the office manager was scared she'd get the blame if
> you fucked up", I ask him "why" and he says "because the staff and teachers
> were told". he later adds....."I'm sorry i really let you down.... I in turn
> ask "why did he (j) get renewed, so many women have complained about them
> its not funny, someone is going to have to listen eventually".
> and he said "S likes J, she wanted to keep him, they (t and j) aren't here
> tonight, that says something....they're not nice people.....you can come
> here and no one would have a problem, you scared us sometimes, but
> anytime...there's no problem". He gives me a hug.
>
> Back in my new office
> No one really talks to me about the observation - Br tells me they were
> going through my files while i was gone though. I try asking (M) again a
> couple of times - once in the office and again when i visit her in her
> apartment. I know something must be up because i have actually lost a
> wednesday night kids class, but at the same time i have signed up three new
> kids and an adult on saturdays. I seem to be making her angry simply by
> making eye contact and she doesnt want to give me much information. I get
> short answers when i ask her personal questions. and she never asks me any.
> I am not sure why she is distancing herself, but it is clear she doesn't
> want me around.
> She even seems to resent me making the effort to be friends with (Na) and
> perceives it as a political move to get a good word put in for me with (S)
> rather than sincere. They are quite good friends and I am not being accepted
> as a third basically. They take no interest in anything i say.
>
> Towards the end of april one of the teachers (Br) is leaving. He has invited
> all the teachers out to a students restaurant - mainly (Ba, By and Ia) for a
> boys night, but they decline and he asks me. I go.
> After the restaurant - singing karaoke and playing the flute we talk about
> why he is leaving - he had been interested in one of the teachers and told
> her he was attracted to her - she went to (Na) who in turn told (S) as they
> are good friends. Next, he meets a young japanese woman (who he is now going
> to marry). Her mother at the time complained to the school about the
> relationship and they weren't impressed. Her mother wrote a letter saying
> things were ok and the matter was resolved. (Ia - still boss at the time)
> told him to keep it as proof things were ok. (Br) missed a pro development
> day and afterwards (Ia) pulled him aside and told him (S) was pissed he
> didn't go and he was basically not getting renewed. Soon afterwards (S) was
> visiting (Na) for the weekend as she frequently does and (Na) called him to
> come and visit. He didnt go and he overheard (S) say "oh, i don't think Br
> is fitting in here...". After this the other teachers basically isolated him
> and stopped including him in things - this is according to him. I tell him
> about what happened to me and we have a bit of a whinge. Please note at this
> point this is a HIGHLY political company there is a foreign side and a
> japanese side shall we say and the two managers DO NOT get along.
>
> The next day at work i am given a gloating look by (M) as I am sitting at my
> desk, she is smiling or gloating looking down at me and i am not sure what
> is going on.
> I have a cigarette with (Na) on my way to work and offer to help set up for
> the hanami party.
> The next morning (Na) and (M) hardly look at me and don't even acknowledge
> my help at the end of the day or during. Neither do the other teachers. They
> don't talk to me during the day and all back away when i try talking to
> them. In fact i go and meet people at the bridge like a bit of a taxi
> service, i dont even get a thankyou for that. One of the staff (Mk) had
> arrived early and the three of us were talking or at least i was talking to
> (Mk) and the other two weren't even acknowledging i was there, they simply
> talked to (Mk) or each other. I ask (Na) where they had their christmas
> party and she gets an angry look on her face but replies with a restaurants
> name.
>
> During the day i meet one of (Na's) students (Yr) she is a GP and has
> travelled quite a bit so we get talking. Na invites me out with the three of
> them. (M) glares at her.
> I overhear (M) telling the student and (By) that I am leaving. I assumed at
> the time that they meant me moving places to talk to other students.
>
> That night is (Je's) farewell party. (By) and (Ba) are there, but i dont
> talk to them much. My mum calls and i tell her i am feeling a little
> isolated and getting frustrated that (M) wont tell me what the problem is
> and that my efforts don't seem to be being acknowledged. I leave the party
> earlyish.
>
> I am intending to go to an onsen and text (Na) about where to go. I have
> also had a message from (Kr) my replacement asking me to call her to talk. I
> call her and she asks me about the situation with (t and j) I tell her a
> little bit of it hesitantly as she says that she understands where i am
> coming from the dynamic is a mess and she feels stuck in the middle and that
> she had a bad weekend.
