Japanese Driver's License

Last week I had the pleasure of getting a Japanese driver's license. It was actually the opposite of pleasure. I'm so glad we don't have to go through this torture to get a license in Japan.

Step 1: Go to the DMV and wait two hours just so you can make an appointment to take the driving test.

Step 2: Arrive on appointed date and spend $21 to take paper test.

Step 3: Pay another $16 to take driving test which less than 1/3 of people pass on their first try.

Step 4: Fail said test for tiny and stupid reasons, such as not pulling in close enough to the curb before turning on to a street to prevent bicyclist from passing you.

Step 5: Reschedule to take driving test.

Step 6: Arrive on time to second appointed day.

Step 7: Wait a long, long, long, long time to take test.

Step 8: Pay $21 + $16 to take test again.

Step 9: Drive the course exactly how they like, but in the end not complain but tell you, "You barely passed and I think you need more practice driving. Go tell them inside you passed."

Step 10: Refrain from talking back to the tester.

Step 11: Tell the office you pass and pay another $15 to get actual license.


Step 12: Wait in lobby to take license's picture.

Step 13: Get license and away on your bicycle.

Even though, I have a license. I don't plan on buying a car anytime soon. I really wanted it in case I feel like running away for the weekend and renting a car. Or if family or friends come to Japan we don't have to waste energy on public transportation and what not.

Unfortunately, if I want to drive Manual in Japan I have to get a MT license. I haven't driven in over six months and I've never driven a MT car from the right side. I thought my chances of success would be higher if I just stuck with AT.

What is a consulting job?

I posted my my resume on some Japanese job search sites. A company called East West Consulting e-mailed and asked me if I was interested in becoming a consultant. I did some research and found out that basically I would help other big or small companies make business decision. But that seems like the small piece to the large puzzle. Would I have to go search for said clients or would the company just hand me a folder one day and say, "Hey Ramsey! See if you can help this company out." Anyways, I sent them an e-mail back and hopefully I'll hear something but I'm not ready to jump on board until I know what ship they're sailing.

Anybody have a friend in consulting?

Passing the Japanese Language Proficency Test Level 2!!!!

Yesterday when I got home from work I had a little surprise waiting for me in the mail. They said it would be the middle of February but it came at the very beginning of the month. I was a little nervous at first because the thought of me wasting another year to pass a test I barely failed again did not sound like a lot of fun. I've been telling people since I finished the test that I felt really confident that I passed the test. I didn't want to be that jerk that talked big but ended up falling on his face. Last time I was 18 points away from failing but this time I was 51 points over the passing score. I passed it. The test that has haunted several of my friends for years. For many of us English speakers jumping this hurdle just feels great. This was step 3 in my plan to get my dream job. Now I need to get off my break and move on to step 4 which is find a job that let's me use the skills I have developed. Job searching here I come.