OK, so that was a big weekend. I had planned to tell Liena, my boss, on Friday that I was leaving, but she wasn't in. So, Saturday morning, having woken up with an aching jaw from stress related teeth clenching, I decided to head in early and tell her. Well, it went surprising better than expected. Wish I hadn't almost cried- I suck at confrontation. But Liena was pretty good about it- I think she is aware of just how far she was pushing me, maybe she'd expected this?- and even said I can come back to teach for her at a later stage if I'd like. So I guess my chance of getting another job at an EF school is not screwed after all. In fact, Liena says she'd like it if I came back with a friend or Nick- that way she has two teachers at once, and knows they are not lonely. Opportunity #1, return to ESL teaching, and franchising out my friends :)
I have fit in lots of "quick, see it before you go" type activities this weekend. Visited Joko's house and family (this is my high school kid friend), went to the local museum here (which is SO behind the times it is not funny. They have paintings of the solar system, hardly accurate, which nonetheless absolutely wowed Joko), and caught up with several people. I also was a 'mascot'. Ricky's (fiancee of ex-teacher here) friends have a cafe, and during Ramadhan they hold a street stall outside the cafe selling special foods for breaking the fast. The idea was that maybe having a bule would attract more customers. So that's what I did Saturday and Sunday nights. One of my students mentioned in class that he'd seen me, so clearly I DID attract some attention. Opportunity #2, restaurant mascot :P
The funniest thing was when, on Saturday night, Ricky jumped on his bike to take me home. Or at least that was the plan, but the bike thought otherwise. Out of gas. But that's ok, says Ricky, I'll take my friend's bike. Would you believe that it was out of gas too???? He had to get a friend to drive him in his car to the gas station, come back and refill the bike... I was laughing so much.
The third opportunity was presented to me last night, and is by far the most interesting and most likely to appeal to me. Gita, one of my students, studies at the local university's English Faculty. Her teacher is currently employed purely on the basis of being a native speaker, which concerns Gita, as next year they will study drama and poetry. She worries her teacher's lack of teaching experience will be detrimental to the class. And so she mentioned me to her Faculty Head. So the question is, do I want to return to Padang next July and teach in a university? I have always thought I might like to move into University teaching eventually, and having experience would certainly be a drawcard. Plus it might help in getting scholarships to other universities. And at the very least, it would make me look so darn awesome when applying for mere high school teaching jobs!
On the upside, I think the salary would be better than here (the last teacher brought his wife out, so it is generous enough to cover two; this means Nick could come with me, perhaps?), and I believe it includes accomodation, again likely to be better than here. It's also an opportunity to continue advancing my Indonesian skills. But on the downside, it would mean a year away again, and all the things about Padang that had been bothering me- the rudeness, the god damn toilets, etc... What should I do? Help me! I think I will say I am interested enough to find out more, but not enough to commit yet. What do you think?
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Based on this blog entry, go for #3 definitely. See if you can get some friends to take #1. But #3 sounds awesome, you'll be prepared for Padang (it won't be such a shock like it was at the beginning), it sounds like you'll get more support at the University and it's only for a year. It would definitely help with scholarships which is what you want eventually. And if it's no good, you can leave early like you're doing now - who knows what might be around the corner? So I vote for #3. Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that Padang isn't that bad after all? A few days before you come home. Missing it already? You big softy! Nick could have job #2?
ReplyDeleteSee yo soon Super Uni Teachy
X X X
Jor-El
" But on the downside, it would mean a year away again..."
ReplyDeleteagain??? when were you away for a year? ok, you being away for 2 months feels like a year for us left behind in melbourne, but still...
seriously though, option #3 sounds like its perfect for you, and it will get you into the university scene - good for the resume.
see you soon (when exactly are you back?)
I am only being a mascot if I get to wear a big fluffy suit and do backflips.
