The Silver Spirit Award
...written on 05.10.02, @ 3:06 a.m.
Ok, my computer is back, but I have no internet, so I am at work doing these updates. It is 2:28 a.m., so it is on my own time. No problems there. Here come 4, count 'em, FOUR entries!
Thu April 11, 2002
Our weekly all company employees meeting was about to rival the Academy Awards in length. There was a lot of information to cover and disburse and then, as usual, our company president was to wrap things up. Sometimes Shacho does this with either a short witticism or a mind numbing Japanese history lesson. Today, we were all praying for the witty short part.
It turned out he had two agendas. At the meeting the week before (while I was in the States), the Company Spirit Awards were given to the employees who had been deemed to have exemplified the hard work and dedication required of all S. employees. Fred told me that the winner of the highest award, the Golden Spirit, gave a tearful expression of appreciation and regret, saying that he couldn't accept the monetary award at the present time because he didn't feel he deserved it. For the next award, Shacho tapped his pocket and said it would have to wait because the person it was for wasn't present.
So today, all the American teachers were sitting with their own interpreters. Eiko, fresh from a two year stint in England was translating for me.
"What's he saying now?" I asked.
"Oh, he is going to give the award that he couldn't give last week." she answered. She went on explaining what he was saying until we both heard him say my name and call me to the front. I whipped straight up at the sound of my name and gasped. I clumsily slid out of my chair in the last row of 130 employees and made my way to the front, the videotape recorder purring in the front left corner, making note of the momentous event for my future kids, grandkids and any employees missing the meeting.
I stood to the right of Shacho with my head demurely bowed as he read the certificate written in flowing, flowery kanji, detailing the company's gratitude at leaving my home country to work for them and in such a short time become a dedicated and productive employee. (All those late nights making training and class materials and getting a head start on the next day's office cleaning under the watchful eyes of the big kahunas had finally paid off!)
Shacho finished reading the certificate in Japanese, tried to translate a little of it in English, and then indicated that the floor was mine. I stepped up to the podium, clutching the certificate and the envelope of award money (which I wasn't letting go of) and said:
"I am very surprised, happy, and excited. One of the greatest inspirations for me are the students. I work hard to see the light of understanding in their faces and hear them say "Wakatta! (I get it!)" That makes me very happy."
(Insert dramatic pause here as Kim continues in a trembling voice)
"Another source of inspiration for me is each and every one of you. (I raised my finger and swept it across the room). Because I know how hard each of YOU work, this award is very special to me. Thank you for inspiring me."