Maybe gonna teach in Japan...
I applied to teach in Japan 5 days ago.
Yesterday I got an e-mail saying I passed the initial screening and I need to schedule a phone interview. Did not expect it to be so SOON! Maybe I'm just AWESOME! When I got that I was over the moon. Which then I decided to tell my parents. They reacted pretty much they way I knew they would. Dad says I need to get my teaching license here first and then decide if it's really worth taking this massive step (I assumed getting my license when I returned would be EASIER then now, but if I could do it with my teachers that I love, it would be my best chance yet). My mom says I need to have more personal growth and maturity before I leave because she would feel "better" about me leaving. Both think this sounds like a "knee jerk" decision and felt the need to remind me I'd be all alone in a foreign country and couldn't come home for a solid year. And they don't want to bail me out, fly me home and see me fail.
Yep, classic. But I do understand where their coming from. My mom was worried about my mental stability and how I'd be able to control my anger. They said I wouldn't be able to blow it off on them. I guess all communication with them will be cut off?? And I guess any friends I make couldn't hear about my woes in work? Then my mom is worried about my stomach, which is ridiculous because it's been cleared up for a few years now. And I know Japan has spices, but I'd obviously stay away, since the mild wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are too spicy for me now, HERE. Then the issue with my medicine not being cheap. This is true, and I'm not sure how the health insurance would cover medicine here, or if I'd have to get it from Japan (uhh, not sure they have half of my medicine). That's something I'll definitely ask in the phone interview.
See, you guys don't know me. At least well enough to know how I act in everyday life. So unfortunately, I cannot ask your opinion. Wait -- I could, but you wouldn't know the whole side. I do tend to spend a lot of time at home or in my room, and that's another thing my mom thinks would be hurtful for me... I'd never get out and be a hermit. I think, since I wouldn't have family around to goof on tv shows, that I'd HAVE to. Plus, my English co-workers would be in the same boat, and I think we'd all be feeling the same and would want to hang almost like a family. And I know I'd be walking/hiking like a NUT. The two times I've been to Colorado I have never been so at peace. It's just so beautiful and quiet. You can't help but feel at ease and from the pictures I've seen, much of Japan has those same qualities. I think I would at least be happier knowing I can get away from stress by just going into the forest/beach/park and chilling.
Plus they don't have mountain lions. Or possibly bears. Whatever, I just don't want to be eaten, that's all.
I need to talk to my friend since toddler years, Andrew. He majored in Japanese and taught over there for a year. He was the one who said it was really easy; he just handed out papers, and spoke in English. Since he didn't major or have anything to do with teaching, I really believe him. And after the shit I've been through in my school, it would be a breath of fresh air. That's the way I look at it... it would only be for a year, if I choose. I think he left because he wasn't making much money and missed home. But, I need to talk to him about it. He did tell me he enjoyed it a lot, and he was somewhat far from Tokyo, his nearest city. His only problem now is finding a good job here. But maybe he didn't apply at schools, which is probably what I'd do when I'd return.
----- Hah, just talked to Andrew's brother, who also majored in Japanese, married a Japanese girl, and now they both live in NYC doing what sounds like ridiculously important jobs in finance and computers. Alex thinks I should go for it, and since he's been to Japan loads of times (not sure if he lived/studied abroad there, but since Reiko lives there, they visit often) and he also, enjoys that country.
I'm feeling this job opportunity. I'd make 2.5 times the amount I make now, which makes me think I could save more money and feel more secure. For many years, I thought teaching in a foreign country would be awesome and better than teaching here. One of my reasons for becoming a teacher was for this reason. Of course, now I know I didn't even need to major in education to get selected, but I think it certainly helped. I've known a few others who taught overseas for a year at least... they taught in South Korea. Should talk to them too, huh?
I go to see Marge on Monday; I'm going to talk to her about it in depth. She knows me and my mind pretty well. Linda, my nurse does too, and she didn't advise me to reconsider or think hard about it, she just said we'd take care of my medicine if this happens. I think if I can grow, if I decide to take the job/GET HIRED before I'd leave in March, I could prove to my parents I can do it, and to any other doubters. Which means going out more with friends, learning to COOK, continuing Japanese lessons and I suppose quit bitching about my job to my mom. Alright! What do you think? Throw it all out there, what you'd be worried about, what you think I can handle (if you've been my friend/read enough to know about me) and anything else.
