one then you can make calls to any phone in the US or Canada for free via your computer. It's been a lifesaver since I can just call like normal at any time, rather than hassle with Skype dates.

I used to have a magic jack, but the year subscription is up and I haven't been able to renew because my debit card expired and I need a phone to call and activate my new one, but I need a debit card to renew the magic jack subscription, but I need a phone to renew... yeah...

So tell me more about Google Voice...

Originally Posted by maidenroseheart

I used to have a magic jack, but the year subscription is up and I haven't been able to renew because my debit card expired and I need a phone to call and activate my new one, but I need a debit card to renew the magic jack subscription, but I need a phone to renew... yeah...

So tell me more about Google Voice...

I don't remember the process exactly since it's been a few years, but I found a website that seems to explain it: Use a Google Voice Number from Outside the U.S.

I saved the step of making a US number by using my mother's phone # and had her tell me the confirmation code. But if you use someone else's number, you need to make sure that you turn off call forwarding once it's set up so it doesn't ring them every time you get a call. The cool thing is that Google voice gives you a dedicated number for free texting too, so I can keep in touch with friends that way.

(Apologies to everyone else for advertising. It's just a really good service.)

Sweet. I will definitely have to look into this. Free is good ^_^

Hey if it gets Maiden texting so I can talk to her besides on here. I am so good with that.

wow,this was a very hard decision!
voted!!!!

@maidenroseheart: Yeah, but it might not be free forever. It keeps telling me this is the last free year, then it gets renewed the next year. But hey, it's been so reliable that I might pay for a subscription if it does become a charge service.

@Silver Storm: Lol! Well if you have a smart phone you can make calls and text like normal using a Google Voice app. Otherwise you can send texts via email like I usually do. Which is fun at work since it's more discrete.

That would be AWESOME! I miss my Maiden.

I miss so many people. I had a good supportive group of friends and loving family in the states and it is hard to be without it physically.

I miss you too chica. I wish you could be here for the wedding.

Originally Posted by maidenroseheart

I miss so many people. I had a good supportive group of friends and loving family in the states and it is hard to be without it physically.

If you're feeling that way now, then I sounds like being a permanent expat would be difficult. But I hope making calls will help.

I feel really close to my family, but I rarely ever feel homesick. I've been through a major earthquake, been admitted to the hospital for surgery, took care of myself while I had pneumonia, and yet the only place I wanted to be during those bad times was here. The only time I really broke down from homesickness was my first Christmas away from home - I was traveling in Thailand and every time I tried to make a call it wouldn't work. By the time I gave up out of frustration I was bawling.

I don't really feel like crying unless I'm not feeling well or it is holidays. Otherwise I am simply missing them.

Hey guys <3

Hi Fiona :D

Originally Posted by maidenroseheart

I don't really feel like crying unless I'm not feeling well or it is holidays. Otherwise I am simply missing them.

That was an extreme example. I hope this doesn't come across as heartless, but I really... don't miss home most of the time. I love my family and friends, but I feel like I could visit any time and call any time, so I don't feel like we're that far apart.

Hey Fiona.

Originally Posted by Ferra

That was an extreme example. I hope this doesn't come across as heartless, but I really... don't miss home most of the time. I love my family and friends, but I feel like I could visit any time and call any time, so I don't feel like we're that far apart.

You are not heartless. Or come across that way. I know several foreigners who have lived here for 10-15 years, happily married to a Korean, and not really looking to move back home for awhile. I've heard that expats either stay a year or stay a long time... I'm going to be in the middle.

Originally Posted by maidenroseheart

You are not heartless. Or come across that way. I know several foreigners who have lived here for 10-15 years, happily married to a Korean, and not really looking to move back home for awhile. I've heard that expats either stay a year or stay a long time... I'm going to be in the middle.

Thanks. <3

Hey, the middle is nice. Come to think of it, I actually only know a handful of foreigners who married Japanese people and plan to settle down in Japan. Most of them plan to move abroad or already have. I came to Japan with the assumption that I'd be a "middle" person - stay three years, maybe five at the maximum - but I'm happier living here than I thought I'd be. But I try to be realistic about it, since it's not all sunshine and roses. I've never been one of those delusional types who assumes Japan is some magical place like in anime.

Okay I'm back now. hahah Just had to change. What do you guys think?

---------- Post added 11-13-2012 at 07:06 PM ----------

How are you guys???

Hello all.

There...I think I can accept my new avatar.

I like it. Kinda Final Fantasyish. :)