Well my flight home was a journey in itself. It took me just under 24 hours to get back to Boston. Missed my connection in Philadelphia so had to stay there overnight.
But I am back now and ready to face the week. Lots to do, but it all has to get done so I just have to suck it up.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Lots to do...
When I return home, I have a lot to do. Although I have three months, I have a lot to get in order. I need to finish moving out of my current apartment. This should make it easier to move my clothes now though. At least I know I can really pack up my winter clothes and separate out all my "Cancun clothes" and keep those available. I also really do need to brush up on my skills for the classes I will be teaching, especially doing labs! Haven't done those in about 10 years! Plus just all the regular stuff I do... work, tutoring, dance, my Mary Kay business, and working out. (I will need to be serious about losing weight if I am going to be in a warm weather climate for a year.) And I can't wait to plan a going away party. I am thinking a Mexican Fiesta theme!
Interview #3
I found the address of the school online figuring the taxi drivers would know how to get there. Boy, was I wrong. We went all over the city looking for this place and I ended up being a half hour late. What should have been a 20 minute cab ride took an hour and a half!
I arrived at the International American School not knowing what to expect. I was greeted by a security guard who gave me a visitor pass. She led me to the office where I met the general director of the school. We chatted for a little while. She was very nice, asked me about discipline issues at my current job and what I had experience teaching, etc. She did inform me that the position she was hiring for was for a math/science position. I thought that sounded cool... until she told me I would be teaching calculus, physics, and chemistry! Then she walked around the school with me for a few minutes on our way to meet the vice principal. He was also very nice. Same line of questioning. They told me to walk around and check out the campus a little more while they conferenced. I really didn't know what to expect. The yard was nice. A soccer field on one side, a volleyball court on the other, and a "cafeteria" which consisted of a booth with some plastic patio furniture. But the floors of the school were all white marble - beautiful! Classrooms are air conditioned and most teachers are American (as are the students). I was called back in quickly and OFFERED THE JOB!
She gave me the contract to look over and asked me to fax it back signed when I could. I am super excited. I guess the hour and a half, $60 cab ride was worth it. And I guess I need to brush up on my calc, chem, and physics! I start in August!
I arrived at the International American School not knowing what to expect. I was greeted by a security guard who gave me a visitor pass. She led me to the office where I met the general director of the school. We chatted for a little while. She was very nice, asked me about discipline issues at my current job and what I had experience teaching, etc. She did inform me that the position she was hiring for was for a math/science position. I thought that sounded cool... until she told me I would be teaching calculus, physics, and chemistry! Then she walked around the school with me for a few minutes on our way to meet the vice principal. He was also very nice. Same line of questioning. They told me to walk around and check out the campus a little more while they conferenced. I really didn't know what to expect. The yard was nice. A soccer field on one side, a volleyball court on the other, and a "cafeteria" which consisted of a booth with some plastic patio furniture. But the floors of the school were all white marble - beautiful! Classrooms are air conditioned and most teachers are American (as are the students). I was called back in quickly and OFFERED THE JOB!
She gave me the contract to look over and asked me to fax it back signed when I could. I am super excited. I guess the hour and a half, $60 cab ride was worth it. And I guess I need to brush up on my calc, chem, and physics! I start in August!
Interview #2
Well interview #2 was on Tuesday at an English Language School. I won't mention any names, but it is a famous German based school. I am sure you can put it together. The interviewer was quite an interesting fellow. He agreed to interview my roommate on the spot simultaneously, which is fine, a little awkward, but fine. So he asked us some standard questions from an interview form, but when there were silences in the conversation it was very awkward. I think it might have been because he was incessantly staring at my roommate. I mean, even when I was trying to fill the dead air with some sort of witty comment, he was staring at her. So weird. The interview clearly should have been over so many times but he continued chatting about how he has 20 cats and 10 dogs and when it rains all the cats come in and sleep with him on his bed. TMI. Luckily, the job only pays a very small amount and I would have to wear a uniform making me completely uninterested. I could never work with this man. I will now refer to him as Hitler for the rest of my life. He did say though that we could just contact him and let him know when we would be there to start training. Maybe my roommate will consider it if she has no other options. But I will not.
After the interview we went to check out the surrounding area including the Wal-Mart, which did have all the regular things I would want from a Wal-Mart. All my favorite brands and low prices. We did go to meet the woman I met online to talk about life in Cancun as an American, but she didn't show up. Maybe she was just on Cancun time. But we had walked so much we decided to head back to the hotel.
