it's not life that matters but the journey...

Well, I have survived the longest part of my busy week, but still have one more day of work to go.  It’s only been a couple weeks since I started working at this school in Shizuoka, but it seems like longer. 

Tuesday was the longest day I’ve had in a long time.  I left my house by 11:45 in order to get to Shimizu by 1 p.m. to meet Noriko, my former Japanese teacher. She picked me up, and we went to visit this English conversation school in Shimizu called “Oshiaberi Eikaiwa Kyoushitsu” (literally meaning Chatty English Class).  They had called me last week to ask if I might be available for “substitute” teaching during the summer.  With the current state of affairs at the school in Shizuoka (more on that later), I don’t really think I will be available to teach anywhere else, but I wanted to meet them and see if it might be a nice back-up plan.  It’s a really cute school, founded by an Australian woman about 20 years ago.  The school is in an old Japanese style house, with tatami mats – very old-fashioned and homey.  The biggest problem, though, is that it is a good 15 minute drive from the train station ($10 taxi ride or a bus ride) – so with the rest of my commute, it would be kind of pointless for me to go there only as a “fill-in” or part time worker.  The reason I can work at the school in Shizuoka is that its only a 2-3 minute walk from the station!  Anyway, I talked to an Australian teacher there, Mark, about my current situation, gave him my email and told him I’d be in touch when I knew my permanent schedule or situation at Beeline (the Shizuoka school).  Noriko then took me to lunch, where I ate a hamburger and fried shrimp, plus dessert (always!) and we talked a lot.  She wants me to start teaching her grandson, Juki, and his friends twice a week during the summer – maybe three 7-8 year-old boys.  It should be fun!  Also, she wants me to give her private English lessons.   I just hope I can fit it into my schedule.  If not, I will have to eventually quit Beeline because I would rather work for Noriko and get my own students!

After lunch, Noriko took me to the station and I went to Shizuoka for my long night of teaching – four classes from 5-10 p.m.  My first class was two 11-year olds, which was a pleasure because they were quite smart and very attentive.  After that I had three adult classes, which were easy, straight from a textbook.  During my hour break, I had a chance to talk to Naoko, the owner, and find out what had happened, and why I had to teach so much this week.  Apparently, the guy who was teaching these classes was in Japan on a working holiday visa, which had expired about two weeks ago.  He didn’t tell Naoko, but instead went and got married and applied for a spouse visa.  But he is having trouble getting the paperwork finished, so he is without ANY proper visa at all, which puts Naoko at risk; so she asked him to leave.  I feel bad for her, because her school is new and this guy really was irresponsible!  She was so grateful to me for helping her out, and I’m sure that this will bode well for me as far as staying on longer with this school.  Anyway, I was there until 10 p.m. (very late for me to be working!) and they drove me back home – I arrived home at almost 11 (since I got lost giving them directions from the freeway)!  I really hope I don’t have to teach until 10 next week, but it seems that I might have to.  She’s having trouble finding any part time teachers who want to work only a few days a week (like me!). 

The next two nights were easier, from 5-8 (three classes) but one class on Wednesday night was a disaster!  I had three kids (about 8-9 years old) but the material was too hard and I hadn’t had time to plan any backup, so they were lost for the whole 40 minutes.  I’m learning, and if I have to teach them again next week, I’ll play games!!  On Thursday, I was incredibly lucky that two of my classes ended up canceling at the last minute, so I taught only one class but got paid for three!!  If the students cancel on the same day, the teachers get paid in full.  I have four classes on Saturday, and then I will find out what next week’s schedule will be.  I’ve signed on for a month to month contract, so I’m guaranteed work this month- but next month she has me subbing for so many teachers that I’m guaranteed work at least until September.

Its so nice to be busy and making money – I hope it lasts.  But I also want to have time to make a few trips – like to Saitama (just north of Tokyo) in August to visit my good friends the Yoshinos, and maybe to Korea this fall.   And eventually Masahiko wants me to try to get students here in the house, after I steal lots of lesson ideas from the school in Shizuoka!  That would be ideal – teaching without leaving the comfort of my own room!

I finally finished the DaVinci code, and of course it gives me even more incentive to plan a trip to England next year!  Go on my own quest for the Grail?!!