> I end up going to visit (k) and (e) that night in my old city instead and see
> (Kr) there. We talk more during a walk to family mart. This seems to get me into to trouble as it obviously gets back.
>
> My new boss (M's) brother is coming to visit, he has been in Canada sorting out visa
> work. I know things arent ok at work because (Na) and (M) have stopped
> asking me to join them for cigarettes.
>
>
> That night i am having a cigarette as (na) and (ba) get out of a taxi and
> they laugh/look at each other knowingly and walk straight past me. Up in the
> office they ignore me and are talking about the dinner with (Na's) student
> and ignore me while i look at them as they are making plans about it.
>
> The tension is getting pretty obvious to co - workers especially (Br) and he
> advises me to try tallking with (M). I take his advice and go. This is a
> tense conversation. I ask her bluntly "I am detecting some tension with you
> me and Na", to which she lies and pretends nothing is wrong, I say - "is
> this about Br, because I have heard some gossip about why he is
> leaving". She says nothing. I ask her if people know what happened in
> (my old city) she says no, nobody knows, which i know is a lie - I can tell
> (Na) knows from her reaction to me saying the word christmas and dr. I
> say look, I appreciate the transfer i do, you know the history - which she
> did because i told her at the training and her mother had also filled her in. "
> she said i know bits and pieces of it. I say "look i want to be able to be
> open with you if there is a problem. I would like to keep my job" . She says
> things are fine i go out and meet her brother who seems angry at me also,
> but this passes.
> (Na) comes to visit as well and we make plans to meet for the student dinner
> that night. I can tell they don't want me to come.
> They also tell me they are planning on heading down to (my old city name) for a festival during golden week, which (D) had invited the whole company - all
> the branches too. The say yeah, we are meeting up in (city name), so lets go
> together. I say ok. They then start talking about (Ne) and say to me "you
> remember Ne right?" . (his name was on the email) I simply say "yes". They
> then all start mucking around calling each other bitch.
>
> The next day at work I am supposed to teach a class until 8.30 and we meet
> for the taxi at 8.40.
> I am sitting at the computer next to the staff. The students havent shown up
> and all of a sudden at about 8pm (St) the office manager asks me to stay
> back. I decline, saying i have a student dinner to go to with Na and M. She
> says nothing except that it is fine.
>
> I walk to the taxi with (M) and she asks me if i had a better day today. I
> say yes and again repeat that i appreciate the transfer. She says she is to
> observe me in may sometime. My old boss (Ma) and she says "yes he is a good
> AMC" (boss) and then says something which is verbatim from the email about
> him being open and direct.
> (M) asks me how work was today as we check the mail and I say (good) to
> which she gets annoyed at.
>
> (Na) seems surprised to see me at the dinner but i sit down next to (yr) the
> student. I am feeling alittle uncomfortable becuase i am detecting a lot of
> anger at me from them both, especially since they are ignoring me and only
> to talking to either (Yr) or each other. I mention that the students
> cancelled, a slight look of guilt passes over Na's face.
> I order a wine, while the others order beer. It is the first time i have
> drunk since the transfer having given up for lent and also simply because i
> just didn't feel like drinking. I had met (Yr) at the hanami party where i
> was drinking coke and she says "you haven't drunk in a while". Na says
> angrily "for lent right" and I say "yes" and give her a look to mean no i
> haven't said anything. So it is obvious she knows about the Yonezawa story
> and I have not at this stage ever said anything to her myself.
> The night continues and i do a personality test where you need to draw a
> picture. Certain things represent your family and partner and choices in
> life. (Na) and the student enjoy it (m) seems to get upset by it. I give her
> a look to say- i dont mean it like that.
>
> Note : I use this test in a couple of classes and the students seem to enjoy
> it. One of the students is sleeping with (Ia) and she cancels two weeks
> later. I use the test with one of (M's) students as well and (Na's) they
> enjoy it. I haven't twigged this is a problem yet. The students walk out
> happy, one gave me her email address. I et birthday presents from a couple
> of them and also presents from my culture centre students after golden week.
>
> The day after the dinner we help move things from (Br's) apartment into the
> new arrivals place. There is also a truck coming later to move the fridge. I
> help with the move. That afternoon she has some friends coming down to
> visit. One of the is (Jo) the young woman i spoke to first about things up
> at the business training where i had the meeting with the head boss (s). (Na and M) dont seem to want me to meet her again.
