This post will have no journal entry number, because it's not a real journal entry. I'm asking for your advice and your opinion.
This is a bit of a spoiler for ya'll, but time has forced my hand. In short, I have received my contract renewal form. Currently, my contract ends on March 5th. I have been asked to continue my contract, up to a year.
Now, I don't want to cause you any worry. I am coming back, and I'm doing so in 2008. The only reason I don't come back right at the end of my contract is one of funding. I am loathe to admit it, but money is an issue here.
I'll illustrate the bigger picture for ya'll, so you can understand my conundrum.
I want to go to Graduate School. I'd like to enroll in the Digital Media program at Georgia Tech. The application deadline is around February 15th. I need to take the GRE, no problems there; I can do it here in Japan, and I have to provide a portfolio of digital work, some worry here, only because I don't have a lot of stuff.
Georgia Tech's grad school begins in August, in the Fall semester. If I got back at the end of my contract, I'd have nearly 5 months of nothing to do before school started again. I would like to spend some, probably a lot, of that time catching up with all of you. Visiting my friends and family, reintegrating myself with my life in the States.
However, that would also be 5 months of rent to pay. Five months of bills. Five months of resource-draining monetary obligation.
So, working here for a few months more has two things going for it: one, I am making money, and two, I'm paying Japanese living expenses, which are quite small. My utilities are very reasonable and I'm not paying to neither insure nor fuel an automobile.
However, this would be even more time separated from you all. I'm not pining for my loss; I don't lose sleep over the distance between you all and I. But I would like to come back and enjoy time with my friends and family before school starts.
When asked to make a decision, two days ago on the 4th of September, I decided to take 3 extra months of time. My new contract would last until the 5th of June, putting me back square in the summer with less than 2 months to get reacquainted with everyone. I'd also get a bigger end-of-contract bonus.
Yesterday I got word back from the head office that such a date would be very inconvenient for the company. My replacement would be pulled from a new batch of employees, and my new date would be incompatible with the training schedule. They gave me two choices: stay on for 2 more months and leave May 28th, or stay on for 3.5 months, and leave June 18th.
The deadline for my decision is this Friday, tomorrow for me.
In typical Nigel fashion, I misread the statement my manager gave me. I thought my choices were MARCH 28th and June 16th, rather than MAY 28th. Haha. This was going to be a long, soul-searching entry about difficult choices, but now I'm much happier with my options.
Currently, I would like to extend my contract for 2 more months. I don't get a bigger bonus, but what I will receive will be adequate. I'll still save a lot on utilities. I'll make two more month's pay. I'll have more than 2 months to enjoy life back in the States.
Are you all cool with that? I know I'm my own person and all that jazz, but you are my friends and loved ones, and my life would not be what it is today without all the love and support you've given me.
As a side note, I really dig that so many of you actually read this :) I wonder if I'm too verbose sometimes, or that this is all boring and junk. It really makes my day to see people commenting on this blog :)
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10 comments:
I suppose we'll still take you back, but you are obligated to come over and cuddle the baby once before disappearing into the grad school abyss!
Bro, you can come back whenever you want. I think extending your contract by 2 months is an excellent idea; you get to mitigate living expenses and still have a bit 'o time before school starts back.
Also, I'm gonna try to help you as much as possible with the GRE and portfolio. Speaking of which, is there anything you need me to do stateside?
Dude, 2 months sounds like a good idea. Pad your wallet with a little extra cash and soften the blow when you get back to the USA. Go for it.
Claire - are you kidding?! I'm gonna start teaching him Shotokan as soon as he can crawl!
E.J. - So far, I can think of nothing. Except inspiration :) Also, check your email.
Raymond - Indeed. Also, are you still in Oz? 'Cause if you are I totally still want to visit you come winter! Call/email me!
Man, I want to cry and stomp my foot (and tug my braid and cross my arms under my breasts ;P) but I can certainly understand your reasoning, so I'll refrain from puppy-dog eyes ;)
That said - JD and I really do mean it about having more space than god himself ever intended, so if you need crash space when you get back, we do have several (large, soft) free beds :]
Are you enjoying your job/life over there? If so, keep doing it. You can always find short term employment here once you get back to offset expenses until grad school.
Also, if you're thinking about grad school next fall, I'd start prepping for the GRE and any of the other requirements. The subject specific GRE I had to take was not easy. YMMV, but be prepared.
I ditto what Lisa said... whenever you come back you've got a room at our place if you want it.
A bunch of our friends (Mike, Ross, Peter, etc) have been plotting a trip to Japan next year that we've contemplated getting in on. Sounds like it'll miss you regardless though. Sadness!
Speaking of things waiting for you when you get back? I seriously think the D&D game is still gonna be going.... *cries*
Not many people (at least at your age from the US) get or take the opportunity to live overseas as you are doing now. I say stay the extra two months, which also gives you some extra time to figure out what to do with the time before school starts.
To thine own self be true, little brother. :D
Do what feels right for *you*...you know we'll be here ready to welcome you back, whenever you decide it's best.
I think the two month extension is a good idea, too, though.
You and I have already talked about this, and I suggested that you stay for the extension. Sounds like that is what everyone else is saying as well. Dad
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