But Would I have my Own Swan Station Hatch....
As I may, or may not have, mentioned before, I'm having trouble getting my Visa renewed. Why? Well, while I would like to place the blame on the ever-changing, semi-obscure, International grandstanding of Modern Czech Bureaucracy, I must lay the professional blame on Rob whose job ( really, he was my Visa Agent) was to get all my essential paperwork in on time. Why didn't I just do it myself? Well, despite being called the Foreign Police, the F.P speak little to no English and, my Czech is nowhere near up to scratch in order to communicate the Kafka-esque ins and outs of Visa renewal. The thing is, its not that hard, but being fluent in the local language helps and I'm not there yet. Plus, you know, it was his job. While my Zivno was renewed (whew!) that may be seen as a red flag to the F.P and I may be denied a second Visa. Not good.
Of course, I've been legal for a while and, after a sit down with Tereza on this rather sticky situation, Glossa is, well, going to try and work around them ( the F.P) to make sure I can stay and I can get legal again....ASAP. I was worried about them letting me go to safe face with the authorities, but as Elmira just offered me a new class, I don't think they plan on getting rid of me just yet. Plus, I haev good standing here, my last observation went really, really well, and, they like me. I like them. I don't want to lose my job.
There are two viable solutions for this problem and, both would haev the obvious, and not so obvious benefits.
One: I go to Bratislava, Slovakia and get a Short-Term Visa. That would give me 3 months to get a longer, year-long / long-term stay Visa. It would take a day and ahalf to do plus, I would get said short-term Visa in one week. However, as Glossa was sent a letter by the FP ( with my name on it! cue rabid anxiety) listing several current teachers as illegal, this may not work. Many thing in life can terrify and chill and, I would like to add your name being put on a list by the F.P as one of them. Seriously.
Two: I go back to the USA for three months, re-enter, and have three months to get fully legal again. The complication here lies in the fact that I would have to (obviously!!!) move out of my flat. the lease is in my name. Tricky. I could sublet. I would leave work, but, I could easily be rehired when I return. Finally, I would, plain and simple, be away from the city and people I love. Then again, I did that in coming here, right?
Oh, and Jim also offered, in lieu of me moving to Florida for three months, the option of spending my legal isolation in Croatia. On an Island. With him. truth is, I don't want to leave him either. We spoke about it last night but as an idea and made no solid plans. We would rent a holiday flat for three months and live simply on our money as Croatia ( now that its become a popular tourist destination) is more expensive then Praha. I would write, go for walks, visit the Roman ruins that dot the country, travel further East, take photos, work on the art that has been nagging and pulling at my insides for months, be with someone I love.
Or, I could just go to Orlando and, perhaps, pop up North for a visit sometime. I could baby-sit, tutor, nanny, wait tables. I could spend time with Mum as its been ages since I've seen her.
I need to think about this and I mean REALLY think about this...once I stop hyperventilating .