> We have coffee in (m's) apartment and they seem a little angry at me. (Na)
> tells me she is going to be away for golden week, I had previously offered
> to look after her cat for her, but she says nothing about it, so i dont
> bother to offer again. I tell them my birthday is coming up - may 7 i say,
> to which they say nothing.
> I also know that (Ia) has a friend coming down who is a psychologist.
> (By) is away in Thailand and no one can tell me when he gets back.
>
> We finish moving and shifting a few things in the apartment. The girls seem
> to want to be alone all of a sudden (Na) starts singing the words "crazy,
> crazy......" to which (M) replies "(Na) stop it" they laugh a little. I get
> upset and go to my apartment. I tell them i have futons if the new girl
> needs them and to call me if they want them. They say nothing. As i head up
> to my apartment (m) looks at me and mimicks "cos i dont wanna be alone". I
> glare at her and get upset but head back to my apartment.
> I stay in my apartment the rest of the night. I know they don't want me
> around. Call it a hunch if you might but i think it was to stop me meeting
> (Jo) again, as she was the one who encouraged me to speak up about what was
> happening.
> (Br) has been giving me advice as well and we both decide that they are
> probably angry about going to the students restaurant - the politics - that
> student is sleeping with (Ia) and i know too much gossip that i could use.
> Considering what happened to him, it makes sense. He also says that "it's
> written all over your face that the politics are getting to you".
>
> Anyway, the next day is Saturday. I bring (Ia) his mail and tell him i
> helped move. The tension has been obvious and he says "thankyou", gives me a
> look and says "(Br) is the issue". I nod and say " I know". Later that night
> as i am leaving i wish him a good golden week and he tells me to take care.
> He can't tell me when (By) gets back from Thailand either.
>
> I go to (my old city) and my old boss is a little quiet towards me at first but
> detects there is a problem. We go for coffee and i tell him about what has
> happened - bring up the being ignored decorating and the fact that every
> thing i do seems to upset (M) and its not all intentional, I simply want to
> get on with things, but they are reacting to things i say. I tell him how
> frustrated i am. I say, I am not mouthing off, but people seem to know. I
> feel like every conversation i have is being used against me. I say i'm not
> drinking for lent". The other teachers seem be baiting me into it looking
> like I am its little things - if i forget something, then it means i am
> referring to one of the complaints here. If i cant find something in the
> bookshelf, then i am mouthing off about the fact it is right in front of my
> face and i could see it, no i never opened my mouth. I havent said anything
> to Na or Ba or By. I say By knows because he and Mr are friends. Ia and Na
> know because (S) told them and I know the staff were told because you told
> me. But i said, "I am on the wrong side of her and I am not sure why and she
> wont tell me when i try asking her which only makes her more annoyed".
> I also happen to add here that Kr rang me and told me she had been hearing
> things about me and wanted to hear my side of things. He says "thats my
> fault she'd had a bad weekend"
>
> I said, it's like i can't win. "you guys wanted me here on Tuesdays for
> classes in March".
> He said "you will need to make your own life and friends outside of work,
> you don't need the other teachers, your personal life shouldn't be an issue,
> who cares what S thinks"
> I said "it's a no win situation, I am not a ...city teacher anymore, but
> ....city doesn't want to know me".
> I also told him about (Br) and that perhaps the teachers were upset i knew
> some gossip - it wasn't anything they didn't know. I also added "people are
> reacting to everything i say, i don't know if it is guilty consciences". to
> which he nods and i continue "I'm not actually angry but if people think i
> am then perhaps they think i have good reason to be". I also add that "if i
> haven't been motivated thats because i haven't really felt like I have been
> given much reason to be. I visit the teachers and they ignore me, if i don't
> visit then I am not making the effort..i feel like i am being forced into
> this".
> to which he agrees and says "it's politics".
