The Good and the Bad
This week has been so up-and-down. It started off so fantastically...
On Tuesday I was scheduled to work an overtime shift at Kozoji San Marche Apita in Tajimi, outside of Nagoya. I was initally weary of the shift because the branch is pretty far away, but I really need money/a distraction, so I was prepared to grin and bear it. It took about 40 minutes to get to the brach, and really it wasn't that bad because I only had to change trains once and got to rest and enjoy my music the whole way. When I arrived at Kozoji things got a little hairy because I had to find a specific bus at one of two bus stops. Thankfully I found the right bus at the first stop I went to so no time was lost there. I was worried I was going to be late, but I ended up arriving at the branch before it even opened. Nice.
I wandered around for a bit and then the Branch Manager showed up so I went in to get to work planning lessons for the day. The first thing that struck me about the branch was how un-cluttered and bright it was. There was just so much space! My branch, Rio World, is so crowded and dark (and unorganized to a frustrating degree). And the teacher room! It's huge at San Marche! And everything is labeled, organized, and in the right place! I had room to put up my coat and bag without them being in the way, and even had some tea before my shift. How lovely.
I was going through my files when the first of my coworkers for the day arrived. Scott, the Assistant Trainer for the branch, arrived first and was so friendly right off. He showed me around the branch and the immediate area and made sure I had everything I needed for the day. We were chatting about life in general when Donna showed up. Donna was instantly friendly as well and the three of us talked while getting ready for our lessons. It was such a nice change to the being talked around that I experience at Rio.
My lessons for the day went great. Every student participated and was interested in the lesson. I taught a Kinder Class to four 4-year-old girls and they had so much fun that their parents compliment me to the Brand Manager. I also had a Man-to-Man Returnee Kids Lesson (a little girl who had just returned to Japan after living in North Carolina for six years). It was her first lesson so Scott was very nervous about it and so was I. We talked about what we should do with her and he actually listened to and let me try some of my ideas. I did the lesson with Kanae, the little girl, and in the end she ran out to her Dad telling him excitedly, in English, just how much fun she had. I got a major compliment then, from both the Branch Manager and Scott.
At the end of the day, as we were all getting ready to leave, Scott asked me jokingly when I was transfering to the branch. I told him honestly that I would love to and mentioned the problems I was having at my branch. He and Donna were both sympathetic and immediately suggested that I put in for a transfer. Scott even said he would put in a word with his Area Manager and see what he could do for me. Then Donna offered me her apartment in Nagoya since she's leaving early next year.
It was absolutely the best day I have had with NOVA since I got here. I think I'm going to put in for the transfer. I doubt it will happen for a while, if at all, but I'm going to try. I told Megumi, our Office Manager, about it and she was upset because she says I'm popular with students at Rio, but I just can't handle my coworkers any more:
My day started off as usual, a long, quiet ride to Rio World while my coworkers basically ignore me. The day went as usual with my being told constantly that I am doing things wrong and getting tasks taken away from me because I'm "not good enough" to handle them.
Then everyone started talking about the End-of-Year Party on Sunday. I asked about it, and was greeted with silence. Then I was told about in non-specific terms. Apparently we're having a party, but there is no time or place. Somehow I highly doubt this. I'm sure I'm just reading into everything, but it sure does hurt.
Today was a little better. I had to do a Demo Lesson for a prospective student and it actually went pretty well. After the lesson she wanted to chat a while so I had to sit with her a while and chat. Fun. During the course of our conversation we reached a silence so I asked her if she had any questions, meaning about NOVA or studying English. This is what I got:
Lady: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: (Thinking: God DAMN it not this again.) Not at the moment, no.
Lady: Why?
Me: *trying to laugh it off* Oh I'm sure there's many reasons for that...
Lady: It must be your face.
Me: 0_o?! I'm sorry?
Lady: You have pretty face, but there is something wrong.
Me: Well, thank you?
Lady: Where are you from?
Me: Oh, I'm from America.
Lady: Where in America?
Me: Texas. Have you ever been there?
Lady: No. I don't like Americans. They are dangerous and rude. It must be why you single.
Well fuck me. That was the single most depressing conversation I have ever had in my life. In the end she signed a contract for lessons so I guess I did a good job, but I felt like stabbing myself in the eye in the end. Maybe it would improve my face?
At least tomorrow is payday. I'm going to be really frugal this week and try not to spend any more than I absolutely have to so I have more money for Osaka. New Year's is going to be so fantastic!!
