I have not been blogging for a while. That is because I am no longer certain whether Italy will be my first destination.plans. For a while now, the Slimy Little Frog have been PMSing on me and, on further consideration, I decided that I would not be able to deal with those type of mood swings for 8 months! NO WAY!!! Therefore, I am hard pressed to make other plans.
I have resumed my drivers lessons (as the last lesson was particularly traumatising for me), and have started seriously looking for another job. Although I am actually looking for a job in the country, I am throwing the net wider in the hopes of finding a teaching job abroad.
It is very hard to find a good job in South Africa. A job where you look after it and it looks after you. While it would be natural for the children of South Africa to stay and contribute to the success of the country, it is also essential that the chilren eat and build a life for themselves. In order to get this, we need to look elsewhere, to some other country that can appreciate the skills that we have to offer. Thus, the big brain drain!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
When Opportunity Knocks
I've been told that Opportunity only knocks once. As I sit here, typing this post, I'm thinking of all the opportunities that I'd let slip through my fingers ... and I hate myself for it! Thus, another resolution has been added to my plan of action: Take opportunities as they come.
I wasn't always this enlightened. This breakthrough only occured about 2-3 Sundays ago, as I was jumping from site to site, researching the market for EFL teachers overseas (but specifically at Thailand although, on the Enchanted Frog's request, I also considered Italy). The excitement of travelling often goes hand-in-hand with the threat of being conned out of your money - or worse (just watch the movie "Taken"). This threat was constantly highlighted in my research and naturally it scared the living crap out of me! So much so, that I actually considered giving up on my plan of action rather than braving the Devil I don't know.
The Enchanted Frog must have been a handy man in a previous life because he always has this very macho urge to fix anything and everything (trust me, he actually advised me on how to give myself a french manicure that won't chip the next day. The trick: Don't paint too close to the edge). This became apparent later when, after communicating my fears to him, he immediately emailed me a solution: "How about working at my hotel next year? You will earn 1000 Euros a month. Accomodation and meals are included. What do you say?"
The average person would have thought: "Schweet!" and accepted this offer in a herartbeat. Not me though. I just changed the subject and he - being a gentleman and sensing my discomfort - let go of the topic...temporarily.
This topic came up again two days later as I was venting about how unfulfilling me career was at that point:
Frog: Have you thought about my proposal?
[dumb-founded silence]
Witch: You asked me to marry you?
Frog: I'm talking about the job offer. Would you like to work here ... in Italy ... at my hotel ... close to me?
Once again, the average person would have jumped at the chance. I, however, hesitated (though, to my credit, just for a second) while I thought about the kak day I'd had and about how unhappy my job had been making me recently. "Yes, I would love to." I responded and I haven't looked back since.
Opportunity only knocks once. However, Opportunity seems to have made a (much appreciated) exception in my case ... it is almost as if she knew that I wasn't going to repeat the same stupid mistake and decided to give me another chance. I know without a doubt exactly how lucky I am and I know that this opportunity won't come around again. Best pounce on it while I can.
I wasn't always this enlightened. This breakthrough only occured about 2-3 Sundays ago, as I was jumping from site to site, researching the market for EFL teachers overseas (but specifically at Thailand although, on the Enchanted Frog's request, I also considered Italy). The excitement of travelling often goes hand-in-hand with the threat of being conned out of your money - or worse (just watch the movie "Taken"). This threat was constantly highlighted in my research and naturally it scared the living crap out of me! So much so, that I actually considered giving up on my plan of action rather than braving the Devil I don't know.
The Enchanted Frog must have been a handy man in a previous life because he always has this very macho urge to fix anything and everything (trust me, he actually advised me on how to give myself a french manicure that won't chip the next day. The trick: Don't paint too close to the edge). This became apparent later when, after communicating my fears to him, he immediately emailed me a solution: "How about working at my hotel next year? You will earn 1000 Euros a month. Accomodation and meals are included. What do you say?"
The average person would have thought: "Schweet!" and accepted this offer in a herartbeat. Not me though. I just changed the subject and he - being a gentleman and sensing my discomfort - let go of the topic...temporarily.
This topic came up again two days later as I was venting about how unfulfilling me career was at that point:
Frog: Have you thought about my proposal?
[dumb-founded silence]
Witch: You asked me to marry you?
Frog: I'm talking about the job offer. Would you like to work here ... in Italy ... at my hotel ... close to me?
Once again, the average person would have jumped at the chance. I, however, hesitated (though, to my credit, just for a second) while I thought about the kak day I'd had and about how unhappy my job had been making me recently. "Yes, I would love to." I responded and I haven't looked back since.
Opportunity only knocks once. However, Opportunity seems to have made a (much appreciated) exception in my case ... it is almost as if she knew that I wasn't going to repeat the same stupid mistake and decided to give me another chance. I know without a doubt exactly how lucky I am and I know that this opportunity won't come around again. Best pounce on it while I can.
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