>
> We go for coffee again later and i say "it feels like i am not allowed to
> establish myself or make friends with anyone connected to (M) or the company
> ". He nods and again tells me not to worry, "you've walked into two
> unfortunate office situations". I give him a disbelieveing look. I say "I
> can't help the fact so many people know, but that also means there is a damn
> lot of evidence i was getting upset" he nods looking slightly guilty "i let
> you down, (j) was almost not renewed and if he thinks he is on an easy
> ticket he's wrong. He blew up at (Mh - japanese staff member) the other day
> for giving him another kids class and she wouldn't speak to him the whole
> day". To which i reply "then why doesn't he get introuble for this shit". I
> also add, " i didn't feel like i was wanted around during golden week, tell
> him i helped move and didnt get a thankyou...they don't even acknowledge my
> efforts". I add " I can't help the fact people know, I am not deliberately
> mouthing off". I continue to add " i feel like people are trying to bait me
> into it". he acknoledges it is simply me being present that is bad publicity.
> I also say, "if there was such a problem in the classroom down here, why
> didnt (S) or (Sc - the area manager) come and observe me?" At this stage it
> had only been (Y - the office manager and she is not a teacher and (ma)
> twice himself)." I add "no one high up busted a gut to get down here and
> watch me or tell me, I was the one asking for help with the toeic and
> business classes".
>
> I watch the festival and invite the teachers up for my birthday. I get back
> on the Wednesday and Spend the day in my apartment. I can hear the others
> meeting the new chick, who i haven't met yet. This is going to look like i
> can't be bothered making the effort I am thinking. The next day i introduce
> myself and she comes to visit that evening. We have dinner with (P) and (M)
> the boss comes looking for us.
>
> Afterwards I am having a cigarette on the balcony and (M) sees me we have a
> quick conversation and i say "I'm not smoking in my apartment as much
> anymore, it's starting to smell" she comes over and asks me how my holiday
> was and I say "good " I also add exasperatedly (d) invited everyone. She
> asls me what i did yesterday. I lie and say i went to Nikko, i don't feel
> like telling her anything.
> She points at the balcony and says. We talk about obon being the next
> holiday and she heads back to her apartment "we should get some chairs,
> we'll work something out" I simply glare at her. I have invited her, the new
> chick and (P) to my birthday party. She lies and tells me she didnt realise
> it was my birthday. I had told her twice before golden week and (Na) twice
> as well. I leave a note for (P) to visit me as i am upset.
>
> That Tuesday at work it is obvious they are trying to avoid me having alone
> time with the new teacher and none of the other teachers are spending long
> in the teachers desk area while I am alone. (Ia) takes the new girl to lunch
> that day which i notice is when we would have been alone in the staff room
> together when looking at the schedule.
>
> I invite the other teachers to my birthday and there seems to be an
> uncomfortable atmosphere in the air (By) says he is busy with (L). (Ia) says
> he will come, I also invite the staff (St and Mi and Mk). Two of them say
> they will come.
>
> It is during this week that i receieve the health insurance letter, but i
> did not open it at this stage.
> The night of my birthday I meet (e) at the train station and tell her how
> isolated I am feeling.
> She tells me - "make friends outside, but you don't seem to be able to do
> that".
> We head to the bar (Mk) arrives and we meet another group of people one of
> whom is also having a birthday party. I go and meet (k) and (kr) who are
> now an item. I take them to the bar. Everybody i invited from my old city is
> there and (M) the new girl and (P) are there, he has also invited some of
> his friends one or two (Ni and Jy) who i have met one night in april when he
> invited EVERYBODY including the other teachers of my company although noone
> came. (M) had a friend (Lu) coming to visit and i ran into her as i was
> going to get something to drink for (P's) waiting for him to arrive. All the
> teachers of my company call him to say they arent coming.
>
> Anyway I detect (m) is slightly angry at me she says "how is work?" I say
> "fine", she gives me a strange look and goes "yeah?". I have a conversation
> with (Ni) he is going back to America and I say I am enjoying myself and
> tell him my family are planning to visit in August. (M) gives an annoyed
> sigh at this. I go to have a friendly chat with (Kr) and she asks me if the
> other teachers are coming. I tell her that (Ia) said he would come, and that
> reminds me so I call him but get no answer.
>
> We sing Karaoke most of the night after some dart playing. I am sitting next
> to (M) most of the night and singing away and then move seats and I am
> sitting next to (d) who is busy making out with someone. I ask (Kr) to
> choose a song for me. Some of the others join in. We head off soon after.
> (M) glares at me as she walks out.
> (P) and his friends stay at the bar. We go to a third bar which (e) meets us
> at later after not being able to find my apartment.
