I have had a lot of stress in my life lately. Most of it has to do with the renewal process. After the original medical check, I was informed that I hadn’t been tested for all of the drugs that the Office of Education (BMCOE) requires. The problem was that I found out on a Friday afternoon and the results were supposed to be due by Tuesday (impossible). I went for the drug test on Saturday and was told to pick up my results on Thursday. Because I hadn’t turned in my drug test, I wasn’t given a contract on Tuesday at the renewal meeting.

At the meeting, I was told that if I was asked to come to the meeting then it meant my position was secure so I wasn’t worried about it. My school was under a different impression. On Wednesday they received an official document from the BMCOE stating that due to budget cuts, any Native English Teacher (NET) that hadn’t turned in all documents wouldn’t be renewed. My vice principal was in panic mode because that also meant that the school may not get a NET next year. She had us call the hospital to see if we could pick up my results early. As it turns out, my results were back, but there was a problem.

When I went in for the drug test, I had a meeting with the doctor to let him know I was on some prescription medicine for a cold that I had. He didn’t know what effects it would have on the test. He advised me to wait until he could talk to the lab on Tuesday, but I decided to take my chances with the test. He took a copy of the medications. Well, as it turns out, the medication I was on caused a false positive for marijuana. JuHye was amazing in helping me communicate with the people at the hospital and the people at the BMCOE.

To make a long story short, the doctor noted on my test the reason for the positive and JuHye took the results to the BMCOE as a filler until I could complete another drug test. The BMCOE seemed fine with this so I went this past Monday for my drug test. If all goes well (cross your fingers), I should get my official contract on Friday.

So between that, Christmas and preparing for winter camp, I’ve had a hell of a time lately! It’s a good thing I’ve been spending a lot of time with some really lovely people that make me forget about all of my problems.