Ever notice that you don't see too many "part time" instructors working at your local martial arts studio?? Me either, and if I do see them, they are either on their way out or just starting on their way down a long road of what the Headmaster will call the "Big Picture". Unfortunately, this "Big Picture" will not materialize until their 4th or, dare I say, 5th year of complete and total servitude to the headmaster's every need.
See, I have come to realize that working at your favorite place to work out, presents the need to find a different place to work out. Once you become an "employee" and not a paying student, your needs and your training get placed on the back burner; as now your life's goal is to serve the Headmaster. But, you won't notice that the Headmaster's promises of more intense and accelerated training are actually imaginary until the 4th or 5th month of working. Then, when you do realize it, you will feel like an impatient complainer who doesn't see the "Big Picture".
Oh, but wait for the best part. You will soon learn that your monthly paychecks are no where near worth the blood, sweat, and tears that you lost while carrying out their every demand; they miss a few multiples in their calculation if you ask me. Upon giving you this measley envelope though, the headmaster explains that a new instructor must climb up the ladder (which makes sense), and be preparing for that "Big Picture" that he keeps saying is coming. After a few months of working for scrap, however, you will start to realize that this "Big Picture" is synonymous with that "extra training" that you're gonna get. IMAGINARY!!!!!
You might be a very patient person, or you may feel like you have no other options at this point. Maybe you're in school, maybe the job market is just not interested in you at the moment, or maybe you are just a die hard who will do anything to be involved in some way. Either way, you may stick around to see if this "Big Picture" is of any benefit to you. But me???? I do not think so. Sure the check has gotten fatter as a result of my tireless toil both on the matt and behind the desk. But each month, more promises are made and less work gets done.
So, I spoke to the Headmaster....
It might be the Korean in him, but I think it is just human nature to realize just how much you need something, or someone, when faced with the possibility of losing it forever. I explained that times are changing and my current situation may not allow me to waste time at TaeKwonDo anymore.
"Buh, Sa-boo-ree-nah, yuh hava-tooh undastand da "Biig Pichuh" (But Sabrina, you have to understand the "Big Picture") the Headmaster begina, in his attempts to guilt trip me into staying.
Although he was not happy, he did understand my situation and reluctantly allowed me to drastically change my schedule in order to continue helping him as much as I could (my persuassiveness has improved since working for him).
"Ah Kay AhKay, Sa-boo-ree-nah, Of courrse I undastand yuh hava-tooh help-uh yoh daddy"m (Ok, ok, Sabrina, of course I understand you have to help your dad) the headmaster says finally realizes that, though he may want to, he cannot put his own needs above my family's.
"Big Picture" aside, there is one thing I value and highly respect about the Korean culture: Family is #1 no matter what, and each member will do whatever it takes to ensure the welfare of his or her own family.
Until Next Time:
Ahn-Yuhng Ha-Seoh!!!! (Aloha!!!!)
haha I totally know what you mean about how your headmaster doesn't get it when you say you may not have time at tae-kwan-do anymore. loyalty is a big thing and, drawing from personal experience, asians think it's a type of "betrayal" to leave/quit something or they don't understand that you have other priorities. but you're right about the family thing. my parents are like that and I'm really grateful. if you ever need an excuse that you headmaster can understand, just say it's for your family and then he'll get it :)
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