This week, I turned in my recontracting papers to my supervisor. My decision: to stay another year. Given how much I still want to see/do/learn here, I didn't feel like I'd be ready to leave by the end of July. It's also not such a great time to be looking for a job in the U.S., so far as I can tell. I'm not happy to spend another year away from everyone, but it was pretty clear to me that Japan is where I want to be (for now).
It's hard to know what next year will be like. Several of my close friends (including Sasha and Chelsea) are definitely leaving at the end of this contract year, and there's also still the possibility that Julie might not stay. It'll be very difficult to say goodbye to them. I also don't know what schools I'll be working at after April. I really hated to make a decision about staying or leaving without even having a clue what my job will be like, but that's the way it works. I'm already working to keep my good school, TJHS, but since I've been there a year and a half, they could very well choose to move me somewhere else. But the teacher at that school wants me to stay and has told the Board of Education as much, so I feel like maybe I still have a chance.
So, when all is said and done, I'll be here in Kochi until at least August 2013. Although I've got concerns about changes at work and changes in my social group, I really do enjoy my life here. I'm feeling hopeful for the future.
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