After the interview we went to check out the surrounding area including the Wal-Mart, which did have all the regular things I would want from a Wal-Mart. All my favorite brands and low prices. We did go to meet the woman I met online to talk about life in Cancun as an American, but she didn't show up. Maybe she was just on Cancun time. But we had walked so much we decided to head back to the hotel.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Interview # 1
Well it was really more like a meeting than an interview. I decided to take a taxi to the hotel where I was meeting the man so I could sleep a little longer and avoid any bus delays. It is gated and the security guy asks why I am there. I say, "To have breakfast with this guy... Jim." "Oh," he says, "con Jim." He lets us in and I head to the lobby and another man greets me and says, "Amanda? Jim is right here waiting." Good thing I was early.
So we started chatting about living in Cancun and I asked him about his travel company that he said he owned. Little did I know that he not only owns this travel company but the very hotel we were eating breakfast in! I had no idea I was having breakfast with such a bigwig! He basically said that because I have a lot more education than most people living here that it would be no problem finding a job for me. He just said to continue to check things out this week and send him an e-mail letting him know what I decide. He knows, of course, that I have more interviews, too.
Now the jobs he would be able to set me up with would not necessarily be my dream jobs, but while I was talking with him about why I wanted to come down here, I think I re-talked myself into coming here no matter what. Even if it is just for a year... my job at home is secure, my belongings are in a home waiting for me, no husband, children, or mortgage to worry about. The whole "if you have a scratch, you should itch it" mentality keeps popping up in my head.
I will continue to investigate though. Tomorrow I will venture into downtown for interview #2 and a coffee meeting with some expatriates.
And by the way, the weather couldn't be more beautiful. I think today it had to be 90!
So we started chatting about living in Cancun and I asked him about his travel company that he said he owned. Little did I know that he not only owns this travel company but the very hotel we were eating breakfast in! I had no idea I was having breakfast with such a bigwig! He basically said that because I have a lot more education than most people living here that it would be no problem finding a job for me. He just said to continue to check things out this week and send him an e-mail letting him know what I decide. He knows, of course, that I have more interviews, too.
Now the jobs he would be able to set me up with would not necessarily be my dream jobs, but while I was talking with him about why I wanted to come down here, I think I re-talked myself into coming here no matter what. Even if it is just for a year... my job at home is secure, my belongings are in a home waiting for me, no husband, children, or mortgage to worry about. The whole "if you have a scratch, you should itch it" mentality keeps popping up in my head.
I will continue to investigate though. Tomorrow I will venture into downtown for interview #2 and a coffee meeting with some expatriates.
And by the way, the weather couldn't be more beautiful. I think today it had to be 90!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
I am finally here...
I am in Cancun right now. Looking forward to the awesome week I have planned. I have met my new "roommate" and she is really sweet. We are going to meet some of her friends right now and we have so many excursions planned for the rest of the week!
The weather is, of course, incredible. And the people are so awesome!
I just want to see what these schools look like and what these people are like so I can make a good decision.
Mom cried on the phone this morning when I called to tell her I arrived safely. She blurted out again last night that she thinks I am never going to come home again after I move here. Maybe she is right... but maybe I won't move at all.
More to come this week. Stay tuned...
The weather is, of course, incredible. And the people are so awesome!
I just want to see what these schools look like and what these people are like so I can make a good decision.
Mom cried on the phone this morning when I called to tell her I arrived safely. She blurted out again last night that she thinks I am never going to come home again after I move here. Maybe she is right... but maybe I won't move at all.
More to come this week. Stay tuned...
Saturday, April 5, 2008
It's been a long time...
...since I have posted on here. I guess there isn't too much to update.
The latest is that I am super excited about my upcoming trip to Cancun for so many reasons. I get to meet my new friend who could potentially be my new roommate. I have three job interviews and an appointment to see a condo. I want to check out the Wal-Mart there and see if they carry all the regular goods I am used to having here. Plus I need to get away.
One of my interviews looks so promising but I don't want to get my hopes up. The assistant principal of the school called me, and he sounded really nice, and I can't wait to talk to him/meet him. I really think that school is the right place for me. But I definitely need to see it in person to tell for sure.
I did start to realize this week though, as I pack to move out of my apartment, that I wont be able to take all of my clothes and shoes with me to Cancun. This is a problem for me. They are like my security. I am going to have trouble choosing what to bring and what to leave here. I suppose if that is my biggest problem, I have it made. :)
The latest is that I am super excited about my upcoming trip to Cancun for so many reasons. I get to meet my new friend who could potentially be my new roommate. I have three job interviews and an appointment to see a condo. I want to check out the Wal-Mart there and see if they carry all the regular goods I am used to having here. Plus I need to get away.
One of my interviews looks so promising but I don't want to get my hopes up. The assistant principal of the school called me, and he sounded really nice, and I can't wait to talk to him/meet him. I really think that school is the right place for me. But I definitely need to see it in person to tell for sure.
I did start to realize this week though, as I pack to move out of my apartment, that I wont be able to take all of my clothes and shoes with me to Cancun. This is a problem for me. They are like my security. I am going to have trouble choosing what to bring and what to leave here. I suppose if that is my biggest problem, I have it made. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
