Countdown to departure: 6 days
Countdown to culture shock: 191 days
I'm thinking about when I return to university, even though that's far off. If my time in China goes as planned — "as planned" meaning simply that I am functionally bilingual when I return (though it would be nice to have saved up some money too) — I'm thinking I might push for my school to authorize me to change my Linguistics major to become their first Sinology major. By that point I will surely have the tools I need to get on the ins with the Asian Studies department, and will have proven my devotion to the field at least enough to validate my petition. It may ultimately be more practical for me to be a Linguistics major with a Chinese minor or some such permutation, but it would be nice if my degree were to be in the one field I can actually envision myself devoting my life to at this point in time.
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Reboot
Countdown to departure: 13 days
Countdown to culture shock: 198 days
Guess what? Things changed again!
Oy vey...
I'm sorry to be so sparse on details, but after a 2 1/2 hour meeting with my wonderful friends (Tong, Tom, & co.) tonight (including a conference call with my would-be boss), I have decided on a new course of action. Although this boss seems like a nice guy, the consensus among my posse is that certain methods of his may imperil me, or at least force me to be looking over my shoulder while I'm in China. He has refused to budge in what he's doing, but I have to be self-respecting and decide that this is unacceptable. I have decided to draw a line in the sand.
I am not certain what I will do if he accepts my ultimatum, since it is really just an attempt to turn down the job without losing face. My new plan, which really offers me a lot more freedom, is to bypass the backroads and go straight to Beijing; as was originally discussed, I can stay at my Tong & Tom's house there. Somehow they didn't realize that private tutelage is a desirable form of employment to me; now that they know it's my bag, they are eager to hire me out to their friends in Beijing. This is pretty darned ideal. I'm stoked.
I also have an incredible amount of stuff to get done in the next 12 days. Tong says now I "don't have to worry". Pfft.
Countdown to culture shock: 198 days
Guess what? Things changed again!
Oy vey...
I'm sorry to be so sparse on details, but after a 2 1/2 hour meeting with my wonderful friends (Tong, Tom, & co.) tonight (including a conference call with my would-be boss), I have decided on a new course of action. Although this boss seems like a nice guy, the consensus among my posse is that certain methods of his may imperil me, or at least force me to be looking over my shoulder while I'm in China. He has refused to budge in what he's doing, but I have to be self-respecting and decide that this is unacceptable. I have decided to draw a line in the sand.
I am not certain what I will do if he accepts my ultimatum, since it is really just an attempt to turn down the job without losing face. My new plan, which really offers me a lot more freedom, is to bypass the backroads and go straight to Beijing; as was originally discussed, I can stay at my Tong & Tom's house there. Somehow they didn't realize that private tutelage is a desirable form of employment to me; now that they know it's my bag, they are eager to hire me out to their friends in Beijing. This is pretty darned ideal. I'm stoked.
I also have an incredible amount of stuff to get done in the next 12 days. Tong says now I "don't have to worry". Pfft.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)