> I am detecting that (m) is angry at me when i am around (k) - note he is one
> person who was a witness to most of the harrassment and could back up a fair
> bit of the situation. She pulls me up to dance and throws/pushes me at one
> of the bar men, he starts trying to dance quite closely at which she gives
> me a strange look to imply "what are you doing". I back away and go and sit
> down with (k) again.
>
> She also seems annoyed when i talk to (Kr) she asks them both to stay in her
> apartment that night and glares at me. We have left (e) behind as she wants
> to stay and talk to the bar owners. I feel terrible and we stop on the way
> back to call her. (M) keeps walking but seems angry. We get back to the
> apartment eventually and (m) is still up we also see (p) and a friend of
> his. (Kr) needs to go to the toilet so we walk past and head to my apartment
> and i catch another evil look from (m) as they head into my place. I say
> something quietly to (k) while (kr) is in the toilet because i feel like
> something is up "I feel like a scapegoat" I say, but you were there "you saw
> most of it" to which he goes "i know....dont worry everything is
> fine....there's no problem, you're birthday was a good night".
> We go for breakfast after getting dressed. (d) has met us by then and we are
> to bring (m) back some McDonalds i kind of laugh at her and giver her a look
> meaning "you're going to have to open the door". I see (d) off at the train
> station after telling her about things. I bring up the feelings of isolation
> (j) is allowed to get on with things why can't i....it's too hard to get
> away from when the whole bloody new office knows about it and it just
> seems to keep being brought up". She encourages me to quit - give two weeks
> notice and see how you feel".
>
> The environment at work is hostile, at least i feel like it is. I arrive and
> (Ia) doesn't even apologise for not coming to the birthday party. This is a
> tuesday and the area management is also down. I know something is up as
> none of the teachers are talking to me and the boss of my culture centre
> comes and asks if everything is ok. i ask to have a coffee with (m), she is
> hesitant at first but I give her a serious look as if to say "it's what you
> want" to which she nods.
>
> We sit down and have coffee and I say to her
> "at the risk of exacerbating things even further" to which she shakes her
> head, but i think she is lying. I continue " I am not sure exactly what is
> going on but I have actually had a word to (ma) about whats going on here
> and he admitted the yuki told the staff and that the teachers were told
> about my old city....I can't help the fact that people know... i have a
> reputation to live down i have to accept that". She replies "...you have
> noooooo reputation like THAT, let me tell you". I continue and say "I feel
> like people are reacting to everything i do, it's little things like asking
> the date..I know people here know". She lies to me and says "no, the
> teachers finding out would be unprofessional of me". She continues " i don't
> talk to Na about it" i know this is a lie from the whole "crazy" and "stop
> it Na" incident and the dinner with (Yr) that she does and i haven't been
> theone who did it.
> We talk about who knows an she says " I know, management knows, and the
> people in the meeting at (.....) know, (jo) knows because you told us
> that night remember?" I say "yes". I say I don't want everybody knowing and
> I don't want to talk about what happened anymore" and she says "tell me the
> whole story..i only now some...it was totally like harrassment right". I say
> "it's a separate issue and i want it dead as much as you do. I am not
> running around trying to get everyone to quit ot turn the whole world
> against (j)". "i know" she says and smiles.
> I also add "I'm not an evil person...you have been panicking around me since
> (ne) observed me" she denies this, but i can tell i am right. She couldn't
> make eye contact with me that day. I say the other teachers seem worried"and
> she says "that you might use things against them". and i also add "I am
> sorry if I have upset you somehow, its not been intentional, but some of it
> has been to bait or test to see if you are actually worried about the email,
> I have no intention of suing or anything of the sort...". she says "i know"
> and smiles. Her mother had been worried about this
> when i was in sendai for the kids training so i knew it was partly true,
> they were trying to keep me happy, but i probably wasn't getting renewed.
> But i still wanted to know what was going on.
> She cuts me off and changes the topic.
>
> Instinct tells me that from what happened to (Br) that my birthday party no
> show by the teachers wasn't a coincidence. I say to her "not everything i
> am doing is deliberate...but i think too many people know and the gossip is
> going around in circles". She tells me to relax and the conversation changes
> to more menial things. She tries to reassure me that nobody knows, which i
> know is a lie by the way they react simply to words like christmas or movie.
