Second Chances ... or not...

I don't know whether the time I was born, the year I was born in or my upbringing have anything to do with my character. In the past two weeks I have been trying to look at myself objectively, and find answers to questions that have been niggling at me for a long time. An objective look at my character is that although I am strong and can handle almost anything, I am also very sensitive. I am always looking for change, but can never seem to find it.

Recently I was given the opportunity to take up a new job offer. It is doing something I love - running a hotel. It gave my spirits a boost, knowing that I would be disassociating myself from teaching which has worn me down - as you already know if you have read earlier posts. The most daunting fact, though, is that although I'm ready for everything, I really want to give it my best. It is true that recent statistics have named this region the poorest region in Greece, and this is not something an aspiring business woman wants to be faced with. Another factor is that the hotel needs some serious changes, something that can't be done without financial backing - also something that I have to deal with. Having no capital makes it all the more worrying.

Even so, I am keen to make a go of this. Something that I have to do though is stop teaching over the summer season, and also risk losing my students as a consequence.

I am a positive person, and I do believe in following my sixth sense, which is telling me to go ahead with this, although everyone around me seems to be less optimistic.

So, anyway... any ideas of how to get financial backing and make this an ideal holiday destination would be handy at this point...

Thanks for listening....

Not a good day...

Today is one of those not so good days. Actually, I don't even know if this is such a good year. Anyway, trying to put a positive perspective on things is something I am finding hard to do this morning.

It all actually started a few days ago. At the beginning of the month, I always try to put my accounts in order. This month was especially difficult, as back payments from my loans started coming in, and the banks started calling. Anyway, the difficult times have started. It's a bit like the movies, when you can see trouble looming, but you just don't know what to do. I have always tried to be competent with my finances, but you see, it's not me that is the problem. Or is it? You see, I know I don't scatter my money around, not knowing what I pay for, or not thinking about tomorrow. I don't squander pennies on things I don't need. The problem is that I just don't get paid. Teaching is a profession that is difficult. I spend many hours trying to get work together for the kids, and finding new processes to help them learn, but the truth is that this is a private school, and even though I try, parents just don't pay me when they should, so everything goes haywire. I've tried many things - asking politely to be paid, sending notes home to parents, phoning and insisting on them bringing in the money, but nothing works.

Now, things have become too tiring to face. I can feel myself falling into a depression, I can't teach, I can't even get myself ready for lessons. The only thing on my mind is how I am going to get my money. I know you're thinking what about legally? Why not try that road. Well, for one, think about the expenses of chasing each and every person who owes money through the courts, and the other thing is - this is Greece, and as all things, people's rights are the last thing taken into consideration.

Anyway, today is not a good day, and I just needed to talk...to somebody other than the banks and debt collectors. Change is necessary, and it has to be done quickly... I just don't know how any more. Maybe you could give some advice...