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Coffee House => Coffee House Boards => CH / General => Topic started by: OSS542 on July 20, 2005, 01:34:27 PM

Title: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: OSS542 on July 20, 2005, 01:34:27 PM
Greetings All.....

I guess I need just a bit of encouragement or something right about now.  I originally come from an area in the US with a severely depressed economy (factories all closed about 30 years ago, and now has a 70% poverty rate).  I couldn't afford college.   To make a long story short, I worked my tail off educating myself to get out of there, and landed (using my Amy of all things) a decent research job in Japan.  That was 10 years or so ago...I've since settled down, married a good wife, coauthored a book, done university lectures and conferences, made the NY Times science page once, been interviewed nationwide on NHK for a Nova-like science program, and generally made up for lost time.

I've just learned that the research company I work for here will probably lose it's funding as the government and big corporations cut funds for basic research.  I may have to leave Japan and go back.  I'm nearing 50 now, and a bit out of touch with conditions in the US as I hadn't much left to go back to.  I'm probably worrying more than I ought.  I just don't want to end up back where I was.

I guess I could just use a bit of encouragement if it's not too much to ask.

Regards All
 
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: on July 20, 2005, 04:06:59 PM
Hey guy,

I know how you mean, being in a similar situation in my life.    I'm also feeling a bit odd about the recent changes in the US.  I feel in many, many ways that the freedoms we all grew up with have fallen prey to "big brother" or simply eliminated altogether.  If I had no committments, I might even consider moving to Canada these days.

Wayne
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: Cyberus on July 20, 2005, 08:50:00 PM
Not sure if I know enough about your situation to comment, but you seem like an intelligent, strong minded guy. Any employer would love to have someone like you working for them, its just convincing them of the fact (I'm having this problem myself :-().
Also, don't underestimate the worth of being able to speak a little Japanese, definitely make a point of mentioning that in your CV (resume in US?).

All the best from England....
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: on July 20, 2005, 09:46:24 PM
Come to England mate.  I hear the US ain't what it used to be! :-)

Good luck.
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on July 20, 2005, 10:03:58 PM
You seem to be flexible enough to work anywhere, I wouldn't worry if I were you, but stay sharp. :-)
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: cecilia on July 20, 2005, 11:45:49 PM
have you looked at Australia and New Zealand?

they are closer, and don't seem to be suffering from the same american political/economic mudbath.

I too am trying to figure out what the heck i'm going to do "now".
I jokingly tell people i'm "semi-retired" - which is just another way to say I'm too damn tired to do anything. :-(
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: adz on July 22, 2005, 06:59:18 AM
Yeah, come to Australia, we're a friendly bunch downunder :-)
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: on July 22, 2005, 12:31:31 PM
Quote

adz wrote:
Yeah, come to Australia, we're a friendly bunch downunder :-)


They have guns too! :lol:
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: bloodline on July 22, 2005, 12:35:26 PM
Quote

OSS542 wrote:
Greetings All.....

I guess I need just a bit of encouragement or something right about now.  I originally come from an area in the US with a severely depressed economy (factories all closed about 30 years ago, and now has a 70% poverty rate).  I couldn't afford college.   To make a long story short, I worked my tail off educating myself to get out of there, and landed (using my Amy of all things) a decent research job in Japan.  That was 10 years or so ago...I've since settled down, married a good wife, coauthored a book, done university lectures and conferences, made the NY Times science page once, been interviewed nationwide on NHK for a Nova-like science program, and generally made up for lost time.

I've just learned that the research company I work for here will probably lose it's funding as the government and big corporations cut funds for basic research.  I may have to leave Japan and go back.  I'm nearing 50 now, and a bit out of touch with conditions in the US as I hadn't much left to go back to.  I'm probably worrying more than I ought.  I just don't want to end up back where I was.

I guess I could just use a bit of encouragement if it's not too much to ask.

Regards All
 


Could be worse... you could be moving to London... ooooh, topical!!! :lol:
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: adz on July 22, 2005, 02:06:23 PM
Quote

mdma wrote:
Quote

adz wrote:
Yeah, come to Australia, we're a friendly bunch downunder :-)


They have guns too! :lol:


Guns, there ain't no guns down here, you can't even own an air rifle without a license :-? :-? :-?
Title: Re: Need a bit of encouragement just now.....
Post by: Methuselas on July 26, 2005, 05:15:57 AM
Quote

adz wrote:

Guns, there ain't no guns down here, you can't even own an air rifle without a license :-? :-? :-?


Hmmmm.....well that's no fun. That makes me think of simpler times.

Ah.....the bb gun wars in my youth.  :lol: I remember many a welp on my @$$ after our 'commander' gave the order 'run away! run away!'

 :lol: