it's raining today
Something weird/funny/scary/new happened to me today.
After my morning class with Prof. Van Peel, I was called on by Kuya Mike, the secretary at our department (since I was having class inside the office). The first thing I thought was "Why is he calling me?" I mean, what could the secretary want with me? I'd understand if a teacher called me or something...but...
So, I went over to his table, and he introduced me to this foreigner dude sitting in front of his desk. The thing on my mind at this point was a cross between a slight fear and complete confusion.
Then foreigner dude introduced himself to me as Chris. My first perception of him was an American, but I later discovered from Samuel (my Korean classmate who was watching our conversation) that his shirt had the words "Canada" and "University" embroidered on it. Which led me to assume that he was a Canadian a foreigner nonetheless! What did Chris want with lil' ol' me then?
He's actually looking for a few people (I think he's targeting students like me us) to take on a part-time job he's offering. The job seems fairly easy enough: we just have to teach/speak conversational English to a bunch of his Saudi Arabian students. See, he's an instructor in Saudi Arabia, thus he thought of bringing over some of his students here in the Philippines (specifically here in Dumaguete/Negros Oriental) for them to exposed to good English speakers. *__*
Then, he started explaining the specifics to me (we met twice, so this is the collective list of what he proposes to us English Majors):
*We're to converse with five students, so he (Chris) wanted preferably five people, so there will be a one-is-to-one ratio
*Chris will cover everything: Food, Transportation, Teaching Materials...and give us a salary *ka-ching ka-ching* 0__0
*The duration will be roughly one month. Since me and a few other English majors submitted to him our free times, it will most likely be during weekday afternoons (no weekends included~!)
*Also, he was thinking of taking his students on "field trips" (i.e: going to museums, horseback riding, etc). We're actually welcome to join them, and we get additional pay~
*Oh yeah. Chris was specifically looking for female students. In Saudi, it's forbidden to talk to the opposite gender if they're not a relative. So these kids (all guys of 18, 17, 14 years old) would be doing illegal stuff here. Of course, Chris talked to thier respective parents. Surprisingly, the parents agreed (well, since they were going to be taught outside their country, so it's all good~)
At first, he asked me how much would I want to be payed. My mind stopped functioning for a good two seconds. I was like (to myself) "Wait, he's actually asking me to name my salary??" XD But since I could't give him a decent ballpark figure, he just told me that he'll settle it and we'll meet again that afternoon.
Afternoon came, and I was frantically looking for other people to pull into this business. I was able to pull four more people batchmates, and we discussed more stuff with Chris. Giving him our free times, he told us that he'll just get in touch (with me) on a clearer plan.
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I discussed this with my mom. She laid out a few rules to ensure my "protection" (like holding the said classes within campus but I highly doubt it would be possible) Overall, she thought that it was a good idea. (hello small ray of hope!!) But, when I proposed the idea to my Aunt, things became all dodgy and foggy.
*waves goodbye to the P4000 salary*
I just went along with her points ("They're from Saudi?"; "They're all guys?" "Does Silliman/Your President know about this?" "Does your Dean/Department know about this?"), supporting it with shit stuff like "I'm already too busy" or "yeah, it's a bit dodgy because we're all girls and they're guys, much more foreigners" lies I tell you Also, Tita Bing commented that the salary was kinda low. Fine. I must be so desperate and thought the 4k to be enough
(right now, I'm trying to think positive without that tempting Php4k job)
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Perks of turning down said "job": (I'm doing this to look at the brighter side...of things...)
- I get to concentrate on epic acads
- I get to concentrate on Organizational duties of engsoc, MOST ESPECIALLY of CSO~
- Basically, I'll continue on with my life as it is at the moment
I mean, okay lang if I turn this opportunity down. It's just that....monnies~ the desperate call for financial stuff, and this comes by. And I have to give it away...(since as usual, I'm not allowed)
((I'm so effin' tired of hoping in even the tiniest ray of hope, only to be caved in with more rocks and boulders))
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HAY. MALAPIT NA MAG AUGUST.
Thus..
Dear Hibalag Booth fest,
You're just around the corner, aren't you? Please don't give us (the new CSO staff) a hard back-breaking time. Let's be friends, okay? I hope that we'll be able to catch up with requirements and time-constraints, and be able to budget everything too. Also, I wish that this year's performance will be successful, (or at least end up pretty good).
Take care now. And please don't bring in the rains. If you must/will, bring in just a little sprinkle. :D
Love,
CSO 09-10 Secretary~♥