3 January 2018

Manila

This weekend I could have been flying to Manila in The Philippines to do a six month teaching job. Apparently, the school was let down just before Christmas when a teacher pulled out of an agreement to  fill a temporary post caused by a maternity leave.

I would have had my flights paid for, a nice apartment and a healthy monthly salary. I would have got to explore The Philippines and I know I could have done the job itself with my hands tied behind my back.

The kind job offer came my way out of the blue. I didn't apply for it. The source was a nice fellow called Simon who taught at the same school I worked at in Bangkok in 2011 and 2013. I was flattered that he had thought of me when this mini staffing crisis arose.

However, after mulling it over for a few days I decided not to take up the offer. There were several personal reasons for not pursuing it.

Firstly, I shall be 65 in the autumn of this year. Secondly, I still need to get the basal cell carcinoma biopsy results. Thirdly, Frances and her boyfriend will hopefully be moving into their own flat in London next month. Fourthly, Ian's Bosh! Cookbook should be launched in April. Fifthly, I have already done the post-retirement overseas teaching experience and it was a great end to my long career. Sixthly. I wouldn't want to be away from Shirley for so long even though she could have joined me for two weeks at Easter. Seventhly, I have mostly got the tedium of teaching out of my head - all those rules and the play-acting rituals of classrooms, the flawed written work you have to plough through and so on.Tedious.

Consequently, I am not going but a little part of me regrets it. I have never been to The Philippines and now it is now pretty certain that I will never be there.

26 comments:

  1. Well, I guess you have your reasons. Sometimes the very fact you were offered the positon is enough

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    1. Yes. That did give me a boost Kylie.

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  2. Well, if it's any consolation, I doubt Manila looks like that photo on the bottom!

    I can see why you'd decline the post. It's just not the right time. And timing is everything when it comes to a new job.

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    1. That would have been the view from my classroom window Steve. And you are right - it was not the right time.

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  3. You have educated me with this post. I have never heard of sixthly and seventhly before, so you see you are still working without knowing it, lol
    Briony
    x

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    1. Now make sure you do your homework young lady! Failure to do so may result in a spanking!

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  4. Well, for what it's worth - I for one am glad you didn't go...and feel you've made the right decision.

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    1. Thanks for your thoughtful support Lee.

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  5. You have always taken the road less traveled by, and it has made all the difference. Certainly your reasons for not going this time are logical, reasonable, and well-thought-out, but the regrets are understandable.

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    1. Sorry I won't be taking you vicariously to The Philippines Bob.

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  6. How nice to think you were offered the job! Your reasons to not accept are sound, but I would feel a twinge of regret, too.

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    1. For me - there will never be another opportunity like this but as Steve suggested - it just wasn't the right time.

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  7. Not a single valid reason for not going Mr Pudding, just a list of excuses.

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  8. Sometimes reality takes over. You're a very reasoned person.

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    1. Reason usually leads the way but just sometimes foolishness is better.

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  9. Ooh, I don't like those kinds of decisions. The "and yet ..." part is what gets me every time.

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    1. The funny thing is that I never looked for this possibility. It jut came along.

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  10. I am sure Shirley and your children are glad you're not going. The bit of you that regrets not going; I guess it is only natural. A few times in my life I have decided not to do things I was offered, and felt a little regret, too. But on the long run, I made the right decision, and am sure you did, too.

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    1. Thanks for your consideration and kind support Meike.

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  11. Your last o/s teaching was such a success perhaps it is best that you end your teaching experience on a high? Lots happening on the family front.

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    1. If the offer had come a year ago I would have probably gone for it but this year it didn't feel right.

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  12. Wow, I'm impressed that as an almost-65-year-old professional, you are still getting recruited for great jobs. You're an inspiration, not just to someone almost you rage (me) but also to your children! This is a feel-good story, even if you had excellent reasons for turning it down.

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    1. Thank you for this upbeat comment Vivian. Much appreciated.

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  13. i am glad you heard your heart and choose to be there for teaching ,from my previous teaching experience i can say you learn more while teaching others and learning is main source of pleasure so best of luck .

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  14. i hope you biopsy results will be positive my friend!

    wishing you complete health and happiness in life

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