A lesson in saying "NO"

Ok, I admit, I sometimes have a problem saying 'no'. Usually it involves some kind of request or favor and especially by a superior. (I have no problem saying 'no' to chores or things of that nature.) From now on, things will be different. Things have to change. Let me tell you a story.

My first interview at my future school came and went. I did my best and left it up to God.

For my second interview, I did everything I could possibly think of to show them I was the right candidate. That involved many hours of preparation and agreeing to everything they asked of me, and even spending my precious two days off doing school related things. On that important day, I had to teach a lesson and speak with three important people then quickly drive back to town and work at the store until 7:30 pm. That same day, the French teacher implied that if I were chosen, I'd come back and meet more people and maybe observe some classes and meet some students. "OK" I thought.

Then I got the job. The French teacher wanted to have lunch with me and discuss curriculum and books. I had zero time that week, so I agreed to meet her during my one hour break from work.

I was asked to come back to the school and observe some classes and meet the department. I spent all of Wednesday sitting in three long and boring classes (different teachers). We had lunch and then the French teacher coaxed me into talking with her some more. All I wanted to do was go home. And before I could weasel my way out the door, she suggested I come back again and observe her AP class, which I hadn't seen yet.

I finally had the time to visit the school again for this last observation. She emailed me about the time and what the class was up to, which was learning slang terms. She also kindly asked me to do "one or two activities, which would really help her out". Oh, and the class was 80 minutes long. Today was that day. Every day this week has been so busy (just see and smell the filth & laundry) with extra events on top of regular responsibilities. My last day off was Tuesday for my bday. In the last few days, I've stayed up late and worked in the early hours before work to get these "activities" completed. Today, I basically taught her whole class, which really started to tick me off. I declined on her lunch offer after class, remembering last time that I had stayed several more hours chatting when all I wanted to do was get some rest on my day off.

Before I snuck out her door this afternoon, she suggested that I come back AGAIN to visit the campus and so that she can show me her shelves of books and resources, blah, blah, blah. NON! And as me and my brother would say, "Mais merde Jean Pierre!"