Have to rant
Oct 25th 2007, 9:17 am
#31
Ping-ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,024
Re: Have to rant
Why don't you go back to the Australia boards and keep on telling everybody how marvellous you are and what feats you've accomplished.
Last edited by dunroving; Oct 25th 2007 at 9:45 am. Reason: typo - couldn't spell "tw*ts" so had to type "men"
Oct 25th 2007, 9:27 am
#32
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,105
Re: Have to rant
I've asked you before to refrain from inflammatory remarks and not to post in this forum unless you have something constructive to say.
Oct 25th 2007, 9:31 am
#33
Ping-ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,024
Re: Have to rant
Well, duh, I see where you made your mistake. In-flamm-a-to-ry has 5 syllables. He can't understand anything with over 3 syllables (that's why he has to say Oz instead of Australia).
Oct 25th 2007, 9:50 am
#34
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Southern Ontario(house is SOLD on our way back to UK/aug 09)
Posts: 426
Re: Have to rant
For those of you who are looking forward to returning to the UK, look away (also those of you who have happily moved back).
I am having one of those "What was I THINKING????" days and I just have to get it off my chest.
For long periods of time I manage to just deal with things, but just lately I am finding it difficult to find much that is positive about being back in the UK (and it's more to do with me and my situation than with the UK).
If you've read any of my earlier posts you'll know my financial sitation is screwed, 15 years from retirement and a mortgage I'll never pay off by retirement, never any money left at the end of the month, thanks to the sinking dollar and stupid UK house prices. (In contrast, my finances in the US were just rosy)
Unlike many/most on here, I didn't return to a host of family and friends nearby (been away so long I've lost touch and anyway old college friends are scattered to the winds, am very close to my twin brother but he's overseas). I've tried things like the Ramblers Club (no dogs allowed) and cycling club (way too high a level, I got dropped) and am just struggling to meet people. (Again, in contrast, in the US I formed a good circle of friends pretty quickly).
Now just lately, my job situation is going pear-shaped. Higher education seems to have changed a lot just in the past few years - large classes, disinterested students who (a) don't even attend, (b) don't do any studying between classes, long lessons (3 hours for undergraduates is madness), mountains of bureacracy, blah, blah. Added to that, our Faculty and Department is going through some drastic changes and there is so much uncertainty it's very unsettling. Consequently, I'm spending half my life doing trivial "busy work" and the other half trying to entertain a room full of kids who'd rather be surfing Youtube. I have never been so disenchanted with teaching university students, though I'm really trying. (In contrast, although also very busy, my job in the States was extremely rewarding, I loved the students and we had a great time in class (heck, even the students who failed my class would be happy to see me second - or third - time around), my research program was stimulating (whereas there seem to be so many hurdles to doing research here in the UK). It dawned on me today that this job is more like teaching secondary shool than university. It's really been the last straw.
I'm just really, really discouraged right now and even when I'm walking the dog on the hills (which I certainly realize I'm lucky to have), I find myself ruminating on things like "What did I do?" and trying to find the positives, with little success.
OK, rant over.
I am having one of those "What was I THINKING????" days and I just have to get it off my chest.
For long periods of time I manage to just deal with things, but just lately I am finding it difficult to find much that is positive about being back in the UK (and it's more to do with me and my situation than with the UK).
If you've read any of my earlier posts you'll know my financial sitation is screwed, 15 years from retirement and a mortgage I'll never pay off by retirement, never any money left at the end of the month, thanks to the sinking dollar and stupid UK house prices. (In contrast, my finances in the US were just rosy)
Unlike many/most on here, I didn't return to a host of family and friends nearby (been away so long I've lost touch and anyway old college friends are scattered to the winds, am very close to my twin brother but he's overseas). I've tried things like the Ramblers Club (no dogs allowed) and cycling club (way too high a level, I got dropped) and am just struggling to meet people. (Again, in contrast, in the US I formed a good circle of friends pretty quickly).
Now just lately, my job situation is going pear-shaped. Higher education seems to have changed a lot just in the past few years - large classes, disinterested students who (a) don't even attend, (b) don't do any studying between classes, long lessons (3 hours for undergraduates is madness), mountains of bureacracy, blah, blah. Added to that, our Faculty and Department is going through some drastic changes and there is so much uncertainty it's very unsettling. Consequently, I'm spending half my life doing trivial "busy work" and the other half trying to entertain a room full of kids who'd rather be surfing Youtube. I have never been so disenchanted with teaching university students, though I'm really trying. (In contrast, although also very busy, my job in the States was extremely rewarding, I loved the students and we had a great time in class (heck, even the students who failed my class would be happy to see me second - or third - time around), my research program was stimulating (whereas there seem to be so many hurdles to doing research here in the UK). It dawned on me today that this job is more like teaching secondary shool than university. It's really been the last straw.
I'm just really, really discouraged right now and even when I'm walking the dog on the hills (which I certainly realize I'm lucky to have), I find myself ruminating on things like "What did I do?" and trying to find the positives, with little success.
OK, rant over.
Wish I was where you were in the UK? hehe...
Oct 25th 2007, 9:51 am
#35
Ping-ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,024
Re: Have to rant
I hope that this does not turn into a Scottish bashing thread!! Reading the above post and the comments about the fact that the teacher was from Scotland does not mean that we are all like that!! I hope that it wasn't meant this way. I am from Scotland, and a teacher, and would never in my wildest dreams say anything like that to my students
Good luck with your decision Dunroving; it is a difficult one.
