With All Good... There Is Always Some Bad

During training this past Friday, I was pulled aside during a break and asked if I had worn my piercings around town. I actually expected this question, since one of my principals had attempted to talk to me about it on Monday. I responded what had happened, stating that I was invited by a teacher (during a Sunday) to meet her family and watch a sport's day of some sort. I had been wearing my piercings since A) it was my day off and, B) it was a teacher who wouldn't care if I had piercings since she loved me.

As fate would have it... her son's school is the elementary school that was connected to one of my other junior high schools, so I stumbled across the principal and some of the students. Since, they realized I had piercings. No biggie, it happened a long time ago.

Well, my managing consultant and another main lady of my branch's office said they understood, and said if I understood why I had to be careful about wearing my piercings. I honestly told them that I really didn't understand since it was my day off.

They both went on to explain that the reason it was a problem was because I had received really high feedback. In fact, they went on to say that my video demonstation was really well (and that they might use in the future) and that my feedback was not only really high... but, it was substantially great feedback. All my schools and teachers told the company that I was doing an excellent job and that they were all hoping to keep me for a long time; they really loved my interaction with the students and the students really loved me and thought I was cool. And that... receiving such excellent feedback and having such great interaction with students... was the reason why my wearing my piercings on my day off was a problem.

He went on to tell me that if the schools didn't care much about me... they probably wouldn't have even said anything. But, since everyone really liked me and the students thought I was so cool... they then worry that they would want to be exactly like me (meaning piercings and all).

So, it's awesome that I got such awesome feedback and complimented on my work... but, I still am not sure of how to take the fact that I shouldn't wear piercings on my day off when I'm free to do what I please. I understand that it's a cultural thing... but, I still don't understand why that should determine what I wear on my days off. I'm still going to wear my piercings... it's part of who I am and I don't feel like sacrificing my life on an aspect that has nothing to do with my work persona.

I'm over the initial frustration I had when I first heard about this issue on Monday from the principal... but, I'm still a little uncertain as to why it really is an issue other than... well, the older generation are still a bit set in their ways. My piercings should not be a measurer of the kind of person I am... they are a part how I express myself. Basically, I am not my piercings... the piercings are a part of me.

I also figure... the students reactions to me should be the ultimate measurer of how I'm doing in my job. I find it hard to believe that I'll be in trouble if the students are liking me.

Anyway, that was something that I felt the need to write about simply to deal with the issue and keep it from eating at me. Now, for a change of subject:

This weekend was awesome! I basically spent each night at someone else's apartment.

I started off going north on Thursday. I was planning on driving up to the capital of Iwate, Morioka, to avoid having to drive early in the morning on Friday. When my teachers heard that I planned on leaving after school, they told me the safest time (due to snow and potential icy roads) was as soon as possible. It was only 3 PM at that time... and they all told me to leave school right there and then. I asked if it really was okay, but they got the vice principal to say, "Now... go... leave... now... take care!" It was really funny... I love that school! There really were like 10 teachers around me trying to speak whatever English they could to kick me out and get me to head up to Morioka.

I arrived in Morioka and spent the night at a friend's along with two other friends. On Friday we had training and then hung out afterwards in Morioka. A couple of friends were heading to Tokyo, but one still offered to let me spend the night in her apartment even though she wasn't going to be there. That was so nice of her! Two other friends spent the night with me... and we then woke up the next day... tidied up a bit and bought her some small tokens of appreciation (meaning candy and chocolate). I then drove down with a friend to Mizusawa/Oshu where we met up with two friends. We played some video games and then went to eat, bowl, arcade some, and eventually made it back to one of the friend's house to sleep. Woke up on Sunday where the three of us called back the other friend to go eat, before me and the friend I was driving with from Morioka made it down to Ichinoseki (the place where he lives). We basically bummed, walked around, ate, arcaded again before making it back to his apartment and then passing out. Today, we woke up and headed back to Mizusawa since we had a lunch to attend which was to celebrate Thanksgiving (even though it's on Thursday and even though Pumpkin Pie was the only traditional Thanksgiving food available). Had much fun and mostly joked with some friends and played with two babies. They were so cute.

I eventually left and made it back to Ofunato. My weekend of travelling proved successful and very fun indeed. I am really tired and do not want to go to work tomorrow... \o/

Anyway... that's all!