A letter to Hana

Dear Hana,

So, after getting some disappointing responses from schools last week, all citing december as the time for teacher hirings, Mari told me that one of her co-workers teaches English. She said she would ask.

The following morning (Friday), I get a call from Mari saying there is a school hiring English teachers. She gave me the address, told me my resume` looked great. I finish my coffee. Cough. Put some water on my face. Look in the mirror for 20 minutes. Put on a nice shirt. Waste more time.

I look up the address. Grab my bag and go. Hop on the bus. Get off at Jirdim. Walk north. See a Japanese Tea House. Walked north. Walked East. Saw a road that I recognized. Walked north. Checked Directions. See destination.

Cough. stand. Walk in. Go to reception. "Desculpa, não falo portugues. Eu estou procuranda Cara." She stared at me and the right half of her lip curled. "Eu não sei. uhh" I looked for my phrase book. She said "Do you speak English" "Yes" "Oh, I speak english" "Oh, sorry, I'm looking for Cara, I just moved here and I heard there is a position for an english teacher." "Okay... ... were you speaking Portuguese?" "Um...trying to" She laughed really hard. Then went upstairs.

A woman introduced herself to me. She had read over my CL and Resume`. She was first wondering how committed i was to staying there. I told her how I'd sold my car. I told her how i'd emptied my savings. I told her how I'd left the band I love(d). She seemed convinced. She then told me about the school. They don't even NEED to advertise, because they have a hold on businesses in the area who need to train their students. They are international. They have a major news organization giving them TV spots to analyze for their students. They have my favorite children's show as their sponsor.

Needless to say I was impressed. We set up a presentation time for 9:30 am on Monday. Afterwards, hopefully, an interview will be scheduled. Then, I find out. And it's a full-time gig. If I get this, it's like an affirmation that I'm not entirely stupid.

Hope Virginia treats you well.

Your friend,
Ben