Monday, August 10, 2009

La Buena Suerte

My mom says I'm the luckiest person she knows. Once, I walked into Target and walked out an hour later carrying the GRAND PRIZE from a contest they were having... a HUGE toy chest full of toys, valued at $1,000. And since I turned 16 and could legally work in the US, I've always stumbled across the most random, and awesome, job opportunities.

But last week when I met the owner of a small bilingual school here in Tegucigalpa, I didn't think anything of it. A job was the furthest thing from my mind. Anyway, we randomly met, and she and I started talking. It was an interesting conversation, considering the fact that she didn't speak any English. She asked about my degree...B.A. in corporate and organizational communication. She didn't understand it, because here in Honduras, communication is synonymous with journalism. After I explained it, to the best of my abilities in Spanish, she asked a strange question... "What could you do with that degree for my school?"

Hmmm... now why would someone ask a question like that? "Well," I answered, "I guess it would qualify me to teach some sort of business class or public speaking or something like that."

"No," she pushed, "what could you do for my school, as a business?"

I answered her question, and she immediately offered me a job.

Whaaat?? "But I'm not looking for a job. I own my own business."

"What do I need to pay you for you to come work for me?" she asked.

I panicked, and said the first number that came to my mind. I was sure it was too much. I kind of hoped it was...I had my own business to run! I couldn't take a job somewhere else!

To my surprise, she immediately agreed, and I kicked myself for not asking for more. ;)

So, today at 12:30, I will start my first day at the school. I have no experience working in administration in any type of school. The owner does not speak English. I have no idea what I'm going to be doing. Only my hours, and my salary. And the fact that she's going to work around my hours so I can still run my own business.

Is this luck, or am I crazy?

9 comments:

Jane and Douglas said...

Congrats Hannah! That's really exciting! You certainly do have a horse shoe hanging around somewhere! Best of luck in your new endeavour. I do something similiar - I'm the Assistant Program Director of the Cardiology Residency program at McMaster University.

Live Simply Love Strongly said...

I have heard from a few people that the schools in Honduras do not have the same structure and attention to detail that many schools in the United States do. I'm sure you'll be able to offer them some fresh ideas! Congrats and good luck! Now what will you do with your business?

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Umm, this is Honduras what just happened to you is waaay more than luck! I mean, you are a business owner and you get a side job. (I'm allowed to say something like this, I'm a Honduran)

Hannah said...

Thanks Jane. I'm sure that ONLY the titles of our jobs are similar...I'll be working with elementary aged children while you lead the worlds doctors through their education. Not that close. ;)

LSLS, I have no idea how schools here work. I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later, right? ;) And as for my store, I have a full time employee already that I've come to trust enough to run the store without me here. :) A few hours a week is really all I need to contribute.

Leonel, All of my Honduran friends are saying the same thing. After a few weeks of doing both jobs, I might not feel so lucky. Ha! We'll see!

Lynette said...

I'd say you're lucky. That's pretty awesome. It could be divine providence. Have fun!

Honduras Sprout said...

sounds like a little of both. A little luck and you may be a little crazy too ;o).

DON GODO said...

How does the saying go? "When it rains, it pours!"

Unknown said...

You may be crazy. You may have a great time at this job. I recall the title of your blog. The Adventures of ..... This is an adventure!