All's well that ends well!

On Thursday I don’t go to Aaron again and find myself waiting very nervously. I didn’t sleep well and was absolutely exhausted. The boss arrives and greets me, then several people are called to his office, including Solomon who later seems to be dictating a sort of testimony to the secretary. At 9:30, after the meeting was over, I’m called in and told that if I can bring a letter of the school that wants to hire me that they’ll give me a business visa.
I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Went out, called Sanford aka dreamjob, and made an appointment. Shortly after I was introduced to my new classroom, students and the teacher that’s leaving because she has started her own school and needs more time for that. On top of that the teachers were having a potluck and I was invited to join them, cool huh, they do potlucks from time to time ( potluck = everybody prepares something and then there’s a buffet with the different dishes). I was also given the letter which I delivered to immigration after their lunch break. After a mere 3 offices my passport was taken and I was given an appointment to come and collect the visa the next day which I did without difficulty.
Friday I got up very early and took 3 minibuses to get to the dream job on time and observe the current teacher on her last day so I could pick up the class habits. It is really cool! Most afternoons are for preparing ( kids leave at 12), I have 2 happy helpers and only 18 kids most of whom don’t speak English at home. They’re super cute and everybody seems really friendly…. It was really hard to tell Aaron’s dad who was quite disappointed especially by the fact that he didn’t get any notice but I explained nothing had been certain until that very morning and that that’s why he didn’t know sooner. I didn’t get to say goodbye to Aaron or some of the people I worked with yet. The idea is to do so on Monday or Tuesday after work.
I will sort of sign until July 2011. My wage is paid in bir but is a low Belgium wage and it includes local health insurance. On top of that I will be given a furnished house in one of the more elite areas of Addis which is closer to the school once they get everything sorted out. ( good thing I still didn’t buy a fridge).
Sort of sign because after August my status will even improve: then they’ll pay for my flight to Addis after the summer holiday plus I get to ship stuff and I can ask to get paid in a foreign currency to a foreign account. Easy for saving which I’ll do seeing as that low Belgium wage I get every month is more then some people earn in a year! Cost of living is really reasonable.
All of it is a dream come true. I’m now officially in the international school network which looks great on my CV and will allow me to be hired under similar conditions in different countries.
I celebrated yesterday evening with some of the ICS teachers and Alix with a “cranium” session, brilliant game, loads of fun especially in combination with some alcohol and nice snacks… So much fun I’m having a quiet day to recuperate from it ;-) However tonight I’m going out with Holger and some other friends to a traditional restaurant ( the one where we ended up on the dance floor a long time ago when I first met Holger and Mohammed!) so that’ll be fun.
I do still have the court case ahead of me but that shouldn’t be too horrible.
What can I say, life is sweet at the moment and it seems the sun has started shining for me again! After all, all is well that ends well=)