I decided not to mention last night, that, as I was leaving work, I spoke to a Korean girl who described herself as "an English teacher." After my experience at the other GnB, where a new teacher pitched up out of the blue, and ended up confirming my status of part time/temporary worker/soon to be obsolete, this seemed a little ominous.
Late last night, I got an email from Jane, and I have to say it makes me a little sad:
I don't need to go to the institute today (Tuesday). The director didn't want to accept my point of view toward the education for children. I told him I wanted to work until he find the right person instead of me. At first he tried to persuade me to change my mind. But as I expected he ran out of his patience shortly. He shouted to me " Seek the comfortable place you want!!!"
She goes on to say:
My poor students...... Some of them had to experience changing their English teachers 6 times for half and a year.
The director yesterday didn't greet me all day, but bent right over me to make sure a plug was plugged in. His only words to me were at one point where I was checking my email, and he said, "Teaching time." Thanks buddy.
After what Jane writes I realise he must have been going through agony (I remember at one point he was practically gouging out his forehead while I was talking)when we had our conversation and I made a few suggestions for his school (about applying some basic rules). I remember he said he would speak to the students, he's made a couple of statements like that, none of which have turned into anything.
On a more positive note, Jane had these wise and kind words to say as well:
I hope I can take advantage of this experience to mature myself.
Nick! I anticipate your lovely books fulled with love for the world. We really really need that kind of books... ... for us and... ... for the ages to come.
She was referring to the children's stories I'm working on and has also put me in contact with a local illustrator. Must remember to follow up on our latest correspondence.
More news is that Corneli is going to Thailand during her holiday. That should be an interesting break for her. Will be pretty damn hot there now though, I would imagine. I'm wondering whether to let her use my camera to capture the beautiful tropical paradise scenery.
I might make a short 1 or 2 day trip to Busan or Gyeongju on the highspeed KTX, but something tells me that travelling in Korea while the Koreans are on holiday is just a bad idea, and the heat is also insufferable. I'll actually be happy to just build up my fitness, do very long cycles towards Han Tan Gang and Cheolwon and get into the pool some more.
I said to Corneli that I did, after all, take a 3 month break, earlier this year, so I think it is a bit extravagant to want to take another holiday. Obviously I'd like to. I'd also love to go back to the Philippines. My holiday there was one of my favorite experiences during my 3 years here.
Am considering making a detour during my trip back to South Africa, which may go via Thailand or Singapore or both, so am looking forward to that. It will depend on my own fiscal discipline.
Last snippet of news: 189 riders started this years Tour. There are 160 survivors, and only 5 teams that are intact (with all 9 riders) out of 14 or more teams.
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