Tuesday, May 03, 2005
We went to Kalasin yesterday to visit Ma Song in the hospital. I believe she had an inflammation of the intestine, though I am still not one hundred percent on the translation. She had stomach surgery and was not feeling well, to say the least, but was able to stand up and walk around. Going into hospitals is never something that I have liked. There were a number of full leg casts on people, some even young – motorcycle accidents I am sure.
We also took another look at our land. The government has just started to pave (more like concrete) our access road. This is a welcome thing, but it means that we have to put in more landfill to raise the level of our land to above the road. If not the land will flood as the rain runs of the road and onto the land. Another chunk of change. I am still waiting on a reply from Nova. Come hell or high water I will be in Japan in August or I will start to fall into the red.

Friday, May 06, 2005
Ma Song is back at home and walking around (how is it that this woman has become the center of my entries?). I am now entering return to Japan mindset and have spent countless hours on the internet exploring job and housing possibilities. I am fairly sure that I will be back at Nova, but there has been a big shakeup in the company. Essentially, from what I have gathered, the company wasn’t paying into the social insurance system that is mandatory for full-time employees in Japan. They (Nova) were probably operating under the foreigner don’t count mandate that is so prevalent in Asia. It actually is quite advantageous to teachers that they don’t have to pay into the social insurance as it is fairly expensive. In any case, seems as if the government believes foreigners do count when it comes time to collect revenue. The result of this social insurance scandal – if it can be called that – is a big restructuring of positions and hours. I am not sure that Nova is the great source of potential revenue that it might have once been for yours truly. I would consider another job, but Nova is such familiar territory that the transition back to Japan would be made easier if I was with them. Perhaps this time around I will be less Nova focused. I have heard that they are offering a variety of sub 40 lesson contracts. I wouldn’t mind venturing into private lessons or part-time work to keep me sane.
Today I informed my current employer that I would be leaving. She (only one of the ‘bosses’ was there) was quite cool about it. It fits with this place. Be Smart may be the ultimate employer in terms of leaving one be. It is just too bad that the flip side of the coin is a lack of professionalism and commitment to hiring and keeping good teachers. Honestly, can they really expect any longevity from full-timers when they don’t/can’t offer a working visa? Incidentally, it is hiring season in Thailand and my phone has been ringing quite a bit with job offers, most of them Bangkok based. A fair amount of job offers via email as well, and a couple that looked interesting here in Khon Kaen. But there is just nothing that compare in salary to a bad job in Japan.
One final note. I expressed some anxiety to my wife about our financial situation till I get back to Japan. I told her that I would probably go back earlier that planned due to a lack of funds. She thought about it for a moment with an air of gravity, then said, “So, are we going to go to the beach for a few days before you leave?” This is typical. I tell her we are having money problems and she suggests we go spend money. It’s an uphill battle, I tell ya’.

Saturday, May 07, 2005
I am about to begin a fairly long day of teaching. I am as stressed as I have been in a long time. This is not fun. I am considering giving my notice on this job and leaving at the beginning of July.