After a long flight to Istanbul, and a [slightly awkward, to be honest] night in my old apartment, I headed back to the Ataturk Airport for the last time. Departing from Istanbul was different than the other locations; I didn't feel that sense of attachment to the city. If I had the chance, I would love to spend six months back in Cusco, or China (not in Jinan, though!). I honestly attribute the medioce degree of enjoyment in Istanbul to my work experiences. Because it consumed so much of my life (remember those 6 days off in two months?), English Time tainted my Turkish adventure.
That's not to say that I didn't adore most of my students. They were great, and made working all the much more bearable. And the country itself is spectacular. I'd go back and visit in a heart beat, but not for an extended amount of time. And definitely not to English Time.
At any rate, I arrived exhausted back to Miami. I was so happy to be home, but almost immediately started feeling the pressure. I had to find a teaching job, but, as it turns out, it was one of the worst years to be looking. Budget cuts have forced most states to lay off teachers, minimize benefits, and change laws pertaining to pensions. I was hoping will al my heart to go back to Chicago, but knew this to be a very slight chance. Illinois is in one of the worst fiscal shapes in the country, right behind California, and the education system has certainly felt the heat. As I was applying in earnest to Chicago schools, thousands of teachers were being cut. This made for a very stressful summer, full of uncertainties and thumb-twiddling. I had heard that things tend to get left to the last minute, and if I keep pushing, I could find a job. I applied all over the country: New York, Nevada, Georgia, Miami, Arizona, and even tiny little towns in the mountains of Colorodo. I didn't even have a social life- job hunting was my life!
My life, well, outside of my then job. Yes, I returned to Nordstrom for the summer, so kindly taken back after about a years absence. I was placed ina different department, however. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good fit - different clientele, and different co-workers. I loved my manager, but a couple of the women on my team were, well, lets just say they weren't really on my team. When combined with the stress of finding a teaching job, this less-than-satisfactory working environment made for a tough couple of months!
That all changed, however, when I submitted my resume to a non for profit organizations that governs a network of private schools in the Midwest. I got a call the next day, from a branch on the south side of Chicago, and we scheduled an interview for the Spanish Teacher Position. After a first interview, I booked a flight up to Chicago, and had an interview at the end of July. I had spent hours preparing for the interview; I WANTED this job. Great school, needy neighborhood. Plus, if my mother was the new principal, I would be hired.
After a tantalizing couple of weeks, the interview day came, and I was offered the job on the spot. Words can express the relief and happiness I felt - after two years of rambling around the globe, I was FINALLY going home!
