Well, after more than four months of waiting (from the time I did the training) and a lot of preparation, I finally had my first day of teaching English at Megumi (Grace) Kindergarten. I'm loving it. I would say that this would have to be my best job ever! And I've had some good jobs and working environments over my 14 year IT career in Perth. There is nothing more rewarding than to be able to teach children and see them learning something. Especially when you're exposing them to a totally new language and culture.
My Dad, who for about the last 18 or so years has worked as a career counsellor, once was telling me about how there is a growing trend of people who have “portfolio careers”. That is rather than follow a traditional career path in a given profession, over time have various career changes. Sometimes this is out of necessity, because jobs get replaced by technology changes. Other times it's more for personal reasons, someone just wants a change. When I look at what I'm doing now, I'm actually juggling a portfolio (Pastor, Kindergarten Teacher, English Teacher in own school, Photographer) of jobs at the one time. While it can be busy, stressful, and frustrating trying something so far from my profession. At the same time I feel that I'm now living my best life so far, and I have no desire to go back to being a full time Business Analyst, Systems Analyst or Programmer. However the things I learnt from those jobs certainly help me in unexpected ways in the teaching jobs.
It's is such a privilege to be working with Megumi Kindergarten both directly and indirectly as we share with the Japanese people the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ. When I read articles like this one ( http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE54D21P20090514 ) about the increasing number of young Japanese committing suicide, I feel the Gospel message is needed here more than ever.