-----+ The Perseid Meteor shower is currently going on. Happens every year. I've been watching the past few nights and wishing lots of wishes. Three nights ago I saw two for sure. Last night I saw 4 for sure. Tonight is the peak night, and they estimate if you're in a DARK spot that you could see up to 100 an hour. I'm thinking of traveling somewhere remote after the Paramore concert to try to catch some more than I normally see at this time in my backyard. I'd suggest looking upwards in the eastern sky, since I saw nearly all of them in that area. +-----
Yesterday I got an e-mail saying I passed the initial screening and I need to schedule a phone interview. Did not expect it to be so SOON! Maybe I'm just AWESOME! When I got that I was over the moon. Which then I decided to tell my parents. They reacted pretty much they way I knew they would. Dad says I need to get my teaching license here first and then decide if it's really worth taking this massive step (I assumed getting my license when I returned would be EASIER then now, but if I could do it with my teachers that I love, it would be my best chance yet). My mom says I need to have more personal growth and maturity before I leave because she would feel "better" about me leaving. Both think this sounds like a "knee jerk" decision and felt the need to remind me I'd be all alone in a foreign country and couldn't come home for a solid year. And they don't want to bail me out, fly me home and see me fail.
Yep, classic. But I do understand where their coming from. My mom was worried about my mental stability and how I'd be able to control my anger. They said I wouldn't be able to blow it off on them. I guess all communication with them will be cut off?? And I guess any friends I make couldn't hear about my woes in work? Then my mom is worried about my stomach, which is ridiculous because it's been cleared up for a few years now. And I know Japan has spices, but I'd obviously stay away, since the mild wings at Buffalo Wild Wings are too spicy for me now, HERE. Then the issue with my medicine not being cheap. This is true, and I'm not sure how the health insurance would cover medicine here, or if I'd have to get it from Japan (uhh, not sure they have half of my medicine). That's something I'll definitely ask in the phone interview.
See, you guys don't know me. At least well enough to know how I act in everyday life. So unfortunately, I cannot ask your opinion. Wait -- I could, but you wouldn't know the whole side. I do tend to spend a lot of time at home or in my room, and that's another thing my mom thinks would be hurtful for me... I'd never get out and be a hermit. I think, since I wouldn't have family around to goof on tv shows, that I'd HAVE to. Plus, my English co-workers would be in the same boat, and I think we'd all be feeling the same and would want to hang almost like a family. And I know I'd be walking/hiking like a NUT. The two times I've been to Colorado I have never been so at peace. It's just so beautiful and quiet. You can't help but feel at ease and from the pictures I've seen, much of Japan has those same qualities. I think I would at least be happier knowing I can get away from stress by just going into the forest/beach/park and chilling.
Plus they don't have mountain lions. Or possibly bears. Whatever, I just don't want to be eaten, that's all.
I need to talk to my friend since toddler years, Andrew. He majored in Japanese and taught over there for a year. He was the one who said it was really easy; he just handed out papers, and spoke in English. Since he didn't major or have anything to do with teaching, I really believe him. And after the shit I've been through in my school, it would be a breath of fresh air. That's the way I look at it... it would only be for a year, if I choose. I think he left because he wasn't making much money and missed home. But, I need to talk to him about it. He did tell me he enjoyed it a lot, and he was somewhat far from Tokyo, his nearest city. His only problem now is finding a good job here. But maybe he didn't apply at schools, which is probably what I'd do when I'd return.
----- Hah, just talked to Andrew's brother, who also majored in Japanese, married a Japanese girl, and now they both live in NYC doing what sounds like ridiculously important jobs in finance and computers. Alex thinks I should go for it, and since he's been to Japan loads of times (not sure if he lived/studied abroad there, but since Reiko lives there, they visit often) and he also, enjoys that country.
I'm feeling this job opportunity. I'd make 2.5 times the amount I make now, which makes me think I could save more money and feel more secure. For many years, I thought teaching in a foreign country would be awesome and better than teaching here. One of my reasons for becoming a teacher was for this reason. Of course, now I know I didn't even need to major in education to get selected, but I think it certainly helped. I've known a few others who taught overseas for a year at least... they taught in South Korea. Should talk to them too, huh?
I go to see Marge on Monday; I'm going to talk to her about it in depth. She knows me and my mind pretty well. Linda, my nurse does too, and she didn't advise me to reconsider or think hard about it, she just said we'd take care of my medicine if this happens. I think if I can grow, if I decide to take the job/GET HIRED before I'd leave in March, I could prove to my parents I can do it, and to any other doubters. Which means going out more with friends, learning to COOK, continuing Japanese lessons and I suppose quit bitching about my job to my mom. Alright! What do you think? Throw it all out there, what you'd be worried about, what you think I can handle (if you've been my friend/read enough to know about me) and anything else.
-----+ The Perseid Meteor shower is currently going on. Happens every year. I've been watching the past few nights and wishing lots of wishes. Three nights ago I saw two for sure. Last night I saw 4 for sure. Tonight is the peak night, and they estimate if you're in a DARK spot that you could see up to 100 an hour. I'm thinking of traveling somewhere remote after the Paramore concert to try to catch some more than I normally see at this time in my backyard. I'd suggest looking upwards in the eastern sky, since I saw nearly all of them in that area. +-----