Change is good !!!

On Nov. 1 my life changed for me, it came as a shock to me....
My employer decided that they would reduce the number of teachers at the school by one, and expected me to move to another town.
However I was told I would have to move by Nov. 20, even though they were still "working on" finding me a new school. One of their options was a school 10 hours from Nagasaki.

I thought about what I was told, and said to myself.. "No I will not accept this treatment."
If I was a valued employee they would at least have the decency to give me 30 days notice and know WHERE exactly they wanted me to transfer to.

So I decided to quit, and look for a new job as an English teacher.

On Saturday I decided I had to take a break from applying for new jobs and packing.... so I gladly accepted Ilya's invitation to go to a Halloween Party.
His friend drove us to a house about 45 minutes outside of Nagasaki City... and Diana joined us.

When we got to the house I was amazed by the beautiful night view of the Sea of Japan. I took a moment to take a picture.
When we got to the house I heard music and the first thing I saw when I walked into the door was about 50 pairs of shoes...
Wow... I thought to myself... "this is going to be fun."
And it was... there were loads of people there, mainly Americans who are studying Japanese at a private school in Nagasaki.
The host of the party was Mark, who is the head of the international students at the school. He, and his family hosted the party for the students... and his friends.

There was an array of homemade food, including yummy spaghetti... and a birthday cake from Costco. (I knew the cake didn't look Japanese.)
The birthday cake was for his wife Ryoko.

I had such a great time: dancing, meeting new people and taking pictures.
Here are some of my favourites of the fete.

Being in Japan is GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!!!
Finding out you can make it on your own is PRICELESS