Lately at work I’ve seen all the symptoms of the end of the winter term. People are starting to pull each other aside, whisper things to each other, and look around suspiciously. The principal will pull someone away from their desk for a closed door meeting, and everyone looks nervous.
This is the time of year when they are getting ready to announce who is being transferred to another school. It’s the big shakeup time, and the only people whose jobs are safe are me and the janitors.
I even get to hear some of the rumors, and I’m at the bottom of the totem pole. Early favorites for a transfer are Mr. Yamamoto, the third year English teacher. If he goes, then I’ll be teaching with a new teacher next year. That’s not a bad thing, actually. I taught with Mr. Maeda last year, and we got along great – he’s even been inviting me to his place for dinner now and then.
Another name I heard was the history teacher, but I think somebody was pulling my leg. I don’t want to get excited about that, but it would definitely change my daily routine big time if he wasn’t around.
Mr. Komuri’s name also came up. It came up last year, but he’s still here. I’m hoping that he doesn’t get the transfer – he’s a big part of why I like the people I work with.
Anyway, the announcements won’t be until after I get back from my vacation, so I’m glad I’m going to miss all the fun.
Today Mr. Hayashi took pity on me and let me go even earlier. I used the time to go to Akashi and do some last minute shopping for the trip. I had some sushi for lunch, and then came back to Futami.
This evening Yasu came over for a minute to take a look at the plants – he’s going to be doing the watering duties while I’m gone. He’s looking healthy and happy, and enjoying some time off from studying. He’s doing an intense job search, so I hope that he finds something cool.
Tomorrow is my exam, finally, and so I’ll be busy tomorrow afternoon grading papers. Once I get it all taken care of I can come home and finish packing.
