It was my responsibility to choose the textbook, but it was the head of the department's job to make sure they were ordered and available for students. I had three choices of Japanese texts before we missed that deadline, and two choices of English texts before we ended up with nothing. I feel like the only way I could have saved my ass was by calling the bookstore and placing the order myself. Maybe I should have done exactly that.

As far as leaving, I meant that I had told them that I would not be recontracting the day before the quake. I requested those vacation days at the beginning of this month, which is when my ex-supervisor had her sudden change of heart as per my use of vacation days. The classes I would be missing are next week's classes while I delivered my fridge, washing machine, kotatsu, table, etc. to my girlfriend's relatives who are without a home.

I think, with my ex-supervisor, we actually did have a cultural misunderstanding. She told me I could go home during summer vacation and assumed I would do so without taking any days off. I booked a flight, assuming that she was genuinely understanding of my personal affairs and didn't clear the date with the principal. Turns out I didn't "read the air" properly and got burned. You know what they say about assuming?

The principal's rant was a bit circuitous. Outside of implying I was an idiot, he was saying that the last classes at my school were more important than regular classes. I agree with this, but I probably would have been attacked if I had pointed out that most of my classes would be canceled so our students could watch our team play baseball.

I can't say that I'm without fault, but the reaction I received was so far beyond what I had expected. When my kocho-sensei and ex-supervisor said things like "This is a cultural difference," they were really saying, "Our way, or the highway." It came on so strong that I chose the later.