> I head back for class. (Ia) looks at me and gives me a disappointed 'hi'. I
> say nothing.
>
> The next day I call headquarters because i know (m) is lying to me, but i cant call her mother because its the bosses daughter i am having a problem with
> and i am tired of trying to get a straight answer out of her when i do ask
> her. I speak to (Ne - who's name is on the email) and tell him "look i don't
> know what you are hearing, but if you think i am running around threatening
> to quit again, it's not actually true I have never said anything of the
> sort. I feel like everything I am doing is being construed against me" to
> which he says there's no problem in the classroom" He also adds "perhaps
> the other teachers are set in there ways" I simply go "sure", and he adds
> "you're happy right?" I reply with a terse "yes".
>
> I get back that evening and things have changed. The atmosphere is a bit
> better the staff seem pleased for me. The teachers seem ok, but things are a
> little awkward.
>
> We have a teachers meeting the following day and the tension between (m) and
> myself is quite obvious and its is obvious people in the room know about our
> discussions. Especially when the words pro development day and the name (ne)
> comes up as he is moving back home in August. I had lost a student (Iz)
> which i contribute to the fact that i was privvy to the knowledge she was
> sleeping with (Ia) - this is because (Br) told me while we were at the
> restaurant.
> Later they are joking "when is "Br" going to leave the office" - perhaps
> hinting at the fact that because i knew the same information i was disliked
> just as much.
> I leave for my culture centre shortly afterwards.
>
> That weekend I have a new lesson to teach I arrive for the first time in a
> while at 10.20 am
> and (Ia) arrives after me. He seems surprised to see me there and i notice
> him look at my keys strangely.
> Later that day I have a lesson to teach which the student is supposed to
> pick me up for. (Ia) had said he would walk me down. I ask (mh) where to go
> to meet the car and she tells me she doesn't know. this to me now seems a
> lie - she works there every saturday, she must know. I ask (Ia) as he walks
> out of a classroom and he gives me a long speel mentioning an alley way he
> says it could be a mazda or it could be a station wagon. I go outside
> looking for the car and can't find it. I go back up twice and tell (Mh) that
> i can't find the car. (Ia) points his head out and says "he's right there
> and shows me the mazda" I apologise a few times feeling very frustrated at
> the tension that has been going on with all the teachers and he says "it's
> your problem with (mh), take it up with her.
> (mh) is on the phone to (st and management) I go back down the car has gone,
> so i come back up and (Ia) says "right in front of your face and you
> couldn't even see it, he's driven off". I am getting extremely upset by this
> I apologise and he says "don't get me involved in whats going on".
> I go downstairs looking again. I see the car driving off again and run after
> it and finally catch up to the car. My student from my last class had been
> there watching all of this commotion.
> Neither (Ia or Mh) actually told me to simply wait downstairs which is where
> the car always waits. They were being deliberately unhelpful. "i don't know"
> and "oh its.............".
>
> I come back from the lesson and (O - the manager of my culture centre) is
> there. I burst into tears and he and (mh) take me into another room. I have
> a lesson starting at 3. The student and her mother saw me crying just before
> i went to a separate room. I am crying a lot and (Ia) comes and talks to me.
> I have a go at him and say " i can't win, damned if i do and damned if i
> don't ", he says "can you teach a lesson? that's all that matters". and I
> say "the only way for you to prove I am not mouthing off would be to ask the
> students and people themselves...I'm sorry i went out with Br (because to me
> that seemed to be what this was about, i was getting the same treatment and
> isolation as him)". In response (Ia) replies "i don't know what you are
> talking about". I knew he was lying here because he had admitted it to me
> the saturday after the hanami party as i have noted.
> I continue that "if this is about (kr) she rang me, not the other way
> around". I had kind of twigged something was up here because the office
> manager gave me a funny look when i walked home alone with the new chick but
> again he denied knowledge. He went to teach his class I cried for a few more
> minutes went to teach and still burst into tears in front of the student but
> progressed through the lesson.
>
> That weekend (e) came down and I told her about the fight I had with (Ia)
> and crying in front of the students and she basically told me "you're
> leaving - write out the resignation tomorrow". I agreed. There was no point
> if i was crying in front of students. So i did this the following day.
