Just Do it Fast, Like a Bandaid... Wednesday, September 15

True to my word I did it. I quit my temp job.

It was something I had rattled my brain over and wished I wasn't having to deal with but I knew it was for the best. There was only three other people in my office: a super nice male Korean teacher who I had already spent hours chatting and giggling with, an off-the-wall strange but strangely funny assistant who lacked English skills but you had to give him A for effort, and my boss who had helped me edit and add to my fitness text by continually asking for diet advice and tips. She and I had clicked instantly in my interview and talked more like girlfriends than employer and employee. Today, however, we talked as employer and employee... and beyond.

I made Snickers wait for me in the car. The plan was to march in there, get it all over with, quit, and then go home. I had brought all the texts they gave me and was sure that even if she hadn't remembered me blurting out "I want to quit" last night on the phone that me showing up with them plus minus my Dalki lunchbox would give big hints that something was up.

I waited twenty minutes... twenty cold long minutes while she went about her business and totally ignored me. Ironically I much prefer the cold shoulder she initially gave me because when we did talk it was so bizarre. She'd raise her voice, I'd shoot back my comments in defence, and then she'd crack a random burst of laughter.

The conversation took a spin for the worst when I noted to her that my husband also wanted me to quit the job. She snapped back by asking me if I was an independent woman or not. "When you're married, you'll understand." I told her. "You'll understand that your life isn't just your life anymore and what you do effects another person on a level much deeper!" I added. But the turn for the worst actually came when she said she said Snickers' name and said she wanted to speak to him. "Don't you dare say my husband's name" I shockingly yelled out much to my own surprise. I had no idea what that was really about but hearing her imply I was weak now that I am married and then to hear her say his name left me sitting there totally fuming.

Then, to add more fuel to the fire, she stood up and stood beside me. I really didn't want to have this conversation in the first place after all I did really like her, and still do. I came to deal on a business level but it was obviously starting to get personal and I so didn't want to go there. At one point she threatened me, causing the blood in my body to boil and my hands to shake. I had been pushed too far. She was right in my face and I literally had to sit on my hands because they were shaking. And I knew they were shaking because I was dangerously itching to throw the first punch, so that was my exit cue.

An hour and forty minutes later I walked out convinced that there'd be no way in hell that I'd ever consider signing another work contract for a 9 to 5er (or in this case a 9 to 6) job.

An hour and a half after getting home my phone rang; another tutoring offer.

It didn't feel good to quit my job though I didn't really expect it to. Today marked the first day I had ever quit a job. I've had some bad jobs in the past but I had convinced myself to wait them out, finish the contract, and/or resign with notice.

I'll tell you the one thing that did feel good today about quitting though was the fact that it meant I didn't have to leave the country to do a visa run for another contract-tying job. I had exercised my F2 visa power today and that felt good.

Later in the evening I headed off to boxing where what should be the first question that comes out of Junior Mint's mouth but "How is the job going?". "So great I quit" was my response, and with that he knew to train me extra hard to help take my mind off it... and it worked.

I get into strange feisty moods at boxing, especially when I arrive frustrated about something. I find I tend to be overly feisty, pushing and randomly dishing out shoulder punches and calf kicks to the High School Kiddies. It use to be Black Skinny who'd pose as my human punching bag. He'd let me wail away on him, mind ya he was always sure to snap back with some body shots. Tonight it was two of my High School Kiddie favorites (one of which is now a University Freshy) that let me vent my frustration and, as my school teacher use to say, "turn my frown upside down".

Trained along with the Cheonan Bulldog today and props to Mini-Boy T for taking him on in sparring practice. It clearly wasn't a fair matching of opponents: a professional boxer in his 20's vs a middle school amateur boxer who's elbows get swallowed up in the gloves. None the less, it was hilarious to watch and I got some cool shots of the practice.

I had started my day on a very frustrated and uncomfortable note but by the time my training had finished for the day I was in high spirits.

As the saying goes, "If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything", today I exercised my right to stand up and though I really wished it hadn't had to come to this point, it did and I don't regret quitting. I'm not happy I quit because I did really like those in my office, I will always think they're awesome people, but it was a job and from a business point of view I couldn't bring myself to continue there, for various reasons.

Later in the evening, much later that is, Snickers ordered pizza from Pizza School. "From now on the only school I want you to worry about is Pizza School ok" he told me... hahaha.

QUESTION OF THE DAY...
What big decision have you made lately?

QUOTE OF THE DAY...
You have to recognize when the right place and the right time fuse and take advantage of that opportunity. There are plenty of opportunities out there. You can't sit back and wait.
-- Ellen Metcalf