On Tuesday I was scheduled to work an overtime shift at Kozoji San Marche Apita in Tajimi, outside of Nagoya. I was initally weary of the shift because the branch is pretty far away, but I really need money/a distraction, so I was prepared to grin and bear it. It took about 40 minutes to get to the brach, and really it wasn't that bad because I only had to change trains once and got to rest and enjoy my music the whole way. When I arrived at Kozoji things got a little hairy because I had to find a specific bus at one of two bus stops. Thankfully I found the right bus at the first stop I went to so no time was lost there. I was worried I was going to be late, but I ended up arriving at the branch before it even opened. Nice.
I wandered around for a bit and then the Branch Manager showed up so I went in to get to work planning lessons for the day. The first thing that struck me about the branch was how un-cluttered and bright it was. There was just so much space! My branch, Rio World, is so crowded and dark (and unorganized to a frustrating degree). And the teacher room! It's huge at San Marche! And everything is labeled, organized, and in the right place! I had room to put up my coat and bag without them being in the way, and even had some tea before my shift. How lovely.
I was going through my files when the first of my coworkers for the day arrived. Scott, the Assistant Trainer for the branch, arrived first and was so friendly right off. He showed me around the branch and the immediate area and made sure I had everything I needed for the day. We were chatting about life in general when Donna showed up. Donna was instantly friendly as well and the three of us talked while getting ready for our lessons. It was such a nice change to the being talked around that I experience at Rio.
My lessons for the day went great. Every student participated and was interested in the lesson. I taught a Kinder Class to four 4-year-old girls and they had so much fun that their parents compliment me to the Brand Manager. I also had a Man-to-Man Returnee Kids Lesson (a little girl who had just returned to Japan after living in North Carolina for six years). It was her first lesson so Scott was very nervous about it and so was I. We talked about what we should do with her and he actually listened to and let me try some of my ideas. I did the lesson with Kanae, the little girl, and in the end she ran out to her Dad telling him excitedly, in English, just how much fun she had. I got a major compliment then, from both the Branch Manager and Scott.
At the end of the day, as we were all getting ready to leave, Scott asked me jokingly when I was transfering to the branch. I told him honestly that I would love to and mentioned the problems I was having at my branch. He and Donna were both sympathetic and immediately suggested that I put in for a transfer. Scott even said he would put in a word with his Area Manager and see what he could do for me. Then Donna offered me her apartment in Nagoya since she's leaving early next year.
It was absolutely the best day I have had with NOVA since I got here. I think I'm going to put in for the transfer. I doubt it will happen for a while, if at all, but I'm going to try. I told Megumi, our Office Manager, about it and she was upset because she says I'm popular with students at Rio, but I just can't handle my coworkers any more:
My day started off as usual, a long, quiet ride to Rio World while my coworkers basically ignore me. The day went as usual with my being told constantly that I am doing things wrong and getting tasks taken away from me because I'm "not good enough" to handle them.
Then everyone started talking about the End-of-Year Party on Sunday. I asked about it, and was greeted with silence. Then I was told about in non-specific terms. Apparently we're having a party, but there is no time or place. Somehow I highly doubt this. I'm sure I'm just reading into everything, but it sure does hurt.
Today was a little better. I had to do a Demo Lesson for a prospective student and it actually went pretty well. After the lesson she wanted to chat a while so I had to sit with her a while and chat. Fun. During the course of our conversation we reached a silence so I asked her if she had any questions, meaning about NOVA or studying English. This is what I got:
Lady: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: (Thinking: God DAMN it not this again.) Not at the moment, no.
Lady: Why?
Me: *trying to laugh it off* Oh I'm sure there's many reasons for that...
Lady: It must be your face.
Me: 0_o?! I'm sorry?
Lady: You have pretty face, but there is something wrong.
Me: Well, thank you?
Lady: Where are you from?
Me: Oh, I'm from America.
Lady: Where in America?
Me: Texas. Have you ever been there?
Lady: No. I don't like Americans. They are dangerous and rude. It must be why you single.
Well fuck me. That was the single most depressing conversation I have ever had in my life. In the end she signed a contract for lessons so I guess I did a good job, but I felt like stabbing myself in the eye in the end. Maybe it would improve my face?
At least tomorrow is payday. I'm going to be really frugal this week and try not to spend any more than I absolutely have to so I have more money for Osaka. New Year's is going to be so fantastic!!