>
> That Tuesday i went to work and asked the staff for a fax number to the head
> office. I had printed out two originals. I kept one and left the
> faxed copy on (Ms) desk. (Mh) came running in minutes later with my health
> insurance note saying it would take about two weeks. I gave the staff a look
> as if to say - don't tell me you weren't prepared for this already" and the
> staff manager nodded".
>
> Things basically got worse after that. I got no response or acknowledgement
> about the resignation whatsoever but i could tell they were pissed about it.
> They didn't like being made to look like fools and basically told me so.
> However i did not understand the problem when everyone had already been told
> i was leaving by (M). I was angry however because the words "I quit" had
> never actually come out of my mouth and they had nothing in writing until
> this day.
> Sortly after this i was accused of throwing out a teachers gas bill, which if i did do i have no recollection of - the mail box had no lock it could have been anybody.
> It was unfortunate that the new teachers welcome party was coming up as
> well. The teachers managed to get there own back orchestrated a little by
> (S) in order to cover up for the new teacher who had twigged something
> pretty awful was going on from the minute she arrived.
> I arrive back from my day at the culture centre and (Ia) and (By) and (M)
> walk in angry at me. I am unsure why as i have not been in the office all
> day. (Ia) says hello to (Ba) but not to me. I am reading a book
> (Ia) almost drops his books and i ask if he is ok to which he gives me an
> angry (you bitch) look.
>
> The next day i have a sneaking suspicion crosses my mind that they have made
> 2nd harrassment claim to cover things up. (By) walks in and aks me about his
> tatoo "was he gentle" to which i smile and make a connection
> to what happened in Yonezawa, i had complained "it's in the office as well".
> (Ia) arrives and is angry at me (By) looks at us both and gives me an angry
> look and I look at him 'whats going on?'.
> They start talking and i think well if i have done nothing wrong at i catch
> (Ia) out when i talk to him about australia and give him a questioning look.
> He isn't angry at me because he responds and then gets look of being found
> out and then he and (By) look at each other. I turn away later that night i
> get back in the office and they are talking to me normally but oviously
> feeling guilty about something and (By) even gives me an (I'm sorry) look.
> I can also tell by the fact the new chick seems angry at me and they will
> not talk to me in front of her or if (M) is around. You would have to be in
> the office to understand how i mean this.
>
> By is going to the city where headqurters is the night of the farewell party which i also connect
> to reversing the gossip chain of who i told in headquarters branch about what happened -
> (By) is friends with (mr) so it is likely he has told him.
> I walk into the office that evening and (Ia) is gloating when he looks at me
> and so is (M). (By) gives me an (I'm sorry) look.
> Again I am only suspicious because of indirect comments and peoples
> reactions and knowing the politics i know i have stirred up trouble by not
> dealing with (m) directly anymore.
> But (P) in my apartment building tells me i am right.
>
> At the welcome party i am sat next to three students who are supposed to
> have complained - yet they bought me birthday presents and signed up again
> and hug me at the end of the night. One of them is sleeping with (Ia). I am
> also sitting next to (Ia) and he and (Na) wink at each other as they sit
> down and then look at me. So i know something is going on. (Ia) moves seats
> just before the end of the night.
>
> We leave and go to (p's) birthday party afterwards. I leave the party about
> 1 i think. I hear the next morning (By) showed up shortly after i left.
> I ring the boss after the morning after the welcome party and she will not
> let me come to headquarters to meet her face to face.
> Things have simply gotten very nasty since the resignation and my instincts
> tell me they are making up a 2nd claim.
> (m) starts joking in front of the new chick about how (By) is funny when he
> drinks - he does "hey baby" to everyone. I mention "i have never seen him
> drunk, he's never done that to me" she gives me a smirk and the new chick
> looks at me strangely. Later at lunch (m) says i am the running joke, so i am pretty sure it is what they have done and by now feeling pretty disgusted that they would make a joke of the first office.
>
> Teachers find out i am seeing a counsellor which creates more panick - my
> medical certificate says the words emotionally overwraught. From here things
> get worse.
> They definitely think i am up to something and from the way they are taking
> copies of everything and the incidences with the health insurance i now
> think something strange has happened. They are defintley worried
>
> I go to my old city and tell them i think something is up. It has obviously
> reached back to my old city
> because (kr) my replacement has heard. She is friends with the boss (Ss) son
> and in contact with (m).
