pressure changes

Our principal came in the other morning to give us our new schedules and to be sure we were okay with it. This was a little shocking because a) I didn't think she understood English, and b) I didn't have a lot of hope that they'd try and fix my problem.

And yet, they did - and for this I am still amazed. My history at work has been solely that of communication gaps, and here a bridge was gapped but this small gesture of bringing us a new schedule and asking, "Are you okay with this?"

I guess I am shocked, because from a business standpoint - I suspected having "native" teachers was for image only - not for actual learning. So the less they could pay/hire - the greater the benefit to the organization. From a native's standpoint, the list of reasons to find different employment had hit its maximum.

Now I am back to my original schedule with 100 more students then last year, but three less teaching hours. A trade off that I am happy with . . . and even a little shocked still.

We have two new hires - both with ties to Brooklyn. If they can stick out the chaos of the year opening, I'll consider us fortunate.

In the meantime, my stomach is growing but it still just feels like I ate too much for lunch. My latest pregnancy symptom is like when a plane is losing altitude and your ears pop - it's been happening to me after lunch and I get a strange echo in my ear that lasts for at least an hour.

I guess its my change in cabin pressure.