Leaving Microsoft

Yesterday was my last day in the Visual Basic group at Microsoft. In a couple of weeks, I'm moving to Japan where I'll be attending intensive Japanese language school for a year in Aichi prefecture. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I know that from day one the teachers speak only in Japanese. Five hours of class per day, plus two or three hours of homework a night. Should be fun! Er... Wait... Am I insane?

I've been working in the Visual Basic group since July 1999. And before that, I did a couple of internships with them. Leaving MS to do something completely different, and not even computer related, is a huge change. I'm sad to leave but excited about what lies ahead.

I apologize; my blog has been silent for the past couple of months. This was due to time constraints rather than a loss of interest. I'll keep updating this blog with useful VB info as well as interesting adventures I have along the way.

Comments

• Anonymous
  March 16, 2004
  ????·?????MS????????
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Good stuff, since I just subscribed ;)
  
  Keep us posted!
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Good luck...I studied Japanese at University - not quite as bad at only an hour or so a day, but the teachers also spoke only in Japanese. It's surprising how quickly you get used to it - and it's by far the best way to learn.
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  
  Good Luck!
  
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Good luck Cameron!
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Parting is such sweet sorrow...
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Good Luck & Welcame Japan!
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  welcome to Japan! When you come Tokyo pls let me know.
  
  Also there is a user group of VB in Japan, so please chieck it out here: http://vbug.jp/
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  Welcome to Japanese world !
• Anonymous
  March 17, 2004
  The comment has been removed
• Anonymous
  March 18, 2004
  re: KB: 837243 Availability and description of the Port Reporter tool
• Anonymous
  April 17, 2004
  I just went through the same process, running away from my job at Microsoft. (I talk about it <a href="http://blog.jagaimo.com/category/13.aspx">here</a>)
  
  It took a bit longer for me to finally make the leap.
  
  In my case, I didn't end up running off to study in Japan, but I am doing business with some Japanese companies with the little import/export business I started. I've already discovered how atrocious my Japanese language skills are in a business context...
  
  How many other Microsoft people run off and do something completely unrelated to software with the next phase of their lives?
• Anonymous
  April 17, 2004
  sorry about the botched link: http://blog.jagaimo.com/category/13.aspx