The interview in Osaka a couple of weeks ago went so well that the guy offered me the first elementary school job he could find. And now I am mulling it over. The job is in Mie prefecture and would involve rotating between 5 different schools of varying sizes -- none as large as the one I currently work in. The paycheque would be decent and the work sounds reasonably challenging. Plus, the idea of moving is very appealing. I have my friends here whom I would miss, but I would trading that for new locations with a closer proximity to other, closer and larger locations such as Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara...
But, the thing is, I have an interview in Hiroshima tomorrow with a different company which has positions available in Okayama, Hiroshima, as well as Yonago. Also with reasonable paycheques (some better than others) and different trade-offs. I decide Monday which it will be.
It is so nice to know when people want you...
Friday, June 23, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Heart All Aflutter
Last night as I was getting settled for bed, I heard shouting and wailing and screaming coming from a parking lot nearby. At first I thought it might just be some noisy late-night revelers being let out of the izakaya next door, but then the screams of a woman took on a tone of desperation. I went to the window to try and figure out where it was coming from, and saw a neighbour who lives alone closing all her windows as I opened mine wider.
I realized it was coming from the parking lot up the street, and seeing the headlights of a car I decided to go and check it out, making sure everything was alright. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my phone as I went out the door. I noticed my heart fluttering and my hands were shaking as I tried to get my key in the lock. As I approached the parking lot's entrance, the sounds and shouts had dissipated, and the car came tearing out in front of me. I looked around to make sure there was no one hurt and left behind, but they were gone -- rode out in the car the came in on.
Perhaps if I had understood what was being said, I would have felt less of a case of nerves and more calm, simply slamming windows shut like my neighbour did. But I didn't, and in the hopes that if I, or someone I love, should ever be in a situation similiar to that, someone would be kind enough to come and make sure everyone was alright, I did the same. Fortunately, as far as I know, there was no call for my presence.
I realized it was coming from the parking lot up the street, and seeing the headlights of a car I decided to go and check it out, making sure everything was alright. I quickly got dressed and grabbed my phone as I went out the door. I noticed my heart fluttering and my hands were shaking as I tried to get my key in the lock. As I approached the parking lot's entrance, the sounds and shouts had dissipated, and the car came tearing out in front of me. I looked around to make sure there was no one hurt and left behind, but they were gone -- rode out in the car the came in on.
Perhaps if I had understood what was being said, I would have felt less of a case of nerves and more calm, simply slamming windows shut like my neighbour did. But I didn't, and in the hopes that if I, or someone I love, should ever be in a situation similiar to that, someone would be kind enough to come and make sure everyone was alright, I did the same. Fortunately, as far as I know, there was no call for my presence.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Validation
...even if not my own.
In conversation with Diane the other night over a delicious salad and some yummy risotto (even if you didn't use the real rice, it was very delicious and I will have to get the recipe off of you), she mentioned an activity she had recently done with some of her high school students. In an attempt to make them practice using, "My favourite ~ is --," she had them write some sentences. Apparently two boys turned in papers with the sentence, "My favourite teacher is Rachael." Rachael was in her second and last year way back when I was in my first, working solely in elementary schools in Yonago. It's always nice to find out that what we do here has some kind of lasting effect on the kids we are in touch with.
And before Rachael left, I told her that when I grow up, I would like to be like her. Hasn't happened yet -- either the growing up or the being more like her...
In conversation with Diane the other night over a delicious salad and some yummy risotto (even if you didn't use the real rice, it was very delicious and I will have to get the recipe off of you), she mentioned an activity she had recently done with some of her high school students. In an attempt to make them practice using, "My favourite ~ is --," she had them write some sentences. Apparently two boys turned in papers with the sentence, "My favourite teacher is Rachael." Rachael was in her second and last year way back when I was in my first, working solely in elementary schools in Yonago. It's always nice to find out that what we do here has some kind of lasting effect on the kids we are in touch with.
And before Rachael left, I told her that when I grow up, I would like to be like her. Hasn't happened yet -- either the growing up or the being more like her...
Monday, June 12, 2006
More Fireflies
Going jogging along Hoshoji River last night at half past nine, I saw more fireflies than I have ever seen in my entire life. Dotting the riverbanks on both sides, apparating in the midst of rushes, even going so far as to visit neighbouring rice fields. It made for a well-lit night, as the moon was full and suggestive of autumn harvests.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Life After JET
Who knows if it actually exists, but I will be finding out soon enough. I am just not certain that life after JET will be life after Japan. It is likely I may be around for a little while yet.
