I am fairly new to OSAKA (2 months) and am looking for some other foreign women to socialize with (there don’t seem to be many around so far)!  Coffee, nights out, walks / general exploration etc!

I am 30 -  here with my friend - we are both British.

So do drop a line if you are living in OSAKA.

My name is Sasha and I moved to Tokyo last week.  I am originally from Russia, but lived in the US most of my life.  A few years ago, while in grad school, I met my now husband, who is Japanese and who was studying in the US at the time.  Two months ago I finally finished grad school and moved to Tokyo to join my husband.  My Japanese skills are in the very beginner stages and it is a bit overwhelming not to be able to read signs and understand what people are saying.  However, I like Japan a lot and am looking forward to building a life here.  I’m grateful for resources such as this board in helping to navigate in a new culture!

I’ve found Nanbo Discovery Camp (http://www.discoverjapan.co.jp) and English Adventure (http://www.english-adventure.org).  Any others that I should know about?  I’d be grateful for any personal experiences or suggestions!

Thank you,
Cherie

I’ve been having chest pains lately, but I’ve also been going to the gym and thought I’ve over done it. Anyway I’m wanting to go to a doctor to have them check everything out. Currently they are over the right breast ribcage.

In the meantime, I’ve loosened my bra, and have been doing more stretches to try to see if that would help.

I live along the Chuo line so Shinjuku would be the best place unless there are good doctors in Tachikawa or Hachioji.

Thanks!

I’m taking my mum to Tokyo this summer (we’ll be there on 13th & 14th August) and I wondered if any of you knew if there were any festivals or fireworks displays worth going to? I don’t know so much about Tokyo, but I’d like to take her to something special.

Any ideas appreciated! Thanks!! 

Ali

I have two questions relating to visas and thought I’d start here…

1) I am currently working as an English teacher (in an eikaiwa), and I have a 3 year visa.  On my visa it says “Speacialist in humanities/International services”. I’ve been looking around for another job and hoping that, perhaps in the future if not now, I could work in a regular company (eg. publishing) NOT teaching. If so, does anyone know what kind of visa I would need for that? (http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/visa-work.html) It’s all very confusing…

2) My current Alien Card expires on 22nd March, but my current working contract expires on 13th April.  Therefore, are my company required to sponsor the renewal of my visa, even if I don’t renew my contract with them??

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

Ali

———————————————————————————-
Thu 29th Jul: BAB Girls’ Night Out
———————————————————————————-

This is a great way for you to meet other foreign women living in Japan, as well as a fun night out for you and your friends!

Details: The party will be held again at Fifty Seven in Roppongi, from 19:00 on Thursday 29th July. There’s no strict dress code, though we would love to see you all dressed up again!

Tickets: This event has no entrance fee and is open to all foreign women, so if you want to come along please drop Dee an email at dee at being-a-broad dot com with your, and your guests’, names. Remember to collect your discount drink ticket at the door for your first drink!

Access: For directions, and other information about Fifty Seven please use this link:

http://www.fiftyseven.co.jp/about-us.html

If you have any more questions about the Girls’ Night Out event please contact us at info at being-a-broad dot com We are looking forward to seeing you there!
———————————————————————————
Fri 30th Jul: BAB Brunch at Suji’s
———————————————————————————

If it feels like all your friends have gone for the summer why not come along and meet some new ones at our casual bi-monthly brunch at Suji’s in Azabudai?

Have a break from the office or taking care of the kids, and relax while checking out the latest issue of the magazine, grabbing a signed copy of the Being A Broad book, or getting some advice from more seasoned broads in Tokyo!

From midday to 2pm. Pay as you go. Open to all foreign women and their Japanese female guests. Would LOVE to see you there!

Map: http://www.sujis.net/sub24_3.htm

RSVP dee at being-a-broad dot com
———————————————————————————-
Fri 30th Jul:  Caroline’s Seminar on writing & publishing
———————————————————————————-

Coming to Azabudai July 30th 6-9pm, Caroline Pover’s popular seminar based on her adventures in writing and publishing books and magazines in Japan provides information and inspiration to any budding authors, editors, journalists, publishers, or entrepreneurs. She touches on all areas of publishing both books ...and magazines, including developing written material, working with illustrators or photographers, contacting publishers, finding a good editor, layout and design considerations, cover design concepts, printers, storage, financing, marketing, and distribution. New to this seminar, Caroline will also discuss the various aspects of digital publishing, such as iPhone and iPad applications, website making for publishers, and how to market your book (and yourself!) online.This seminar helps authors learn how to market their own work and find out about how the secrets of self-published authors can help their book become more successful.

Participants should come prepared with lots of questions — there is plenty of time to ask them and to address issues unique to your own project. The fee is 6,000 yen, payable before the event. Places are limited so please reserve quickly by emailing Victoria at victoria at carolinepover dot com stating whether you prefer to pay by Paypal or bank transfer. Victoria will confirm the location near Kamiya-cho and Akabanebashi Stations in Azabudai, Tokyo.

Read on for some comments from people who have attended Caroline’s publishing seminar before!

” ... not only very interesting and full of very useful and important information but also perfectly well presented in an organized and timely fashion. Caroline’s comments were spot on and she had most of my questions answered by the end of the seminar. I learned a lot and I would definitely recommend this seminar to anyone writing a book.”

“Well structured and insightful presentation. Ms Pover’s enthusiasm is infectious and empowering to all who nurture dreams of penning their own tome”

” ... the seminar gave me a renewed energy for writing. It started “my wheels turning” and it was REALLY helpful to hear Caroline’s advice ... “

“I am inspired by Caroline’s persistence to penetrate the market while staying true to what is important to her. It gives me courage to try the same.”

“Caroline’s self-publishing seminar in Tokyo was extremely helpful in itself — all kinds of nuts & bolts advice we could start using right away — but it also included a large dose of entrepreneuring tips. Great value. I would probably go again just to catch anything I missed the first time.”

Any broads living in the Kansai area interested in being hiking partners?  The girl I usually go hiking with is moving back to America soon :(  We had alot of fun exploring Uji in Kyoto and Kurondo in Osaka prefecture.  I’m not too hardcore; I don’t own hiking boots or any gear.  I just enjoy getting out into nature and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine for a few hours.

My schedule is pretty flexible since I’m not working right now.  (Just doing the “house wife thing” until I can think of something else I’d like to do.)  Thursday morning / early afternoon would be ideal.  But of course I’d also be willing to go on a different day.  (I realize most people’s schedules are more demanding than my own.)  If anyone living in Kansai is interested, let me know!

Any MUSE fans here?
Anyone going to see MUSE at Fuji rock?  If I put MJ aside, I listen to them the most, and I also write lyrics to mix of MJ and MUSE.

UPRISING is my favourite song by MUSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog

Would love to climb up on stage and give them flowers.  But maybe not safe for me to go.  I had a ticket to go and se them in Detroit, USA, but got told it was not safe for me.

MUSE performing Friday night, Jul 29, 9pm+.  All accomodation booked out according to Fuji Rock website.  Looks like the venue is in the middle of nowhere-like a camping site.

WE’LL BE VICTORIOUS! (song UPRISING-album RESISTANCE by MUSE)

My name is Justine, I don’t live in Japan yet but I’m hoping to move there for a while. I recently just graduated with a masters degree and now I really want experience working abroad! I have been looking into English conversation schools to work at and was wondering if anyone had good experiences with that? I’ve sent out applications and I am currently just waiting to see if I am selected for interviews.

I’m glad I found this message board because have so many questions about living and working in Japan! I look forward to reading your experiences!!

Justine