You have probably looked into it, but other thoughts that crossed my mind were possible jobs or at least idea of companies around Bris to be got from the “Nichigo Press”. Also, isn’t there a Japanese restaurant in Manly, sort of opposite the pub, I think. FWIW, my J friend went to Aus on working holiday and she *seriously* cannot speak a lick of english (all she came back with after a year away was being able to use the word “bloody” in every sentence - which seemed to work, actually, haha). But she was working part time at a Japanese sushi train (in the Valley, heading towards New Farm, can’t remember it’s name). It was run by Hong Kong Chinese anyway, so she wasn’t even speaking Japanese there most of the time! good luck!

Also, making yourself drink a full glass of water when you wake up, before you go to bed, and before each meal helps in that you stay properly hydrated, don’t feel as hungry, and it helps your skin stay nice (I imagine it is drier in Australia)…

Most importantly, your health and happiness with yourself, however you look, are the most important, not the number on the scale!

The internet frustrates the hell out of me too! Especially since I got used to the super speedy connection I had in Japan (despite being in the inaka)!

I think the weight loss thing is always hard. I actually lost 15kgs last year and have thus far managed to keep it off. I was trying to loose another 5kgs to get to my own personal goal, but have been struggling to get back into the swing of things. It doesnt help that the weather here has been BAAAAD (it rained 27 out of 30 days in August alone!!!) so it’s been hard to get out and go for walks, and that i’ve been trying to get over a virus for 6 weeks now but I think that now that summer is on it’s way it will be much easier. As was said above, it’s so much easier in summer to eat salads and have BBQ’s that it makes ‘healthy lifestyle changes’ much more attainable. n ganbatte ne!

Good luck to Shun with the job hunting! Can’t wait to see the photos too!

We all inevitably fall off the wagon, we are therefore human- I have to second what Laura suggested, we have to give our body a break. I was doing the “core” working well I might add and I hurt my back pushing myself too much just to make it to goal. Is there a database or a Recruitment agency which could help Shun find the work he desires because nothing is worse than doing something you hate for the sake of “money”.

I’m not doing WW but I only eat when I’m hungry, and breakie is Balance cup with yogurt and fruit compote of some sort, I try to limit starches and I do have my ice-cream, but I slip, I sure do but I just restart the next day.

I am so happy to hear your joined AFWJ- we need all the help we can get and AFWJ is the best group around.

I think there is a serious commitment to supporting one another in AFWJ and MIJ second to that but I think the other group you mentioned “Foreign Wives Club” is toxic beyond repair. Just my opinion shared with MANY others so be careful! But you can trust AFWJ they hold privacy with the utmost scrutiny and have been a member for a long while now- you’ll meet real people with the REAL intention of becoming friends.

Next to that would be FEW and going to all the meetings, parties is SUCH a blast!!! I can’t wait to see all your wonderful snaps!!!!

Be kind to yourself! It’s okay to give yourself and your body a break! You wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t. You have the personal strength to get back on track and you will! With some almost upon us it’s now time for salads and lighter meals, so that should help too. Omedetou to Shun for finishing English School. I rekon is would be good if Shun could get a job at a cafe or restaurant that didn’t have Japanese staff because that way he would be forced to use his English skills and he would improve fast. Good luck with that and let us know how it goes. I would love to catch up with you again soon. But I’m not sure when. I start my new job on Monday and I’ll be in George Street too, except further down past Elizabeth Street towards QUT Gardens Point. As I’ll be the new kid I’m not sure yet what the people are like so I wouldn’t like to take any long lunch breaks just yet. I know weekends are always busy, but maybe we could we could organsise to do something sometime. I still haven’t met Shun!! Are you keen to go to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or to do something touristy like that?