Alright, here is a new rundown of the latest events here at the school.
The security guards from the landowner (Summarecon) are still there. Why? Nobody really knows. They are a bunch of guys, probably being paid $5 per day to wear fancy uniforms. Basically, they cannot touch us or enter the property. What will happen later is some political party will pay them the same $5 to dress up in Red and support their party. Then the next day they will wear blue shirts. And, so it goes on.
One of the major hurdles in us buying the school land was the zoning. Summarecon wanted NJIS to pay commercial rate (about $15 million). But, NJIS wanted to pay public rate because is was zoned that way. Anyway, through negotiations there were clauses put into the contract and the talking stalled, we ran out our lease and the security moved in.
The parents and teachers have banded together to make sure that the school stays open. One of the arguments that Summarecon made is that if we are not teaching, then there is no school and the land is more expensive because it is no longer public. So, by us canceling school last week it showed that we were not a school. So, that is why we had to hurry back.
Some of the parents who include the Chief of Police, Head of the Indonesian Bar Association and other high profile individuals have vowed to protect teachers (and our contracts) if anything happens. In this culture, to be a Guru (teacher) is very high profile. We are paid shit, but the respect is very high. I wish respect paid the mortgage.
As it stands now, we are still trying to buy the land. The money is finalized. The papers just need to be signed. We should be able to finish out the year if we can't buy the land. Next year is a different story.
But, I have just heard that one of the parents and our Head of School just left to go buy more land. The plan was to fill this place up with students and eventually move to a larger campus. Maybe next year we will have an entirely new school.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Security photos
Just a few pics of the security outside of the campus. They are allowing us in and not creating any sorts of problems.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Cute and sad
Well, we have been removed from the school as per my last post. Apparently, when you don't pay the 11 cents rent people get pissed. We were told to leave by 5:00 pm. The nannies (Fifi and Lasmi) did an amazing job packing up the clothes. We didn't take everything, but it is all packed up in case we are able to get back and grab stuff. So much for the plants.
What is kind of refreshing is that one of the teachers, Ruth, was teaching on that tall ship from Nova Scotia that sank off the coast of Brazil, last year. She keeps many things in perspective when situations arise. Because she was sitting in a life raft for many hours bailing away, she keeps you grounded about what you need to take with you. All of her stuff is at the bottom of the Atlantic. I guess you learn what is important- lesson 1: don't keep cash in a sock drawer.
What is cute is that we brought the nannies with us. They have never stayed in a hotel before. They were scared and excited about the day. I think they are worried about their jobs- so they should, they are nervous for the children- good, but they get to watch TV- hurray.
I will be interested to their sleeping arrangements. They already tried to have me remove the mattresses so they could sleep on the "mattress under the bed". They were going to sleep on the box spring and give the kids the mattresses. HELL NO - if anyone is getting treated like second class citizens it will be our own children. I am not paying my children anything. It stands to reason to keep the hired help happy. And, they are. They went out hanging in the mall- they are 19 years old, they should experience that.
I am sure that when we get up in the morning that Fifi and Lasmi are sleeping on the floor and the kids will be in these nice, cushy beds. Talk about roles. Zoe and Caden are the bosses.
What is kind of refreshing is that one of the teachers, Ruth, was teaching on that tall ship from Nova Scotia that sank off the coast of Brazil, last year. She keeps many things in perspective when situations arise. Because she was sitting in a life raft for many hours bailing away, she keeps you grounded about what you need to take with you. All of her stuff is at the bottom of the Atlantic. I guess you learn what is important- lesson 1: don't keep cash in a sock drawer.
What is cute is that we brought the nannies with us. They have never stayed in a hotel before. They were scared and excited about the day. I think they are worried about their jobs- so they should, they are nervous for the children- good, but they get to watch TV- hurray.
I will be interested to their sleeping arrangements. They already tried to have me remove the mattresses so they could sleep on the "mattress under the bed". They were going to sleep on the box spring and give the kids the mattresses. HELL NO - if anyone is getting treated like second class citizens it will be our own children. I am not paying my children anything. It stands to reason to keep the hired help happy. And, they are. They went out hanging in the mall- they are 19 years old, they should experience that.
I am sure that when we get up in the morning that Fifi and Lasmi are sleeping on the floor and the kids will be in these nice, cushy beds. Talk about roles. Zoe and Caden are the bosses.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A new controversy
So.....the newest news on campus is that yesterday, in a dengue fever invoked haze, I was made aware that someone was passing out pamphlets to the students' drivers about the school land deal not going through. Of course, parents should pull their kids out of NJIS and not support the school because it was closing.
To tell you the background of the story:
Last year, around this time, the 20 year lease of the school was up for renewal. The school ownership (based in Shanghai) inquired about purchasing the land. There was, of course, debate over things like zoning, purchase price, etc. (kind of like St. Albert...rich bastards). The school was in threat of the land deal not getting finalized and all of the teachers were granted permission to leave and fine new contracts. The land deal, apparently, went through in February and March but all of the staff had signed off on new schools. Hence, the whole staff this year is brand new.
