Job, I'm leaving you...

"It's not you, it's me."

That's the line I told them -- sort of.
For the past 3 months I hadn't felt totally great there, but when I got back from vacation the ssst totally hit the fan, so to speak. Something pretty unpleasant happened in my personal life that was completely unrelated to work or the school, or even the apartment I live in. I did everything I could to keep the two separate and not let it affect my work (not calling in sick/didn't come in late/had fun in the classroom like I always do...). Unfortunately for me, some people I work with were all too curious, and reportedly just worried about me, so they started talking about what had happened to me. At work.

Long story short, word got around to my manager (who I've argued with on a few choice occasions in the past) and she pretty much all but fired me on the grounds that I had let something personal affect my work life. It was such bullssst, compiled with all the bullssst I'd already put up with, I wasn't ready to do it all over again for another 6 months.
I resigned later that week with no regrets.

In fact, my good friend at work got in trouble for an unrelated thing and another co-worker has been fired this month, too.
The manager and principal also lied right to my face about various parts of the procedure to cancel my contract. I only found out about these lies after the damage had been done. Just one example: I was told by them both that my visa would not be canceled until July 30, giving me until that time to find a new workplace and transfer the visa. On Tuesday, July 18, I discovered the truth: The school had canceled my visa on July 14. So now, I am required to leave Korea to obtain a new visa, which means a 2-day trip to Japan and at least a $400 cash outlay. On top of getting only a half-month's pay for Aug.
Nice.

Did I mention that no other foreigner has stayed more than 6 months there? And the Koreans are all pretty new as well. I'm sure they're now quite adept at canceling visas. It's just a nasty environment to work in and I'm glad I'm out.

New workplace: Daecheong Elementary School in Gijang

After 2 weeks of job searching, I've just accepted a job down south near Busan (amazingly beautiful coastal city, 2nd largest in the country after Seoul). I'm SUPER excited about moving there since I'll be just a 20-min bus ride away from my favorite beach in Korea and can ride my bike to another quiet beach. My new house is much smaller but in a brand-new (5 mos. old) building so is sparkling clean and totally functional! I'm trading in the oven for an air conditioner and I'm fine with that. Toaster oven will have to suffice again. The move will happen on Aug. 22nd. Coming too soon already - I only have 1.5 rooms packed up!

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