Like a child!

Here I am with two of my students Takuma and Norihiko at our Summer BBQ!

Today marks the first day of no kindergarten lunch for almost a month! The reason being they have a few weeks off school and a bunch of half days because of summer. I am excited. I am very curious to see how I feel not having to eat that food.

Since I could eat whatever I wanted today, I went home made a delicious taco salad. It took longer than I expected so I did not make it back until 7pm. I was not gone longer than an hour which is the amount of time I get for dinner. BUT I was still 20 minutes late for sitting in the office. As a new rule made in June we have to be there even when we don't teach lessons.

Tonight I don't teach so I figured the 20 minute change in dinner break wouldn't be a problem. Apparantly, it was. My manager is super great, but sometimes his work ideals and my Canadian mentality do no mix. I had not abided by the exact time schedule which was wrong and I was told that. I just felt like a child and I constantly feel that way because rules keep changing.

I just wish I could grow up again...its a wierd balance struggle I'm having. I live alone so I have all the freedom and independence I want, but there are parts to my job and life in Japan where no choice is given, and strong rules apply. This is hard for me, very hard for me. So at times, I guess I try to bend the rules or push them. In my defence, I feel this is only natural considering who I am. As a Canadian I am used to free choice, openess and trust. So when I feel I am being punished for what other teachers have done in the past, and things I have done unintentionally, it really gets my blood flowing. I love Japan, its people, culture, food...etc but working here is tough at times. I just want to be accepted for who I am, for my ability to teach and that be that....the other stuff shouldn't matter. The best way of dealing with this usually comes in the form of drinking!!

Here I am, making a drink, behind the bar at Paradise. A local hot spot!
My upcoming vacation to Thailand and Cambodia will be good, hopefully I can get rid of all my frustrations with work and all the rules and come home and enjoy Japan again!!