So, almost seven months later – I finally sent a letter to the director at BeanTree.

Dear Mrs. Parkinson:

I hope this letter reaches you well, and I hope that since you opened it you will read it. I realize it’s been almost 7 months since I was terminated – I waited to write because I had to be sure I could think rationally on my experience at BeanTree. The last thing I want to do is send a letter out of anger and spite, because it is really not in my personality to lash out at people for no reason.

I wanted to let you know that I understand your reason for firing me. Although I loved the children in the toddler classroom, it is clear that the personality clashes between the other teachers and me did not make a healthy environment for the children. As a teacher, that should have been my first concern, but I have a very large streak of stubbornness and pride that held me back from admitting how angry and unhappy the women in that classroom made me. However, while I can appreciate the reason behind the act, I firmly believe you fired me in a highly unprofessional manner. The main reason you stated was because of “the things you heard” from other people, which I find highly ironic considering gossip and miscommunication is one of the biggest sources of discord at BeanTree. I’m not sure what “things you heard” about me – they may have been true, I don’t know – but the fact that you based a professional decision largely on gossip and hearsay makes it difficult to respect you for it.

The other thing that struck me as odd about our final meeting was the fact that you resorted to insulting me when I acquiesced to my termination. I have never before had the pleasure of being called an immature, poisonous liar by a professional supervisor before – thank you very much for that unique experience. I am neither “poisonous” nor a liar – opinions of maturity are particular to every different person, so I won’t try to defend myself against that judgment you placed on me.

While I am assuming the atmosphere in the toddler classroom is better without me, I wish you would realize that while my presence certainly exacerbated the problem, I was not the source. I am not a difficult person to get along with and I have never had as many interpersonal problems in my life as I had in the toddler classroom. The fact that teachers are not encouraged to try and work their differences out, but instead to skip that step and essentially blindside whoever they are angry at with a confrontation with a director, is just a way to feed angry gossip & maliciousness. Maybe you agree with that practice – I don’t.

In closing, the termination of my employment at BeanTree was decidedly for the best – so at the very least, I can thank you for your foresight. I now work in a place where I am not gossiped about, insulted, or looked down on, whether it is behind my back or up front. I hope the situation at BeanTree is better without me – I am certainly better without it.

Now, I don’t know how smart this was – but I feel better, shedding all that excess baggage. Even if it’s never read, at least I DID it. I’m hopeful that it’s a rational letter that acknowledges my blame while still being like ‘u a jerk’ – in a professional manner, of course ^_~ I tried not to bring the other teachers into it as they just aren’t my concern, but I couldn’t help myself a little bit towards the end. Thus ends the BeanTree Saga.

I got my car back yesterday evening, and instead of the $600 in repairs I had anticipated it was only $300 – yay! Now I can afford a few new work clothes! Also, so there’s been this ongoing issue with this girl who bought my Dagger costume from me back in mid-September. We agreed that she could pay me by money order, because she promised to mail it out immediately – yeah. It arrived YESTERDAY, and she didn’t even take the money order out until Oct. 6th – which is three weeks after she promised she would. Grr. But at least now I have immediate gas & food money and I won’t have to scrimp so much until I get paid next Wednesday :) If I wasn’t scurred of feedback-vengeance I would totally leave her negative, but eh. I’m not invested enough now that I actually have my money :B

Four of the feepits are at AUSA this weekend – I’m a bit sad I’m not going, but I’m also still pretty burned out on cons & cosplay from super stressful Otakon. We did make a new rule though – if we want to do a skit, the costume has to be already finished – as in, no trying to plan a skit AND sew a new costume. I think we might try to plan an Utena skit, but that’s okay, because those costumes are done and we won’t have to worry about completions or possible costume malfunctions due to a rush job. My goodness I’m wordy today.

Now I peace out for lunchtimes and cashing my delicious money order for food and gas money :D Wewt!