the big meeting.

Last month I informed the school I would now be renewing my contract, which ends August 31st. My boss Eva was not happy with this news, and said things like, "we were sure you were going to stay another year. You will have only taught for 10 months, you should teach 2 more. In fact, since you've only taught 10 months, we're not going to give you your flight reimbursement and bonus." I said, "well, I'm not going to, yes you are correct i have only been here 10 months, but i shouldn't teach 2 more, since I am working til the end of my agreed-upon contract. And I am certainly entitled to my bonus and flight reimbursement, considering it wasn't actually my fault that I arrived 2 months late."

Now, over the last few weeks I've gone back and forth with Eva (and the owner, supposedly), them refusing to pay me what I'm owed, me telling them logically why i am owed it, and finally requesting a meeting with the owner, who doesn't speak English. I waited until today, because I was expecting the worse and yesterday was payday.

I solicited some advice from Nik, Scott, and well everyone I talked to, and I went into the meeting with this plan:
Explain very clearly (citing my contract) why I should be compensated as promised (sounds silly to even have to say that), and that's that.
I typed up everything, in English and Chinese, which took me the better part of Monday night and Tuesday morning. My argument, plan A. Plan B, my compromise of 5/6 of the bonus/reimbursement, since i taught 10/12 months. Plan X, quit, forfeit August salary and bonuses, but leave with my principles and standing up against the year (well 10 months) of shit i've taken.

I get to the school at 9:30, chat with the teachers a bit, the owner isn't there, great. Hoping he's stuck in traffic (busy part of town). As I'm reviewing what I wrote, trying to get into speaking Chinese mode, he walks in with a hearty "Hello!" and big smile. Doesn't appear to be upset at all. I was planning on it going something like this:

He comes in, I explain my case, he tells me to f off, threatens to take away my visa, I say I don't care and walk out with his dragon talons chasing after me. Although I walk away triumphant, now I have to figure out a new visa.

Well, this is how it went:

Me: Man it's so hot these days eh? and those cicadas are so loud! I wish it would rain!
Owner: Yeah I hear ya, I wish it would rain too. And how bout when those bugs land on your window!
Me: so loud and annoying!
(this is me trying to relax myself and make the interaction as non-argumentativeas possible)
(he smiles, waiting)
Me: Okay so, I know there has been some disagreement about my contract, how I started 2 months late and will be leaving at the end of this month.
Him: There's no disagreement. It's totally our fault. Of course you will be compensated as you should be. You've done a good job here and so we've no reason to say or do otherwise.
Me(with my jaw on the floor): Oh, ok, cool.
Him: but here's the thing. Like I said, you will be taken care of as your contract says. (and here I am seriously paraphrasing, due to my poor Chinese) As you know it's hard to find a new teacher, and although we're looking, who knows how long it will take. If there is no foreign teacher, the students and parents will not be happy. These days we are very anxious about this problem, because we want to keep them happy. And so I would like to ask you to help us out a little bit. Perhaps you could stay longer to teach.
Me. Well, thank you for understanding about everything, but as far as staying, well, I've already bought my ticket back.
Him: Oh yeah? for when?
Me, the end of September, the 29th.
Him: Oh, the 29. Well, could you help us out by teaching for us until then?
Me: oh you know, I don't think so [i hate working here, what i wanted to say].
Him: We are just so anxious these days. How about another 2 weeks.
me: welll....
Him: It would really be nice if you could help us out.
me: well how about 10 days.
him: 10 days, well, okay.
Me: and how about my salary?
Him: Well we will pay you on a per-class basis
Me: how about 1/3 of my monthly salary.
Him: okay.

and we shook hands.

Now granted, in none of my plans was I going to stay and teach beyond August 31st, and I may come to wish I hadn't. But I was just so floored by how respectful he was towards me, and that he actually admitted the school to be at fault. And asked me for help for help's sake, not as leverage for my bonus. So I guess that's why I am staying another 10 days. That leaves me 19 days to travel if I want, and I'll probably only need 10 or so, so yeah. I think it went as well as it could have, aside from the 10 more days thing.

Another weight lifted off my shoulders (until next payday, we'll see if he's true to his word. but I think he is, and can't worry about that for another month now).

Job's okay, visa's okay, moving next week, ticket home, just need to plan my trip to Chengdu!!!!