Good luck with your decision Dunroving; it is a difficult one.
But really, they are the salt of the earth, as down to earth as they get (Glaswegians especially).
Oct 25th 2007, 10:01 am
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Southwestern Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,902
Re: Have to rant
Dunroving, thanks for the kind comments. Yes, Glaswegians are a wonderful bunch. You weren't standing below the guy in the kilt now were you??
Oct 25th 2007, 10:06 am
#37
Ping-ponger
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,024
[where's the Scottish smiley when you need it?]
Oct 25th 2007, 10:11 am
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Southwestern Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,902
Re: Have to rant
Seeing how chilly it's been lately, you probably wouldn't have had much to look at 
Oct 25th 2007, 1:27 pm
#39
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Baltimore, USA
Posts: 526
Re: Have to rant
I have read your comments since you returned to the UK with interest. I am sorry to hear about your confusion. Think of the reasons why you left the US. Something made you pack up your possesions, leave your job and cross the atlantic to live in the UK. I know you are feeling bad right now, but will coming back to the US solve your problems? My suggestion (for what its worth) is for you to stay where you are for a year or two, give it some time. Your brother will be coming back soon and then you will feel more connected. It is possible that you are going through some reverse culture shock. I am sorry to hear about your troubles. Good luck!
Oct 25th 2007, 6:55 pm
#40
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 423
Re: Have to rant
See you shouldnt assume my background, thats a mistake, and I love the "small man" quote, tickled me that one, but doesnt really sink in enough to offend, keep trying.
I can empathise with everything you are going through, been there and done it myself. Im not self assured infact quite the opposite, but the only silver spoon in life I have been given is the one I found myself and keep polishing.
Youre quite a travelled person, and must be worth your weight in gold with regards experience, I find it strange your are so confused and have reacted in such a sensitive manner. Maybe your ambitions and expections are extremely high, and you have jumped a few steps, that you should walked up first...
Yes I maynot be the smartest person in the world, no degree, infact dropped out of it 2nd year, but have the ability to get on with it, and make decisions and deal with the consequences, no-one to pick up the pieces for me.
I suggest, just a sug-est-ion, that you find what your looking for and go for it.
If its the US, book a flight and go, the longer you dwell on your negative thoughts the more you excerbate them and become so deluded and not see the wood for the trees. From my experience I got so opioniated, that I was right when the answer was infront me.
CHill out, if you are in Wales, that wont help neither. Maybe being academia isnt for you I dont know anything about you, just maying basic summations from your posts.
Cheers
"the small man"
I can empathise with everything you are going through, been there and done it myself. Im not self assured infact quite the opposite, but the only silver spoon in life I have been given is the one I found myself and keep polishing.
Youre quite a travelled person, and must be worth your weight in gold with regards experience, I find it strange your are so confused and have reacted in such a sensitive manner. Maybe your ambitions and expections are extremely high, and you have jumped a few steps, that you should walked up first...
Yes I maynot be the smartest person in the world, no degree, infact dropped out of it 2nd year, but have the ability to get on with it, and make decisions and deal with the consequences, no-one to pick up the pieces for me.
I suggest, just a sug-est-ion, that you find what your looking for and go for it.
If its the US, book a flight and go, the longer you dwell on your negative thoughts the more you excerbate them and become so deluded and not see the wood for the trees. From my experience I got so opioniated, that I was right when the answer was infront me.
CHill out, if you are in Wales, that wont help neither. Maybe being academia isnt for you I dont know anything about you, just maying basic summations from your posts.
Cheers
"the small man"
You are obviously one of those small men who mistakenly think that always being so self-assured that you never question yourself is a sign of strength.
Why don't you go back to the Australia boards and keep on telling everybody how marvellous you are and what feats you've accomplished.
Why don't you go back to the Australia boards and keep on telling everybody how marvellous you are and what feats you've accomplished.
Last edited by on a mission; Oct 25th 2007 at 7:02 pm.
Oct 26th 2007, 12:45 am
#41
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: UK-CA-OR-VA-Home
Posts: 306
Re: Have to rant
I edited this out, as I saw that other people have responded to OP (sorry, a bit late) and I didn't want to keep things going. However, I will say I have a lot of respect for Dunroving and appreciate his comments and help over the past few months.
Last edited by TaraC; Oct 26th 2007 at 12:47 am.
Oct 26th 2007, 3:06 am
#42
A rather curious boy
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 5,917
Re: Have to rant
Mr Dunroving = good guy. A genuine gent unafraid to show his real side on an issue that exposes true vulnerability. Good on my friend for continuing to have the bravery to show that the dilemma and confusion of immigration on the sensitive soul continues long after the plane ride ends.
Oct 27th 2007, 12:55 am
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Tropical North QLD
Posts: 21,434
Re: Have to rant
IMO takes a lot of courage to be so open on these forums & has been said by others, better to vent on here than in class!
If you have nothing constructive to say...shut up!
Oct 27th 2007, 7:24 am
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 1,216
Re: Have to rant
He won't shut up because he only comes on this forum to wind people up. Why the mods don't ban him from this forum where he has ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST is beyond me.
