frustrations and clarifications
It's probably just a wave of homesickness, compounded by the usual feminine hormonal upheaval of the full moon (yes, i'm just about synched to that), with a touch of respiratory congestion inspired angst.
But let me clarify a few things.
It's not just Ann Arbor. I mean, i like it there plenty, but if i were headed back to the states right now, it's second of two main choices, first being Seattle. When i was interviewing JETs last week, any number of them gave their reasons for wanting to leave Michigan for a while as the sad economy and lack of good teaching jobs or support for teachers. Now, i'm not certified to teach in public schools in the states, but that still indicates a likely dearth of appropriate jobs for me were i to return to Michigan at this time.
Seattle hasn't offered me anything in particular on the job front, but i have a standing offer from a very generous friend there to be his driver and dog-walker in exchange for room and board and a stipend, plus lots of fun. I was recently (this morning) reminded to keep considering this offer. There are lots of opportunities to do ESL tutoring in Seattle, as well.
But... am i really done here? Probably not. During the week i was in the states, i was telling everyone, "just one or two more years in Japan, then grad school, probably in Asian Studies, then hoping to work teaching in colleges somewhere."
My goals in Japan are to manage to study enough to pass 1-kyuu in December, possibly pay off my credit card a bit (at least keep up on payments), and keep enjoying myself as much as possible.
Job K:
The private jr high in Kyoto. I think they are already assuming that i have accepted their offer.
17 classes per week, probably equal to 30hrs/wk of working. No work on weekends or school holidays, yet full pay during school vacations. 204,000yen per month. No apartment nor health care nor car, yet sick days permitted (within reason, i'm sure) and i can keep my current health insurer for a slight rise in payments or a setback in becoming eligible for expanded coverage (after 2 years with them, some dental is available, for example).
I have not yet found anywhere to live in Kyoto, but gee, it'd be fun. However, living in Kyoto would give me more chances to spend the money i'm attempting to save. But i'd have so many more chances to meet interesting people and maybe finally make friends near my age with similar interests in Japan, instead of a whole bunch of aquaintances and friends my parents' age.
Job A:
My company probably (they will know for sure next Tuesday, but they are fairly certain they kept the contract now) has a job at two elementaries in Azuchi (there's only two, so you already know where they are, if you want), which is right next to Omihachiman, which is where i used to live as a JET. The company says they can find me an apartment in Omihachiman, and i can commute to work by car (i can probably even bike, depending on what part of town i end up living in).
20-odd classes per week, which means a full 40+hours/wk schedule. 260,000yen per month. Usually no work on weekends (generally there is a make-up holiday in the week when weekend events occur), no work yet full pay in school holidays. Apartment provided(i pay rent and util), car provided (i pay half the insurance and all the gas), health insurance, some opportunities for bonuses, workshops a few times a year in Nagoya, other support.
The benefits of this job would be staying with the same company for more than a year. I'm sure they would give me all the assistance i need in moving, including salary advances if necessary. I would get to live in Omihachiman again, where i do have some friends (all older of course) and acquaintances. I could bike to Lake Biwa whenever i wanted. Kyoto is not as far as it is from where i am now, although i couldn't go partying on weekdays. Excellent coffee roaster in town! But i know it wouldn't be the same as living there before. I would be closer to the crew in Hikone, as well.
Which brings me to Job H:
This is not certain yet, but reasonably likely. Private kids English conversation school in Hikone. This would be a 40ish hours per week job, but not 8:30-4:30 as my current job and Job A would be. Probably involving more afternoons and evenings. The pay is slightly less than my current job, but still more monthly than Job K (but not more per hour), i forget exactly the pay scale they showed me when i interviewed with them before. Last time they didn't accept me because they were looking for someone with experience teaching babies. This time they want someone for grade school age classes, which is where a lot of my experience is, so i'm reasonably confident that they will accept me. They are flexible about holidays, but do not have the long holidays that public schools do. I think there would be all national holidays, plus a week or two in spring, summer, and winter. They provide an apartment (i pay rent and util) and i could probably keep using my current health care. I would get to live in Hikone, which is great because there are some college students there, i have friends there (my bourbon swigging uncles), and the castle is turning 400 this year! The lake is right there, and there's even a starbucks now (hey, don't fault me for wanting soy espresso drinks sometimes--no one elses serves those in Japan). But it's farther from Kyoto, so i probably couldn't go out on weekdays very much, and I'm also not sure how the school feels about my taking outside classes.
If i really want to stay in Japan, there are a few other options, but this are the safest bets right now.
Other points to consider:
*I will have to leave my current apartment by March 28th, so there is a deadline.
*I have furniture that will need to either be moved or disposed of. The air conditioner must be uninstalled by a professional.
*My renewed Michigan driver's license should be in the mail to my parents within a few weeks. They will mail it to me when they get it. Then i can get it translated to Japanese officially (3 weeks). Then i can apply for a Japanese license and take the test. This will in total take quite some time, so i probably will not be able to drive in April. This is relevant only to Job A.