>
> Who is checking up on me to see if i am in my new city or not quite regularly.
> Even my old boss sounds relieved when i tell him i am in mynew city.
> Well if going to myold city was a problem then why did no one say anything.
> Hoever it is the implication i am receiving.
>
> My boss is down and seems to be hesitant to want to talk with me. But she
> sits down gives me a gloating look and says teasingly and i MEAN this "it's
> a completely different staff....". So i know the rehash/ running joke is
> true.
> I say the wrong thing about laying all the cards on the table - my intention
> was to get her to be honest because i know people havent been and i dont
> really understand what happened. She sees my anti depresents on the table
> and leaves after we exchange some harsh words. She tell me she moved me to
> give me a chance, which i dont believe and aks why i talked about it in my new office -
> i didn't and the only person who knows this for sure is me, the students and
> the other teachers themselves but they havent directly admitted it, but
> since my old boss has already told me, I am reminded of his words "you've
> walked into two unfortunate situations....." . I tell the boss that i think
> it is sick if she is making what happened in the first office a joke. "i
> tell her, if you honestly think being given a choice between punching and
> having your crutch grabbed is funny..." and she goes yeah it's hysterical.
> Shortly after this she leaves.
> At the very least it is bullying because i am being told by (M) to use
> different stairwells to avoid running into the new chick.
> (S) rings me while i am having breakfast about the new tenant. The landlords
> name comes up and as i mentioned before, she comes in speaking only japanese
> until the next day when she speaks english well enough to handle the water
> bill payment and wish me a nice flight at the least. (C) from shirakawa also
> comes up to check on things while the tenant is there, she was supposed to
> pick me up the day i arrived and didn't.
> Something doesnt add up - the wild goose chase for the car 'but it was right
> in front of you' - neither of them were going to help me, (Ia) not coming to
> my birthday party and the fact he was laughing at me when i started arriving
> at 10.30 again. I honestly feel like they are finding excuses to get me into
> trouble and since they have influence with the boss, they can say whatever
> they want. No one ever sat down and to tell me. If i was being fired for bad
> teaching they never sat down and told me this. Things were just nasty.
> The day I resigned (M) and (Na) took the new chick downstairs and told her
> everything about me and what happened in Yonezawa. I can only tell this from
> the fact that when the topic of movies (something happened with the boys at
> the movies remember) came up later that day in the office she gave me a
> sympathetic look and she actually texted (P) to check up on me.
> It's like the management is simply panicked about what i could say and
> trying to beat me to it instead of leaving it around. Little things like
> saying 'i forget' seemed to make people react with a gulity conscience.
>
> I have finally collected my last pay and am away from it, but it has been a
> difficult seven months. But I am suspicious about a lot of things. I am
> also angry that i wasnt at least given a chance to be moved away from the
> fact everyone knew about the harrassment at the very least. Every time i
> tried dealing with the bosses daughter she wasnt honest with me - i put this
> down to her name being on the email.
>
> I am sorry it is such a long account, but to me little things dont add up -
> being told i could only apply for 3 months of guitar lessons, not putting
> the water bill in my name. The fact the staff were busy doing something
> dodgy with the health insurance while i was off for being emotionally
> overwraught. It at the very least was simply a situation where i would not
> have been able to do anything right. My conversations with my old boss who
> even acknowledged when i rang to say goodbye "it would have been simpler if
> you'd gone back to australia......i gave you some bad advice last time you
> were down (which was golden week)".
>
> To me it feels a little planned - she wasn't harrassed, she was moved to two
> offices and she still didnt work out. Well its a little difficult when the
> other teachers have barely had a conversation with me and things have been
> this hostile. Not all of this seems a coincidence - getting in trouble for
> arriving 'late' when it is the same thing that happened to the office staff. I was told it was ok.
It is interesting how much more i am starting to remember about what happened now that i am talking about it with someone who can put a professional perspective on what happened. I even had diary entries while things were going on. People keep telling me i shouldn't have kept going out with the boys, the problem was i hadn't at the time remembered the extent of things they were saying. Some of what they were doing at the time i thought, its ok, they seem to stop when you tell them or, oh thats just them mucking around, but they WEREN'T. The other teachers in the office KNOW this and it was still allowed to keep going. The shit teaching was a separate issue, but it was little difficult when the boys were doing it in the office as well.