Losing my job, no more pens for a while

[ndw76]

So the director of the school where I work did a fantastic job of stuffing up the budget. Hired too many cleaners, cooks, and gardeners. He also lumped all of the different budgets into one big mess of a budget, so now the school is losing money. A slightly intelligent director would get rid of some of the gardeners and cleaners, who don't really do any work anyway. But a semi intelligent director wouldn't have made this mess in the first place.

So how to solve the problem? He asked the Thai teachers, the ones who don't actually do any teaching but get paid to teach, who they should fire. Of course they pointed the finger at all of us foreign teachers. Apparently we earn far too much money. So this brilliant director has come up with another brilliant idea. Fire all of the foreign teachers, rubbish the foreign language department; knowing the Thai teachers who work in this department I am not surprised that these same teachers think this is a great idea; and any foreign teacher who wants to stay has to take a thirty percent pay cut.

So it is highly likely that I am going to be fired in the next month. I'm already looking for my next job.

What does this have to do with pens?

The bad news is that in the near future I will not be able to buy any new pens or ink. There is a parcel on its way to me in the mail that will be my last ink purchase for a while.

The good news is that there is an under supply of foreign teachers in Thailand at the moment. The Asian Economic Community agreement is supposed to start this year in ASEAN countries and the language of the region is English. But because of the coup, protests, riots, murders, corruption, violence, and a general attitude that it is OK to steal from foreigners, there are an over supply of jobs. I am very confident that my next job will come with a much higher income than the job I am about to lose.

What does this have to do with pens?

I am looking forward to buying far more pens once my bank account gets over the shock of me being fired.

Wish me luck.

[manoeuver]

ugh. sounds like they're doing you a favor.

[mhosea]

I got laid off almost 11 years ago. It was very disruptive and stressful, but looking back on it, it was the best thing for me. I wish you good luck, but from the sound of it, you plan to make your own luck. That's the way to do it.

[ndw76]

The most disruptive part of all this is that I normally get a week off at the end of Ramadan, being that I work in an Islamic school. At the end of Ramadan this year my parents were going to come here for a holiday to catch up with me. But now I won't have this time off and it's going to mess with their holiday.

[Neo]

Best of luck, enjoy your folks' visit. Ultimately, it seems the children also get the raw end of the deal from this.

[ainterne]

Sorry to hear your news, I hope everything falls into place for you as quickly as possible.. The very best of luck.....Phil.

[Bart Willems]

One door closes... another opens. I'm sure you've heard it before. Most of my laid-off colleagues seem to have ended up with better jobs and more pay and seem much happier, so I wish the same will apply to you!

[Lady Onogaro]

Thailand sounds a lot like Louisiana. You have my sympathies.

[akapulko2020]

Wishing you the best of luck

[Potter]

Hi Nathan, sorry to hear of your problems, I'm sure you'll soon find a new position, lets just hope it continues to allow you the time to write those lovely letters... Chris

[writingrav]

So sorry to hear this news Nathan. I hope you find something better quickly and that you still have enough ink to keep sending letters. We cold go back to cross writing if you want to save paper.

[TerraNoir]

That really sounds like you got the rub! So sorry to hear this. I hope you find something quickly. Best of luck!

[caribbean_skye]

Well that sounds rather crappy. Guess the Thai teachers will have to work after all. Sorry to hear this, but I am sure you will find another job soon, keep thinking positive thoughts. It will give you time to fall back in love with some of your pens and ink. Sending positive vibes your way.

[Runnin_Ute]

Sorry to hear this news Nathan. By the way, I am working on a response to your most recent letter and hope to have it completed in a day or so. Hope things work out in your favor and without to much delay.

[Cob]

Yes I'll join in and wish you all the best for the future; I had a similar experience ten years ago - and what the hell? I'm still here (and still owed quite a lot of money I shall never see!).

All the best,

Cob

[View from the Loft]

Sorry to hear this OP. However, you seem determined to make the situation work in your favour, and with that sort of commitment, it usually does.

Sadly, I was also informed of a re-organisation by my employer last week, and it's not looking too good for me. I may well have to dust off my trusty PCV licence and drive buses or coaches for a living once more until something else comes up.

On the bright side, I have enough pens and inks that I need not fear running out of or becoming bored with any for many years to come.

[Bogon07]

Nathan, sorry to hear you job front news. I hope you find an even better position in the near future.
All the best.

[AKnight]

Wishing you the best in finding something more to your liking and that you can find it before, and if, they want to let you go.

[ndw76]

Well for a while it was looking like my job was safe. But it turns out that my head had been on the chopping block for a while. The boss didn't have the decency to tell me my contact wouldn't be renewed but put it on Facebook instead. I only found out after a friend of a friend saw the post. So for the past two days I have been pounding the pavement looking for a new teaching job.
So for the time being our finances are seriously constrained. It also means that for the time being my letters will be typed on my typewriter so that the postage costs a little less.

Wish me luck.

[Lady Onogaro]

I'm sorry to hear this, Nathan. My best wishes are with you. I hope you find something soon.