Then, yesterday, a land developer called Summarecon put up a sign out front of the school claiming that the land deal was not finished, blah, blah, blah. They even hired security to guard the signs. We can't take them down, but they cannot approach cars.
I guess both sides' lawyers got into a room to hash out details and in standard Indonesian tradition they joke, laugh, insult each other, talk business for two minutes, glare menacingly, joke some more, repeat. It takes then two hours to discuss 30 minutes of business. Lawyers, can't trust 'em anywhere (and don't point fingers, he's a Judge, now).
Anyway, we are assured nothing will happen. Although, we are often assured our photocopiers will work and that doesn't happen. Apparently, tactics such as these are commonly used here to speed up payments, increase legal fees, etc. The realtors stand to lose about $4 million each so I doubt they will let that happen. Plus, the schools original owner is married to a billionaire coal tycoon from China and I doubt he will let her pet project go (by the way, you should check out the half-million dollar ring on her finger). So, we will play it by ear. I am sure this is making National headlines in Canada and you are all sitting with baited breath waiting to hear the outcome.
At any rate, Marni, the kids and little Shamus the Leprechaun (calling him otherwise is a misgnomer) are doing fine.
To tell you the background of the story:
Last year, around this time, the 20 year lease of the school was up for renewal. The school ownership (based in Shanghai) inquired about purchasing the land. There was, of course, debate over things like zoning, purchase price, etc. (kind of like St. Albert...rich bastards). The school was in threat of the land deal not getting finalized and all of the teachers were granted permission to leave and fine new contracts. The land deal, apparently, went through in February and March but all of the staff had signed off on new schools. Hence, the whole staff this year is brand new.
Then, yesterday, a land developer called Summarecon put up a sign out front of the school claiming that the land deal was not finished, blah, blah, blah. They even hired security to guard the signs. We can't take them down, but they cannot approach cars.
I guess both sides' lawyers got into a room to hash out details and in standard Indonesian tradition they joke, laugh, insult each other, talk business for two minutes, glare menacingly, joke some more, repeat. It takes then two hours to discuss 30 minutes of business. Lawyers, can't trust 'em anywhere (and don't point fingers, he's a Judge, now).
Anyway, we are assured nothing will happen. Although, we are often assured our photocopiers will work and that doesn't happen. Apparently, tactics such as these are commonly used here to speed up payments, increase legal fees, etc. The realtors stand to lose about $4 million each so I doubt they will let that happen. Plus, the schools original owner is married to a billionaire coal tycoon from China and I doubt he will let her pet project go (by the way, you should check out the half-million dollar ring on her finger). So, we will play it by ear. I am sure this is making National headlines in Canada and you are all sitting with baited breath waiting to hear the outcome.
At any rate, Marni, the kids and little Shamus the Leprechaun (calling him otherwise is a misgnomer) are doing fine.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Golfing
The actual title of this blog should be "Men are pigs", however, we already know that. But, women get to be pigs on the golf course, too.
I found a group of people in Jakarta who call themselves "TeeSet". Each weekend for the last 27 years they pick a local course and about 15-20 of them go golfing. They seem like a good group of guys (and ladies). There are some from Cape Breton, Vancouver and everywhere else.
So, the golf. We played a course called Sentul Highland which is built in the hills South of Jakarta. There is a volcano as a backdrop and rice paddies scattered around and within the course. What did I learn? Well, they measure in metres and not yards. You can't take a divot because the ground is too soft from all the rain. The locals sit along the sides of the fairways to spot you balls, if you shank a ball in the bush some kid brings it out to you. You tip him about 20 cents and all is good. But, the caddies tell you where aim your putt instead of where it will break to. I kept telling my Caddy (Lina #5) "kanaan" for right, she kept saying "No, Boss, kiri". We were saying the same thing, just in a different order.
That brings me to the caddies. Basically, when you arrive at the course you are assigned a caddy. They bring you clubs to the driving range, put them on the cart and as the game goes on, they figure out how far you can hit with each club. However, I was giving up a stroke a whole because Lina was bringing out the wrong club and I didn't have the heart to send her back to the cart. They carry little bags filled with grass seed and pick up your divots for you.
Their job is also to make you feel like Tiger Woods. "Oh meester, you so strong. You hit that ball so faa." " Oh, Boss, you break tee, you so musclely."
But, after the game, they have shower facilities for you. And you can get a full body massage- with "servicing" for around $20. I am not sure about the total cost of the 'servicing' as I didn't inquire. Plus, I don't think the caddy is in charge of that.
All of this for the same price as Sandpiper in St. Albert. Oh, and the ladies get male caddies that do the same. I am unsure what the 'service' is though. Oh, and the girl with me in the picture kept looking at me and rubbing the side of her face. No, it isn't an Indonesian mating ritual, they don't get laugh lines around their eyes and she was commenting on mine. Apparently, they are fascinating.
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