Since most of you are fresh off voting for president of our fine country, we thought you'd be in good shape for voicing your opinion once again - about our future.
We have compiled a list of pros and cons about our 3 main options come the end of this semester. Consider the information carefully, put yourself in our shoes, then cast your vote. We have no idea what to do right now so your vote may or may not sway us one way or the other.
Option 1: Stay here
- Positives:
- we don't have to deal with the hassle of moving
- we don't lose any money and get a paid trip back home
- no change or transitions to adjust to (we know what we have to deal with)
- we know our way around town and how to get out of town when we need to
- maybe we will learn some sort of lesson?
- horrible students
- teaching is not possible
- depression
- our current situation is clearly not working out and we don't foresee any major changes
- hard on our marriage because we are frustrated about the job
- no friends
- the daily schedule has us teaching classes at 8am and 8pm...never having time to go into town during the week
- have to take time off in February to see Liz's parents in Beijing (not sure if they will allow us to do this or if they'll fire us for doing so)
- Positives:
- personal reference of someone who taught there and loved it
- we'll have a month and a half off between the time we leave here and the time we have to start teaching there with an apartment provided
- we'll teach 15 hours a week
- we'll teach college students who will be able to speak more english and want to learn and be able to make friends with them because they are closer to our age
- our schedule will be 4 hours a day lumped together (more normal M-F)
- our return flight will be covered
- experience a different part of China, a different kind of school (not full of spoiled rich kids who would rather play on a cell phone than learn english)
- be called "professor" (might have to teach them to call me that)
- having to move all of our stuff there
- slightly lower pay
- a month and a half off with no pay (but...a month & a half off!)
- we have to pay a penalty for breaking our contract here
- new city that we'll have to get to know
- no curriculum at the school so we'll have to start all over with figuring out how to teach college students
- Positives:
- getting to meet our new nieces/nephews when they're born in January and may
- make more money and be able to save some for the future
- make babies
- be home (closer to family, comfort, friends, normal food, etc)
- church
- less stress on our marriage
- bad economy means it could be hard to get jobs or our old jobs back
- losing money from leaving here
- leaving after only having a bad experience (at least so far)
- missing out on seeing Beijing with Liz's parents
Posts
9 comments:
Liz, I voted for you guys to go home because then you can be home for Christmas and meet your new niece and nephew:)
-Whitney
Wisdom is found in the counsel of many - good idea! I'll have to pray and think about it and then I'll let you know.
I think option 2 or 3, but I might be too biased to cast my vote for 3 and the hard-core-stick-it-out-and-learn side of me says give option 2 a shot... plus, month and a half off, free ride home... and BEIJING! Plus, think of all the work you put into getting over there. It's hard being away, but you always think the grass is greener elsewhere and life is just the same back here. It'll be here in 6 months... awww, man, that's soooo long though.
Definitely don't stay in the hellish frustration of a hole you are now. I think the stress can be a good thing too - strengthen up that marriage... it'll only escalate with babes.
Speaking of presidential election - Was a party in the streets Tuesday night, music and dancing, 1st ave was blocked off from Pike down to Jackson. OOOOOoooooOOOOOOOOBAMA! screams and fireworks going off in EVERY neighborhood. And people were so frickin happy the next day. This one guy cut this other guy off at an intersection and he mouthed "ooops-sorry" and shrugged his shoulders and the other guy was like, two thumbs up, "it's okay" smile. Sooooo funny.
so THOSE BE MY THOUGHTS. Do what you will. I'll be happy to see you again though - whenever it is... and when you decide, send me your address and I'll send you some love.
Oh my gosh!!! Who cares about seeing us in Beijing. We have plenty of other awesome places we could chose from. You can dog/house sit for us while we go some place else. We would rather see you here in US than in Beijing. There will be plenty (we hope) of other opportunities for trips for all of you. So please take that bullet off as a reason to stay!!
Liz and Joel,
I voted for you to go to the other University, but I could have just as easily voted for you to come home. (Voting for two wasn't an option.) :)
EITHER WAY I want you to leave that terrible school that you're at right now. :) I think (and pray) you'd have a better experience at the other school, but you know that we'd love to have you close!
We'll be praying for wisdom in your decision. Love you guys!
I (Rebekah) would vote for option 2 or 3. I think that it would great to have you close to home for the holidays and to meet your nephew/niece, but it is frustrating to have to leave on a bad note after all that you've gone through to get there. It seems like the benefits of moving to the new university are pretty good and it could change completely the experience that you are having. Also, just a thought...though Ecuador was a completely different experience for us than you are having in China, it was similar in that it was very stressful. But the Lord used it to teach us a lot and we actually grew a lot in our marriage because we were together so much of the time without the distractions and comforts that we have here in the U.S. Either way, we will be praying that God will continue to give you wisdom for the decision.
I (Kevin) vote for option 2. It would be great to experience something different from your situation now. Exploring a new city, meeting new students who want to learn, making friends, and God willing less stress on your marriage. I feel that your marriage must be protected at all cost. In addition, don't worry about seeing our baby. When you get back he or she might 8 or 9 months old, smiling, laughing, and playful. Whatever you choose, make sure to protect, love, and cherish each other in your marriage.
My vote would be #2. I think it would help you in the long run to be able to complete something difficult and be able to say that you solved the problem and persevered. Of course, we would love to have you home as well, but we know that will happen soon enough. Now, in light of the new developments, it looks as though you'll have to stay there. I really hope you'll be able to get out of the contract there, but I know whatever happens, it is for your good and God's glory!
I vote option 2, asians are super cool and you will feel bad about yourselves for totally quitting if you go for option 3. money isnt everything and too many people today make a bigger deal out of money than the stress it can cause. Then again, you gave your word about teaching for this school --let your yes be yes, etc....but Jesus would totally understand right? now granted no matter where you teach, there will be frustrations, but it wont take you as long to get used to a new town. besides everything is very cheap in china!! oh and dont try to make friends with your students- that is unprofessional (just from my experience teaching at UK -haha). anyways whatever the case, good luck. making decisions is hhhhhaaarrrrddd.
-amanda
Go to Linyi! In fact I know some cool people who worked there and I am sure you can get out of the contract if you will be nice.
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