*I would feel a bit uncomfortable telling Job K no at this late date, as I think they are assuming I'm in already.
*Seattle is delicious.
But let me clarify a few things.
It's not just Ann Arbor. I mean, i like it there plenty, but if i were headed back to the states right now, it's second of two main choices, first being Seattle. When i was interviewing JETs last week, any number of them gave their reasons for wanting to leave Michigan for a while as the sad economy and lack of good teaching jobs or support for teachers. Now, i'm not certified to teach in public schools in the states, but that still indicates a likely dearth of appropriate jobs for me were i to return to Michigan at this time.
Seattle hasn't offered me anything in particular on the job front, but i have a standing offer from a very generous friend there to be his driver and dog-walker in exchange for room and board and a stipend, plus lots of fun. I was recently (this morning) reminded to keep considering this offer. There are lots of opportunities to do ESL tutoring in Seattle, as well.
But... am i really done here? Probably not. During the week i was in the states, i was telling everyone, "just one or two more years in Japan, then grad school, probably in Asian Studies, then hoping to work teaching in colleges somewhere."
My goals in Japan are to manage to study enough to pass 1-kyuu in December, possibly pay off my credit card a bit (at least keep up on payments), and keep enjoying myself as much as possible.
Job K:
The private jr high in Kyoto. I think they are already assuming that i have accepted their offer.
17 classes per week, probably equal to 30hrs/wk of working. No work on weekends or school holidays, yet full pay during school vacations. 204,000yen per month. No apartment nor health care nor car, yet sick days permitted (within reason, i'm sure) and i can keep my current health insurer for a slight rise in payments or a setback in becoming eligible for expanded coverage (after 2 years with them, some dental is available, for example).
I have not yet found anywhere to live in Kyoto, but gee, it'd be fun. However, living in Kyoto would give me more chances to spend the money i'm attempting to save. But i'd have so many more chances to meet interesting people and maybe finally make friends near my age with similar interests in Japan, instead of a whole bunch of aquaintances and friends my parents' age.
Job A:
My company probably (they will know for sure next Tuesday, but they are fairly certain they kept the contract now) has a job at two elementaries in Azuchi (there's only two, so you already know where they are, if you want), which is right next to Omihachiman, which is where i used to live as a JET. The company says they can find me an apartment in Omihachiman, and i can commute to work by car (i can probably even bike, depending on what part of town i end up living in).
20-odd classes per week, which means a full 40+hours/wk schedule. 260,000yen per month. Usually no work on weekends (generally there is a make-up holiday in the week when weekend events occur), no work yet full pay in school holidays. Apartment provided(i pay rent and util), car provided (i pay half the insurance and all the gas), health insurance, some opportunities for bonuses, workshops a few times a year in Nagoya, other support.
The benefits of this job would be staying with the same company for more than a year. I'm sure they would give me all the assistance i need in moving, including salary advances if necessary. I would get to live in Omihachiman again, where i do have some friends (all older of course) and acquaintances. I could bike to Lake Biwa whenever i wanted. Kyoto is not as far as it is from where i am now, although i couldn't go partying on weekdays. Excellent coffee roaster in town! But i know it wouldn't be the same as living there before. I would be closer to the crew in Hikone, as well.
Which brings me to Job H:
This is not certain yet, but reasonably likely. Private kids English conversation school in Hikone. This would be a 40ish hours per week job, but not 8:30-4:30 as my current job and Job A would be. Probably involving more afternoons and evenings. The pay is slightly less than my current job, but still more monthly than Job K (but not more per hour), i forget exactly the pay scale they showed me when i interviewed with them before. Last time they didn't accept me because they were looking for someone with experience teaching babies. This time they want someone for grade school age classes, which is where a lot of my experience is, so i'm reasonably confident that they will accept me. They are flexible about holidays, but do not have the long holidays that public schools do. I think there would be all national holidays, plus a week or two in spring, summer, and winter. They provide an apartment (i pay rent and util) and i could probably keep using my current health care. I would get to live in Hikone, which is great because there are some college students there, i have friends there (my bourbon swigging uncles), and the castle is turning 400 this year! The lake is right there, and there's even a starbucks now (hey, don't fault me for wanting soy espresso drinks sometimes--no one elses serves those in Japan). But it's farther from Kyoto, so i probably couldn't go out on weekdays very much, and I'm also not sure how the school feels about my taking outside classes.
If i really want to stay in Japan, there are a few other options, but this are the safest bets right now.
Other points to consider:
*I will have to leave my current apartment by March 28th, so there is a deadline.
*I have furniture that will need to either be moved or disposed of. The air conditioner must be uninstalled by a professional.
*My renewed Michigan driver's license should be in the mail to my parents within a few weeks. They will mail it to me when they get it. Then i can get it translated to Japanese officially (3 weeks). Then i can apply for a Japanese license and take the test. This will in total take quite some time, so i probably will not be able to drive in April. This is relevant only to Job A.
*I would feel a bit uncomfortable telling Job K no at this late date, as I think they are assuming I'm in already.
*Seattle is delicious.