It's Official

Thursday, February 7, 2008 marked the day that officially continues my incredible journey over here in the far east. After MUCH back and forth, tormenting and debating with self, I have recontracted and will therefore be staying in Japan for another year. This has been one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life thus far, but at the end of it I am VERY happy with my decision.

The last week of solidifying my decision was quite humorous because my supervisor at the BOE(board of ed.) called me EVERY DAY. I don't know if you remember or even read the beginning of my blog where he said he wanted me to stay here for three years. Now more than ever I see that the man was serious. No matter how I told him I would give him my decision on Thursday(the 7th, 2 days before the deadline), he continued to call each evening. Each call went something like this:

Amanda: hello?
Supervisor: oh helloooo, this is Rokudai-sensei
A: *chuckle* hi Rokudai-sensei, how are you?
S: ohhh I'm fine, so Amandaaaaaaa did you make umm the decision to stay in Japan?
A: noooooo, not yeeeet but i will bring the contract on Thursday
S: *chuckle* ohhh okaaay, I hope, we hope(the BOE and teachers) that you stay in Japan b/c you are a good teacher
A: okaaaaaay, thanks
S: okaaaaay goodbye
A: *chuckling* have a good night

No joke or exaggeration, the man called me EVERY DAY for a week with the same conversation. it's a good thing I already had my mind made up. Could you imagine the torment? The funny thing is the program(JET) specifies that supervisors are not to do this so that participants don't feel pressured into saying yes and then change their mind. Clearly he didn't read that memo, or didn't care. Anyhoo, I thought for sure I would walk into the BOE palms sweating, heart racing and all as I handed over the paper. Surprisingly I was extreeeeeemely calm. I was actually going to play a trick on Rokudai-sensei and give him a photocopied contract that said I wasn't recontracting, but I couldn't do it to him. When I gave him the contract you would have sworn he was holding his breath for a month the way he exhaled. I guess it was a triumphant moment for them, it was all very funny to witness. After thanking me, he motioned to his staff and said "OK OK!" to which they all clapped. Are you serious? It was so funny, but at the end of it all I felt really good...boy are they good for an ego boost.

So that's it folks, my long drawn out story to tell you that I've recontracted for another year. Yaaaaaay me!