May Day has many different meanings. There will always be a part of me that wants to get out the crepe paper, pipe cleaners, glue and, of course, candy. In Mexico, May 1 is Labor Day as it is in many parts of the world. A cry of "May Day" means help is needed. This May 1st, I sent up a silent cry of "May Day" to the universe and spent the day in bed reading, napping, drinking liters and liters of water and just generally relaxing. As I write this at 7:00, I am feeling better.
I was already tired when we left for Chiapas. Unfortunately, the trip was not at all relaxing or inspiring as it usually is. Several students were seriously sick. One student was mugged. Others partied through the night; their noisy return to the hotel at 4:00 in the morning caused us to be asked to leave the hotel where we were planning to spend a second night. Finding hotel rooms for 24 people was not my idea of a good time.
Serious personnel problems were waiting for me upon our return. The problems were so serious that four employees were terminated. Terminating employees in Mexico is complicated. Employees here are not "at will" employees as most of us are in the US. Even a termination means a substantial payout. I had to work with a labor attorney to make sure everything was in order. I and the remaining staff had to cover the work of the departed employees. I was on dish washing duty for lunch and dinner.
There is good news: Students leave this weekend. Patti arrives on Monday to spend a week.
In the meantime, I am turning off the computer and going back to my reading.
I was already tired when we left for Chiapas. Unfortunately, the trip was not at all relaxing or inspiring as it usually is. Several students were seriously sick. One student was mugged. Others partied through the night; their noisy return to the hotel at 4:00 in the morning caused us to be asked to leave the hotel where we were planning to spend a second night. Finding hotel rooms for 24 people was not my idea of a good time.
Serious personnel problems were waiting for me upon our return. The problems were so serious that four employees were terminated. Terminating employees in Mexico is complicated. Employees here are not "at will" employees as most of us are in the US. Even a termination means a substantial payout. I had to work with a labor attorney to make sure everything was in order. I and the remaining staff had to cover the work of the departed employees. I was on dish washing duty for lunch and dinner.
There is good news: Students leave this weekend. Patti arrives on Monday to spend a week.
In the meantime, I am turning off the computer and going back to my reading.
3 comments:
I hope the reading and water refresh you as needed. Enjoy your break with Patti, and without students. We'll all look forward to hearing from you again when you're ready.
oh- what a week! Enjoy your time with your friend. do you have pics to post from your time in the kitchen? :)
You are where you belong? So where are you these days? And what are you doing?
Post a Comment