A serendipitous kindness
...written on 01.27.05, @ 1:23 a.m.
At exactly 8:29 p.m. this evening, jetlag tackled me. It was a full frontal assault. I barely had time to close the lid on my computer, flatten the chair I was sitting in to a barely adequate pillow, and adjust myself under the kotatsu table for warmth . . . when . . . KERPOWIE! . . . darkness descended and I boomed into the delta of unconsciousness going from 30 cycles per second (cps) brain activity to .04 cps in less than fifteen seconds.
It is now 12:30 in the morning. I just drank the coke that I had placed in the freezer before sleeping. It had the consistency of a slushee. Yum. Frankly I like my cokes after they have been in the freezer for about an hour, when they are just about to take the leap from liquid to crystal, for me, that is when they are at their sharpest, thirst quenching point.
So I was in the States for about ten days recruiting new teachers. We saw about 25 applicants in three states: Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. It was a busy time and the only places I got to shop were a grocery store and the bookstores of the universities that we visited. I got to see my Dad and Elaine for a day, my grandma and cousin David for about two hours and my mom for about ten minutes via webcam (she was up in Ohio with my brother and his family). Wham bam, thank you mam!
Before we left, the temperatures in the states we were going to visit had been in the 70’s (F), but plunged to their winter norms of the 30’s for our visit. I had packed for both scenarios.
For this trip I was informed that I had made the ranks of the “Silver Elite” on the Northwest Airways Frequent Flyer program which netted me an upgrade to first class on the return flight from Atlanta to Detroit. Unfortunately that was a short flight and the only differences I noticed were that you were served drinks immediately before take-off, if you wanted, the flight attendant took your coat and hung it up in a closet, you got a regular bag of twisted pretzels AND a bag of mixed nuts and that the seats were a centimeter or two bigger. That’s all, Folks!
I really enjoy getting up in front of groups and talking. It was my duty to deliver a brief overview of our company and the job, benefits, etc. After that, we interviewed the people who were interested in applying. Now it’s just a matter of presenting our material to the board of directors for their approval and then I get to inform everyone of their status.
We usually go later in the year, but going at the beginning of the year presents some problems, in that we need to hire people for current teachers who haven’t decided if they want to continue on with us or not. So there is a little pressure involved for some of the five teachers who are working with us now, two to be exact, and one of them is . . . me.
Yeah, usually the “should I stay or should I go?” question gets posed in April or May, six months after my new contract begins, but this year, it has come a wee bit early. So, my boss asked me and I told him.
Gosh! Speaking of telling, I forgot to tell you about this wonderful thing that happened a while back in December! Min and I took Gabe, Kelly and Dustin, the newest of the American teachers to Kyoto for their first time.
We went to Kiyomizudera, Sanjusangen do (Hall of 33 spaces and 1001 buddhas), the Golden Pavilion, and Ryoanji (the famous rock garden). After going to all of those places, we had a sukiyaki dinner.
Well, while we were at Sanjusangen do, Min and I crossed in front of this group of young foreign tourists. In the corner of my eye, I saw one of them, a woman with light brown hair staring at us. I was pretty sure we didn’t step on her toes or anything (usually Min and I travel as a unit, connected at the hip or the back or where ever else he decides to attach himself to me), so I couldn’t explain why she was looking at us so intently.
In a few seconds though, she was at our side, excused herself and in a delightful French accent, asked if my name was Kim. I was taken aback and vainly searched my brain for a recollection of where I might have met her as I confirmed to her my identity.
She beamed and squealed “ I can’t believe it! I love your diary! We were supposed to have come here last week, but our trip was cancelled and we have come this week and I get to meet you! I have enjoyed reading your site so much!”
I was surprised and very happy to learn all of this. She started reading this site in the summer as preparation for her trip to Japan. She and some of her friends will be here until April. Min was confused as to how this woman knew me and was amazed when I explained to him the situation, and called me a “famous” writer.
Min and I left the main exhibition hall and then waited outside for a long time for the young woman to come out. I wanted to take a picture with her, but alas, we had to leave before that could happen.
Anyway, a shout out to my French fan:
Thank you so much for speaking to me that day and bolstering my pride and fanning my desire to keep writing. You helped me see that I can make a difference, leave a little impact, share a little humor, and touch some parts of the world. I am forever grateful. Thank you.
P.S. The above thank you also goes out to all of you who have come by, read a few pages, posted comments, mentally wished me well, stuck by me in the dry spots, urged me on, and so forth. I really appreciate your support. Thank you so much!