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ellienihonWe were told to be at the Outback Steakhouse at 6pm for the welcome party. In the meantime, I realized I had all these materials that I was given, and no simple way to get them home. So I decided to get a bag. Jill, a veteran of Japan and ALTIA, offered to show me a good place to buy such a bag. We went to the department store, and stopped by the 100 yen shop there. I was super happy because I found the bathstool I was looking for, and a hand towel. She had a lot of good advice, and we eventually found a nice Tinkerbell bag that I bought (they didn't have Winnie the Pooh in the style I wanted, and there was no tigger at all). When we're back for training, I'm going to make a list of little things I want like magnets and folders, and little stuffed animals, and I'm going to buy them there. It's a great place.
Kangeikai is the welcome party. Ours was for the new teachers and the office staff, so I got more opportunities to talk with our company president and some of the Japanese staff and supervisors. Everyone's really approachable. Of course there was beer and wine, and I sat at the table with the president. I don't know how many of you appreciate the significance of this, but the president poured wine and beer for all six of us at the table. She's really not interested in being above us, even though it's her company. We've actually been asked to call her Utie or Utchan. We ate ribs, and I was in hog heaven. I ate more than my fair share, and the Australian woman next to me helped quite a bit. We had to make up for the Japanese women at the table not eating so much, you see. Actually, the ribs were really great, and I won't be getting stuff like that until the next company party, most likely. Apparently Outback is our VP's favorite place, so all the company parties are there. It was a nice evening, but I was tired of the smoke, and of talking with people I don't know well.
You know, I kind of forgot how hard it is to deal with lots of people you don't know. Everyone seems like great people, but it's an effort. I miss being able to tell you all about my day, and complain and talk freely, knowing that you understand that I may not necessarily mean what I'm saying. I'm also tired of telling my life story 30 times a day. Once I get in my school and my groups, that'll be better. I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to being able to hear from you all, and share my experience more directly, rather than just putting into my computer to be posted later. This is going to be hell on some of your friends' lists. Sorry in advance.
Anyway, I ended up helping one of the office staff get back to her apartment. She was drunk, and as we were walking, she talked about how the disease is showing up in her life in various ways. At least that's how I heard it. It was painful to listen to and not say anything, but she wasn't asking for help. She is fine. Sometimes it's hard to do nothing, but you can't help someone who doesn't want help. I need a meeting, but there's not one until next Wednesday.
Kangeikai is the welcome party. Ours was for the new teachers and the office staff, so I got more opportunities to talk with our company president and some of the Japanese staff and supervisors. Everyone's really approachable. Of course there was beer and wine, and I sat at the table with the president. I don't know how many of you appreciate the significance of this, but the president poured wine and beer for all six of us at the table. She's really not interested in being above us, even though it's her company. We've actually been asked to call her Utie or Utchan. We ate ribs, and I was in hog heaven. I ate more than my fair share, and the Australian woman next to me helped quite a bit. We had to make up for the Japanese women at the table not eating so much, you see. Actually, the ribs were really great, and I won't be getting stuff like that until the next company party, most likely. Apparently Outback is our VP's favorite place, so all the company parties are there. It was a nice evening, but I was tired of the smoke, and of talking with people I don't know well.
You know, I kind of forgot how hard it is to deal with lots of people you don't know. Everyone seems like great people, but it's an effort. I miss being able to tell you all about my day, and complain and talk freely, knowing that you understand that I may not necessarily mean what I'm saying. I'm also tired of telling my life story 30 times a day. Once I get in my school and my groups, that'll be better. I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to being able to hear from you all, and share my experience more directly, rather than just putting into my computer to be posted later. This is going to be hell on some of your friends' lists. Sorry in advance.
Anyway, I ended up helping one of the office staff get back to her apartment. She was drunk, and as we were walking, she talked about how the disease is showing up in her life in various ways. At least that's how I heard it. It was painful to listen to and not say anything, but she wasn't asking for help. She is fine. Sometimes it's hard to do nothing, but you can't help someone who doesn't want help. I need a meeting, but there's not one until next Wednesday.
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Date: 2004-04-05 09:21 pm (UTC)