Last Saturday, I went to Osaka for a two and a half hour job interview. Fortunately it was a two and a half hour interview, as the bus ride one way is three and a half hours, and it really would have sucked had it been for a twenty minute interview. Although, that would have given me more time for shopping...
In the past 11 years, if not longer -- and I do think it is actually longer -- I have had 3 job interviews, including the one just past. I suppose it bodes well, as I got the job each time I interviewed, but I harbour a mild concern that the law of averages are gonna kick me in the teeth sometime soon. I have a suspicion life isn't supposed to go that smoothly all the time, and one of these is going to be a job I really want, and will fail miserably at the interview. However, that day has yet to come, so I will put off worrying for a while longer.
Last Saturday, I went to Osaka for a two and a half hour job interview. Fortunately it was a two and a half hour interview, as the bus ride one way is three and a half hours, and it really would have sucked had it been for a twenty minute interview. Although, that would have given me more time for shopping...
In the past 11 years, if not longer -- and I do think it is actually longer -- I have had 3 job interviews, including the one just past. I suppose it bodes well, as I got the job each time I interviewed, but I harbour a mild concern that the law of averages are gonna kick me in the teeth sometime soon. I have a suspicion life isn't supposed to go that smoothly all the time, and one of these is going to be a job I really want, and will fail miserably at the interview. However, that day has yet to come, so I will put off worrying for a while longer.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Failing Lunch
Eating lunch with one of the 4th year classes today, it was 2 boys, their teacher, and I making up the lunch group. And it was the first time I found out that lunch is actually a study period. It is structured similiarly to a class and as such, is considered 勉強. I didn't actually ask what would be required to fail lunch, but I am thinking I probably would as I always leave food behind, I am constantly playing with or talking to the kids, and I don't really help with the clean-up.
Could you imagine? "Yes, Mrs. Morita. We are very sorry but we are going to have to hold Wataru back a year. You see, he just isn't doing very well at lunch. We really don't feel that he understands the concept."
Could you imagine? "Yes, Mrs. Morita. We are very sorry but we are going to have to hold Wataru back a year. You see, he just isn't doing very well at lunch. We really don't feel that he understands the concept."
Prima Donna Demands
When asking me if I would be willing to DJ at the next Hi!High? event way back in April, Cian asked if I had any unreasonable demands I wanted to make. I said, yes, I require 50 green peanut M&Ms. Time is getting down to the wire, and Wednesday night I got a phone call from Cian.
"Not a single green M&M. I bought and opened 23 packets -- nope, 22-- 22 packets of M&Ms and there's not a single green one. I thought you might be putting me on, but there is a picture of the green one on the package. "
I couldn' stop laughing. I told him I would willingly accept red or something, but he said no, he was determined to succeed, and was going off hunting again last night in search of more. I have yet to hear how that turned out.
"Not a single green M&M. I bought and opened 23 packets -- nope, 22-- 22 packets of M&Ms and there's not a single green one. I thought you might be putting me on, but there is a picture of the green one on the package. "
I couldn' stop laughing. I told him I would willingly accept red or something, but he said no, he was determined to succeed, and was going off hunting again last night in search of more. I have yet to hear how that turned out.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Hotaru Spotting
Two nights ago, jogging along the river, I spotted my first hotaru of the year. Last night, I spotted a couple more hiding in the overgrown banks, and even one flying out of the gutters.
My first hotaru sighting was in Yodoe, on a night-time cycle round town. Not knowing what I was seeing, I jolted to a sudden stop and rubbed my eyes, thinking perhaps my lack of sleep is finally laying claim to me. It took me a minute or two, as they kept disappearing in the darkness, only to reappear a lazy 6 inches away. I realized what it was and started following the ditches all the way home.
My first hotaru sighting was in Yodoe, on a night-time cycle round town. Not knowing what I was seeing, I jolted to a sudden stop and rubbed my eyes, thinking perhaps my lack of sleep is finally laying claim to me. It took me a minute or two, as they kept disappearing in the darkness, only to reappear a lazy 6 inches away. I realized what it was and started following the ditches all the way home.
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