Hi Yoriko, well congratualtions to Yukio, let him know I said Happy Birthday, also my Dad's as well, he would have been 75 today. Something will come along for you and your digitizing is lovely, keep up the good work,
Sheryl

Oh, Yoriko, how my heart hurts for you! It is so very difficult to be unemployed these days, and to be middle aged or older. Sometimes employers don't understand that older workers are usually better, because they are smarter, have more experience, and are usually on time and don't take so many sick days. It's hard enough to find work when you're older in ordinary times. This bad economy is all over the world, so hard for everyone! It's hard to imagine that 200 people would stand in line for a job at a supermarket. Try to keep up with your digitizing and sewing, and keep putting in applications everywhere you can think of. You may get rejected 100 times, but remember, so is everyone else. I don't understand about the diploma, Japan is a world leader, Japanese students among the smartest (along with Chinese), how can your diploma not be good enough in Australia? You don't come from Mongolia or Afghanistan, for pity sake. Is there not some test you could take to prove your competence, like an equivalent diploma? I would think with your knowledge of Portuguese, Japanese and English you would be very useful as an employee!

I feel so bad that Yukio is away from you at this time! His 17th birthday should be a happy occasion, and you are apart. Do I understand you to say that Yukio is not going to school at all? Are there no what we would call "public" schools, government sponsored or run schools, in Japan? Or is it just that the private schools are so much better? That poor child, I thought it would be better for him when he went back to Japan, even though he had to be away from you. I am so very very sorry that all of this has not turned out the way you thought it would. It's harder, when we have such high hopes, and then everything goes wrong. You were going to start a new, good life. It turned out kind of different. Please keep your faith, and try to see if God is turning your face away from some things, what is God turning your face TOWARD? I know it sounds easy to say, and I find it hard to do myself. But maybe something else is coming than what you planned.

I love you, Yoriko, my sister, and I will keep praying for you over and over again!! Love, Marji

Dear Yoriko,
My heart goes out to you on your son's birthday and on the days to come. Bless you for your lovely spirit and generous nature.
I, too, would imagine that your understanding of languages and your lovely attitude would make job seeking less of a challenge. Perhaps the hotel business would be a good place to look. My daughter worked as a desk clerk and was rapidly promoted. If she had taken night classes in hotel management she might have been able to write her own 'ticket' in the hotel business, a few years ago.
God's plans are often different from our own, so we must keep our hearts open and wait on His guideance. I know that God has a wonderful plan for your life and for Yukio. You have my prayers and I'm certain that many others are praying for you. Try to be strong and wait on God's guidance.
Love and prayers for you and your family,
Jacqueline

As I am sitting in South Africa your message touched my heart. You will be in my prayers. God bless. Elize

Dearest Yoriko.
So often when I read about troubles, heartaches, lost jobs etc. I don't know what to say. I wish I could save the whole world. I am so sad when I read your lines. All I can do is pray that all this will change. I am keeping you in my prayers my friend.

Happy Birthday to your son, Yoriko take heart in the end all things will work out for the better.If only i could help...As Marj said dont be disheartened. Something good will turn up & will have been worth the wait. Have you tried the Temping agencies. Take care my friend and remember we will listen anytime you want :)

I will also add you to my ever growing list...Have you tried as a translator for some government agencies...the US Embassies are around the world and use translators...Atravel agency might also find you very useful as a translator....GOD is watching over your family...Faith is all HE requires...Perserverence is what we do to grow and walk in this world...Bless you for all you do for us here...deanna MANY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS TO COME FOR YOUR SON....

I am so sorry to hear of your heart ache...I do know how hard it is to find work...I've even tried "ReInventing" myself...but with so many trying to get to the same outcome I would have to find the fountain of Youth! Good luck in your searches! B-Day wishes to your son. (P.S. is there a resale shop he could get a used uniform???)

Yoriko, hang in there!!!! You are in my thoughts everyday. Please wish Yukio a very Happy Birthday from me.

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son. Yoriko, try applying for the government. I am sure they need translators. My ex daughter in law works for the St. Dept. They send her to school for 8 or 12 wks. to learn whatever language she needs, depends on what country they send her. Yes she travels a lot. Pls. try checking into that it may work out. You just never know. Prayers and many hugs. Mary

Yoriko,
I am listening, praying, and aching with your every word. They say here that the economy is getting better, but I would like to know where. I know that once Mom passes that I, too, must go out and look for work. Gosh, I dread it. At 53, I just am not sellable anymore. With only a highschool diploma and work as a corrections officer there is not much to be found. I could probably go back to working at the jail, but the longer I'm away from it, the more I detest going back. The physical labor was not that hard unless you had to break up a fight or something, but the mental stress was endless. Always looking over you sholder, tring to stay one step ahead of them, all sorts of deadlines and the records we had to keep espically if an inmate was on a watch or something. The verbal abuse (from the inmates) was horrible that is if you did the job you were suppose to do. You know, it was always someone else's fault that they were there and we were treating them like criminals!!! Go Figure, I mean, geeze your in jail and what does that make you... A saint.. Even tho the pay would be better than other jobs that I could get, I just don't know if I could hand the mental stress any longer.
I pray for the best for Yukio. God love his heart. Please tell him to keep up his faith for without it we cannot please God. With so many of us praying, God has to be listening. Besides, he will move to get all of us Cuties off his case, lol.....We love you and know that your reward is coming soon. Prayers and many of God's blessings, Libbie

dear Yoriko, I wish you lot's of luck, hope you'll find a job soon and I hope you will have many lucky years with your son. so congratulations with his birthday. Hope better days will come soon! hugs Gerry.if it's wright the image means Luck. it said so, I hope it is the good one.because that's what I would like you to have.

Yoriko, I truly am so very sorry for your troubles. What a heavy burden you carry. I pray that all will change for you very soon and for Yukio to find happiness within. I know you remember his new pinched face as he screamed his way into this world, and it seems like yesterday and not 17 years ago. If you were like me, you didn't know entirely what to do with him then, but you figured it out...just like you will now. Blessings to you dear friend.;)

Yoriko you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I so hope that things will work out for you soon. Love and hugs sweetie, and keep looking for that miracle.

Hi Yoriko, thinking about you and your problems. Life sometimes is awful and unjust.<br />We are educating people (who mount up huge debts to get the education) for jobs that do not exist. I dont understand as many others dont either. You have so much to offer, whatever you do get in the work line will have found a treasure in you. I have always tried to think there is something better comming.
I was going to send you an email but it is not working at the moment. Will contact you when I can

......... I hope that yr son will be able to stay strong in Japan and his line get connected soon. Its really tough for him to survive alone in Japan with little money. Japan is well known for high living standards. Especially when the Yen is now getting stronger again. Hope the local community or govt can help him.

Yoriko, I am so sorry - I didn't see this before now - I understand your frustrations - my son and I were apart during the same years as you are with Yukio - but as the years went by - things changed - but my son's 40th birthday was on Sunday and we had a great time together - neither of us look at the past as bad times - just times that had to be - I will pray for you and Yukio. *4U

So sorry you are apart I do feel for you. You are in my thoughts. Please wish your son happy birthday from me. I hope things get better for you soon. Your digitizing is good hope it brings you needed money. Lisa

Yoriko, you and your family will continue to be in my prayers. I know you know the saying "God doesn't give us more than we can handle". Its times like this when you feel he isn't listenng, but he is. Please continue to be strong and applying for work. I am so happy you did get to talk to your son and I know that made his day too. Hugs