What a Difference a Year Makes

One advantage of keeping a blog is that, at the time of year everyone starts looking back on the past year and discovers he can't remember where he was or what he was doing a year ago, I have a clear record of where I was and what I was doing.

Man, what a difference a year makes! A year ago, I was dreading the most official "unofficial" observation in the history of EFL teaching: an observation that was to determine whether I was to be transferred to another branch of Shane in Taiwan or go home with my tail between my legs.

Well, regular readers of my blog already know how that turned out. On reflection, I know I shouldn't be surprised. Taiwan was a stupid move in a career that, until Russia, was studded with stupid moves. My decision to go to Taiwan was made in haste and desperation. Visions of dollar signs were dancing in my eyes, and I gave little thought to what it would be like to be alone, so far from home and anyone who really spoke my language. I handled my loneliness and misery poorly, and in the end found myself on a flight back to the States.

Now, a year later, I can look at some real progress. I am starting to send money home. Not the fortune I had hoped for when I started out in TEFL, but still, actual American dollars that I will someday actually use to set myself up in graduate school and, beyond that, I hope in a nice row house in a city yet to be determined. I may not love my job all the time, but I can still say it is much better than anything I had in the States before I left, or the disaster of a job I had in Taiwan.

I have learned to look before I leap. Wherever I go next in my career, it will be something I have thoroughly examined. No more going into new territory without getting the lay of the land first. And whatever degree I end up getting will take me into a career that actually brings me not only a steady paycheck but actual satisfaction. Of this I am sure.

So right now, I see only good things ahead.