ReplyDelete(I don't know how to backflip, BTW, I assume that is an ability conveyed to mascots by the power intrinsic in their suits, like with some superheroes.)
Babe, you don't want to teach at EF Padang again, although you do want to keep cordial relations with Liena et al. You should keep the opportunity at the university open - you won't know until you get back to Australia if you want to go to Sumatra again, but that might be something you would really want to do.
I didn't mean I would be repeating a year away; I meant (but didn't express well- only short time between classes in which to post) that the prospect of a year here was really difficult, and I'm not sure if I could make it the whole way. Not by myself, anyway (wanna come to Padang, babe?)
ReplyDeleteOf course there are other opportunities altogether. I was offered a job in Thailand, beginning late October. I can work in Aus (either temping or teaching). Or I can just head somewhere new.
Oh, and I'm back in Melbourne Monday morning. About 5am.
Also- while Padang is seeming a lot better now, that may well be because I am leaving. nothing like impending departure to cast a rosy glow over a place! I still can't imagine a whole year alone here- I'd go mad!
ReplyDeleteYou have 3 days to actually check it out this time. Is this an actual job offer? Go and talk to the Faculty Head, look at the house, find out the precise package-before you come back.
ReplyDeleteTemping in Melbourne???!!!! You're right about the experience being a plus if you want to apply for postgrad scholarships or academic positions elsewhere.
What do you know about the Thai job? It's still a 3rd world country and the toilets won't be any better.
Cheers from your personal careers counsellor.
Go home, save money, come to Europe, then see how you go with #3 unless you get offered a University teaching position somewhere else. You never know...
ReplyDeleteKeep all your options open at this stage. These sorts of decisions are always very hard to make.
ReplyDeleteRemember what Al Gore always says: 'if your name is naomie and you get an oppurtunity to teach at an indonesion university then you should definitely do it' do it. do it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, remember what the Olsen Twins always say: 'The implications of the quantum mechanical uncertainty principle reach beyond the post structural milieu of the metal oxide semi-conducting field effect transistor.' hmmmm. poignant.
Marty, I just laughed so hard I spat rice everywhere.
ReplyDeleteMichelle: I wasn't planning to take the Thai job anyway, it's more a reminder that I can go elsewhere. I don't know if this is a genuine offer, but I'm hopefully meeting the Faculty Head tomorrow or the next day. I plan to do as you say- find out the details, but not commit yet.
Various advisors and counsellors (I feel like a politician): thank you. I have come to similar decisions anyway (come home, save money, find out details about the job, not discount it just cos I've had a bit of a crappy time here). And maybe I could have come to these conclusions on my own, but it's nicer to have input from my friends and family. So taa!
Keep your options open and have a good chat with Nick about whether his mascot suit involves fluffiness.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness though it is somewhat easier with a partner but that still has its challenges. You get the joys of experiencing living in a different country together. Uni teaching sounds like an awesome opportunity. Still, head home and see how you feel about things. Rememeber you can always go back to Oz if things don't work out. :)
Personally I think travelling while you're single is best - though not something I can advocate to so many friends in relationships. Meh to being in a couple!
ReplyDeleteCOME HOME TO ME ~ we can both not have jobs & sit and watch OC marathons all day long & eat chocolate & get fat!!!!
ReplyDeleteSee u soon my pretty... xOx
Lisa, that is because you meet young French dudes who whisper sweet croissanty nothings in your ear and buy you stuff! I enjoy travelling but it would be more fun with someone else. I mean there are so many great bars and music venues over here, but going alone into a bar is a similar experience anywhere (ie usually a sad one.)
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Oscar, I'm coming home. And while I will certainly leave Australia again, most likely early next year, it won't be for a poat as English Professor Extraordinaire. More in full posting to follow...
ReplyDeleteI get free croissants every now and then at my local patisserie :):):) And I've been to quite a lot of music venues/bars here both by myself and with other people. Doesn't bother me!
ReplyDelete